The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe - Calm Stuff

[@speccy4i]

So nice to see Johnny celebrate the classics. Simpsons Treehouse of Horror.

[@jeepdriver456]

quoth the raven...eat my shorts

[@0southpaw6]

I didn't hear the cat meow the first time so it just seemed like Johnny laughed maniacally. It fits the theme though.

[@nightmarethrenody8232]

You don’t give yourself enough credit, Johnny; this was incredible. I think it would be neat to see you and Luke team up for some dramatic readings sometime.

[@ryanartward]

I don't know why, but I am now wanting to hear Johnny use the voice of Bismuth the Crone....narrating a Fifty Shades of Gray.

[@oxfanblink4115]

Typical cat 🐈 to briefly ruin the gentle light spooky mood with a meow 😂🤣😂🤣

[@darthkrieger6694]

That was excellent young sir..... And the cat did well too.

[@zimfreak4242]

Honestly one of the most approachable and therefore compelling readings of this piece I've heard. Now do the cover version that's about Watson grunting and farting on her bed while the protagonist tries to stream or edit videos or something ;)

[@studentjohn]

I was 30 before I realized that ravens could, in fact, learn a word or two. I had one come up to me demanding "bread!"

[@dubbingsync]

Definitely not the usual reading speed for this poem but that’s what makes it great. Just shows that it can be performed in so many ways. Also just makes this yet another reading of The Raven that I have enjoyed. I guess this is one of those poems that people know how to read well.

[@CodaBlair]

It's really on theme that this came out for non patreon members on Halloween. Also, you are so good at stuff like dramatic readings. Just like how part of why you're so entertaining with roleplays, you just put so much emotion into the stuff you read.

[@melissarockefeller1786]

Please do more, you have a real talent at audio book reading ..not sure of what book but I would listen!!

[@Tirza_]

I would listen to Johnny read out the phone book and be enchanted.

[@LilyMilos]

Seconded!

[@RecorderArcade]

Absolutely lovely. One of my favorite poems, authors, and KZbinrs all in one video. * bliss*

[@TheRemiCay]

Thanks Watson for your contribution. Johnny, that was great, thank you!

[@chrisworsley8836]

Thank you for reading my favorite poem Johnny. So cool to hear it in your voice. A nice way to start this Halloween! I hope you, Watson, all your loved ones, all the Lovely Skele-Pals have a Fun, Happy, or uneventful (whichever is your preference) Halloween!

[@timmoss8510]

You know how much I admire your vocal presentations - this is brilliant!

[@bolasaurus]

This is absolutely delightful! The rhythm and inflection is simply wonderful. Have a lovely Halloween Johnny, and thankyou for this excellent treat!

[@TheGreatGoddessFreya]

The perfect response The End Of The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe's cat ( from Henry Beard's 'Poetry For Cats') On a night quite unenchanting, when the rain was downward slanting, I awakened to the ranting of the man I catch mice for. Tipsy and a bit unshaven, in a tone I found quite craven, Poe was talking to a Raven perched above the chamber door. "Raven's very tasty," thought I, as I tiptoed o'er the floor, "There is nothing I like more" Soft upon the rug I treaded, calm and careful as I headed Towards his roost atop that dreaded bust of Pallas I deplore. While the bard and birdie chattered, I made sure that nothing clattered, Creaked, or snapped, or fell, or shattered, as I crossed the corridor; For his house is crammed with trinkets, curios and wierd decor Bric-a-brac and junk galore. Still the Raven never fluttered, standing stock-still as he uttered, In a voice that shrieked and sputtered, his two cents' worth - "Nevermore." While this dirge the birdbrain kept up, oh, so silently I crept up, Then I crouched and quickly lept up, pouncing on the feathered bore. Soon he was a heap of plumage, and a little blood and gore - Only this and not much more. "Oooo!" my pickled poet cried out, "Pussycat, it's time I dried out! Never sat I in my hideout talking to a bird before; How I've wallowed in self-pity, while my gallant, valiant kitty Put an end to that damned ditty" - then I heard him start to snore. Back atop the door I clambered, eyed that statue I abhor, Jumped - and smashed it on the floor.

[@lilianlepesme6935]

Thank you Johnny, that was chill-beautiful :raven:

[@trevor57underwood1]

Haven't heard it since high-school. A lovely reading nothing more😁

[@pctech714]

Thank you for this, Johnny. You did an amazing job. I can't even imagine doing it in front of a camera. I've recorded "The Raven" a number of times over the years. It's my favorite from all of Poe's works! My biggest hurdle was trying to overcome the James Earl Jones one from The Simpsons episode. Some of my recordings were very much in his style. I have them on SoundCloud if anybody's interested.

[@merissaj4518]

Someone give this wonderful person an audio book deal! I would love to hear Johnny recite the first few cantos from The Inferno. It is a long poem so I would never expect them all, but hearing a bit would be lovely.

[@StormhavenGaming]

Very nice, Johnny. Bravo and, indeed, encore.

[@MrMessyy]

Oh wow...more of this, please!

[@lholdridge]

Brilliantly atmospheric! Fantastic reading Johnny

[@kainschilde209]

I have never seen/heard a more expressive reading of this poem. It was lovely.

[@jehan60188]

Nice way to cap off a spooky October; thanks!

[@sleepytime999998]

Can we all take second and recognize that a knock on the door, followed by a text from an Ex that just reads, "Here," is pretty much this entire poem.

[@shaywilliams95]

I loved this Johnny, thank you so much!!! Can't help but imagine that Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode where James Ealr Jones is reading this! Haha

[@abydosianchulac2]

Cat heard there was a birdie coming

[@terrible1736]

quoth the kitty: "yummm gimme that"

[@Scribe13]

AAAAHH!!! Thank you for the treat (sprinkled with cheeky tricks), Johnny! 🎉

[@awmperry]

Excellent performance. Really leaning into the narrative, and well-judged dynamics to enliven it.

[@z3rotollranc3]

This is absolutely incredible and I think the first time I've heard The Raven read since I've been old enough to actually sit there and really listen to what I'm hearing.

[@Hetnikik]

I've only ever heard one other person read this poem, and that is James Earl Jones on the first Treehouse of Horror.

[@xenogil180]

Glad to finally hear the poem in full for the first time. Thanks!

[@thunderkatz42]

I really enjoy how this version makes me notice and appreciate a lot of the internal rhymes so much more than just reading it. Great job overall!

[@davemckinney6555]

This is ab-so-lute-ly BRILLIANT 👏!!! Outstanding job, Johnny and thank you!

[@benchurch2450]

Love this poem, used to he able to do it off by heart and it had a yearly recital, think would struggle to do so now. Thanks for this really enjoyed it 👍

[@expressivedepressive3456]

A wonderful way to first experience this poem

[@christinewebb8893]

The Raven is one of my favourite poems of all time, and you did it justice! Please do another poem reading soon. P. S. Luna(?) and Watson were also on top form! X-D

[@lauraanne341]

What fortuitous timing! Posted just as I was setting out to do some Halloween baking! This proves an excellent soundtrack

[@albertgreene313]

Thanks! This was a morning treat!

[@woodencoyote4372]

That was very well read. Thank you for sharing the spooks with us.

[@MetharosKM]

That was a very good reading. You sell yourself short.

[@stormy7745]

Loved this! Wouldn't mind more dramatic readings, so long as you're feeling up to it

[@aceilingfan_420]

Very well done Sir

[@aeloswindrunner]

Well that was excellent, and you had a backing reading too from the cat, how delightful ^⁠_⁠^

[@TheSilentCrescent]

I know, it's called calm stuff but this made me so excited! I just yesterday got out my copy of Po's complete works I got in my Goth Phase as teenager (which is comming back even stronger the closer I get to my 30th :'D) and read some of his poems including the Raven. You so made my day with this video! Thank you a thousand times!

[@Drako999x]

Only Johnny can make one laugh at the beginning of this poem XD I love you Johnny. Stay as you are

[@pierresmee4769]

saved to watch later! i am 'listening' forward to this!

[@jasvadgama]

That was brilliant. More please!

[@kaniamia]

Yes please more of this! Thank you for gifting us with your voice this Halloween, Johnny!

[@lewisprice1512]

This is fantastic Johnny! What a way to kick Halloween off, have a good one!

[@davertronlebosta9430]

This was amazing!!! So good!

[@TheGreatGoddessFreya]

A wonderful rendition. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ivykiz]

Johnny, this is wonderful, thank you so much. if you ever do any more poetry readings, can I please request Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. I would love to hear your take on it.

[@maniacalmike5786]

Since a time long passing sits a raven over my room's door. Hoping I for some passing; wanting a simple bust for the raven, but alas nevermore. Thank you Johnny for the poem, a favorite of mine and I'm guessing others to forevermore.

[@ststclair]

Nicely done!

[@dragonknight2730]

Happy Halloween Johnny!

[@simplydavemn]

Oddly enough the last time I thought of this piece was when my sister in law was reading it to my comatose father in the hospital. He didn't make it, but just knowing him and the way he was makes this a good memory - I'm pretty sure whatever consciousness he had during this time enjoyed it.

[@mandoschMUh]

I really enjoyed that. Thank you. Also the noices of your adorable animal friends made me very happy :D

[@The_Rising_Ape]

Beautifully read Johnny and one of my all time favourite poems. If you decide to give this another go I'd love to hear your rendition of Yeats' The Second Coming".

[@Emzyisaces]

Beautifully done. Bring on the spooky days. 🎃

[@caalmodeoc]

OMG I love this

[@matwetton]

How did I miss this until now. Simply wonderful. and the poem wasnt bad either...would love to hear you do some of the other great works. your voice is just made for this sort of thing.

[@Babyvalkyie]

Immaculate vibes 🤌🏽

[@poskeegget8043]

A good start of October.

[@steampunkweasel]

This was wonderful! Poe is my favorite author/poet, and The Raven is my 2nd favorite poem of all time. (My favorite is Dream Within a Dream, also by Poe.) You read it very well!

[@alexsimpkin5620]

What an amazing Halloween treat!!!

[@moalisiddiqui]

[CAT MEOWS] - This has to be one of m y favourite readings of "The Raven". It sits right next to the one that the "The Simpson" did in a Treehouse of Horror episode!

[@Snowburn77]

The amontillado!!!

[@BestDARNComputers]

I have a new favorite narrator.

[@MrLewis555]

That was awesome :)

[@ardenwarwick1087]

I would kill, die or go to war (which I suppose combines the chances of the latter two) for you to read EAP's King Pest. By far my favourite of his works, it has a wonderfully grisly energy about it. Good work, Johnny!

[@LilyMilos]

Absolutely loved this

[@blazingbuddy4228]

This was amazingly calming, I would love to hear more poetry readings from you johnny. I hope this tiny KZbin comment brings you joy, just as you do. 🙂

[@teafling]

This was brilliant (even with unintentional accompaniment in the form of my cat’s wheezy snores) 🖤

[@the_shadow_hog]

By the way, I'd happily listen to a whole series of Johnny reading stories. My preference leans toward classic horror stories, but I'm sure pretty much anything would be good

[@candy-scorn]

someone trained a bird to talk and dude went absolutely wild 😂

[@Lightning1998JBD]

I love this Jonny reading Poems would be a great regular addition to this series, may i Request; Do not go gentle into that good night - By Dylan Thomas

[@wangchi_]

You know what would've been scarier than nothing?

[@nawarelsabaa]

This is basically how I read this poem in my mind, actually hearing "Leonore?" being in an inquisitive tone as the door is opened is something I found myself wishing for in other readings, and it was immensely satisfying to hear you say it that way. You should really think about adding some music and video backdrop and publishing this as a serious read of the poem (thiugh that would have to be done without Watson and the cat, sadly). Just one question, and it'sa genuine question: isn't "nepenthe" supposed to end with a "thee" sound?

[@sadukar_7th_legion]

I really do love you Johnny, you hooked me on EG, I loved how you had the balls to say, I'm moving on. Wish you never. You are a great dungeon master, but, yeah, I know. You read it so bloody well, but too fast Johnny. You must have read his works, he never rushed it, and according to people, he was very long and almost boring. Not like you. I'd love to hear you do this again, with pause and thought to the words.

[@Gamehen9]

👏👏👏

[@ssake1_IAL_Research]

Edgar Allan Poe never wrote "The Raven," he merely claimed its authorship using a kind of 19th-century "identity theft." The poem was submitted anonymously to "American Review" under the pseudonym "---- Quarles" by the true author, Mathew Franklin Whittier, younger brother of poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Poe, a reviewer for the New York "Evening Mirror," finding the poem in an advance copy of "American Review," scooped Mathew in his own paper by two days. Mathew had shared a copy of "The Raven" with Poe in early 1842, so Poe had a handwritten copy in his possession. This enabled him to convince his editor he had permission to scoop "American Review"--but he mysteriously left the "Mirror" shortly afterwards (suggesting that he may have been fired for lying about it). It is the height of absurdity that the editor of a newly-launched monthly literary magazine like the "Review," would have given a daily newspaper this permission. The real author was not in a position to reveal his identity because of his anti-slavery work and connection with the Underground Railroad, and hence could not publicly defend himself. See my paper, "Evidence that Edgar Allan Poe Stole 'The Raven' from Mathew Franklin Whittier," or a more condensed version intended for scholarly journals, entitled "Edgar Allan Poe’s Plagiarism of Mathew Franklin Whittier’s Poem, “The Raven," each of which can be downloaded from the following links. They can also be found by searching for each paper's' title on Academia.edu. www.ial.goldthread.com/MFW_The_Raven.pdf www.ial.goldthread.com/MFW_The_Raven_condensed.pdf

[@reapercushions9372]

Far above ok-ish!

[@the_shadow_hog]

I was taught to pronounce "nepenthe" with a clear "thee", but I like your pronunciation better

[@Gooch359]

Is it bad that I only know this because of the Simpsons?

[@grandmoffschnipps1036]

Needs a back-leaning cowboy hat ;)

[@davidfullagar2706]

what's with the glass of wine? it serves no purpose to the video. why would you want everyone to know your drinking on the job. really pretentious