Dylan Thomas: The Caedmon Collection [Audiobook, Box set] [Audio CD]

Dylan Thomas (Reader), Billy Collins (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2004

Beginning in February 1952, Dylan Thomas made a series of memorable and historic recordings for a new record label called Caedmon. In fact, Dylan Thomas was the first to record for this new label, started by two 22–year–old women, Marianne Roney and Barbara Cohen. Little did they know that in addition to capturing a part of history they also launched an industry of spoken–word recording.

This collection not only contains the incredible Caedmon recording sessions, but also recordings from the BBC, CBC, and other archival material Caedmon originally published in the 1950s and 1960s.

Highlights include: "A Child's Christmas in Wales" and "Five Poems"; "Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night", his prose: Adventures in the Skin Trade and Quite Early One Morning, and his final work – Under Milk Wood, a play.

With stunning original album cover art, and an introduction read by former poet laureate Billy Collins, this unique collection includes not only Dylan Thomas reading his finest works, but also rare recordings of Thomas reading his favorite writers, including W.H. Auden and William Shakespeare.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dylan Thomas, born in 1914, began his career as a journalist in his native Swansea, Wales. He then moved to London where he worked in broadcasting and wrote film scripts, prose and drama to earn enough money to enable him to write what he most wanted to—poetry.

He lived colorfully, even recklessly, until his untimely death in New York City in 1953. One of the 20th century’s most treasured writers, Dylan Thomas was a master craftsman of poetic complexity and richly obscure imagery. Thomas’s genius is made clear in this landmark recording through the everlasting gift he has given the word—his voice.

Product Details

• Audio CD: 11 pages
• Publisher: Caedmon; Unabridged edition (November 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060790830
• ISBN-13: 978-0060790837
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Books on CD > Poetry & Drama
  • #68 in Books > Books on CD > Literature & Fiction > Poetry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Bargain for Thomas' Great Voice, January 6, 2006

By 

Kevin J. Roberts - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dylan Thomas: The Caedmon Collection (Audio CD)

The reviewer who called this a bad value is completely wrong. This set includes the COMPLETE Caedmon recordings of Thomas' incredible voice. Though a few of these original LP's were fairly common (Child's Christmas in Wales), many of the LPs were rare. People were bidding $50-$100 and up for some of these single LPs only recently. Here you have MANY CDs for the price of one! It would be nice to have an extensive book with this set, but you can always buy Dylan's books seperately. The set includes mini-LP cover sleeves for all of Thomas' original LP covers (though thin paper sleeves), another nice touch. Don't let this one get away. When it is out-of-print, it will probably go for $200-$300 and up!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy being read to, May 17, 2005

By 

C. Roger (Minneapolis MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dylan Thomas (Audio Cassette)

I enjoy sitting and listening to Dylan Thomas read to me; such a rich and wonderful voice. And contrary to what another reviewer has written, Under Milkwood is complete. While the liner notes do say 'From' Under Milkwood, the play is complete.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Under Milk Wood is infact complete here..., July 11, 2005

By 

S. Hebbron "S B H." (Leicester UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dylan Thomas CD: The Caedmon Collection (Audio CD)

...as are Thomas's other works. Thomas was a skilled and lyrical writer and captures much of the musicality of Welsh speaking people in his works. While he is interesting to read it can be a trail for those not familair with Welsh culture, particularly now as the Welsh culture he speaks of is pretty much dead and gone. His musical poetic skills are brought beautifully to life when he reads to you and this is the only way to "do" Under Milk Wood, written as a play for radio but essentially an elongated poem of early 20th century Welsh life as Thomas himself knew it. Contrary to some beliefs expressed in reviewing this item, the play is complete, all the complex and strange villagers are present as are their stories.
What Thomas does best is to guide your imagination into his world and this set allows you to experience his work in the best way read by the man himself.