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The Word of Promise: New Testament Audio Bible by Thomas Nelson
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Thomas Nelson Brand: STL Distributors Edition: Music CD Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2007-10-02 ISBN: 0718024249 Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Book Reviews of The Word of Promise: New Testament Audio BibleBook Review: The Word of Promise - A Review Upon Listening to It All Summary: 5 Stars
Since I have now listened to the entire NT, I wanted to comment on the Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible.
I'll preface by saying that I am a Christian who loves the Bible but who has been disappointed over the years with the various audio bibles available.
A brief survey.
In my opinion the greatest audio presentation to date by a single reader is Alexander Scourby's reading of both the King James Version and the Revised Standard Version (no longer available). Mr. Scourby's reading is effortless, beautiful, and he delivers the words of the bible with the right emotional weight almost without exception. A phenomenal performance.
Other single readers include Max McLean who has an odd way of emphasizing words/phrases at times that brings attention to himself and the oddity rather than realistically delivering the words in a believable manner. Marquis Laughlin does a better job but still tends to over dramatize too often when not called for by the text. James Earl Jones' great voice is alas trapped in a version with poor background music that is very distracting and artificial.
The "dramatic" editions of most audio bibles that feature a cast of speakers too often sound very amateurish. Dialog and narrative are not delivered well much of the time and the results frequently sound like a group of individuals taken from any number of Sunday School Classes around a community and placed before microphones. Well meaning attempts to be sure, but distracting for listeners who know what good performance artists can deliver and who want desperately to hear someone read the bible as it may have actually been spoken.
Which brings me to the Word of Promise.
Overall, the Word of Promise delivers the level of audio performance I have been waiting for decades to experience. The actors do what real actors do best -- they put you into the moment by successfully delivering their lines (dialog or narrative) in a way that is fundamentally believable. It is the "you are there and listening in" experience that recreates the moment.
Additionally, the original musical score and realistic sound effects enhance the spoken words effectively to further produce the greatest sense of time and presence of any audio bible to date. When Paul is writing/reading his letters, you hear the faint scratching of the dip pen in the background. At times he stops to pour a drink or shut a window or door, etc. All this is done as well as anything produced by the movie studios in terms of music and sound. It is difficult to imagine how this aspect of this production could be made better.
Now as to the performances.
Overall, the actors succeed in taking us back to the 1st century and allowing us to experience the people of the New Testament. A few examples are noted below.
Jim Caviezel (Jesus) - Mr. Caviezel succeeds overall, but not without some disappointment. Whether related to the range of his voice or other factors, he reads a number of passages with too little emphasis (flat), or with a choppy cadence that is monotonous. Several of his long teaching passages in Matthew, Mark, and Luke have this effect. It is not bad, not even distracting most of the time, it is just that one could have imagined him doing it a little better. On the other hand, his readings in the Gospel of John are breathtaking -- especially during Jesus' teachings at the last supper with his disciples. Just outstanding. So overall, Mr. Caviezel turns in a very good performance of Jesus throughout, and at times, superb.
Lou Gossett, Jr. (John) - The moment Mr. Gossett begins reading the first few lines of the Gospel of John, you know you are in for something special. His voice is full of all things awesome and mysterious. He brings you into the book and into his world completely. His reading also of the letters of John and Revelation is just as great. It is worth the price of the Word of Promise just to experience the Gospel of John in the hands of Mr. Gossett and Mr. Caviezel.
Ernie Hudson (Peter) - Mr. Hudson reads as Peter with obvious desire and earnestness, and so I appreciate his effort. But whenever he speaks he reminds me of the movie "Ghostbusters" (of which he was one of the stars). Sorry, but his vocalizations just do not convey a sense that you are listening to Peter.
Michael York (Narrator) - Mr. York introduces the books of the New Testament and also narrates. My comment here regards his reading of the book of Hebrews. I'm sorry to say it but his reading of Hebrews is perhaps the worst performance of the entire work. Normally, Mr. York's voice is one of the great voices in the entertainment industry. His reading of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" is wonderful. The problem is that he reads Hebrews with the same "Once upon a time...." lilting voice that belongs more at home with children stories. The writer of Hebrews was an intellectual of the stature of the Apostle Paul. A voice similar to that of Mr. Keach would have been a better choice.
Stacy Keach (Paul) - Mr. Keach is outstanding as Paul. His voice and readings convey intelligence, conviction, sympathy, and strength. He has wonderful control of his voice and the producers made an outstanding choice in their selection of him for this very important role.
In summary, the actors overall are impressive in their roles (thanks no doubt to fine direction), and the team has produced a work that will be enjoyed by millions for many years to come.
Summary of The Word of Promise: New Testament Audio BibleHear the Bible Come Alive in Dramatic Audio Theater?! This multi-voiced, scripted dramatization of the New King James Version (NKJV) features a star-studded cast of actors, an original music score, and incredible feature film quality sound effects. This world-class production creates a dramatic audio theater experience that makes you feel like you're really there with Jesus and His disciples. Listen in your car, on your MP3 player, or with your family or small group to gain a new perspective of the Bible. The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible is a 20-CD set and includes a bonus "Behind-the-Scenes" DVD. Cast Includes: - Jim Caviezel (The Passion of The Christ, Deja vu) - Jesus
- Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland's Opus, The Goodbye Girl) - Quotes from Moses
- Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want) - Mary Magdalene
- Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach (Prison Break, Hemingway) - Paul
- Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots) - John
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim, Father of the Bride) - Mary, Mother of Jesus
- And many others
Amazon.com Exclusive: A Letter From Carl Amari, Producer of The Word of Promise Dear Friends,
I am very excited for you all to experience The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible. It has been a true labor of love and I?m thrilled that it has finally released.
I would like to take a few minutes to share with you how The Word of Promise came to be. As a young man, I was introduced to and intrigued by recordings of old radio shows. Long before the advent of TV, people were entertained by radio mysteries, comedies and dramas. These stories were presented by actors, complete with sound effects and music enhancing the experience. The imagination, which we have all but forgotten today, was totally engaged.
While in college, I started a company to market these audio gems of the past. In only a few years, Radio Spirits became the largest seller and marketer of classic radio shows in the world.
Then during the filming of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ I visited the set in Rome. Seeing first hand what Mel was creating, and encountering his vision for the film, made a profound and lasting impression on me.
One night, over two years ago, while reading to my children from the Bible, the vision of a dramatized version of the Bible began to take shape in my heart. Why not engage the powerful medium of audio to impact lives with the Word of God as the radio shows from yesterday impacted me as a child? We could reach more people.
Only a few years later and by the profound grace of God, the combined efforts of an incredibly talented group of artisans have brought forth an audio New Testament that I believe will stand the test of time. I've never been more excited or passionate about a project and I want to thank God and everyone who has touched this in their own unique way...especially you. Savor these eternal words "which will not pass away" and may many blessings be yours as a result.
God Bless,
Carl Amari CEO, Falcon Picture Group Producer, The Word of Promise The Voices of Promise Excerpt: Taking the Place of Barrabas (Matthew 27.15-25)
Excerpt: Jesus Dies on the Cross (Matthew 27.51-56)
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