Donald Swann (1923–1994)

In this collection, J.R.R. Tolkien reads some of his own poetry and works. Also included are some of the Donald Swann musical arrangements. It’s quite lovely to hear the author read his own works, and the musical renditions are very well done, performed by William Elvin. It’s quite a treat for fans of Tolkien.

Donald Swann was from Flanders and Swann who wrote comedic music like Mud Mud Glorious Mud, Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.

This is a book about a Hippopotamus trying to impress a girl and get her to play in the mud with her. He sings a crazy song and is acting like he is having a ton of fun when it is just to impress the girl. However she plays in the mud with him and then they become friends and the whole town joins them as well.

I liked this music better than many more serious musicians I knew did when it came out, especially Namarie and Treebeard's Song