Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

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.