Comedy & Spoken Word Audio | Film & Music

Comedy and other Spoken Word CDs, tapes and LPs are widely available across the world and appear in a range of categories. Some of these audio materials are rare and can be collectors' items particularly if the speaker is famous. Rare radio programmes or interviews, or archive sound footage might come into this category. However there are other categories such as educational spoken word CDs and items for younger children. There are also some items of famous recordings and famous speakers which might count as historic memorabilia available. Other comedy and spoken word CDs and tapes include vintage and modern entertainment that was first broadcast on television or radio. This article will act as a guide to show what is available and what sort of prices you should expect to pay for this type of material.

Educational CDS
There are a lot of educational resources on CD such as readings of plays and books. There are many versions of Shakespeare plays for example, along with other famous playwrights of the past. There are also CDs with plays on them by more modern playwrights such as Dylan Thomas, Arthur Miller, Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett. You might also want to purchase audio versions of some of Shakespeare's other works such as his poetry, of which there are many readings which support the National Curriculum. Shakespeare and other poets are studied at secondary school and there are a number of readings of these poems available on CD. There is an anthology of GCSE poetry which is studied by all students taking GCSE English and many of the poems are read (and sometimes discussed) on CD or tape. Indeed, more modern poetry is often read by the poets themselves, some of whom tour Britain reading their poems. Recordings of their live performances are available on CD as are other readings of their poems. Poets such as John Agard regularly read their own poems and these are recorded to enable the audience to gain a better understanding of the poems. These recordings are useful for those who work in education and also parents.

Famous books are also available for parents and educational specialists to buy. There is a lot of classic literature recorded by numerous actors, for example. There is a wide range of classics in original and adapted versions to buy for students. The type of classic that you can buy ranges from Jane Austen's works to Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde to Robert Louis Stephenson. Many of these books are studied at secondary school but they can also be bought for general entertainment purposes. They can be listened to for enjoyment as well as to gain a better understanding of the story and some include discussions and notes to enhance learning. The most interesting narrations are those by a professional actor or a group of narrators who provide voices for different characters. Sometimes these books have been narrated as a series broadcast on radio and will often include sound effects. These are generally very good audio versions of the stories. Similarly to the novel, short stories are often read aloud and broadcast on radio. These are often also studied at school and include famous stories such as those by Edgar Allen Poe.

Most listings of CDs and tapes will state who is giving the reading, how many narrators there are and whether the reading was broadcast on radio or television. Sometimes you will be able to listen prior to purchase to these readings but usually the information given will give a good indication as to what the sound will be like. Prices do vary but most CDs and tapes are inexpensive. They cost slightly more if the reader(s) are famous or if it is a broadcast recording, but usually they only cost a few pounds unless you buy a rare edition. Second hand tapes and CDs are often even cheaper and cost little to post if bought online as they are not heavy.

Children's Tapes and CDs
Children's recordings vary from the educational kind, which often involve stories and novels told at primary school, although these are usually more modern than the novels studied at secondary school. They can be educational but most children's audio texts are designed for entertainment and include television shows such as Sesame Street and Jackanory, which have been broadcast on television first. There are also short stories that have been on radio or books for very young children that have been recorded for entertainment purposes. Again these are not the most expensive recordings and cost only a few pounds. Even the vintage radio and television show personalities such as Rod Hull and Emu who make recordings do not fetch huge prices and second hand items will cost even less.

Comedy Recordings
There is a wide range of comedians that are available for hire but will cost a few hundred pounds to book. Many of these comedians have also made recordings of their live stand up and other comedy shows. There are also some rarer recordings of comedians and some lesser known comedians and even some old recordings of rare broadcasts from television and radio. These recordings are more expensive than readings of books and stories and cost around �10 depending on the comedian and how rare the recording is. These are bought for entertainment but are also of interest for collectors of rarer comedy.

Rare CDs and Tapes
There are some collectors' items in this category and also some more unusual items such as recordings of political broadcasts. There are recordings for example of Martin Luther King's speeches as well as other historic landmarks. There are also rare broadcasts or recordings that did not air, and other famous people speaking on the radio. Famous interviews or readings by famous people might also be included in this category. These items are the most expensive audio item and can cost over twenty pounds unless bought second hand rather than from specialist stores, as second hand recordings on CD, vinyl or tape can cost less.

If you do decide to buy an audio item remember that second hand items can cost less and it is a good idea to check the information so you know exactly what type of recording you are buying.