Glass Hammer's "Middle Earth Album" is a HIT with fans of fantasy and Tolkien. On this album, Glass Hammer departs from it's usual progressive rock bombast, to perform a medieval \ Celtic \ folk set recorded "live at The ... more »Prancing Pony Inn". Sing along with the denizens of Bree as you hear tales of Elven maidens and sword-wielding Rangers, Dwarven heroes and bloodthirsty Trolls. Transport yourself to a land of legend with the music of Glass Hammer! Jonathan Watson of TolkienOnLine.com has commented that "It may very well be what Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippen witnessed as they stayed at the inn. On the album, the music is rousing, the lyrics pure fun, and the crowd at the inn a jostling bunch that doesn't seem to get their fill of fun. If you want a truly new experience in Middle-earth, a musical example of what Tolkien termed "sub-creation", then grab your headphones, slide the CD in, and join the patrons of The Prancing Pony Inn!"« less
Glass Hammer's "Middle Earth Album" is a HIT with fans of fantasy and Tolkien. On this album, Glass Hammer departs from it's usual progressive rock bombast, to perform a medieval \ Celtic \ folk set recorded "live at The Prancing Pony Inn". Sing along with the denizens of Bree as you hear tales of Elven maidens and sword-wielding Rangers, Dwarven heroes and bloodthirsty Trolls. Transport yourself to a land of legend with the music of Glass Hammer! Jonathan Watson of TolkienOnLine.com has commented that "It may very well be what Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippen witnessed as they stayed at the inn. On the album, the music is rousing, the lyrics pure fun, and the crowd at the inn a jostling bunch that doesn't seem to get their fill of fun. If you want a truly new experience in Middle-earth, a musical example of what Tolkien termed "sub-creation", then grab your headphones, slide the CD in, and join the patrons of The Prancing Pony Inn!"
CD Reviews
In the style of....
G-Dexter | Lakewood, NY United States | 10/17/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album is a sequel to the first Glass Hammer effort, JOURNEY OF THE DUNADAN. Specifically, it revisits The Prancing Pony Inn, in the town of Bree, in the County of Shire, in the land of Middle Earth. If you're with me so far, you're going to love this CD. If you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about, you may still like it, though you might be confused. This CD was ostensibly recorded live in the mythical land from J.R.R. Tolkein's epic novels. The songs are somewhat Celtic in nature, and relate tales of Dwarves and Orcs, Old Trolls and princesses, Kings and Elves. There are tales of daring escapes, evil deeds and heroic adventures. In short, it's a rolicking good time and a wonderful companion piece to the novels. In my opinion, Glass Hammer can now be difinitively subdivided into two distinct musical catagories: progressive rock and celtic (Middle Earthian) folk. PERELANDRA, ON TO EVERMORE and especially CHRONOMETREE are great CD's for the lovers of Alan Parsons, ELP, or Genesis. If your tastes lean more towards Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention, or even the Chieftains, you will be more inclined to enjoy JOURNEY OF THE DUNADAN and THE MIDDLE EARTH ALBUM. At first listening, all of their CD's seem a bit whimsical, which is part of their charm. However, with repeated play, the complexities and brilliance of each CD emerges, and the enjoyment grows. Whichever CD you choose, Fred Schendel and Stephen Babb, et al are wonderful musicians and I highly recommend their work."
I Like This One...
ussjulia | Lafayette, CO USA | 03/08/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Though I wish there were tracks you could sample here on amazon, I did go over the bands web site, to listen to a few samples, and then I came & I ordered it here. The first few songs are just fun. Let the modern world go for a bit, and settle in for some fun with your friends...be they dwarven, hobbit, elven, men & women of Bree...these songs will remind you of the middle ages of our time, and yet, you know there is a different feeling in there too.
After about 20 minutes, the tone changes, and there is a more melodious, what I would term more Elven quality. Many of the vocals & songs are beautiful, other songs...they are okay, not great...
Overall, I really really like this CD...I am a Tolkien reader, and I love his mind...I don't know if a non-Tolkien person would care for this...but for a Tolkien believer...yes, I think you just may find you love this CD.
Just a added note. It takes more then one listen to absorb this music. (like when you see a movie more then once...)"
Magical!
Snow Cone | Netherlands | 11/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I first listened to The Middle Earth Album, I was dissapointed. Knowing Chronomotree I expected a prog rock experience. It turned out that I found myself surrounded by halflings and other inhabitants of the Shire who come to the pub to have a pleasant and feastfull evening. The first six songs are folk-songs straight from Middle Earth, the wonderful and haunting world, created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The others are tales that take place in the same fantasy. Except for the closing song, where we are back again in the Inn.It took me some time to adjust my expectations, but once drawn over the line there was no turning back. This cd is a work of genius! Just like all the other works of Glass Hammer. In The Middle Earth Album you actually sit beside the merry lot in The Prancing Pony (the pub) and laugh about the joking songs about trolls and dwarfs and Tom Bombadill. The other songs bring tears to your eyes for the breathtaking atmosphere the create. Like The Last Ship, where the hero's of the story are leaving for the Grey Havens. It is best if you know the story, but not needed. To go short: this new album of Glass Hammer is completely new from what they have done before. It is a magical work, just as Tolkiens novel is. The Journey of the Dunadan must indeed be mentioned in one breath with this Middle Earth Album. Dunadan is much more storytelling and Middle Earth Album is much more an atmospherical journey. Very much a pity that Fred Schendel and company are not invited to write the music for the upcomming movies.
For those who love the stories of Tolkien and for those who do not but can appreciate intelligent music: this album is a must buy!"
Spend an enchanted night in Bree! A must for Tolkien fans.
AHS | Granite Falls, NC, USA | 05/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Middle Earth Album has a renaissance faire medievalism about it that is authentic as well as inspired. Half of this concept CD puts the listener in the Prancing Pony to hear Middle Earth-inspired drinking songs complete with the shouts and catcalls of hobbits, dwarves, men, and sundry other patrons enjoying their ale. Even the studio tracks, which comprise the second half of the album, carry through the earthiness of the Bree setting. Though none of the lyrics are Tolkien's, each song in some way refers directly to characters, creatures, or events from LOTR. Glass Hammer balances raucous sing-alongs such as "The Old Troll and the Maiden" and "Dwarf and Orc" with thoughtful works such as "As I Walk" and "Mithrandir (This Fading Age)" that reflect on the experience of the fellowship and its allies. Glass Hammer manages to sneak in some introspection and regret without losing the pace of the album. Make no mistake, though: this is a good time CD for those who want to party like it's 1442 Shire Reckoning. Best track: "The King's Beer." Aragorn returns to Bree to drink Barliman Butterbur's best brew! Compulsively sing-along-able."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1