THE WINTER CHERRIES

Bodkin tells four winter holiday tales in this volume from the Odds Bodkin Storytelling Library. He uses a thick, indistinct accent for the title tale, an Arthurian legend, and listening becomes a thirty minute chore. “The Generous Man,” a Chanukah tale, and “The Christmas Spiders,” a German folktale, are nice stories told in a more engaging style. But “The Takeover Before Christmas,” identified as a Rock ‘n’ Roll story, is dreadful both in conception and music. All the stories are accompanied by music and are overwhelmed by it at times. The overall recording quality is poor. Perhaps these stories would come across well on stage, but they’re disappointing on audio. C.R.A. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 95]