Good, but lacks poetic force of Paul Sparer reading
I bought this CD, thinking I was buying a digital version of the highly poetic reading of Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet," read by Paul Sparer, produced by Random House in 1996.

My mistake. The Richard Harris recording is pretty good, though it lacks the poetic force of the Sparer reading.

Richard Harris' recording sounds (not surprisingly, given Harris' career) like a self-conscious Shakespearian play, or a long, musical (yes, there is music, lots of it, some quite church-ish) sonnet. [And this comes from a guy who loves the Noble Bard, having completed a degree in English Lit...] Having listened to the Harris recording several times, I think it will gather dust quickly on the shelf. Even though Gibran's masterpiece is read word-for-word, I found the nearly constant blending of music with the words intrusive to the point of distraction.

Ultimately, I feel there is too much going in the background--both the Shakespearian overtones and the music--for the voice of the artist--Kahlil Gibran, remember him?--the great Lebanese writer?--to come through.

I still hope that Random House re-releases their version.

Magestic, Inspirational, Beautiful.
As the title to the review states this CD is truly... Magestic, Inspirational, Beautiful.

There is none to compare; the words of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet given voice and music, given a life that moves you as you listen.

Purchase this CD; listen, be moved and I have no doubt you will love the experience.

A Beautiful reading of a wonderful book
The musical background combined with the sage words of Gibran being read by Richard Harris creates a spiritual event of grace and depth. I have owned this recording since back in the old LP days, and wanted to give this as a gift to a friend who was dealing with some major losses. It is inspiring, touching and helps remind us of the power of soul, love and "God". It would make a wonderful gift for anyone you care about, including yourself. Spiritual without preaching, non-demoninational, just lovely sensitive perspectives on life and living. Enjoy!!

The Prophet by Richard Harris
The audio version of Kalil Gibran's "The Prophet" (read by the late, great Richard Harris) has been a favorite of mine through years past, and it continues to be my favorite inspirational audio cd above many. I boldly quote passages from it, and it is not unusual to hear me singing snatches from the medley on 'love' and 'children' and 'marriage.'
I first discovered the prophet many, many years ago after the President of my country died and the radio station was playing this thing. It blew me over gently and I bought the LP.
Since then I have grown into saying to people, "You do not need to go to church to understand how to live this life; just listen to "The Prophet."
I have gone on Amazon more than once and have bought copies of "The Prophet" and have had them delivered to people I care about---people with life issues---people not at ease with everyday life.
This is an exellent bit of work, and I'm damn happy that it's still available on Amazon.
Many have said to me, "Harold...you have a good heart." This compliment comes to me often. Why? Because through the words of Kalil Gibran (and out of the mouth of Richard Harris), I practice 'giving'...I give so that I might live. This audio work, has changed my life.
Get it; it may change yours also.

Something Remembered
I remembered hearing The Prophet being played by my mother in the house many times in Jamaica W.I,by the way i was born in Jamaica W.I on December 23, 1970 and The Prophet came out i think in 1974(knowing my mother she stills has the album somewhere). But as kids i did not understand what it meant hearing the music and the spoken words together or why our mother loved listening to it, but for some strange reason years later i would always remember hearing the strange music with the man talking over it. Not knowing the name of the album or the person speaking i asked my older brother about 2 to 3 weeks ago if he remembered hearing our mother playing some strange music when we were kinds and to my surprise he knew it. Just thought that i would share that.
Thanks.