Claddagh Records continues its policy of committing to CD some of the literary treasures it originally released on 12" vinyl. This is one such gem. Poet, novelist, playright Beckett was born in Dublin in 1908 but spent a considerable part of his life in France, where he died in 1989. MacGowran was born in 1918 and after moving to London established himself firmly as a stage actor, playing everything from contemporary comedy to Shakespeare. He also became the foremost interpreter of the works of Beckett. It is unclear when these readings were recorded in London, perhaps in the '60s for MacGowan died in 1973. The sessions were personally supervised by Beckett, who also bangs a gong at pertinent intervals while his two sons, John and Edward, play harmonium and flute. It is an atmospheric, warm and historic recording,