Favorite Escape Pod Reader?

[Anarkey]

While I was typing on another thread, I just realized that Deborah Green is probably my favorite Escape Pod reader.  Sure, Steve's voice is comforting and familiar, and Mur Lafferty has a je ne sais quoi that really draws you in, but for me, it's Deborah Green who tops them all.  Then I decided I wanted to know who other people favored.  And maybe why.  So I've started a thread (because I looked and didn't see one already there).

Who is your favorite Escape Pod reader?  Give them props here.

[DKT]

You want me to choose?!?!    

I don't know if I could pick just one -- I like the way Steve finds the reader that perfectly matches the story.  For instance, I cannot imagine listening to "How Lonesome a Life Without Nerve Gas" read by anyone but Frank Key now but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have enjoyed him reading "I Look Forward to Remembering You."   

[Startrekwiki]

Sorry, but I think that Mur Lafferty is the best reader. But still, Mr. Eley is the most recognized, and the best. Like I agreed to earlier, on a different thread, he is [or at least he thinks like] a Sci-Fi master.

[scottjanssens]

While I was typing on another thread, I just realized that Deborah Green is probably my favorite Escape Pod reader. 

Deborah is definitely my favorite.  Of course I might be a tad biased as we're getting married two weeks from tomorrow. 

[DKT]

While I was typing on another thread, I just realized that Deborah Green is probably my favorite Escape Pod reader. 

Deborah is definitely my favorite.  Of course I might be a tad biased as we're getting married two weeks from tomorrow. 

Congrats!

[Anarkey]

Deborah is definitely my favorite.  Of course I might be a tad biased as we're getting married two weeks from tomorrow. 

A worthwhile bias, if ever there was one.  Congratulations, may you have many happy days in one another's company.

[TheMindFantastic]

This is not 'kissing the posterior' but I have really gotten into how Steve has really improved since the first few EP's, not just production, but just how much less self conscious he feels in front of the mic, there was a great deal of nervousness in the beginning, now he feels comfortable there.  Also its good that he knows when NOT to perform, and when a different voice would be best to be used.  The choices have been extremely excellent almost every time (I can't actually remember any time immediately when it really was the wrong choice).  Though I actually enjoy the multiple voice episodes, even if the 'other voice' is only for a moment or two.  It gives a bit of a depth to the nature of the story, when different people talk, hearing the same voice for everyone (even if its altered to be appropriate) makes it feel linear, hearing even just for a moment a different voice during the conversation, immediately adds a depth beyond just the one.  Granted thats rare to be able to co-ordinate, and as such when it does happen its quite enjoyable, a treat that is had only now and again.

[Michael]

I admit to be very fond of the collaborative efforts--when multiple readers contribute.  "I look forward to remembering you" is still my favorite, for that reason. 

[Bdoomed]

Either Wichita Rutherford, J.R. Blackwell, Paul Tevis, Scott Fletcher, or The Word Whore... but i'm most likely biased towards TWW because i looove AoMS!

putting aside my biases, tis hard to choose between the other 4 readers.

[Simon Painter]

My personal favorite is Paul S Jenkins, it's a real shame he's only been used as a guest voice in one story so far, he must have the most interesting voice I've heard on audiobook so far.  I very much like Wichita Rutherford as well, though the STRANGE way that HE emphasises random WORDS takes a LITTLE getting used TO 

[ClintMemo]

My personal favorite is Paul S Jenkins, it's a real shame he's only been used as a guest voice in one story so far, he must have the most interesting voice I've heard on audiobook so far.  I very much like Wichita Rutherford as well, though the STRANGE way that HE emphasises random WORDS takes a LITTLE getting used TO 

I don't have a particular favorite reader.  Steve does an excellent job matching up the right person with the right story. Because of that, certain performances stick out in my mind as having been really good - Wichita reading "Head of State", Alex Wilson reading "Down Memory Lane", Steve reading "Joe Steele", Jonathon Sullivan reading "Little Worker", the Word Whore reading "My friend is a Lesbian Zombie", Jesse Thorn reading "Craphound", to name a few. Also, Mur Lafferty is always good, but there isn't any one that sticks out in my mind.

[fiveyearwinter]

DEFINITELY Wichita Rutherford. Although he lends himself to a particular mood, I think.

[sirana]

For female voices, I definitly like Mur best. (Especially when she's reading in her Pseudopod voice)
For male voices, Scott Fletcher (he read Shadowboxer) is impossible to beat.
Please Steve, can you make him come again and read another story? ;-)

[Brian Reilly]

Frank Key. There's just something about his voice that makes the stories come alive.

I've yet to listen to an episode and think "that would have worked if someone else had read it", though. Steve must apply some good quality control when it comes to picking guest readers.

[SFEley]

I've yet to listen to an episode and think "that would have worked if someone else had read it", though. Steve must apply some good quality control when it comes to picking guest readers.

Thanks!  I try.  >8->

[GinaCole]

I love the way Frank Key reads. He is, hands down, my favorite.

[Holden]

Wichita Rutherford is without a doubt the most fun to listen to. Connie, Maybe is one of my favorite EP stories, and I don't think I would have liked the story much if anyone else had read it.

[BrandtPileggi]

Witchita could read the phonebook and have me soiling myself. The Word Whore, as well as winning the "awesomest name in the world award", has a voice that makes me want to come home and give my girl 'the business'. I always get giddy when I hear Frank Key's voice, I feel like I'm listening to Eric Idol, and anything Python encites said giddeity (my word, just made it up, now i own it). Now, I know everyone thought Marbelle's reading of Cinderlla Suicide was too fast or too stylized but I LOVED it! Once I stopped trying to make sense of every word, I slipped into that state where it all makes sense. Like listening to Pikies in Guy Ritchie movies. It not only describes a different place, it sounds like a different place. Of course, Steve is great. I'v also noticed the change over the years in his confidence and it great to hear. Also, when he does female and Einstein voices, it makes me laugh.

[Kaa]

The Word Whore, with her reading of "My Friend Is a Lesbian Zombie," put me firmly in her camp from about the second sentence.

Wichita Rutherford's voice lends itself to a certain type of story, and I'm all for hearing him read as many of that type as he is willing to read.  I think he would have been great, for instance, on "Them Eyes," although I suddenly can't remember if that was Pseudopod or Escape Pod.

The guy who read the story about the Hollywood exec trying to sign shape-changing aliens to star in movies was also fantastic, although for the life of me, I cannot remember the story name or the reader's name.  His "weaselly" take on the voice of the POV character was spot on, and I could easily picture David Leisure back in the days when he was known as "Joe Isuzu" doing commercials.

And finally, the British reader who narrated the story where the POV character was a helmet and the one done as a lecture about team names while demon-hunting was perfect for those two stories.

I think my favorites are always going to be a specific voice reading a specific story for which their voice is specifically suited.

[Sorry I can't rattle off the names of the stories or the narrators easily.  But I'm sure you all know which ones I'm talking about.]