On June 15, 2001, “Arion Records” and “Sound Resources” labels released “The Middle-Earth Album”, the fifth Glass Hammer studio album. It was recorded in 2001 and was produced by Steve Babb and Fred Schendel. It is the band’s second album based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Lord of the Rings” (the first was “Journey of the Dunadan” from 1993).

Personnel:

• Fred Schendel – lead and backing vocals, main keyboards, guitars, mandolin, percussion, wind instruments
• Steve Babb – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, additional keyboards, percussion
• Susie Bogdanowicz – lead and co – lead vocals
• Walter Moore – lead vocals
• Felicia Sorensen – lead vocals
• Sarah Snyder – co-lead vocals
• Thomas Hammett – vocals
• David Luther – vocals
• Brad Marler – vocals
• Jamie Watkins – backing vocals
• Tim Starnes – fiddle
• Bob Stagner – extra percussion
• David Wyatt– cover art

Track listing:

All lyrics by Steve Babb; all music by Fred Schendel.

1. Elrenn and Endereth
2. The Old Troll
3. The Old Troll and the Maiden
4. Dwarf and Orcs
5. The King’s Beer
6. The Ballad of Balin Longbeard
7. The Man in the Wood
8. Mirkwood
9. As I Walk
10. The Last Ship
11. Mithrandir (This Fading Age)
12. Sweet Goldberry
13. No Crown for Balin