The Christmas Companion: Stories, Songs, and Sketches [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Garrison Keillor (Author, Performer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2005

The first new Prairie Home Christmas collection in ten years is a warm and wonderful celebration of storytelling, music, and the holiday spirit. 

It’s Christmas in Lake Wobegon, Christmas at the old radio show, Christmas at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Christmas wherever friends and families gather to rejoice, reminisce, and share the holiday spirit. This all-new collection includes songs, sketches, sound effects, laughter, sweet nostalgia, and a monologue or two, all with a Christmas theme and all heard originally on live broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion. Garrison Keillor, the show’s cast, and special guests are joined by hundreds of friends and acquaintances in a holiday gala that’s sure to become a family favorite and an annual tradition. 

Contents:
 

1. Wise Men Blues – Pat Donohue with the Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band (Richard Dworsky, Andy Stein, Gary Raynor, Arnie Kinsella.) 12/22/01
2. Rhubarb – Tim Russell and others 12/12/98
3. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies – Sonos Handbell Ensemble 12/21/96
4. A Child Is Born (In Bethlehem) – Garrison Keillor and Musica Sacra 12/21/02
5. Count Your Blessings – John McDonough
6. Away in a Manger – Renée Fleming and Emanuel Ax (Fred Hersch) 12/20/03
7. The Twelve Days of Christmas – Garrison Keillor and Tom Keith 12/18/04
8. Christmas Eve Blues – Pat Donohue with the Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band (Richard Dworsky, Andy Stein, Gary Raynor, Arnie Kinsella) 12/20/03
9. Guy Noir – Garrison Keillor and cast 12/11/04
10. Christmastime (Just In Time) – Inga Swearingen 12/18/04
11. The Christmas Fire – Garrison Keillor 12/09/00
12. Silent Night – Butch Thompson 12/13/03
13. Christmas Time’s A-Comin’ – Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (Mark Fain, bass; Jim Mills, banjo; Paul Brewster, guitar; Darrin Vincent, guitar; Clay Hess, guitar; and Bobby Hicks, fiddle.) 12/16/00
14. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Garrison Keillor and Richard Dworsky 12/23/00
15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Diana Krall 12/13/97
16. Santa, CEO 12/28/02
17. The Christmas Song – Sarah Jessica Parker 12/19/98
18. The Carolers at My Door - The Orianas Choir (or the Buffalo Chamber singers) 12/21/91
19. Green – 12/20/03
20. December Waltz – Pat Donohue National Steel (?) with The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band (Richard Dworsky, John Niemann, Gary Raynor, Arnie Kinsella) 12/4/04
21. In the Bleak Midwinter – Musica Sacra 12/21/02
22. Ave Maria – Renée Fleming and Emanuel Ax (Fred Hersch) 12/20/03
23. Four Christmases – Garrison Keillor; Let It Snow – April Verch, fiddle 12/22/01
24. The Christ Child’s Lullaby – The Boys of the Lough (Aly Bain (fiddle), Dave Richardson (mandolin, cittern, English concertina, and button accordion), Christy O'Leary (tin whistle, pipes, vocals), Cathal McConnell (flute, whistle, vocals), and Chris Newman (guitar)). 12/21/96
25. Silent Night - 12/21/02

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

GARRISON KEILLOR is America's favorite storyteller. For more than 35 years as the host of A Prairie Home Companion, he has captivated millions of public radio listeners with his weekly "News from Lake Wobegon" monologues. Keillor is also the author of several books and a frequent contributor to national publications including Time, The New Yorker, and National Geographic, in addition to writing his own syndicated column. He has been awarded a National Humanities Medal from the National Endowment of the Humanities.

GARRISON KEILLOR is America's favorite storyteller. For more than 30 years as the host of A Prairie Home Companion, he has captivated millions of public radio listeners with his weekly "News from Lake Wobegon" monologues. Keillor is also the author of several books and a frequent contributor to national publications including Time, The New Yorker, and National Geographic, in addition to writing his own syndicated column. He has been awarded a National Humanities Medal from the National Endowment of the Humanities.

From AudioFile

This compilation is wonderful and occasionally strange. The material, all related to Christmas, is well executed, but the transitions from Lake Wobegon to a blues number, or from an extended radio sketch/fictional ad to "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" are occasionally odd. However, that is the album's sole weakness, as many beautiful voices visit to share the holiday spirit, and many versions of old favorites give them new life. This blend of humor, sentiment, and seasonal music is a joy to the ear. It's sure to make listeners laugh out loud, tumble into memories, and perhaps even sing along. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: HighBridge Company; Original radio broadcast; 2 hours on 2 CDs edition (September 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565119851
• ISBN-13: 978-1565119857
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #500,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Books on CD > Literature & Fiction > Drama

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spend Christmas Eve or Night by the Fire Enjoying These CDs!, December 9, 2005

By 

Lee (Riverside, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Companion: Stories, Songs, and Sketches (Audio CD)

I found the CD heartwarming, amusing, enjoyable, and only very occasionally, boring. If you're looking for perfection in musical rendition, look elsewhere. These are recordings of live radio broadcasts, after all, and don't have the polished elegance of overdubbed and edited studio sessions. Garrison is at the top of his form, however, and one man's repugnant "Twas the night before Christmas" was this man's bemused reflections on how things too often are. There's variety, wit, and enough talent to make any Christmas eve or Christmas night a happy one. Also, if you choose, there's enough content to provide family discussion starters for anyone over the age of eight or 10.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, January 6, 2008

By 

Brad Grammer (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Companion: Stories, Songs, and Sketches (Audio CD)

I had never listened to something by Garrison Keiler before but found that this CD was very entertaining. I found myself laughing and crying and loving my time just sitting and listening. Well worth your money and time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of very funny pieces, December 18, 2006

By 

A. Kelling - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Christmas Companion: Stories, Songs, and Sketches (Audio CD)

If you have a sense of humor, you and your kids will like this. The twelve days of Christmas was just hilarious and cleverly done. The story about the gift for mom was really funny too.