A Prairie Home Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Garrison Keillor (Author, Performer)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 1999

This anniversary release features highlights from 25 years on the air, including favorite monologues like "Truckstop," "Gospel Birds" and "Pontoon Boat," plus brand-new stories never before available on audio. Also includes a special bonus collection of 25 toe-tapping tunes with down-home music from long-time show regulars, including Butch Thompson, the Powdermilk Biscuit Band, Greg Brown, the Hopeful Gospel Quartet, Robin and Linda Williams, and many more.

Contents:

Truckstop; The Way You Look Tonight; The Trip to Norway; Cowpies; Kristina's Double Date; Won't You be My Ginger?; Gospel Birds; The Living Flag; Green Summertime; A Summer Night; Berena: A Concert Waltz; Nearer My God to Thee; Pontoon Boat; How Long, How Long Blues; Hog Slaughter; Giant Decoys; The Secret Lutherans; Deep Creek; A Rich Full Life; Guys On Ice; Clarence Cleans His Roof; Confessional; Our Team; Turn Your Radio On; Cripple Creek; Blue Train; Oh Sister, Ain't That Hot?; Chapel of Love; Oh Baby; Minneapolis Blues; Back in the City; Mandy Make Up Your Mind; Air Mail Special; Little Red Hen; Walk Over God's Heaven; That's All Right Mama; The Stars & Stripes Forever March; Hula Lou; Jingle Medley; Nashville Pickin'; Cold, Cold Heart; Down the Line; Just Rockin'; Goodnight Baby; Nobody Knows When Your Down & Out; Road to Kingdom Come; Stride by Stride; Let's Have A Party

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's been 25 years since Garrison Keillor first began charming audiences with the goings-on of the strong women, good-looking men, and above-average children in his mythical Minnesota town. Keiller's storytelling alchemy (part literary orchestra, part gossip), gentle humor, and deadpan (or is that just Midwestern?) delivery are what have made Prairie Home Companion a stalwart of public radio. This collection commemorates the quarter century of the program's continuing success with 15 monologues (7 of which have not previously been available) and 33 of the most (in)famous songs and jingles, including "Cowpies," Keiller's tribute to the brains behind the impeachment trial; "Gospel Birds"; and "The Secret Lutherans." (Running time: 6 hours, 4 cassettes) --Natasha Senjanovic --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This anthology of material originally presented over the past 25 years on Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion radio show on Minnesota Public Radio is a delight from start to finish. The last cassette alone, which is a compilation of songs from various musical groups who have appeared on the show and the cast of the show, would make this production worth purchasing. But the stories from Lake Wobegon and other reminiscences by Keillor are equally wonderful vignettes of life in the Midwest. If there are natives of the region who may object to the author's often comical characterizations of the denizens of the "town that time forgot," they should just get over it and realize that Keillor is writing about small-town life in Anywhere, U.S.A., and lovingly at that. The stories range from the remarkably moving "Truckstop," about an elderly couple who become separated on a road trip, to the hilarious "Clarence Cleans His Roof," which taps into the hazards of the formidable winter weather of the Midwest. It is clear that careful selection was made of the stories to be included, from the many they could have chosen, to assure not only high quality but also balance in the anthology. Highly recommended.AMark Pumphrey, Polk Cty. P.L., Columbus, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: HighBridge Company; Original radio broadcast; 5.5 hours on 5 CDs edition (May 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156511325X
• ISBN-13: 978-1565113251
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Books on CD > Radio Shows

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Narrow Slice of the Pie, August 2, 2005

By 

Lightholder - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Prairie Home Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection (Audio CD)

I purchased this 25th anniversary collection with great anticipation and, have to say, I was surprised and disappointed to find that this compendium consists ONLY of Garrison's monologues with a few musical selections thrown in. This collection has none of the short skits, Guy Noir bits, or cast-inclusive pieces of brilliance that punctuate and vary the pacing of the live radio show. Don't get me wrong, Garrison's stories are wonderful in themselves and quite enjoyable, but I feel that a 25th anniversary collection should consist of more than just this one aspect of the show. If, like me, you want a more rounded Prarie Home experience, you'll need to buy some of the other Prarie Home CD releases to suppliment this purchase which, I think, is a shame. This collection should be clearly labelled as monologues & music, not as an overall collection of the show.

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, June 18, 2002

By 

Michele Cozzens "www.michelecozzens.com" (Cloud 8) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Prairie Home Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection (Audio CD)

Garrison Keillor is nothing less than a genius. I listen to his stories while I clean my Northwoods cabins and they take me completely away from the fact that I'm making 33 beds and scrubbing kitchens and bathrooms. They whisk me to the lovely place known as Lake Wobegon and make me laugh out loud. I highly recommend this collection.

Michele Cozzens, Author of I'm Living Your Dream Life and The Things I Wish I'd Said.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar!, February 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Prairie Home Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection (Audio CD)

Whether heard over the radio or read on the page, Garison Keillor never fails to delight. He's literally a national treasure and his insights, humor, and brilliant storytelling make life a little easier to get through.

Also recommended: A Walk in the Woods and Bark of the Dogwood by Jackson McCrae