Sing a Song of Gladness and Cheer
This week on A Prairie Home Companion, Christmas is a coming and last-minute shopping we'll try to swing. The displays in store windows are a constant reminder so let's forget it all and sing. We're ending our residency at The Town Hall in New York on a high note with three complementary chanteuses who will soothe your December blues: the lovely Norah Jones, the inimitable Madeleine Peyroux and the jazzy Heather Masse. As if they aren't enough to infuse you with the spirit, The Russian Chamber Chorus of New York will hark back to Christmas in the old country with some traditional sacred music. The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band promises to be jolly as well, but just in case you're still feeling the slump, we've invited special guest Martin Sheen to join the Royal Academy of Radio Actors and sound effects man Mr. Fred Newman. We have good faith you'll be singing along in no time at all. We believe that the more we give at Christmastime the more you get, and that's how we like it. Stay tuned!
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Garrison talks with Nikolai Kachanov
"Instead," Madeleine Peyroux
The Lives of the Cowboys
Norah Jones
- Is available as a free podcast. Download the MP3 file here.
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Segment 1
- 00:00:00 - Logo
- 00:00:14 - GK opens, Silent Night- GK, Heather Masse, audience
- 00:05:33 - Angels We Have Heard on High- GK, Heather Masse, audience
- 00:09:26 - Lutheran Air script
- 00:12:00 - GK intros and talks with Norah Jones
- 00:12:49 - Tell Yer Mama- Norah Jones
- 00:16:18 - Guy Noir script (with Martin Sheen and Norah Jones)
- 00:30:20 - GK talks about the snowstorm, intros Madeleine Peyroux
- 00:30:55 - Instead- Madeleine Peyroux
- 00:35:03 - Powdermilk Biscuit Break
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Segment 2
- 00:38:08 - Cherubic Hymn- Russian Chamber Chorus of New York
- 00:42:02 - GK talks about the choir
- 00:44:10 - Shchedryk (Ukranian Carol of the Bells)- Russian Chamber Chorus of New York
- 00:46:03 - The Lives of the Cowboys script
- 00:56:16 - GK talks with Norah Jones
- 00:57:05 - Waiting - Norah Jones
- 01:00:20 - Norah Jones intros her band
- 01:00:33 - Even Thou - Norah Jones
- 01:05:20 - Intermission - Avalon
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Segment 3
- 01:09:10 - Greetings
- 01:13:55 - Joy to the World- GK, Heather Masse, band, audience
- 01:16:30 - Xmas script
- 01:20:35 - Steel Guitar Christmas Medley - The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band
- 01:22:15 - GK talks with Madeleine Peyroux
- 01:23:28 - Dance Me To the End of Love- Madeleine Peyroux
- 01:27:53 - This is Heaven to Me - Madeleine Peyroux
- 01:30:57 - Mom script
- 01:36:56 - December- Norah Jones
- 01:40:13 - December Sonnet- GK and Richard Dworsky
- 01:41:38 - GK talks with Nikolai Kachanov
- 01:42:46 - Brooms- Russian Chamber Chorus of New York
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Segment 4
- 01:48:37 - The News From Lake Wobegon, The First Noel, credits
Show Segments
Listen to individual segments as listed below
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An Interview with Heather Masse
In a 2009 interview, Heather Masse tells us about her earliest influences, auditioning in a women's bathroom, and a few memorable moments from A Prairie Home Companion.
Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976
Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).
