There Really IS Music for Thanksgiving

We've been pushing the Over the River & Through the Woods album for most of this month, but there is a Reason! Most people think that there is nothing out there that can be considered "Thanksgiving Music." So, we are trying to show that there is an album of music that will get you in the mood for this coming Thursday!

Today we even read a blog from the New Haven Symphony bemoaning the fact that Thanksgiving is overlooked. The post is called "What is up With Thanksgiving Music?"

So once again, here is our answer to that question:

Over the River & Through the Woods

On a chilly November evening, the Hopeful Gospel Quartet — Garrison Keillor, Mollie O’Brien and Robin & Linda Williams — traded musical moments with the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers in a concert at Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis. The evening seamlessly blended American folk traditions with choral masterpieces old and new, from “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” to “Now Thank We All Our God.” Garrison Keillor shared his Thanksgiving memories in a hilarious yet poignant monologue. Thanks to Minnesota Public Radio, the evening was captured for posterity in this charming two-CD set.

Sing Out Reviews Over the River & Through the Woods

From Sing Out Magazine, www.singout.org

VOCALESSENCE, GARRISON KEILLOR AND THE HOPEFUL GOSPEL QUARTET
Over the River and Through the Woods
Clarion Records 937

According to the show’s creator, Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion began as a lark over 30 years ago. Who would have ever predicted the impact that
this two-hour live radio program would have? Not just on the world of broadcasting, but on the millions of listeners who have tuned in on Saturdays to hear great music, listen to fake ads and skits, and catch up on the news of a small town in
Minnesota that only exists in Keillor’s mind and in the hearts of his devoted audience…

Garrison Keillor’s obvious love of song has helped forge a wide variety of musical associations that have become a highlight of the broadcast over the years.

Over the River and Through the Woods is a two CD collection of American folk songs and choral masterpieces performedat Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis in November of 2004 in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. Conceived by Garrison and longtime friend and collaborator, Philip Brunelle, the album includes performances by the Hopeful Gospel Quartet, featuring Robin and Linda Williams and Mollie O’Brien, and the VocalEssence chorus with accompaniment from Richard Dworsky and Charles Kemper. There are readings and monologues sprinkled throughout making this concert and this recording a joyous feast for this unique American holiday.

These two new releases gleefully remind me of the many hours I’ve spent over the
last 20 years or so entranced by the magic of live radio and by the creative blend of
musical styles conjured up and presented with class by Garrison Keillor. — Matt Watroba

(c)2005 Sing Out! Used by permission, all rights reserved.

To Purchase this album please click HERE

Over the River and Through the Woods Review - The Serious Comedy Site

This is a raving review from "The Serious Comedy Site" about our Thanksgiving Music release on Clarion Records, Over the River & Through the Woods featuring Garrison Keillor, VocalEssence, and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet! You can find the review in its original format by clicking HERE, or just read on.

Over the River & Through the Woods, a 2 CD set featuring the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, the Hopeful Gospel Quartet, and Garrison Keillor, is perfect for those who prefer the music segments of A Prairie Home Companion. If you are a fan of hymns, gospel and traditional music there is a lot of joy to the ears in this 2004 VocalEssence records release. If you are wondering why this particular release is on a comedy site it is because I still absolutely love the later VocalEssence release Hymn to Potatoes and just wanted to hear more from this ensemble.

Personally, hymns and gospel are not my cup of tea but Over the River & Through the Woods is beautiful music. It is obvious while listening to this 2 CD set that VocalEssence and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet are not only great singers but that they sing with a joy that is contagious to the live audience and the listener. This is really what makes this recording work for me.

From what I know of this particular kind of music I know that the biggies of the genre are here: Morning Has Broken, sung by the audience, Rivers of Babylon (which I am only familiar with because of the Boney M version), Will the Circle Be Unbroken, and How Great Thou Art.

For fans of A Prairie Home Companion there is a News From Lake Wobegon story included here. My only reservation about this 2 CD set is Garrison Keillor sings a bit too often. When you have vocal ensembles as good as Vocal Essence and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet you should let them sing, especially if your own voice is not professional quality. This recording is, however, a tie-in to a Prairie Home Companion show so it was his show.