Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Stories told by America's Storyteller
Review: Garrison Keillor is to the spoken story what Mark Twain was to the written - a kind and intelligent sense of humor mixed in with a wickedly insightful knowledge of human nature. His monologues, the "News from Lake Wobegon", have always been the centerpiece of PBS's wildly successful Prairie Home Companion, and I have found none of his stories to be superior to those contained within this collection.Pastor Inqvist's Trip to Orlando is worth the price of these cassettes alone with the story of the humble Lutheron Minister and his desire to please his Church Deacons and Mrs. Inqvist at the same time. The Gospel Birds is another "church" story, but you'd be wrong if you came to a listen thinking that Mr. Keillor is simply a "holy roller" trying to pound his version of "the gospel" into anyone. His stories are about what makes us human - our nobleness and our failings - and his storytelling is so skillful, he allows us to hear that our shortcomings are as important in who we are as our triumphs.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Stories told by America's Storyteller
Review: Garrison Keillor is to the spoken story what Mark Twain was to the written - a kind and intelligent sense of humor mixed in with a wickedly insightful knowledge of human nature. His monologues, the "News from Lake Wobegon", have always been the centerpiece of PBS's wildly successful Prairie Home Companion, and I have found none of his stories to be superior to those contained within this collection. Pastor Inqvist's Trip to Orlando is worth the price of these cassettes alone with the story of the humble Lutheron Minister and his desire to please his Church Deacons and Mrs. Inqvist at the same time. The Gospel Birds is another "church" story, but you'd be wrong if you came to a listen thinking that Mr. Keillor is simply a "holy roller" trying to pound his version of "the gospel" into anyone. His stories are about what makes us human - our nobleness and our failings - and his storytelling is so skillful, he allows us to hear that our shortcomings are as important in who we are as our triumphs.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Stories told by America's Storyteller
Review: Garrison Keillor is to the spoken story what Mark Twain was to the written - a kind and intelligent sense of humor mixed in with a wickedly insightful knowledge of human nature. His monologues, the "News from Lake Wobegon", have always been the centerpiece of PBS's wildly successful Prairie Home Companion, and I have found none of his stories to be superior to those contained within this collection. Pastor Inqvist's Trip to Orlando is worth the price of these cassettes alone with the story of the humble Lutheron Minister and his desire to please his Church Deacons and Mrs. Inqvist at the same time. The Gospel Birds is another "church" story, but you'd be wrong if you came to a listen thinking that Mr. Keillor is simply a "holy roller" trying to pound his version of "the gospel" into anyone. His stories are about what makes us human - our nobleness and our failings - and his storytelling is so skillful, he allows us to hear that our shortcomings are as important in who we are as our triumphs.
Rating:
Summary: Garrison's Best-Ever recording!
Review: I have virtually all of Keillor's Lake Woebegon works, and this is his finest! "On Meeting Donny Hart" is perhaps the finest tragi-comedy of them all! You'll bust a gut listening to Mazumbo, Gospel Birds, Pastor Ingquist's Trip to Orlando, Mammoth Concert, and Babe Ruth Visits Lake Woebegon-- the whole set is superb. I can't say enough good about this excellent product.
Rating:
Summary: Garrison's Best-Ever recording!
Review: I have virtually all of Keillor's Lake Woebegon works, and this is his finest! "On Meeting Donny Hart" is perhaps the finest tragi-comedy of them all! You'll bust a gut listening to Mazumbo, Gospel Birds, Pastor Ingquist's Trip to Orlando, Mammoth Concert, and Babe Ruth Visits Lake Woebegon-- the whole set is superb. I can't say enough good about this excellent product.
Rating:
Summary: Garrison's Best-Ever recording!
Review: I have virtually all of Keillor's Lake Woebegon works, and this is his finest! "On Meeting Donny Hart" is perhaps the finest tragi-comedy of them all! You'll bust a gut listening to Mazumbo, Gospel Birds, Pastor Ingquist's Trip to Orlando, Mammoth Concert, and Babe Ruth Visits Lake Woebegon-- the whole set is superb. I can't say enough good about this excellent product.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, Wholesome, Family Entertainment
Review: I was looking for humor that wasn't bawdy or raucous and this tape more than delighted: I also found a great American storyteller. I barely knew the name having seen a taping of Garrison Kiellor's radio show on TV once; so I wasn't familiar with the style or content. What makes his wide appeal is his vocal ability to get you on the edge of your seat, and his remarkable talent for impersonating any age or gender, and any relationship. A couple of the stories are merely poignant; with the majority being situation comedy of everyday life. My favorites: Pastor Inkfest's Trip to Orlando, The Beeler Boy, and The Fishing Dog.
Rating:
Summary: The height of the monologue
Review: This is a fine collection of monologues from the period during which Keillor most popular, and it also has gorgeous guitar links provided by Chet Atkins, whose trademark arpeggios are beautifully rendered on an acoustic guitar with a rich, mellow sound. I was moved by these recordings to buy several Chet Atkins CDs. "Meeting Donny Hart at the Bus Stop," "Pastor Inqvist's Trip to Orlando," and "Mammoth Concert Tickets" contain all of the elements that earned Keillor his loyal following -- an affection for the Minnesota region, fallible human characters, hope and compassion, all told with a twinkling sense of humor.
Rating:
Summary: The height of the monologue
Review: This is not only a fine collection of monologues from what was arguably the period during which Keillor most popular, it also has gorgeous guitar links provided by Chet Atkins. Just a few seconds of wonderful trademark arpeggios by a guitar genius (and good friend of Keillor's) in between each monologue. I'd listen to an entire CD of just music like that. This is a fine piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of Garrison Keillor
Review: This is one of 2 collections of monologues (the other being "Fall") that (to me) comprise the absolute best of Garrison Keillor's recorded Lake Wobegon stories. Some of the later collections have a more uneven feel, but "Gospel Birds" and "Fall" don't have a weak moment on them. The stories range from hilarious to touching to heartbreaking, and many times are all three at once. You'll laugh at these whacko Minnesota characters, but you'll also see yourself in them, and feel along with them as well. This is time well spent.
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