RADIO SONGS

Amazon.com If Garrison Keillor had been able to conjure an act to personify his vision of his longtime radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion," it would have sounded remarkably like Robin & Linda Williams, whose old-shoe blend of folk, gospel, and Ma-and-Pa country stands as the very definition of Americana music. That’s why Keillor has featured the pair regularly since 1975, and why he and director Robert Altman gave them recognizable roles in the eponymous cinematic peek backstage. Radio Songs is precisely what the title promises: live performances culled from the Williamses' many APHC appearances. Highlights abound: the devastating "50,000 Names," Jamie O’Hara’s wrenching account of a visit to the Vietnam Wall, on which Linda offers an understated lead to Robin’s sturdy harmony; "I’ll Twine Mid the Ringlets," the 1860 parlor song with pinpoint vocals so shimmering you dare not breathe; and an especially comforting rendition of "The Other Side of Town," with the show’s Hopeful Gospel Quartet. The couple reprises their alter egos of Marvin and Mavis Smiley on a comedic record-selling promo spot at the album’s close, and too soon, even if the "Home Sweet Home Medley" more than tests the schmaltz factor. As expected, the Williamses prove warm company for winter’s fire-lit nights. --Alanna Nash Product Description Robin and Linda Williams have long been among Garrison Keillor's favorite guests on his hit radio show "A Prarie Home Companion" and as a result has appeared many times over the 3+ decade of it's existence. This collection of 14 live tracks has been culled from the very best of their on-air performances. Robin and Linda are joined on several tracks by Garrison Keillor and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet, Their Fine Group, Mike Seeger, Mountain Heart, Peter Ostroushko and Guy's All-Star Show Band. Review "(they) shine like a diamond amid rhinestones...their sound is so sincere as to give the listener chills." -- Boston Globe "no-frills, boiled-down country" -- Houston Press About the Artist Robin & Linda Williams have made it their mission to perform the music that they love, "a robust blend of bluegrass, folk, gospel, old-time and acoustic country that combines wryly observant lyrics with a wide-ranging melodicism." They were "Americana" long before that genre moniker appeared in the musical lexicon. Home base for Robin and Linda is an old frame house built around a log cabin in Middlebrook, Virginia, right in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Linda grew up in Alabama and Robin in North Carolina and despite being true children of the South, their career got its initial momentum in the Minneapolis folk scene. Robin had made many friends and connections there as a solo artist and in 1975 they recorded their debut album in the Twin Cities. The same year they made their first appearance on a little radio show just getting off the ground called A Prairie Home Companion and their rich relationship with that icon of American broadcasting has continued for over three decades. Their association with the popular show has landed them on major stages from Carnegie Hall to The Hollywood Bowl. As half of the shows' Hopeful Gospel Quartet, they collaborated on several CDs with show host Garrison Keillor, and were prominently featured in the 2006 film A Prairie Home Companion, directed by Robert Altman. Starting in the late 1970s they toured relentlessly supporting the release of many albums on acclaimed labels including Flying Fish and Sugar Hill Records. Thrilling audiences with their songs and harmonies - fans of folk and country music alike loved their heartfelt music delivered warmth and humor. As their profile heightened, they assembled a band called Their Fine Group, and their already big sound grew all the more as did an ever-growing national fanbase. They also graced the stage at The Grand Old Opry and appeared on acclaimed music shows, including Austin City Limits, Music City Tonight, and Mountain Stage. In 2004, Robin & Linda were signed to Red House Records and released Deeper Waters, which was followed by their first holiday recording The First Christmas Gift in 2005. Robin & Linda tour constantly with Their Fine Group. Band members include Jim Watson (bass, mandolin and vocals), who has been with them since the group's beginning. Jim was founding member and played for over 15 years with The Red Clay Ramblers. Recently, the fourth chair in The Fine Group is being occupied by a rotation of superb musicians including Jimmy Gaudreau (mandolin, mandola, and veteran of The Country Gentlemen, J.D. Crowe, The Tony Rice Unit) Chris Brashear (fiddle), and Tony Williamson (mandolin). In addition to a busy touring schedule, Robin & Linda (along with Jimmy Fortune of The Stadtler Brothers) organize and present and the annual Fortune Williams festival in Staunton, Virginia, bringing together some of the top names in traditional country, Americana and bluegrass music.
ASIN: B000WDTO6G
VSKU: DBV.B000WDTO6G.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Robin & Linda Williams|Lefty Frizzell|Charlie Poole|Garrison Keillor|Giuseppe Verdi|Traditional|A.P. Carter|Hughie Charles|Dakota Dave Hull|Clay Jones|Richard Dworsky|Pat Donohue|Greg Hippen|Gary Raynor|Steve Gulley|Arnie Kinsella|Kate MacKenzie|Jason Moore|Linda D. Williams|Jim Watson
Binding: Audio cd
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: Individually inspected: Guaranteed to play perfectly or your money back. Case may show wear and may be in library packaging. Ships Fast!