Religious & Sacred Music Books

My First Book of Christmas Songs: 20 Favorite Songs in Easy Piano Arrangements

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A couple of sour notes, but overall...good. 4 out of 5 stars.
20 of 21 people found this review helpful.

Having purchased this for my kids to use and practice in time for Christmas 2005, I pretested all the music and found it to be a nice starter set of Christmas music for the piano student in their first or second year of training. The arrangements tend to be minimalistic. Caveat: there are at least two obviously wrong notes in The First Nowell and Jingle Bells, so you'd be well advised to correct them once you find them; hopefully they'll fix them by the time a second edition rolls out. Nice features: Each song can be played without turning pages. A charming black-and-white illustration accompanies each song. There's also a list of the songs in order of difficulty for those who want to learn the songs that way.

Editorial Review:

Beginning pianists will love playing these beloved favorites in musically attractive, easy arrangements: Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, 12 more. Includes illustrations.

The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music

Victor L. Wooten

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Warmed Over New Age Cliche' 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I will state first that my spiritual beliefs are liberal, so I am not giving this book a poor review because it goes against any "dogma" I may have. I agreed with everyone's review who mentioned how great a bass player Victor is.
So why one star? Because this is rehashed, 101, 1960 new age type philosophy (I hate to use the term as this is so elemental a book on music and spiritually). What we need is a complex discussion of the two, and there are examples do a google or Amazon search, of books, thesis and Research studies in the fields of Anthropology, Ethnomusicology, and even in books which discuss practicing an instrument.
I brought this book without really looking at it, since I assumethat Victor's writing would be as interesting and informative as his playing. Wrong.

My recommendation: Read someone else on this topic.

Editorial Review:

From Grammy-winning musical icon and legendary bassist Victor L. Wooten comes The Music Lesson, the story of a struggling young musician who wanted music to be his life, and who wanted his life to be great. Then, from nowhere it seemed, a teacher arrived. Part musical genius, part philosopher, part eccentric wise man, the teacher would guide the young musician on a spiritual journey, and teach him that the gifts we get from music mirror those from life, and every movement, phrase, and chord has its own meaning...All you have to do is find the song inside.

Merry Christmas Songbook w/ CD

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

I like the first Reader's Digest Christmas Songbook better! 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.

This book is OKAY, but it contains a lot of songs that I'm not familiar with (and my singing Christmas guests wouldn't be either!). That being said, I love the Reader's Digest Songbook Collection and felt compelled to "complete" the collection. Also....this has a CD (at least mine did) and that will be handy at Christmas, huh?

This songbook is for the intermediate pianist.

good but high for singing 4 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Easy playing but the songs can get up there for family voices. Eg E and F is not uncommon

Fabulous Christmas Songbook 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love this book, it was also much cheaper through Amazon than through any bookstore I found!

Good selection, a bit simple and choppy 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

There are all the songs (almost) I could have wanted in a Christmas songbook, but the arrangements were too simple and kind of choppy.

The Best Christmas Songbook Ever! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book has been invaluable for me, particularly in my Music Therapy practice. I highly recommend it.

The Gospel according to Bruce Springsteen: Rock and Redemption, from Asbury Park to Magic (Gospel According To...) (Gospel According to...)

Jeffrey B. Symynkywicz

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Westminster John Knox Press Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $10.64

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Thoughtful analysis is a must for diehard fans 4 out of 5 stars.
15 of 17 people found this review helpful.

Casual fans -- the ones who haven't shelled out cash money for a Springsteen album since "Born in the U.S.A." -- need not apply for "The Gospel According to Bruce Springsteen." They would probably find Jeffrey B. Symynkywicz's album-by-album, almost song-by-song evaluation of Springsteen's work from a spiritual perspective to be almost maddeningly comprehensive and, at times, just plain kooky: Who thinks this much about this stuff?

But for those of us who do think this much about this stuff -- we know who we are -- this detailed, thoughtful analysis is a welcome and thought-provoking look at the words of an important artist whose work has and continues to resonate on a spiritual level.

If there's an underlying philosophy that Symynkywicz points to in Springsteen's work, it's that we have to bring our own "love and joy" to our lives. "Nothing will change if we put all our hopes for salvation outside of ourselves," Symynkywicz writes, "if we waste the whole summer waiting `for a savior to rise from these streets.'"

There's a fair amount of lyrical analysis, some of it fairly obvious to anyone who's listened to these songs carefully (meaning most people who'd be interested in this book). But more interesting, to me at least, were Symynkywicz's looks at the underlying religious implications of some of the songs, including references to scripture. The allusions are intriguing, and make you want to listen to these songs again, either to try to hear what Symynkywicz hears or to dismiss it as a lot of hooey.

That's most true in the book's section on "The Rising," one of Springsteen's most spiritual albums. Because the lyrics are more oblique than some of his earlier tales of Magic Rats and '69 Chevys, they're more open to the type of interpretation Symynkywicz excels at -- and he rises (so to speak) to the challenge of analyzing them in the context of the horrific events of Sept. 11, which inspired them.

Granted, even the diehard Springsteen fans might not want to delve this deeply into his work, out of fear that it might become too academic and lose some of its primal power, or even its sense of fun, an important component of most Springsteen albums and certainly his concerts. Still, if you have all those albums on your shelf and have enjoyed them through the years -- and maybe even leaned on them to get you through the rough patches of life -- "The Gospel According to Bruce Springsteen" will at the very least have you nodding your head in enthusiastic agreement.

Messiah

George Frideric Handel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

As a choir student who just learned Messiah for the first time, I found this edition a wonderful work. It is not only a pleasure for Messiah purists (see review below) but also for those newly introduced to Handel's work. I loved using the Watkins Shaw Edition so much!

Very fine and very usable 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This very fine edition is perfectly suitable for the listener wishing to follow along to a recording or a performance (why people do this at a live performance, I do not know). But it is also a very affordable vocal score for performance.

It has several advantages. First, the printing is clear and easy to read. Second, the keyboard accompaniment isn't simply for a rehearsal pianist. It provides an organist a quite usable arrangement and the rehearsal pianist guidance as to what to play and what can be left out. Third, it doesn't have German that one has to ignore as one finds in other editions.

I have had my copy for many years and used it more than most folks ever will use theirs. Yes, I did find it useful to put some clear plastic covering on and had to re-glue the spine once. But that is trivial for the use it has provided me.

Strongly recommended.

Editorial Review:

A sacred oratorio arranged for SATB with piano part. Edited, with piano reduction, by Watkins Shaw. Paper Edition

Ultimate Christmas: 100 Seasonal Favorites: Easy Piano

Amazon Price: $16.16 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 6 to 12 days By: Hal Leonard - Model: 241003 Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $14.69

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Perfect mix of Christmas and Holiday music 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Excellent arrangements at about the intermediate level, with the perfect mix of what you could call "traditional" in Christmas/Holiday music. One of the very best in print. Big, crazy thumbs up from CleverJoe.

A must have 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is an awesome collection of Christmas music for all ages. Mostly easy arrangement and a few challenging ones.

Editorial Review:

The ultimate collection of Christmas classics just got better with this third edition that includes even more of your favorites. 100 songs, including: Auld Lang Syne · Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella · Carol of the Bells · The Chipmunk Song · Christmas Time Is Here · Do You Hear What I Hear · The First Noel · Gesu Bambino · Happy Holiday · Happy Xmas (War Is Over) · Hymne · I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring · Jingle-Bell Rock · A Marshmallow World · Merry Christmas, Darling · My Favorite Things · The Night Before Christmas Song · Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer · Silver and Gold · Silver Bells · The Star Carol · Suzy Snowflake · What Child Is This? · Wonderful Christmastime · The Wonderful World of Christmas · and more.

The Heart of the Artist

Rory Noland

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is an amazing book and a must read for all worship & creative arts teams!

One of the best studies for musician 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I highly recommend this book for every musician in or out of the church. The principles found within will change the way you think about the way you interact with other musicians and will help you succeed in your craft.

Don't Waste Your Money 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book talks somewhat about art issues, but the main focus is on Biblical character. Most of this material can be found on any book about discipleship. It wasn't specific enough about artistic issues. Furthermore, the author's approach was very simplistic, and did not produce any profound insight that an artist might derive benefit from. It would be good for someone who is a brand new Christian, but other than that, I wouldn't recommend it.

Superior! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is very helpful for both persons in worship arts leadership and those who are committed to any given team under that heading. It will challenge you spiritually, mentally, and help you grow no matter what your position is in ministry. I recommend this for all persons in or going into worship arts ministry of any kind.

Editorial Review:

This book explores issues of character facing Christian artists who want to use their gifts more effectively in church ministry.

Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart (Focus on the Family) (Focus on the Family)

Joni Eareckson Tada, Bobbie Wolgemuth

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Joy for young and old to share 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great stories to help love the old hymns even more. The music is the only children's singing I haven't felt nauseated listening too! Tastefully done and enjoyable to share with our children.

Great school resource too 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I have used this not only at home, but at school. The stories of the hymn writers are fascintating, and the children enjoy singing along with the cd. I've been amazed at the number of children who don't know My Country Tis of Thee. Each of the stories are short enough to be understood, but they always have a moral principal. Just a great resource for parents and Christian educators.

Hymn Book very interesting! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is well written and very interesting to my children of a wide range of ages. The accompanying CD is of very good quality and fun to sing along with. My children look forward to doing a hymn study.

Editorial Review:

This book reminds children of the real meaning behind Christmas carols--the birth of Jesus Christ. It introduces twelve carols and shares the stories behind each one. The enclosed CD contains fully orchestrated versions of the carols with children's voices.

Reign in Blood (33 1/3)

D. X. Ferris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

D.X. Ferris explores the creation of the most universally respected metal album.Slayer's controversial "Reign in Blood" remains the gold standard for extreme heavy metal: a seamless procession of ten blindingly fast songs in just twenty-eight minutes, delivered in furious bursts of instrumental precision, with lyrics so striking that Tori Amos was moved to record a cover. Reign in Blood saw the emerging underground standouts from Huntington Beach team with Rick Rubin - 2007's Grammy-Award winner for producer of the year, then known strictly for creating hip-hop albums with groups such as Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys - to permanently fuse classic rock's technical proficiency, hardcore punk's speed and metal's brute power. Working in a much-maligned genre, guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King emerged as the Lennon and McCartney of speed metal, penning a collection of apocalyptic scenes comparable to the dark work of novelists like Cormac McCarthy and Herman Melville.The album came together though the efforts of a team that would go on to be some of the biggest names in the current music business. Issued on America's premier rap label at the pinnacle of the thrash movement, Reign in Blood sparked a new genre called death metal and continues to serve as a touchstone for metal musicians. The disc marked Slayer's coronation as the kings of thrash and their ongoing twenty-five year streak of vitality places them in the small fraternity of rock's greatest groups. Through interviews with the entire band, Rubin, engineer Andy Wallace, and a who's who of headbangers from three decades, D.X. Ferris explores the creation of the most universally respected metal album."33 1/3" is a series of short books about a wide variety of albums, by artists ranging from James Brown to the Beastie Boys. Launched in September 2003, the series now contains over 50 titles and is acclaimed and loved by fans, musicians and scholars alike.

Passion Hymns for a Kid's Heart

Bobbie Wolgemuth, Joni Eareckson Tada

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Power of the Cross

Nothing else in all of history is as important to our faith as the cross of Jesus Christ. We wear its symbol on jewelry or we see it lifted up in sanctuaries and posted in graveyards, but what does it really mean? Is it too difficult to talk about the cross with youngsters? Will they be able to understand what it means?

Authors Joni Eareckson Tada and Bobbie Wolgemuth are convinced that there is no better time to teach the power of the cross and the joy of the resurrection than the early years. What you hold in your hands has everything you need to teach children about the magnificent love of God and the power of the cross. Let the children you love understand the Passion of Jesus Christ and the warmth of God’s love with beautiful music and heartwarming stories. Let them sing along with Joni, Bobbie, and the children on the enclosed richly orchestrated CD, and in no time they will have memorized these classic and treasured hymns.

This special Passion collection features twelve timeless hymns and is the fourth in a series by authors Joni Eareckson Tada and Bobbie Wolgemuth. It is filled with delightful stories from the Bible, devotionals, simple piano music, guitar chords, and beautiful original illustrations by Frank Ordaz.

If you want to focus your child’s heart on the glorious truth of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, this book—with the enclosed CD—is what you’re looking for. Could anything be a better gift?

“For the word of the cross… is the power of God.”
—1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

In this fourth volume of Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Joni Eareckson Tada and Bobbie Wolgemuth give you everything you need to help you teach twelve classic Passion hymns and the meaning of the cross of Christ to the children you love. With richly orchestrated music, true stories, prayers, and Scripture, Passion Hymns for a Kid’s Heart will feed your child’s soul.

KIDS WILL:

• Connect with tenderly written devotionals.
• Be inspired by true stories from Scripture.
• Learn to sing twelve classic hymns about the Passion of Jesus Christ.
• Practice piano and guitar with printed music.
• Understand more about God’s character and the meaning of the cross.
• Memorize a Bible verse with each hymn.
• Learn to pray along with their singing.

ADULTS WILL:

• Give children a lasting musical treasure.
• Experience the pleasure of teaching the meaning of our Christian faith.
• Be equipped to teach children twelve classic hymns about the Passion.
• Enlighten young people with an understandable theology.
• Enjoy prayer and discussion and Bible memorization with kids.

Includes a fully orchestrated CD with children’s voices singing along with Joni and Bobbie, and simple piano music with guitar chords.

Listen to Excerpts from the CD

1. All Glory, Laud, and Honor
2. What Can Wash Away My Sin?
3. Man of Sorrows
4. The Old Rugged Cross
5. At the Cross
6. Up from the Grave He Arose (full song)
7. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
8. Thine Be the Glory
9. I Know That My Redeemer Lives
10. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
11. Crown Him with Many Crowns
12. Hallelujah! Thine the Glory (full song)

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