Songs Of The Journey: Piano Solos Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have this book as well as all of the "Tapestry" books.All are excellent.All are very difficult, but worth the effort. Gorgeous stuff.I wish he'd publish more piano works.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Songs Of The Journey: Piano Solos

Product Description:
Includes: Amazing GraceHappy LandHoly MannaShout On!The Road HomeWayfaring Stranger.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Songs Of The Journey: Piano Solos now ?

Marriage and Virginity (Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a collection of short works by Augustine on the title subject (marriage and virginity). The table of contents is as follows:
General Introduction
The Excellence of Marriage (with introduction and notes)
Holy Virginity (with introduction and notes)
The Excellence of Widowhood (with introduction and notes)
Adulterous Marriages (with introduction and notes)
Continence (with introduction and notes)
Index of Scripture
General Index
All of the works in this collection were translated by Ray Kearney. In addition to the General Introduction, each work has a short introduction of its own and notes at the end. The introductions and notes are by David G. Hunter. The introductions aim to provide historical context for the works, with the general introduction providing an overview of the twenty-year period from which these works were written, and the individual introductions providing the background for each particular work. The notes supplied at the end mostly identify Augustine's references to other works, both by himself and by others. The supplementary material is not copious, but doesn't really need to be; none of the works in this collection is obscure or difficult.
"The Excellence of Marriage" was one of Augustine's most influential works. He wrote it to define the purpose of marriage and to defend it as a good - not as good as holy virginity but a good nevertheless. To this end, he defined the purpose of marriage (what goods it brings to those in the married state), and from this what the duties of marriage must therefore be. It is a work at once strange and familiar. It is strange in the pains it takes to defend the idea that marriage is not actually sinful (a charge that few would even think to make today). It is familiar in that many of the most criticized aspects of the Catholic view of marriage, such as the denial of divorce and the sinfulness of non-procreative sex, are presented and defended in this work. It is a powerful presentation of these embattled points of doctrine and well worth reading.
"Holy Virginity" is a work that necessarily followed Augustine's works on marriage. Having defended the goodness of marriage, a defense of the superior goodness of virginity was required. The argument is rhetorical in form and scriptural in content. The main purpose is completed fairly quickly - Augustine draws on the lives of Mary, Jesus, the Apostles, and the teachings of Paul to establish that holy virginity is a good thing. Surprisingly, he then devotes considerable space to warning those practicing virginity not to be over-proud of their state and its superiority over marriage and to caution those practicing virginity to humility.
"The Excellence of Widowhood" is a long letter written to a widow asking Augustine's advice. In content it is fairly thin, but it was interesting to note that in it Augustine explicitly names a simple principal underlying much of his writing - precept first, then exhortation. The precept here (that widowhood is an honorable state) is a small one, and is treated at much more length than its worth would seem to warrant.
"Adulterous Marriages" is a treatment of a variety of possible issues and complications surrounding adultery, particularly with regard to separation and remarriage. It was built on the same theological foundations as "The Good of Marriage", but was aimed less at expounding doctrine than answering possible objections to it and clarifying the finer points. It almost serves as a set of appendices to that prior and more foundational work.
"Continence" was written, surprising as it may seem to a modern audience, not to defend continence but to defend the goodness of creation in general and marriage in particular. The opposing position was Manichaean dualism, which taught that everything good was in the soul and everything bad was in the body. As he so often had to do, Augustine had to attack one extreme while at the same time not seeming to endorse the other.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Marriage and Virginity (Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century)

Product Description:
This volume presents new translations of five of Augustines works: The Excellence of Marriage, Holy Virginity, The Excellence of Widowhood, Adulterous Marriages, and Continence.... The volume is to be commended on several points. The translation itself is in eminently readable, clear English that should be accessible to anyone interested in Augustine.... The general introduction does an excellent job of placing these works in the context of Augustines career, showing how Augustine reacts to controversies with the Manichees, Jovinian, Jerome, and the Pelagians, while maintaining a commitment to the threefold goods of marriageprocreation, fidelity, and sacrament. This is a wonderful collection that allows readers to see the complexity of Augustines thought on a difficult topic.

Kim Paffenroth
Journal of Early Christian Studies

Get 34% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Marriage and Virginity (Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century) now ?

God Songs: How to Write & Select Songs for Worship (Integrity) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There's a growing trend in contemporary Christian churches where the worship pastor(s) introduce original songs to their congregation. While not obligated to, many worship pastors have a creative side that bubbles up in their private worship and other times and for many there is a difficult bridge to cross to take their God-inspired and God-driven musical ideas and melodic prayers and put them in a form suitable for corporate worship; that's where God Songs comes in.

As a musician and worshiper who is not a worship pastor (but very interested in the subject), I feel the book does a good job of laying a foundation for the basics of what makes a good worship song and how a great worship song may differ from other forms of popular music and does (for the most part) a good job validating the ideas presented. It also has a chapter on music theory that focuses in on theory in relation to contemporary worship songs, I found this part of the book especially interesting. The stories behind some of todays most famous worship songs were also very good.

The book assumes you know how to play an instrument (piano or guitar) and you already know the basics of music theory; it assumes you're already a songwriter looking to expand your knowledge of worship songwriting.

If you want to hear these techniques applied, check out Paul Baloche's latest album A Greater Song. Paul is an worship pastor trainer, worship pastor and recording artist.

Click Here to see more reviews about: God Songs: How to Write and Select Songs for Worship (Integrity)

Product Description:
This instructional book by songwriters Paul Baloche and Jimmy and Carol Owens covers basic songwriting principles like how to develop a song after inspiration comes, 30 characteristics that make a song memorable, 16 shared qualities of great worship songs and 12 keys to unlock writer's block. You will also learn how to gain the listener's attention quickly, find fresh ways of expressing worship and choose just the right words. God Songs also contains advice on how to make your song its best before releasing it, how to get your songs heard and used by others, and ways to minister most effectively with your music. Song stories and advice from writers and publishers such as Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Bart Millard, Craig Dunnagan and Rita Baloche are also included. Softcover, 304 pages.

Get 12% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about God Songs: How to Write and Select Songs for Worship (Integrity) now ?

Guitar Worship Songbook, Book 1: Strum and Sing Your Favorite Praise and Worship Songs (Guitar Collection) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a beginning guitar songbook that contains basic worship songs that are rather to easy to do, for they only require basic chord knowledge such as G, C, D, Em, Am, A, F, and Dm.It contains 12 worship songs: Better Is One Day; Blessed Be Your Name; Breathe; Come, Now Is the Time to Worship; Days of Elijah; Forever; Here I Am to Worship; I Could Sing of Your Love Forever; Lord, Reign in Me; My Redeemer Lives; Open the Eyes of My Heard; You Are My King (Amazing Love).It also comes with a CD that shows you how each song goes.However, the CD consists of other instruments in addition to the guitar, so it may get confusing if you are trying to listen to the strum pattern, but it does give the basic rhythm of the song.The lyrics are included in the book, as well.I have also found that playing the chords shown in the book on the piano or keyboard in addition to the guitar make a nice complement, and this can make the music a little bit more interesting.
This book might be a little too easy for expert guitar players, but it does show the basics of well-known worship songs which makes the music relatively easy to learn.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Guitar Worship Songbook, Book 1: Strum and Sing Your Favorite Praise and Worship Songs (Guitar Collection)

Product Description:
This book can be used on its own, as a supplement to Guitar Worship Method Book 1 (00695681) or with any other guitar method. You get lyrics, chord frames, strumming patterns, and a full-band CD, so you can hear how each song sounds and then play along when you're ready. Songs include: Better Is One Day * Blessed Be Your Name * Breathe * Come, Now Is the Time to Worship * Days of Elijah * Forever * Here I Am to Worship * I Could Sing of Your Love Forever * Lord, Reign in Me * My Redeemer Lives * Open the Eyes of My Heart * You Are My King (Amazing Love).

Get 15% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Guitar Worship Songbook, Book 1: Strum and Sing Your Favorite Praise and Worship Songs (Guitar Collection) now ?

Master Chorus Book II, Book 100 Contemporary, Traditional and New Chourses (Lillenas Publications) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book contains 100 great Praise & Worship choruses in an easy to play format for the piano.I also play the organ at church and find choruses hard to play, however, I find them very easy to play with this book.Music is primarily written using a hymn format.Highly recommend.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Master Chorus Book II, Book 100 Contemporary, Traditional and New Chourses (Lillenas Publications)

Product Description:
The best praise and Scripture songs, contemporary choruses, and Gospel selections, arranged in 4-part hymnal style with chord symbols.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Master Chorus Book II, Book 100 Contemporary, Traditional and New Chourses (Lillenas Publications) now ?

Casting Crowns (Easy Piano) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Prior to buying this book, I had earlier bought a piano score of "Who Am I" from praise-charts, and it was excellent. But the arrangements in this book don't sound like the stuff I heard on the CD, and the score keeps following the melody like a hymn with the chords beneath. Certainly not what I expected. I might as well just play the chords; only the intros sound true to type.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casting Crowns (Easy Piano)

Product Description:
Easy piano arrangements of all 10 songs from Casting Crowns' powerful self-titled debut, which earned several Dove Awards: American Dream * Glory * Here I Go Again * If We Are the Body * Life of Praise * Praise You with the Dance * Voice of Truth * What If His People Prayed * Who Am I * Your Love Is Extravagant.

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Casting Crowns (Easy Piano) now ?

Best Gospel Songs Ever E-Z Play Today 394 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book has a great selection of hymns. If you are into gospel music, you'll find some real classics, from the old traditional songs to newer gospel music.The arrangements are quite simple, comparable to any hymnal I've ever played from, easily learned.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Best Gospel Songs Ever E-Z Play Today 394

Product Description:
A comprehensive collection of 60 songs, including: Amazing Grace * Do Lord * The Family of God * Get All Excited * He Touched Me * His Eye Is on the Sparrow * I Saw the Light * In the Garden * Lift Him Up * My Tribute * The Old Rugged Cross * Rise Again * Soon and Very Soon * Upon This Rock * We Shall Behold Him * Wings of a Dove * and many more.

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Best Gospel Songs Ever E-Z Play Today 394 now ?

Worship Suite for Trumpet and Piano: Instrumental Duet Series, Book 2 (Lillenas Publications) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you have a trumpeter and pianist in your church, this is an excellent duet book.The arrangements are fun and not too demanding on the piano, requiring decent proficiency but not excessive virtuosity.Lloyd Larson always, in my experience, does great work and this book is no exception.Also, the trumpet part is included on a separate removable section, so you only need the one book to perform the duets.Some of the pieces do get a little high on the trumpet, but this tends to be exception, and in most cases the trumpet player can just drop down a third or whatever and still sound good.As a church pianist, I've had some of the most enjoyment playing pieces from this book with our trumpet player, and the congregation has loved the arrangements.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Worship Suite for Trumpet and Piano: Instrumental Duet Series, Book 2 (Lillenas Publications)

Product Description:
The trumpet player and pianist are equal partners in this compilation of timeless hymn tune arrangements.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Worship Suite for Trumpet and Piano: Instrumental Duet Series, Book 2 (Lillenas Publications) now ?

Wee Sing Bible Songs (Wee Sing) CD and Book Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful collection of 63 Bible and Sunday school songs. This has all the old classics I remember from child hood, like "Zaccheaus was a wee little man," "Father Abraham," and "Deep and wide." I play this often for my children, and they love it. Full of wonderful songs, it is a good investment for my children.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wee Sing Bible Songs (Wee Sing) CD and Book Edition

Product Description:
The bestselling Wee Sing line is now tailored for the most modernWee Sing fans! These eight classic Wee Sing titles are now in a greatnew package-a book and CD in a reusable blister!

Want to read more honest consumer review about Wee Sing Bible Songs (Wee Sing) CD and Book Edition now ?

The Definitive Jazz Collection (Definitive Collections) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)No "fake book", or "real book" this.You get full, well-thought-out harmonizations.This isn't how Jazz pianists acquire their numbers, but hey, this graduate of the weekly visit to the traditional read-the-music-and-play-it-exactly-as-written piano teacher likes it just fine this way.Having played through about 25% of the songs, I'll say there are no really bad arrangements, and quite a few very good ones.The technical difficulty is toward the higher end of the non-classical stuff you find in the music stores -- the average song is about as hard (if you want to play all the notes) as a Chopin Waltz or a Clementi Sonatina.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Definitive Jazz Collection (Definitive Collections)

Product Description:
A once-in-a-lifetime collection of 90 of the greatest jazz songs ever compiled into one volume. Includes: Ain't Misbehavin' * All the Things You Are * Birdland * Body and Soul * A Foggy Day * Girl From Ipanema * Here's That Rainy Day * The Lady Is a Tramp * Love for Sale * Mercy, Mercy, Mercy * Midnight Sun * Moonlight in Vermont * Night and Day * Skylark * Stormy Weather * Sweet Georgia Brown.

Get 24% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about The Definitive Jazz Collection (Definitive Collections) now ?

Gospel Classics (Book & CD) (Sacred Performer Collections) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I love Mark Hayes, but some of his stuff just isn't my style. This book is about 50% my style, and 50% not. However, the 50% that is my style is just incredible. None of the songs are bad, just some I just don't enjoy playing. The CD is great to listen to all the way through.

My favorites are Old Rugged Cross and How Great Thou Art. These are incredibly moving pieces.

For any advanced Mark Hayes fan, I highly recommend this book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gospel Classics (Book and CD) (Sacred Performer Collections)

Product Description:
Gospel Classics reflects the importance of hymns and gospel songs in the musical fabric of Mark Hayes's life. The skillful arranger has artistically 'breathed new life' into the well-known gospel songs included in this collection for advanced pianists. Church musicians and worshippers alike are certain to take great enjoyment in experiencing these fresh new settings and lush harmonies.

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Gospel Classics (Book and CD) (Sacred Performer Collections) now ?

The Easy Worship Fake Book: Over 100 Songs in the Key of C Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is great for flute.Since the bass lines are not included, there's plenty of space for a whole song to fit on 1 page and at a nice large, easy to read size, too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Easy Worship Fake Book: Over 100 Songs in the Key of C

Product Description:
A beginning fake book for players new to "faking." Includes over 100 songs, all in the key of "C" with chords that have been simplified, but remain true to each tune. Also features easy-to-read, large music notation. Songs include: Above All * Awesome God * Blessed Be Your Name * Breathe * Come, Now Is the Time to Worship * Days of Elijah * Forever * He Is Exalted * The Heart of Worship * Here I Am to Worship * I Could Sing of Your Love Forever * I Give You My Heart * Lord, I Lift Your Name on High * Open the Eyes of My Heart * Shout to the Lord * Step by Step * We Bow Down * You Are My All in All * You Are My King (Amazing Love) * You're Worthy of My Praise * and more.

Get 15% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about The Easy Worship Fake Book: Over 100 Songs in the Key of C now ?

Gospel's Greatest (Fake Books) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This fake book has a very comprehensive listing of old time hymns, traditional spirituals, gospel songs of the past century and some contemporary praise songs.The type-face is small typical of fake books, and songs are crammed in.Lyrics and verses are included, as well as the chords.There is also a reference of guitar chord finger patterns at the end of the book.The entire book lays flat, having the plastic tabbed binding.Songs are listed alphabetically making them easy to find.Very nice reference, and songbook for all "C" instruments, as well as keyboards, vocals and guitar.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gospel's Greatest (Fake Books)

Product Description:
This excellent resource for Gospel titles features 355 songs, including: Amazing Grace * At the Cross * Because He Lives * Behold the Lamb * Blessed Assurance * Church in the Wildwood * The Day He Wore My Crown * Give Me That Old Time Religion * He Looked Beyond My Fault * He Touched Me * Heavenly Sunlight * His Eye Is on the Sparrow * Holy Ground * How Great Thou Art * I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy * I Saw the Light * I'd Rather Have Jesus * In the Garden * Joshua (Fit the Battle of Jericho) * Just a Little Talk with Jesus * Lord, I'm Coming Home * Midnight Cry * Morning Has Broken * My Tribute * Near the Cross * The Old Rugged Cross * Precious Memories * Rock of Ages * Shall We Gather at the River? * There Is Power in the Blood * We Shall Wear a Crown * What a Friend We Have in Jesus * and hundreds more!

Get 34% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Gospel's Greatest (Fake Books) now ?

Andrew Lloyd Webber Solos: The Phillip Keveren Series Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)More solid arrangements from Phillip Keverin. They are full sounding without being finger busters. The print quality is good also - big enough for my weak eyes and nice, sharp print so one can easily distinguish the notes and recognize the chord clusters.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Andrew Lloyd Webber Solos: The Phillip Keveren Series

Product Description:
This fabulous collection contains Phillip Keveren's graceful, artistic solo piano arrangements of 18 songs from Webber blockbusters. Includes: All I Ask of You * Any Dream Will Do * As If We Never Said Goodbye * Close Every Door * Don't Cry for Me Argentina * Memory * The Music of the Night * The Phantom of the Opera * Pie Jesu * Unexpected Song * With One Look * and more.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Andrew Lloyd Webber Solos: The Phillip Keveren Series now ?

The Big Book of Hymns (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just started playing piano again after a 20-year break, and this book was way too difficult for me.I used to play many hymns, but the music in this book is much more difficult, requiring you to play a great deal of sharps and flats.I used to play "Just As I Am," for example, with almost no sharps and flats, but this book requires you to play them continuously with this song.This could be a great book for experienced musicians, but if you're still getting up-to-speed -- like me -- you might want to try another hymn book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Big Book of Hymns (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook)

Product Description:
An invaluable collection of 125 favorite hymns, including: All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name * Battle Hymn of the Republic * Blessed Assurance * For the Beauty of the Earth * Holy, Holy, Holy * It Is Well with My Soul * Just as I Am * A Mighty Fortress Is Our God * The Old Rugged Cross * Onward Christian Soldiers * Rock of Ages * Sweet By and By * What a Friend We Have in Jesus * Wondrous Love * and more.

Get 25% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about The Big Book of Hymns (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) now ?

Phillips, Craig and Dean - The Ultimate Collection (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I help to lead a men's vocal group that sings periodically at our church.I'm always looking for music that we can sing together, and I stumbled upon this resource when I bought the Phillips, Craig, and Dean "Ultimate Collection" CD for my wife.After listening to the album, I thought that we could probably sing some of this stuff, so I purchased this songbook.For the most part, I'm glad that I did.

The arrangements seem to match the PC&D recordings almost completely.The piano arrangements are obviously less elaborate then some of the accompaniment tracks on their album, but the piano parts seem to provide a solid accompaniment for the vocals.They require a competent but not brilliant pianist.

The vocals are relatively straight-forward.Almost every song begins with a solo, then adds another voice (usually above the melody), and eventually adds the third voice (usually below the melody).As one would expect if familiar with PC&D, these parts are really written for three true tenors, especially the top two parts.We had a baritone singing the bottom part, and he could do it, but he was pushing a bit.

During our recent debut with this book, we sang one song as an offertory and used one other song to lead congregational singing, and I anticipate that we'll put it to good use in the future.We received much positive feedback afterwards.

One other comment, if rather inconsequential, is that the binding of the book is really poor, and after using the book for a few days, it was beginning to fall apart.

In any case, if you have three male voices and like Phillips, Craig, and Dean's arrangements and songs, then this is a great resource to use.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Phillips, Craig and Dean - The Ultimate Collection (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook)

Product Description:
31 of the greatest hits by this popular CCM trio. Includes: Crucified with Christ * Favorite Song of All * Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) * Here I Am to Worship * I Want to Be Just like You * Let My Words Be Few * Lord, Let Your Glory Fall * Midnight Oil * Only You * Restoration * Shine on Us * This Is the Life * The Wonderful Cross * Your Grace Still Amazes Me * and more.

Get 15% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Phillips, Craig and Dean - The Ultimate Collection (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) now ?

Good Ol' Southern Gospel: Easy Piano (Easy Piano Songbook) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I ordered this book when I started taking formal piano lessons.I'm just in my first year (and I'm 50!) of lessons and I wanted to play hymns and gospel.I grab this book every time I sit down at my piano because I can follow the music and play the songs within minutes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Good Ol' Southern Gospel: Easy Piano (Easy Piano Songbook)

Product Description:
Easy arrangements of 29 traditional songs of faith: Amazing Grace * Church in the Wildwood * His Eye Is on the Sparrow * Just a Closer Walk with Thee * In the Garden * Precious Memories * Rock of Ages * Shall We Gather at the River? * Sweet By and By * There Is Power in the Blood * When We All Get to Heaven * more.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Good Ol' Southern Gospel: Easy Piano (Easy Piano Songbook) now ?