Music Books

It didnt take long to read this book..couldnt put it down. Totally surprised at what I read and I give Kudos to Mrs. EH! I liked the frankness about everything without all the details! Engelbert held nothing back he didnt want to and Im glad he is still with his family! He still has a beautiful gift and should thank God for watching over him and his family! I still say he can sing better than any other ever!!

I read Engelbert's Biography and I found it very interesting. Many events in the book were stated with the up most honesty. Most biography's are written with only the good things the person wants you to know. Engelbert and his wife tell you his story just as it was. I have never read a book in just 2days,but I couldn't put the book down. I am a great fan of Engelbert for over 30yrs and I'm sure anyone who reads this book will enjoy it.

What a tale Engelbert has to tell, and how entertaining is the way he tells it; it's been a life full of twists and turns, and he writes it all, with all the bumps and bruises along the way.
From his childhood in Madras, India, where he lived through the violence of pre-Independence terrorism, to the many hardships of trying to make it as a singer, which were made that much tougher by the ever-present "couch-casting" that went on, a form of getting ahead that he would not participate in...and its prevalence explains why many of the untalented seem to "make it", if only for a season, while some of the really gifted have a rough time getting noticed.
Engelbert's rise to stardom was meteoric, with the single song of "Release Me" in 1967, and he went from living in a sparsely furnished flat into the lap of luxury, and all the pitfalls that come with fame and fortune.

Through it all, he has had Patricia, or Popea, as he calls her, with him since the early days. Beautiful as well as intelligent and strong, she's been the one that has kept the family of 3 boys and one girl (the stunning and talented Louise Dorsey) together, and "stood by her man" through thick and thin. Popea writes a portion of Chapter Fifteen with gritty honesty, and explains how, and why, she withstood the many women, the paternity suits, and all the paparazzi that hounded them through those many years of notoriety.
The women, as Engelbert explains, were an "occupational hazard", certainly not helped by his years of lonely nights and hard drinking on the road, and the many females who would make themselves exceedingly available.

Engelbert comes off as an extremely complex individual, but very likeable. A perfectionist in his work, living life to the fullest, and discovering in his later years that he has the gift of healing; this assertion I believe, as I find that the sound of his voice can have curative effects.
There are portions that are laugh-out-loud funny (like the UFO story in Chapter Seventeen), and adding to the charm of his writing style is some of the "Brit-speak" slang, with expressions like the now rarely heard "grotty" (a favorite word of mine coined by George Harrison in the '60s).

The book has two sections of photographs, from the age of 17 on. Favorites of mine are the one with Muhammad Ali, and a lovely family shot taken by the pool in one of their USA homes, affectionately named "The Pink Palace".
The final 12 pages are devoted to a UK discography, and include chart positions.
This is fast reading, and riveting, so walk the dog, feed the cat, turn off the telephone, and make yourself a big cuppa, because once you open this book, its going to be very hard to put down.

I was sure this book would be interesting...but it went way beyond anything I could have imagined. It was poignant, honesty..incredibly honest..I can't believe there were were several chapters where I couldn't see beyond my tears. I am so glad I got this book..it is a very deep look...and I'd love to sit down with him and be his friend! Thank you, Englebert, for letting us inside your heart.

i truly enjoyed reading this book. I have been a fan for 26 years and it was enjoyable to read about his life.
The book was a quick read and as entertaining as going to his show. my favorite chapter was where his wife wrote her feelings. I took alot away from that. That is what love is about!!
read this book and enjoy!

This book covers a wide array of African-American spiritual songs across a variety of genres. It starts with spirituals from the slavery period and interprets the literal and hidden messages in these moving songs. It then moves succesively onto sacred compositions by such luminaries as Thomas Dorsey and interpretations of standard hymns. It ends with a review of modern sacred songs with impressive scores from writers like Andrae Crouche, Kirk Franklin, etc. I am enjoying it immensely!

This is a good book for the worshipper who wants devotions or to know the back story behind their favorite hymns. And the author's piano/vocal arrangements are for the most part playable and error-free.

That being said, this is a selective not a comprehensive collection of Gospel Music. I found myself wondering "is this song in here?" looking and being disappointed that it was not included. Especially the older Spirituals (out-of-copyright). There should have been more of these, instead of the traditional Hymn section, which is duplicated in many Hymnals. If the Hymns had to be kept, it would have been instructive to see the original and the "gospelfied" versions in print, side-by-side. That and the lack of footnotes and skimpy historical info (definitely more on the appropiation of Spirituals in the Civil-Rights era and the controversy concerning Dorsey's Blues-Gospel style in the 1930's-40's) make this book more for the casual reader than a resource for the serious student of the genre.

The newer Gospel and Contemporary songs are a nice touch, although I wondered at putting the copyright and publisher information in the back of the book.


Also a spiral binding would be good for those who wish to play the music...

In Ephesians 5:19, the Apostle Paul urges Christians to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in our heart to the Lord." Author Gwendolin Sims Warren follows this comprehensive arrangement in "Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit."

For Christians growing up in Church over the past half century, she answers the question, "I wonder about the history of the composition of this song . . ." Warren's contextualizing of these favorites provides an emotionally and spiritually moving interpretation and celebration of these songs that deepens their impact on the hearers.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, and Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction.

This is a splendid book, written in an personal, informed, deeply intelligent and moving way by a wonderful woman. It is a perfect resource for those who want to know the history and inspiration of the songs it contains, which are, by themselves, inspired and inspiring.

In this collection, Ms. Warren presents straightforward and faithful arrangements of 101 psalms, gospel hymns, and spirituals. She relates brief histories of the songs and places them in the context of her Christian faith and experience.

Generously, Ms. Warren includes a couple of dozen Euro-American hymns and presents them in a similar context. Undoubtedly, these hymns stand in relation to and have even influenced some twentieth century black composers.

But it is the presentation of the songs from the Afican-American tradition that is most important here. The Euro-American hymns aside, this is a marvellous introduction to black American spirituals and hymnody.

I agree with another reviewer that this is a wonderful work to browse at random, but it is also rewarding to sit down and read it through. As you please.

Either way, when you come to the end of the book, if you've got a soul it will thirst for more...

I hope you'll be able to satisfy some of that thirst by hearing some of this music sung live by a choir and congregation that knows its business. Even if you're not a Christian, you may still find it rewarding to experience this aspect of Christianity first-hand.

After all, you've already heard this music many times before. It is the cornerstone for American blues, jazz, soul, and rock 'n' roll. It began in Africa, survived the Middle Passage, grew up fast in hard times in the American South, and lived to tell the tale. It's been around the world and back a million times.

And, speaking on behalf of the planet, the world can't wait to see where this music takes us next.

It offers exactly what it says. Great for learning piano/guitar duets. ADding the vocals is a given.

I first heard the song Imortal on one of the music tv channels,I'm thinking it was VH1. I wish the music channels were all music again. I realized later she was also on the Elektra soundtrack (Great movie and nice outfits-Jennifer Garner) I put the Imortal song on a DVD-I recorded it from TV, I always wanted to learn to play the song so after alittle thinking I decided to purchase the music. I'm the kind of person who buys something -only if it has a few good songs.She has a GREAT voice.

I am a vocalist and am taking piano, and I love this music book! It is really great for the vocalist/pianist/guitarist Evanescence fan. However, don't buy it thinking you will sound exactly like the band. Of course, they can't match up the music exactly, and it is a bit different than the album versions or the songs you're used to. However, if you like Evanescence and want to do their songs, buy it!

This book is a great book, especially for guitar /piano / keyboard players. You can play it with your band (if you have one), and the sheet music for "Hello", "My Immortal" and even piano fill for "Bring me to Life" and other songs are there!

Note: Guitar-Bass parts does not included.

This book is easy - BUY IT!

I love this book, I use it all the time at my singing lessons.

EXISTENTIAL EXODUS is an arresting tale of self discovery. I enjoyed watching Henry & Iris grow as individuals & as a couple. The poetic language & shifting landscapes convey the inner tensions they experience in their quest for redemption.

EXISTENTIAL EXODUS does not fit neatly into any one genre. That's what I like most about it. You can tell Paul Grenert is writing from experience and was not churned out by writing program after writing program. The prose is raw, not overly polished. If you like originality, then read this novel.

Although one might get the impression from Surfergirl's synopsis that Existential Exodus falls in the genre of "addiction fiction", this is not the case. Henry defeats his drug addiction soon after escaping the City. He continues to dabble but it doesn't control his life. The novel is about a quest to fill that void. It's a ride most of us can relate to. Hold out your thumb.

Existential Exodus is an engrossing existential odyssey. Throughout their journey, we feel the characters' agony and heroic efforts to be clean of drugs and to find their place in the world. I learned much too - particularly about Rastafarians. Because of all the background information provided about them, I was really there with the characters in the Jamaica hills.

I particulary enjoyed this book because its metaphorical language is obviously that of an accomplished poet.

I just finished "Existential Exodus" and enjoyed it very much. Henry, a New York punk rocker junky, leaves NY to try to clean himself up and start a new life. Recovering in Jamaica, he meets Iris, a bartender at a resort, and they fall in love. Together, they journey from the Rastafarian hills, to Amish country, to an Indian Reservation, and then to Europe, searching for happiness, meaning, a place to settle down. Will they find what they're looking for? Well, read the book for yourself and find out!

Complete catalog of the Factory cover art, posters, etc. Factory perfected the symbiosis between the music and art.

This book is an awesome look back at some of the best artwork and packaging of its time. The footnotes for each "Fac" are interesting and the reproductions of the artwork are showcased nicely. I only wish there were some photos of the packaging, for instance the famous Blue Monday single with the die-cut, it would have been nice to see how it looked. Still, I think this is a great book!

I've always been a huge fan of Factory Records and the designs of Peter Saville so this book was a dream come true. Pictures of all the artwork from Fac 1 onwards, all the New Order, Joy Division, Happy Mondays, Durutti Column - everything you could want.
A wonderful gorgeous book, the pictures are bright and clear, plus history and stories on major aspects of the artwork - highly recommended fro any Factory / New Order / Peter Saville fan.

This is an excellent book for fans of Factory Records. Factory was label that always had beautiful graphic design work. The album covers and poster art were a showcase for the design work of Peter Saville. I highly recommend this thorough book to fans of the label.

FACTORY RECORDS: THE COMPLETE GRAPHIC ALBUM could have been featured in our Music Shelf area but is profiled here for its artistic visual inspection of one British music label's eye-catching covers and productions. Notes for each production outline the varying graphic design choices which made the albums notable and different, making this a fine choice not just for contemporary music libraries but for art library holdings strong in graphic arts representations.

This is an excelent book that will help you develop your faith. In it you will discover insights that will help you understand to activate the power of God in your life.

This book has totally changed my life and has taken me a step fuirther in understanding faith. I am reading it a second time round!
The principals outlined in this book are so easy to understand and I have started to see things change in my life already.
Thank God for the life of Charles Capps

Every Believer needs to watch what comes out of their mouths. The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue, those who love it will eat the fruit of it.
In other words, if you confess your problems all the time you will just feel worse. If you confess what the Word of God says about your situation because the word of God will not change. But the circumstance have to change because they are temporal.
I challenge anyone who is depressed to get this book and begin to practice what he teaches in this book. Because when you change how you talk you change your life.
God is faithful to His Word as you confess it, God will begin to change things for the better and your life will come in line with His Word. This is a dynamic book. One you will never be sorry you read.

This book is probably the best book I have read next to the Bible. If you are looking to UNDERSTAND how and why things are happening in your life, this is the book for you. It is easy to read and easier to understand, and it is all true and bible based. You will be challenged in good ways, and beleive me, try it, You won't be disappointed in the outcomes. The content of this book will further your life in a positive way if you are willing to make some minor adjustments in your speech. Enjoy and expect good things !

Faith and Confession is the most life changing book I have ever read. In the back of the book, it has step by step to actually reverse some negative circumstances in your life. Other life changing stuff, including media, is on CharlesCappsMinistries.org ... but this has got to be the best reading for all faiths. It's one of those things we have a choice whether we want to believe and change or not believe and stay the same, which in a lot of cases can be a real bummer!

The Fanatic's Guide shifts the One Note emphasis from recognizing pitches to producing pitches. The accompanying CD contains 12 tracks, 1 in each key. Each track sets up a key, and then drones on that tonic chord for about 5 minutes. The book suggests a number of exercises to sing over the drone, starting with correctly being able to sing diatonic and then chromatic pitches against a key, and then moving on to singing multiple pitches against the drone. This book is both challenging and immensly rewarding. I am now able to identify almost all pitches against a key (still getting the b2 and #6 in tune), but I am much more excited about my new found ability to create melodies and really hear them internally without the aid of an instrument. In my practice sessions each Friday, I have been singing random melodies using any of the pitches I have worked on so far. I have been playing a relative minor arpeggio against a major chord for years, but it has been muscle memory and habit as much as anything. Now I'm really hearing what the 6th, root, and 3rd sound like againt the tonic. When I'm really dialed in, it almost feels like I'm high (or so I would guess).

So how does all of this transfer to the real world, you ask? I have noticed some minor improvements, but I wouldn't say I have a new set of ears just yet. I can pick some things out on the country station, and I think the sight singing exercises have been helping with vocal rehearsals in my band, but that's about it so far. On the other hand, I have been playing music in some form since I was six, and nothing in all of that time has improved my ear as much as the hour a day spent practicing these exercises for a few months. So with that in mind, I have enough faith in this path to keep at it. I just ordered the next books in the series, and look forward to seeing what I start to hear next.

My son (and his daycare class) LOVE this book, especially with the CD. (It is kind of catchy.) Highly recommend.

This is a wonderful story- so many children i have shared it with have asked to hear it again and again. I have found this book to be a lovely way to metaphor more difficult times and choices in ones adult life. such as keeping your focus on the true light (Jesus/God) and not being distracted. I have recommended it to many. The CD is beautiful- altho the singer's voice is a little strange at the beginning you will find yourself thinking no one else could have done it justice at the end. enjoy and share it with many.

I'm just VERY impressed by the illustration. Incredible! Story line depicts faithfulness and freindship

This book was purchased for my class science library. My students instantly fell in love with it and it was one of the year's favorites. I have shared it with colleagues and gotten the same reaction. It's simply lovely!

I found this book at the Natural History Museum (Smithsonian) in Washington, D.C. I first noticed the hadsome boy on the cover and then decided to see what the story was about. It is an excellent story about a kid who cares about animals and nature. It is a cute story of the boy protecting a baby turtle from harm. He is a good protector of this turtle until it finds safety by "following the moon". I read this story to the children in my YMCA school program and they loved every moment. It definately kept their attention.

I have been a practitioner of devotional chanting for about 3 years, and Kailash's book is one of the few books on the topic that I find myself reading over and over. It is incredibly rich with information, intelligently written, and very accessible for people new to chanting and also for those more experienced. He has provided the chanting community (and the world) with a gift, gathering a wealth of knowledge on this subject and presenting it eloquently. He discusses the history of chanting, explains what mantras are, the importance of our emotions on this path, and many other topics without it ever becoming overwhelming. Somehow it all flows together as one very engaging narrative.

I also appreciated the way Kailash explained some very esoteric concepts in a practical, grounded way. Since reading this book, I am so much more conscious of the words that I speak, even just in normal everyday conversation. It helped me to realise how our spoken words guide our consciousness, in effect creating our experience.

Following Sound Into Silence makes you feel like going out in the world and experiencing the benefits of chanting mantras immediately!

I had the privilege of taking a class with Kailash and I have to say it was wonderful. I had never chanted before and jumped at the chance to buy the book. I have to say I was impressed. It's wonderful and the CD that accompanies is great! I was so happy that I had that as a tool to guide me. You will not be disapponted. Find your bliss!!

Kailash has taken the time to share with us devotional chanting and a way to shed ourselves of our ego and become closer to the divine. The CD itself is worth the price, but to also recieve an informative and inspirational book is priceless. One would do themselves a tremendous service by reading this information and chanting along with the enclosed CD. I have just begun my journey into this ancient tradition and already have felt its benefits. Goddess Bless Kailash and anyone else who recieves and absorbs this timeless information. Jai Ma!

This is such a beautiful book...inspirational and informative! I have taught Yoga for eight years now and I am always looking for thoughtful resources to inspire class themes to deepen and enrich my students' experiences and this book is definitely one of my favorites. Each page is so rich in history and insite. In addition, Kailash has made chanting so understandable and accessible with this book and CD. My children (5 and 7 years of age) love to listen to his CD every time we're in the car! They say it "just makes them happy!" This is a "must have" for any person who wants to deepen their life experience.

I purchased this CD thinking I was purchasing the book, but I'm grateful things worked out that way - now I have a copy to keep at home, and a copy to carry with me wherever I go. I have been listening to the CD for a week now, and the mantras are beginning to take up residence in my head. Kailash has a wonderful ability to choose just the right musical accompaniment to allow the mantra to resonate within the body and mind for hours after the CD has been played. His voice is perfectly suited to both the longing of "Changing Your Trajectory (Saman Mantra)" and the powerful vibration of "Decontaminating Yourself (Vajrasattva)". Now that I have lived with these mantras for a few days, I am ready to dive into the companion book! Jai Shree Devi!

Frontman: Surviving the Rock Star Myth

"Frontman" is a uniquely honest and refreshing story that works on several levels at the same time. What makes a frontman? Why do they do it? Few books, if any, have explored the phenomenon from the point of view of the subject so brilliantly. B-52's Frontman Fred Schneider says it best on the back cover: "BUY THIS BOOK"!!!

The lens through which we see the world is different for everybody and according to what appears to me, there are three kinds of books that exist. First category consists of books that once they are finished, end up gathering dust on the bookshelf. Only occasionally they will be remembered. Books such as these are usually heavily marketed, so everyone will buy it, and only stay afloat for a short period of time. Second, there are those books that should be read to gain a better understanding of yourself and this world. True gems of literature that shine brightly on the pages of history. These are the classics, which take concepts to higher levels. Finally, there are those books that seem to appear quietly, but steadily gain acclaim and credibility. These are the books that get tested and tried, making them prove their worth. With time, these books either gain a solid footing, or slowly fade into the background. I find myself paying close attention to such books, because these are the ones that have the potential to become timeless.

Richard Barone's "Frontman" falls into the last category. While going through its pages, I could not help but to gain a deeper understanding of what love for music is all about. Starting from Richard's early years as being "the littlest DJ" all the way to his latest accomplishments of producing countless projects that are all backed up by nothing more but his love for what he does. As I was reading about Richard's "frontman" experience, it helped me realize how much work it took to be him. The pressure that is placed upon the leader's shoulders and how tough it can get. For anyone wishing to see what the world of music producing is all about will not be disappointed either. One will find a lot of technical information about equipment, record deals, and advice to those who are just starting out in this field. I started appreciating music a lot more than before and learned the true meaning of self-expression. I mean, who can forget that SEX flag? It is cleverly written and will make you laugh more than once, at times even cry, as well as pass on countless advice from the wise to anyone who chooses to listen. I find myself going back to the book and rereading what I've highlighted once in a while to make sure I don't forget what it conveys.

It was once said that if you want to become better at one thing, study something else. The broader your viewpoint on the world, the better you can understand it. Regardless if you are a music fan, in a band, a finance major, or someone who is looking for answers about themselves and their existence, this book has what it takes to open your eyes at least a little bit wider.

Thank you Richard for how much of yourself you've invested into this book.

Richard's book is an extremely enjoyable, involving look at a business that eats its own without blinking, but he's come out of everything he's encountered with an amazingly uncynical, positive view. I can't recommend Frontman highly enough... a wonderful way to spend your weekend!

With 'Frontman' Richard Barone adds another remarkable achievement to his already impressive portfolio. Most books I've read by or about musicians have disappointed and/or caused me to like a performer less. 'Frontman' only helps me further appreciate one of my favorite artists! Richard offers a fascinating "travelogue" of his career and music. As in his songs, his writing is eloquent but never pretentious or cloying, and honest but never self-indulgent or gossipy. And as intended, his stories of the music biz are enlightening, engaging and educational for any aspiring frontmen. Richard has truly experienced the wild rollercoaster ride of the entertainment industry and still remains modest, upbeat, and astonishingly un-jaded. Whether or not you're already a fan of Richard's work, this is a great read... and if you're not, you will be by the time you finish this book!

What a surprise to find that the frontman, Richard Barone, is a poet, a musician and singer, a philosopher and mystic. I was skeptical when a friend gave me the book exclaiming, "you'll love it." I love music, but wasn't interested in knowing the ins and outs of the music business (which is accomplished with humor, intelligence and punches). So, I read the first page and was convinced he could write, and then read the last two pages, which reeled me into the reality that this book was much more than black and white words. I've thanked my friend for turning me on to The Frontman. I've given copies to several of my friends, who have thanked me. And, so it goes, there are numerous ways to be inspired, appreciate creativity, notice serendipity, and be compelled to consider the grand unanswerable questions of life. Thank you Richard Barone!