Music Books

Mention 'Earl Hamner' and savvy book readers will instantly recognize his name as the creator of the beloved Waltons, which became a hit TV show - but there's more to his life than Walton's Mountain, as Earl Hamner: From Walton's Mountain To Tomorrow reveals. Hamner was raised in small town Virginia and discovered writing at a young age, becoming a published writer at the age of six. He did much more than just The Waltons: he produced eight scripts for The Twilight Zone, did the screenplay for Charlotte's Web, and was loved and respected for his talents. A fine account of his lively career and many literary contributions evolves.

Earl Hamner is genious, intelligent, heartfelt, honest man. He created the best show on t.v., "The Waltons." This books opens a lot of interesting history of his career and family. The author spends too much time indulging other writers works, and trying to compare them to Earl Hamner. I wish Earl was the author of his bio. You will discover his works from Charlotte's Web, Falcon Crest, Snowy River, Spencer's Mountain, The Homecoming,and of course, The Waltons.
Sections of the book gets very boring, and turns away from Earl's life. The rest of the book is well written. We need more writers & producers like Earl Hamner.
God Bless The Waltons!

Earl Hamner,Jr. is as familiar to some of us as our own father, or grandfather.He has been a part of our lives for as much as the last thirty or so years,since his book "The Homecoming" aired as a made for tv Christmas movie,and the long running series,"The Waltons" took over our living rooms every Thursday night.
The series was based on Mr. Hamner's life growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the depression,and the stories related to many of us,having touched on our families and their histories,stories that were told to us by our parents and grandparents,and some that lived through those times themselves.
Earl had a special gift in his ability to tie that world in with ours,reminding us even still today the meaning of family.He could even make those without a family feel like they were part of one.
Mr. Person's book not only presents a great tribute to a great man, but his writing also has the ability to make the reader feel as though they are reading about one of thier own family,but with some surprises along the way.If I had only one comment about the book it would be that I only wish there were more pages to read in it! Great job,Mr.Person!

It was the best bio I have ever read.It made me feel like I was part of the Hamner family.When I watched the waltons as a kid I did not know it was based on a real family. Now when I watch the Waltons it has a whole new meaning

This book provides excellant insight on Earl Hamner. My wife and I belong to the International Walton's Fan Club and have meet Earl several times at Walton Reunions. Mr. Hamner is a talented writter and a wonderful person.

I knew there had to be an easier way to play piano. I'll never be a concert pianist, but I am able to enjoy playing for my own enjoyment. With the vocal training I have had, and an explanation of chords, I am able to play the old hymns I grew up with. This is easy and fun.

I love this Easy Hymn Fake Book and the Easy Gospel Fake Book both. Wish I'd have had some like it many years ago! They make playing so much easier. Piano or guitar! I even bought some extra for my new chord-style piano students. The large bold print is easy for my old eyes to read. I'm also impressed by the great chord selections and placements, just how my ear likes to hear the old songs of the Lord.

Having just gone to Scott Houston's workshop, I needed/wanted a fake book to start using and learning new chords, with music worth playing...this is the book! Repetion of chords, songs which are familiar...perfect 1st book, I'm still enjoying, as I can also re-enforce them repeatedly.

Your mother will love you if you play this quietly in the background. If you know how to read the melody and can learn to play chord, this one is for you. It is so easy if you do not know (like me) how to read all those notes on the left hand.

Hello.... I bought these two books, Hymn and Gospel, for my wife who is taking piano. She is doing well at piano and has found that these books have given her more incentive to play. She has had them for about three weeks and she is still playing them. He teacher is actually going to use them to instruct my wife as she is not interested in theory as much as playing. I'm hoping she will be able to play at our Seventh-day Adventist church very soon. Hebrews 11:1
Jamie

The book is very sweet but will have value for a small audience, fathers with little girls or Elvis fans

We gave this book to my three step-daughters for Christmas and they all were overwhelmed with emotion. It is a wonderful testatment to the bonds between a father and a daughter especially when there has been a divorce. It is a keepsake and a reminder of the love shared between parent and child. Even if that father had to be a "weekend dad". Something they will cherish long after we are gone. The song while being played and reading along is very, very heartwarming and emotional. I cannot listen to it without tearing up, and that is a very good thing.

There just aren't that many books that let a father convey these kind of feelings for his daughter. Great book.

We all know the lyrics, but in a different context. This beautifully illustrated book made me cry way before I got to the end.

This would be a perfect gift for a single father with a daughter, as all the illustrations are a man and girl together, but any child would love to hear this book read (or sung...you can't help it!) to them by anyone. Father, Mother, Aunt, Grampa...doesn't matter.

My father died when I was 15. I look for books to read with my children that have words that they will keep their hearts forever if anything ever happens to me or their dad. This will be a book we'll sing together for a long, long time. I can't recommend it enough.

Illustrator, Tom Browning, puts a new twist on an ELVIS classic love song. Never before has this song meant anything other than a dedication from a lover to another. But now, this book brings to life in a unique way the emotional bond between a father and his daughter.

Rich colors and sweet, sensitive facial expressions bring the lyrics to life in an extraordinary way as we see the many ways a father shares special moments with his daughter, from ice skating, feeding ducks on a pond, bundling up in the fall breeze, and blowing out birthday candles on a special cake.

Share this one with your little one, your father, or your grandfather. An absolute TREASURE of a book. And the cd of the Elvis is even included in the back!

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.

I just finished this up today and was wiped out. I approached this as a " interesting read " being a Cro-Mags fan and also a Vaisnava. What I walked away with was so much more, This book is raw and rough to read at times. It is an inspiring look at an amazing soul and I am thankful it was written.

This book was like a reality check. What ever your story, you can get what ever you want in life. John opens up to abuse as a child to manhood and a few "woops" on the way. He always finds a way to rise to the top of his game in life. Cro-Mag fan's will love the inside dirt and new ones to the "Cro's" or to John Joseph will find a wonderful story of the trials and tribulations that made J.J. who he is today.

Living in Alphabet City in the early 1980s, I remember the energy and brutality of a Cro-Mags' concert. I continue to go to shows as I grow older, but every band I see pales in comparison. However, reading this book brought back all the emotion and excitement of a 1980s hardcore show. To say I was hanging on Joseph's every word doesn't do the book justice - I was glued to every page.

Yeah, the man is a musician, but don't let that fool you. John Joseph is an incredible storyteller with the unique ability to take you along for the ride. For those of you who grew up in NYC in the 1980s, Joseph's incredibly detailed stories will bring you back twenty years. And for anyone else, this book is like a summer abroad in Manhattan before it became Disney World.

Still, the most amazing part of the book is John's life. For a person with such a tough image, it's admirable that he gives you such exclusive access to a life full of highs, lows, and everything in between. Yeah, this book isn't likely to get into Oprah's Book Club, but it's the kind of story that everyone can relate to in one way or another. An absolute must-read.

"The Age of Quarrel" album by the legendary Cro-Mags is the greatest Punk/Hardcore album ever recorded. Yes, I think it's better than the Bad Brains ROIR release...sorry just my opinion. This book like the aforementioned album is down right raw as it gets. It is brutally honest, sad, hilarious at times, unselfish, unapologetic and more importantly inspiring...it's NYC to the highest degree. John has overcome his addictions and his screw ups with no excuses. He hustled cause he had to, he knew no other way. There was no one to guide him in the right direction, so he chose his own path...the streets. This book is more than one man's tribulations, it's about survival and everything that comes with it. It's about family, friends and trust. John Joseph is a true testament that if you want change all you have to do is believe and NEVER give up no matter how down you are. I commend JJ for writing this book and letting us come in his life. John Joseph is Hardcore.

As a Cro-Mags fan since the 80's the least interesting (but still great) part of the book was about the band. However, it was still disheartening nonetheless. Why? cause that original line-up (AOQ) should have made more records together and been huge. But greed, egos and an ongoing soap opera has somewhat tarnished this legendary band. In this great book there is mention of a show they played at L'amours in Bklyn (w/Carnivore, Nuclear Assault) back in the 80's. That night introduced me to the Cro-Mags live show. I remember they sounded and looked great. John joseph was doing flips into the audience and the dance floor was packed with skinheads, it looked like a battlefield. One of the greatest shows I've ever been to.

An incredible autobiography of the singer of one of the most influential bands in NYHC history. John Joseph adds a lot of feeling and emotion to his writing. He paints such a vivid description of 80's New York-from Alphabet City to Coney Island. It is a story of "Survival of the Streets". A story of "Hard Times". It is a story of "Street Justice". Hold onto your sets because Babylon is coming!

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!