2024 the best of times song review

Price: $25.00 - $23.00
(as of Dec 15, 2024 03:13:08 UTC - Details)

Gathers Negro spirituals, traditional gospel songs, European American hymns, and contemporary gospel songs

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt & Co; First Edition (January 1, 1998)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805044108
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805044102
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1.25 x 9.75 inches
Reviewer: Richard Goodman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent Collection; First-rate Arrangements
Review: 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.

Reviewer: Betsy Ross
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Reference Book
Review: As a Church American Sign Language Interpreter often times I hear songs that need to be explained in American Sign Language (ASL). I find that it helps to research the writer's thoughts, and what was happening during the times the song was written. Gwendolin Sims Warren did a excellent job in researching the songs and giving an explanation of what was happening both during the times the song was written and in some cases what the author of the song was feeling or doing during the time he/she wrote the song. I have found it a great reference book. I will definitely recommended it to my fellow staff members.

Reviewer: miditrax
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: More Devotional than Academic...
Review: 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...

Reviewer: Angela Smith
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This is a treasure
Review: This song book is an absolute treasure. I'm not sure how many I have purchased and given away. Seeing the excitement as they go through the pages. It seems like everyone I've given one to has the same reaction. They start singing and they all seem to say the same thing, "this is a treasure, where did you get it". Anyone that still remember the good old days of just going to church will find it hard to put this book down. Give it to your Mother, Grandmother, Church Mother, Pastor and friend who you know will gasp when they see all of our childhood songs listed in the table of contents. This song book really do go way back with good old Gospel Hymns and spiritual songs. To the author Gwendolin Sims Warren, I thank you, my Mother thank you we all thank you so much. You have done a marvelous work.

Reviewer: CSmith
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Love the Backstories
Review: The best part of this book is the commentary about the song or composers. It serves as a great resource for teachers, students, worship leaders, and directors alike. History always supplies a create context for performance, and Gwendolin Sims Warren did an excellent job on this collection.

Reviewer: Gregory
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: My Blessing Inside
Review: Their isn't words to express the graditude for time and energy that was place into this hymnal. Thank you very much, in given thanks, i have one small flaw. The book don't have the duribility that match up to the quality of music inside.

Reviewer: Adnil
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Gospel hymn book
Review: Some good songs and interesting explanations of their origins. Not really enough songs included to use as a congregational songbook.

Reviewer: GraceFaithLove
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent!
Review: This is a wonderful historical book on African-American gospel hymns, their origin and background. There is the piano music to the hymns also. I highly recommend this book.