Customer Reviews

Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit: 101 Best-Loved Psalms, Gospel Hymns & Spiritual Songs of the African-American Church

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book is absolutely marvelous. It is a reminder of the songs that I learned as a child that still are a tradition in the African-American Church. It is wonderful to know that I have an additional resource for preaching and teaching. I have chosen to share this with many members of our congregation. There are so many more songs that could have been used, but Ms. Warren seems to have picked the absolute best. God's richest blessings to you!!!

How interesting it is to read some history on spirituals I've known all my life, but never understood the "spirits" they came from. Ms. Warren has opened a door to me and showed me the true beauty of this music. I am especially grateful to have the scores to each of the songs discussed in this book. I was also pleased to find the contemporary gospel section. This is not a sit down and read cover to cover kind of book, but a page flip to "Oh, yeah, I know this song!" kind of book.

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.

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...

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 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.

I had been told about the this music book by a friend and it has met every expectation. I look forward to singing songs from this year for many years to come.

I purchased this book for My friend,Florence, who is a pastor's wife in the AME church.I was not raised under the teachings of this church and do not understand the feelings of My friends whose generations have come through slavery.It was a Christmas gift for a Beloved Friend.And the Praise I received was overwhelming. She was raised up in the church and her heart is his. I believe it is difficult to find her a gift that is truly new and unique to her.(So we seldom exchange gifts.We eat together a meal to celebrate our friendship.) But this book is,as her hand written thank you note read.She gave highest praise.So I strongly recommend this book. Diana

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 book is informative and interesting, and has the music and lyrics to songs I'd forgetten exsisted! (Hint: I wish it was spiral bound...) I've colllected song books for years. This book has something for every age and taste! In these pages you will be reminded what Gospel music is all about....THE SPIRIT! If this don't light your fire, your wood is wet!