My Soul Is a Witness: The Message of the Spirituals in Word and Song [With CD] [Hardcover]

Marsha Hansen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2006

For many years, singer/writer Marsha Hansen has helped concert audiences hear and see the rich legacy of the African-American sacred music known as spirituals. Collaborating with her brother-in-law, world renowned guitarist Keith Richards, and joined by veteran musicians, Babi Floyd, Blondie Chaplin, George Receli, and other stellar performers, Marsha and her daughter Jordan interpret hauntingly familiar songs in unexpected ways. Each artist on the CD lends a distinctive note, resulting in a chorus that truly reflects the history, the people, and the circumstances from which these powerful songs arose.

My Soul Is a Witness explores the deep messages of faith sung about in African-American sacred folk music. Each chapter of the book explores both song texts and related biblical texts, leading to opportunities for personal and devotional reflection. Presented in a beautiful gift book format, the book includes the 14-song live recording of vocalist Marsha Hansen, accompanied by Keith Richards, Babi Floyd, Blondie Chaplin, George Receli, and others.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marsha Hansen is a freelance writer and singer. As an African American she was raised singing these spirituals. She is married to Lutheran pastor Rod Hansen, the brother of Patti Hansen, Keith Richard's wife of twenty-two years. She and her family live in El Paso, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 127 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Books (June 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806652853
• ISBN-13: 978-0806652856
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,892,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Soul Is a Witness, January 9, 2007

By 

Kae Ellingsen (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Soul Is a Witness: The Message of the Spirituals in Word and Song [With CD] (Hardcover)

This CD by Marsha Hansen and friends is enjoyable listening, with the spirituals presented in a way I've never heard before. The accompanying book gives breadth and depth to the meaning of each spiritual and its musical interpretation. I highly recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, September 2, 2006

By 

D. Ross (Santa Teresa, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Soul Is a Witness: The Message of the Spirituals in Word and Song [With CD] (Hardcover)

This book, although not a scholarly work, i.e. not someone's Phd dissertation, is still more informative than any other I've read on the Negro Spritual. Mrs Hansen writes clearly and without the didactism often found in such works. A thoroughly enjoyable read. The CD has the sound of what it is- people sitting around and singing together, enjoying the music and each other. Makes me wish I'd been there.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For die-hard fans only?, August 22, 2006

By 

Mr. W. C. Duggan "w.duggan" (william duggan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Soul Is a Witness: The Message of the Spirituals in Word and Song [With CD] (Hardcover)

Keith Richards' sister-in-law Marsha Hansen just released a book about spirituals with an accompanying CD. The first seven songs on this CD were recorded at KR's homestudio in Connecticut and feature the man himself on guitar. The spirituals sound a little bit like Just Wanna See His Face (Exile on Main Street) meets The Wingless Angels.