Customer Reviews

Water Music

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The stunning photography that is the heart of this work reminds us of the inspiring Oneness of Earth, Water and Music. That Ms. Ryerson had the vision to recognize Music as the spiritual and artistic extension of this natural unity is a gift to the reader and viewer of this remarkable book. Sixty-six world-renowned musicians, including Kenny Loggins, Randy Newman, Garrick Ohlsson, Dave Brubeck and Taj Mahal, contribute text that draws a direct line between the Muse and the constancy, beauty and timelessness of Water. In his profound essay/poem, jazz pianist Marcus Roberts beautifully captures the framework of the book: "I respect the water. Because it's been here forever-feeding nature, quenching thirst, healing the land, nurturing the flowers. And it will be here long after we are gone, demanding and receiving respect. Singing the sweet song of eternal life..." Ms. Ryerson displays an uncommon organizational and aesthetic genius, not to mention a singular commitment to the cause of sustainable water sources, contributing the royalties for this project to the United Nations Foundation. But it is her photography that is the soul of this work. Witness the misty mirror image landscape on page 151, opposite the story by cellist Tilla Henkins. I rest my case.

The review below was taken from www.watermusicproject.com, which also contains several other reviews of this incredible new book.

"The natural environment sustains the life of all beings in the world. However, nearly everywhere these days, it is undergoing extensive degeneration. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we all make whatever effort we can to ensure the conservation and protection of the planet, its air, its land and its water.

"Our inner environment determines our attitude towards the earth's natural environment, our relationship with it, and our impact on it. The beautiful photographs and inspiring words in this book, Water Music, will remind readers of the crucial importance of water in all our lives. Only when enough people cultivate an inner environment that respects all forms of life, reflects a sincere concern for justice and equality, a genuine compassion for all beings, and projects all of this onto the outer environment, will the world's water and other natural resources be safe for the future.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Water Music is a gorgeous, full-color visual showcase and celebration of water, the substance on Earth that gives life. Marjorie Ryerson's truly splendid color photography combines wonderfully with insightful poetry, thoughtful vignettes, and music from sixty-six diverse and talented musicians from around the world. Simply put, Water Music is a stunning and unique coffee-table volume which justifiably deserves inclusion into the personal, professional, academic, and community library Photography and Music Appreciation collections.

Ryerson's extraordinary photography blends with the words of 66 renowned musicians to provide a gorgeous (and I do not use that word lightly) fusion of image and thought. But this is far more than another coffee table book. The proceeds of Ryerson's work benefit the United Nations Foundation in support of sustainable water resources throughout the world. The reasonable price of this book is surprising considering its exceptional publication quality and its size.

Cama-i (Aleut Greetings)

I am honored to be the 66th musician Marjorie Ryerson included in her incredible group of diverse and talented musicians in Water Music. Our discovery of each other was as magical and poetic as this project and has set the stage for what I believe will be a lifetime friendship. Marjorie's passion for the importance of this project, her love of Mother Earth, and appreciation for the music makers of this planet come together in a way that makes me so very proud to be an American Indian woman, a musician and an appreciative kayaker who LOVES the- Water! "Quyanaa" sister! (Aleut- Thank You) May Creator always bless your journey...

Mary Youngblood- Native American Flutist/singer/songwriter

Marjorie Ryerson has orchestrated a symphony of color and meaning on every page of her book Water Music. Her fusion of prose, poetry, music from others with her own photography makes the book a full sensual, nearly audible, experience even though it is in fact a printed piece. For all those who know that water is truly one of the most sacred parts of our existence, this book celebrates that concept and reminds us of how varied and beautiful this life-giving gift is. With proceeds going to a United Nations fund to support clean water for families and to preserve natural water environments, your purchase of this book is not only a pleasure for your own senses, but a courageous effort to protect a resource that too many of us, at our peril, take for granted.

As someone who for many years made my living as a photographer, my first response to Marjorie Ryerson's photographs of water was artistic: the images are stunning; they work to convey the beauty, mystery, and power of water. Since then, watching as other people respond to Water Music on my coffee table, I see the power of the book to raise consciousness of an ever-changing and essential resource that where I live in Florida is fast disappearing. Even in the months since I bought my copy, I have seen news headlines about communities near my home where the water has been declared unfit to drink, as well as new research showing that the state will be running out of potable water some fifteen years sooner than previously predicted-now as early as 2006. In the short time that Water Music has been the centerpiece of my living room, water wars have started between northern and southern parts of the state. So I love this book. With its fantastic photographs and lyrical text, it sits there quietly shouting that water is very, very precious and that we'd all best wake up.

....on water, music, the reveries of light and wind at play on the surfaces of our hearts and souls. This is a book to keep nearby. Should the room grow too small, the air too dry - push off, navigate whatever stretch most meets your needs and listen.
What life along the banks! What an intimate glimpse of some of our finest musicians and one of America's most unassuming and talented photojournalists! Go now!

This book contains amazing photographic images of water. Appealing to our sense of artistic appreciation, our imagination and our spirit, this stunning book also provide a higher level of genuine appreciation for water --it's effect on our spirits, it's power and the very integral part it plays in our lives and the life of our planet. This most talented photographer and author, Marjorie Ryerson, has invited musicians to share their perspective and connections with water. The combination of photos, words and music is fluid, graceful, awe-inspiring and perspective-altering. A special "find"!