Singer Reviews

I found myself laughing while reading this book, and crying, at times, too. Jean has a style of writing that makes the reader feel like he/she's there. The people come to life, and you find yourself living with them in the Kentucky Cumberlands. I don't think I've ever even been there, and this book made me homesick.

Of course, if you're looking for crime and action, this isn't the book for you. This book is about 'down home' living when chores were really chores and food was home grown. In ways, it was a simpler kind of life, but in other ways, it was a lot harder.

You won't find this information in a history book. History books always put a tint on the past, leaving out peoples' mistakes and their imperfections. This is a real family story told by a real family person. It's evident that the two most important things in the writer's life were her family and their musical life together.

On a different level, I can't tell you, as an amateur genealogist, how valuable this book is to me. Every page has stories about the people who grew up in the time and place of my kin, many of them even mentioned by name. The next time I read it, I will be gleaning information for my tree! And this is one of the few books that I will read again and again.

Good job, Jean Ritchie. Thank you for bringing the Cumberlands of Kentucky to life for your readers.

The book is absolutely beautiful. It makes Jean Ritchie's songs more relevant, to read the words and the stories she associates with them. The mention of mining in the last chapter saddens me because I know what happened to all such communitites when the coal ran out. The book is beautiful.

I don't know if I should admit this confession, but I enjoyed this book immensely; Annie reminded me of myself in a lot of ways, so that may be the reason. I've always enjoyed the idea of a little bit of detective work, as long as I'm guaranteed I won't be in any REAL danger!. This book was a sweet and amusing romantic/suspense novel, and I enjoyed going with Annie on her adventures.

The Train home was an excellent novel. I finished this in just one sitting. The sublte nuances and how each character is developed, she is a truly gifted writer.

I've bought this book and it's excellent..I couldn't believe that someone thought to do this great work..Well you can find anything about being tenor in this book.From explanations of fachs(lirico,drammatic tenor) to general tenor problems,you learn lots of things..This is a must-have book for tenors...Lots of exercises,examples of voice analysis of great tenors and much more....

Richard Miller writes an excellent book on both the physiology and proper use of the tenor voice. Miller stresses the importance of good technique due to the strenuous demands of classical tenor literature. He provides plenty of supplementary diagrams and examples of exercises. At times Miller drags and may get a little too technical, but this more a minor nuisance that doesn't detract from the content. A word of caution: As Miller warns in his book, the vocal exercises should be used with extreme discretion by anyone with less than a fully developed professional voice.

Virginia Danielson had succeeded in presenting Umm Kulthum to us in ways we never anticipated before. She went in depth describing how the Egyptian society in the twentieth century impacted Arabic songs and how Umkulthum fit in all of this. In this book, I learned more about Um Kulthum the person, the wife, the daughter, and the singer. How strong she was and powerful. Reading the book helped me understand more about here music and songs, appreciate more here voice and how she chooses here songs lyrics. This is a should get book.

This book is a wonderful reference source for those who wish to understand Middle Eastern Music and what sets it apart. The life of this great singer is well documented and researched.

The book by Ms. Lieberman brings opera divas right into your living room, as if transformed from the stage directly into your home. The pictures are amazingly vivid, and her ability to capture the moment with people is unparalleled. I think this is one of the best opera photo books ever printed! Brava!

This is a new concept in an approach to Opera, photographs and text designed to allow the reader to enter into the thoughts and meditations of Opera singers as they are waiting backstage to go on. The pictures show the characters (and what a selection of roles and artists!), in physical and emotional readiness as they are backstage in Ms. Lieberman's ready made studio brought to the Opera during actual performances from around the world..the text by Paul Griffiths, (Music critic for the New Yorker and now The New York Times) brings you into their world in an imaginative and knowledgeable fashion, creating an inner dialogue of the performer and character. The book becomes a unique treasure in the combination of the photographer and writer. What a find! thedre@wenet.net

I found this book an interesting read because it was written by Cliff & I am a big fan of his, He will always keep me on tender hooks with what ever he does. This book gave me more of an insight to his religious beliefs than I had before & I think I understand him more now than before.

I found this book easy to read and very enjoyable, the story of a young man who arrived in England from India with nothing and in a few years became the English Elvis, then found a whole new direction. Cliff is England's most enduring star, and this book really lets you know why. Worth searching for

I love animals and I love art so there couldn't be a more perfect combination for me than this book. Many of the finest contemporary wildlife artists have contributed to this collection. Creatures from all areas including water, seashore, mountain, rainforest, field, forest, plain, lake, marsh and swamp are here.

Information on each piece includes the artist, title, medium and size as well as a brief note about it from the artist, giving the book a personal touch. My only wish is that some of the stunning artwork was a bit larger. Most are only about a half a page.

My favorite area is the rainforest. It includes a mama gorilla and baby, an adorable tree frog, a gorgeous macaw and a lizard chasing a butterfly. Favorites from other areas include a hooded warbler bird with rhododendrons, a selection of woodpeckers, rhinos under a baobab tree and a solitary cougar in the snow.

I like this book so much I plan to buy another copy so I can frame some of the pictures and put them on my walls. If you're seeking a wonderful coffee table book that will inspire you with the beauty and diversity of nature, this is the book to get.

This is personally my favorite of all books on wildlife art. Each of the artists has produced excellent quality work. There are also many surprises, people who I am sure that we will be hearing about more in the future. The format of this book is simple, each artist has written several paragraphs about their work. For the aspiring artist, this information is useful; for the collector like myself, it is very interesting to know more about the artists whose work we collect. I have several other books on this subject, but since I purchased it several months ago, it has been the only one that I have since re-opened.

Good reading skills or parental assistance will be required of youngsters in grades 3-4 for appreciation of Woody Guthrie, an American folk poet and musician who sung out for peace and civil rights. Fine illustrations accompany this lively survey of Woody Guthrie's travels and times.

Bonnie Christensen celebrates the life of Woody Guthrie, a true American original. From his meager beginnings in Okemah, Oklahoma, he grew up during hard times, surviving tragedies and hardships, often with only his music for comfort. While still a teenager, he took to the road, crisscrossing the country and listening to the plight of farmers, the homeless, migrant workers and others left in desperate circumstances by the Great Depression. He soon became the voice of the people, using his songs to bring America together, and to speak out for justice, equality and peace. He was an inspiration to many, and a powerful voice for change. Ms Christensen's gentle and lyrical text, full of history and drama, is complemented by her quiet, yet powerful and evocative illustrations. Together word and art create a moving biography that introduces Woody and his music to a whole new generation of fans. Perfect for youngsters 8-12, Woody Guthrie: Poet of the People includes the lyrics to several of his best know songs, and a chronology of important events at the end to augment discussions and send kids out to their library, bookstore, or on-line retailer, looking for more about this amazing American.

....because I find so many information about the Trapp Familiy which I don't know. I saw the two german movies from 1956 und 1958 and the american from 1965, and I like all this films.

The pictures make it easy to read.

But there is something, that I don't like. Martina, who died in 1951. Maria Augusta wrote only one and a half sentences about her stepdaughter. Why had she done that ?

Good, that I've read "Yesterday, Today and Forever", so I know the tragedy of Martina's death.

...

This book is a really great behind-the-scenes type book about the real Von Trapp family. Fans of the movie may not like it as much, because there isn't very much stuff written about the making of the SOM. However, it really gives you a very clear picture of the way the story reall was without detracting from the magic of the movie.

If the book is 1/10 as fascinating as the movie, it's a winner. A 'must see' for all parents, educators, POLITICIANS!, sociologists, mental health professionals and everyone else who cares about who we are as humans. Entertaining as well as deeply thought-provoking.