The On The Bookshelf Podcast

interview-three acclaimed music journalists look at iconic songs and singers

“Anthems We Love: 29 Iconic Artists on the Hit Songs That Shaped Our Lives” by Steve Baltin (Harper Horizon, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus LLC)--Have you ever wondered about the circumstances behind the composing and recording of some of the best-loved pop songs of the last half-century? This book is loaded with interviews of the people who made these iconic records.

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“Anatomy of 55 More Songs: The Oral History of Top Hits That Changed Rock, Pop and Soul” by Marc Myers (Grove Press)--This author tried to determine which songs and artists he profiled in his Wall Street Journal  column. “First, hits that were iconic but weren’t worn out. Second, songs that played a significant role in influencing the direction of pop. Third, songs with aspects that long puzzled readers.”

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“God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys & the California Myth” by David Leaf (Omnibus Press)--The author came to California to meet these incredible musicians and over time became part of their world. This book is an updated version of one he wrote in 1978, and republished in 1985. He revised and updated it to include Brian Wilson’s return to composing and performing, and “the All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson” (which the author wrote and produced!), and includes interviews with superstar fans. 

 

interview (short)-New Hymnbook for children--Christmas feature

“Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Hosanna Hymnal-A Student Guide to Songs of the Church” by David & Barbara Leeman  (Moody Press)

The Church Universal has been greatly blessed by the composition of magnificent hymns that have inspired worshippers for centuries. Many modern churches have abandoned this great legacy, and therefore many children have not had the privilege of learning the theology of great hymns. This book hopes to re-introduce them to young readers. 120 of the hymns are included, and 25% are young enough that they still fall under copyright laws.  Each hymn’s story presents Text, Tune and As You Sing These Hymns;  so you learn about the lyricist and what led them to write these words, the composer of the melody and their influences, and the point of each hymn-song.

Since the first section is centered on hymns for the Church Year, you’ll particularly enjoy these selections for Advent and Christmas , and David and Barbara Leeman discuss this section.

interview (short)--David & Barbara Leeman on ”Our Hymns, Our Heritage”

“Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Hosanna Hymnal-A Student Guide to Songs of the Church” by David & Barbara Leeman  (Moody Press)

 

The Church Universal has been greatly blessed by the composition of magnificent hymns that have inspired worshippers for centuries. Many modern churches have abandoned this great legacy, and therefore many children have not had the privilege of learning the theology of great hymns. This book hopes to re-introduce them to young readers. 120 of the hymns are included, and 25% are young enough that they still fall under copyright laws.  Each hymn’s story presents Text, Tune and As You Sing These Hymns;  so you learn about the lyricist and what led them to write these words, the composer of the melody and their influences, and the point of each hymn-song. The Great Reformer Martin Luther wrote a half-millennia ago “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits”.

 For Epiphany, we get “What Child is This?” and “As With Gladness Men of Old”. Lent brings “What Wondrous Love is This”(with its melancholy minor tune), “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (the second by Isaac Watts in this collection). For Palm Sunday we have “Hosanna, Loud Hosannas” and “All Glory, Laud and Honor” (which originally had 78 verses and was written by Charlemagne’s musician, Theodulph, around 800). Easter features Charles Wesley’s “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”, as well as “ I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and one of very favorite newer hymns (1986) by Natalie Sleeth, “Hymn of Promise”. Charles Wesley also contributes “Love Divine” for Pentecost. 

interview-Phil Allen Jr.presents the significance of the camera in pursuing justice

The Prophetic Lens shows how the camera can be a catalyst for cultural change, and the use of the video camera as "an indispensable prophetic tool for the security of Black lives and the greater possibility for racial justice". Join us for an engaging conversation between two brothers in Christ who have very different cultural backgrounds but a common desire for civility, cooperation, reconciliation between people, and justice for all.

interview-David & Barbara Leeman discuss the power of hymns and our heritage of great ones

David and Barbara return for a 30 minute visit to discuss the incredible heritage of hymns we enjoy in the English language. They explain the backgrounds for several popular classic hymns and some of the newer ones as well. "The book features music and lyrics for 121 hymns that every person should know, drawn from a cross-section of styles, themes, and historical eras. The hymns are divided into sections based on th church year, God's nature and attributes, and our response to Him."

He's a retired minister of music, she's a retired children's music teacher. This is their second book, and they are working on #3, using their decades of sharing God's music with young people.

It's available from HosannaHymnals.com (where you can also get piano accompaniment books, records for both this book plus "Hosanna in Excess" (which has 45 hymns), and bonus materials. You can also check Moodypublications.com.