Song to Sing, a Life to Live: Reflections on Music As Spiritual Practice

by Don E. Saliers, Emily Saliers

In this rich exploration of music, authors Don and Emily Saliers interweave their own stories as well as those of others to reflect on the what , the how , and the why of music as a key aspect of spirituality in our lives. As an Indigo Girl, folk-rock singer-songwriter, Emily performs in primarily secular settings, while her father, Don - composer, cantor, and church musician - writes and arranges for church congregations. Their audiences may differ but both father and daughter understand the profound spirituality of music and have personally witnessed how their music brings healing to people no matter what the setting or circumstance. A Song to Sing, A Life to Live bridges two generations, two approaches to spirituality, and two genres of music - the music of Saturday night and Sunday morning. Don and Emily Saliers reflect on such topics as music and justice, music and grief, music and delight, and music and hope. They open the way for those who seek to embrace new spiritual practices by creating music, sharing music, and developing their musical skills as a spiritual practice.

Genres: Music, Spirituality, Memoir, Religion, Nonfiction, Theology

209 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2004

Reviews

[Tenly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really finish it. I kind of started skimming midway through the second chapter. I just am not in this book's target audience - a lot of time is spent talking about how great music is (I don't need any convincing). I also was confused by the dual authorship, and found the wandering anecdotal tidbits to be pedantic non sequiturs; surprising for someone who thoroughly enjoys the anecdotal tidbits offered by Anne Lamott. I guess the difference is that I felt like this book was using the common experiences of music to validate the authors' or the readers' personal experience of music, whereas Anne Lamott just describes her own experience without any attempt at validation whatsoever. She experienced it, and that makes it true and beautiful and unique. Now *that* is interesting. And inspiring. Validation is not inspiring. Or interesting.

[Leigh-ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a rabid atheist, I'm surprised to admit I didn't hate this book. In fact, I found parts of it very informative, and I enjoyed the bits of Indigo Girls trivia (generally little explanations of lyrics from Emily and some childhood reminiscences, but also Emily's explanations of her struggle with organized religion). My biggest complaint would be that it read like a good college essay, with a hypothesis (that there's a close relationship between the music of "Saturday night" and "Sunday morning") being constantly repeated and used to tie together chapters. Better editing would have made a more readable book, rather than something which often sounds like a textbook.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Saliers is a Methodist minister and the organist and choirmaster at Emory Univ.'s Cannon Chapel. He is also the father of Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls. Don and Emily wrote this book together on music and spirituality. While I disagree with both of them in certain spiritual matters, the book, like their music is profound and soul-stirring. I recently had the privelege of seeing this father-daughter team perform together and it reignited my love for the Indigo Girls' music and prompted me to read this book.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of the Indigo Girls will like this book as well as anyone who plays music on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Definitely worth a read. At it's best moments it is an interesting collection of stories about the impact of music on a talented musical family and the people they know. The discussions of music as a spiritual practice however tend to consist of very good ideas on the importance and influence of music in our lives followed by rather vague theological implications. In the attempt to talk about deep mysteries, it's sometimes a mystery what they are talking about.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

By Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls fans, take note!) and her father, Don, a professor at Emory. Interesting enough, if a bit disjointed, and of course I would have liked more personal insights...

[Dawn Dishman · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do we understand music and how it transcends every culture, education, time and space?

Music is one way humans connect and communicate with each other at a level that so much deeper than words.

This book, written by father and daughter, with different views on religion, speak about the way in which music shapes and forms us. In music we express what is contained in our soul.

There are different tastes in music, but music tells us so much about a person if we really listen to the music that moves them.

“What is clear is this:whenever music touches us deeply, the potential for transformation exists.”

[Gretchen Durbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me several attempts to finally finish this book. The premise seemed right up my alley but I found the writing disjointed and awkward. Would have loved more stories to give it more of a personal feeling.

[Lori Feldstein-gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I will say that although there are distinct places in which the information given about Judaism is incorrect, this is still a profound and moving book. It is obviously written from a Christian perspective, but it applies to all of us. It is really making me think differently about the power of song. I have always felt spiritually connected to music. When I was a teenager, I had some of my most profoundly connected moments listening to show tunes (especially "Make Them Hear You" from Ragtime). One of the deepest ways I connect now is through folk music. And who would understand that better than Emily Saliers, one of the Indigo Girls? I was particularly moved by her description of the song "Gracias a la Vida." Also, the description of how, because of String Theory (a physics concept I only partially understand), it is as if the whole earth is singing back to G-d, the Creator. I recommend this book to all spiritual people, regardless of what faith those people call their own. I also recommend this book to all those who have been profoundly moved by music.

[Kerith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartwarming, though the writing is awkward. The authors write this to sound like a conversation, I believe, and it can be confusing, following the thoughts of one or the other. If the reader can get past the writing style there is much wisdom and grace to be found here.

As a singer who came to God because of song I truly resonated to much of this book. As a fan of the Indigo Girls I wished for a bit more about the two of them (can't help it!) but that's not the point. This is about father Don and daughter Emily, two people coming from two different traditions of music and finding where their "songlines" join up, and showing us how Saturday night music and Sunday morning music can bring us equal joy and peace.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent family discussion between Emily Saliers (of the Indigo Girls) and her father Don Saliers (of the Emory University theology faculty), about the place of music as spiritual practice (a somewhat odd new phrase, meaning how religion and music talk to each other). Worth a reading if you're interested in either or both of those subjects.

I read this one because my daughter recommended it to me and suggested we read it together. Fitting, no? Thanks, Melanie!

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked A Song to Sing, A Life to Live it but consider it, not superficial but basically floating on the top of the spirituality of music. Our church hosted Don Saliers for a weekend in May. His presentations were wonderful! He not only played the piano but also talked about spiritual connections. The maturity of his faith and his articulation of it are so deep. I was so impressed with the person of Don Saliers that having heard his presentations is better than the book for me.

[Danielle Baranowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I loved the premise so much, but the writing throughout the book was dry and almost clinical. The only parts with any real feeling or connection to the authors were the "journaling" parts. Such a shame.

[Susannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who loves the Indigo Girls or church music.
You can read my full review here-
http://teaandtheology.com/book-review...