Illustrated Treasury of Songs - Hardcover

K Up-- Like Go in and out the Window (Metropolitan Museum of Art/Holt, 1987), this title features traditional American songs and full-color reproductions of museum art works. The Metropolitan's offering has a broader approach, however, balancing the presentation of music and art and offering paragraphs of relevant, cultural information. This book is simply a beautifully illustrated collection of 55 songs. In both cases, the art works appropriately and eloquently expand on the meaning of the lyrics. Identifying illustrations is easier in the Metropolitan title since they are listed by page number in order of appearance. The two volumes share about a third of the same selections. Go in and out . . . includes more specifically children's songs and offers a somewhat wider variety; its guitar and piano accompaniments are slightly better for beginning musicians since there are fewer chord changes and the musical repeats are written out. An Illustrated Treasury . . . includes more seasonal and patriotic numbers. Since its pages are large and repeats are not written out, musicians have the convenience of playing without having to turn pages. --Cynthia Bishop, Onondaga County Public Library, Syracuse, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Fifty-six favorites, mostly folk songs but including a few patriotic songs, show tunes, Stephen Foster, etc., each with all its verses, a simple musical arrangement, and a handsome reproduction of art from the National Gallery. American folk art and painting predominate, but there are also creative choices from Europe, especially the impressionists. No further comment is included, but two kinds of insights are suggested by the pairings: these fine works of art spring from the same experiences as the more obviously accessible songs; and, familiar as the songs may be, they often have unexpected depth, revealed by linking them with the art's richness of pattern and meaning. A fine addition to home or library. Full notes on illustrations; song index. (Nonfiction. 3+) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.