Customer Reviews for The Living Room Sessions
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Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
May 19, 2012
The Living Room Sessions
The music is too long and repetitive.
One person found this review helpful.
Sarah
Location: from Buchanan, MI
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
December 31, 2010
simple but beautiful!
This is exactly what I was looking for: Hymn arrangements that didn't have that big dramatic "churchy" sound but something simple and flowing using fresh, new chord progressions. I love this book and use it for Preludes and background music at weddings, services, and events. It is easy enough for a late-intermediate player but is satisfying for the most advanced player to enjoy. I plan to lend it to some of my students who I know will get as much pleasure from the music as I have.
19 of 33 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from New Mexico
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 21, 2010
Pleasing to play
This is the best hymn arrangement book I have ever played from. The arrangements are simple sounding, not pompous, jazzy, weird, or cheesy. I like every single song in the book; not just the 2 or 3 from a book that usually happens for me. I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! I only wish he had more.
18 of 36 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Staunton, VA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
March 23, 2009
nicer the more you play them
I have enjoyed playing these pieces, and each time I play them I find a little more room for my own interpretation. They are interesting, not too bombastic, not too sentimental, and feature some great hymn tunes.
28 of 51 people found this review helpful.
Meredith Amundson
Location: from Lowry, MN
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
December 11, 2008
It's a pleasure to play these tunes
I've been playing the piano for many years (since I was a child). I am certainly not an accomplished player, but I do enjoy sitting down and worshipping my Lord with the songs provided by this book. The music is easy to read, and I can read through each piece easily. Thank you for this book.
28 of 51 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
November 7, 2008
enjoyable arrangements
Like the title suggests, these arrangements are pretty and sound like you're relaxing in your living room enjoying an informal piano sessiom.
28 of 53 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from id
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 17, 2008
Best arrangement purchase I have ever made!!!
This book lives up to a five star review. It's arrangments are very easy to connect with and play with ease (after practicing of course:) The arrangements also speak to the player and the audiance. A must have for every library
14 of 28 people found this review helpful.
katybug
Location: from colorado springs, co
Difficulty Level:
Early intermediate
August 27, 2008
A wonderful escape!
Ever since happening upon the Living Room Sessions album, I've listened to it quite often - a wonderful escape in the midst of crazy-paced days: peaceful and uplifting, it takes me back to my past, when the simplicity and beauty of hymns were a mainstay of my upbringing. Now...I can enjoy them on my own piano, beautifully arranged favorites for my own quiet time that I can share with friends and family. Thank you so much!
9 of 16 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
August 27, 2008
satisfied
The degree of difficulty changed often, but it was a good challenge and the music was fun to play. I enjoy this book!
7 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Reva Mette
Location: from Britton, South Dakota
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
August 27, 2008
Great inspirational book!
A very good book to sit down and play, with some extra work needed in places (probably just me). The arrangements are very pleasing. A great inspirational music book. Very glad that I have it in my collection!
6 of 11 people found this review helpful.
GIna Hicks
Location: from Rome, Ga
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
August 27, 2008
Living Room Session by Chris Rice
Living Room Sessions is a nice collection of standard hymns of the church. The arrangements are easy enough to perform for preludes and offertories without a lot of rehearsal time. At certain points within an arrangement, the piece seems a little bare for my ear- but overall a good investment for the church pianist.
8 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 29, 2008
It's Ok
The music was very pretty but it was hard to follow because it didnt follow the tune of the original hymn.And they were a but too long.
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Tiffin, OH
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
January 18, 2008
Creative Chords
The chords that Chris Rice uses are beautiful. I love to play his music and enjoy the sound. My favorite piece in this book is The Church's One Foundation because of all the creative key changes. It's a challenge and keeps you thinking!
9 of 16 people found this review helpful.
Blayre
Location: from PEI, Canada
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
November 29, 2007
Got what I paid for
It's so satisfying to not only acquite the music that is so beautiful to listen to on cd, but to also find the same arrangements as Chris Rice performs! Definately THE best music book I've ever bought, and I will definately buy another.
8 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Pamela
Location: from Indiana
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 7, 2007
Chris Rice hymn arrangements
These are beautiful arrangments of classic hymns. I think that if you are "short-fingered" they're a bit of a challenge as there are many octave chords through most of the pieces. They're really pretty though, and worth the effort.
6 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Cissna Park, IL
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
June 11, 2007
Just what I was looking for
I am most pleased with the arrangements. I would be interested in more chuch music that is of similar difficulty.
8 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Christine
Location: from Cranebrook, Australia
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
May 21, 2007
Simply the best!!!
This is a great book!I have purchased other good books with different hymn arrangements but always end up going back to this book.The arrangement are just beautiful and I love playing them for the congregation.I hope Chris Rice writes another one.
7 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Buffy
Location: from Ohio
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
April 28, 2007
Beautiful Compositions
The music is beautifully written and not so difficult you cant play it with practice.
9 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Emily
Location: from Oklahoma
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
April 17, 2007
Great music!
Chris Rice is a great songwriter and arranger. I love this book. It's great especially for church playing. Preludes, postludes, special music, etc.. A couple of the songs would probably work in a wedding too. I really like it because it's easy enough for me to catch onto pretty quick, but still pretty and alittle showy. Not too easy. Some of the songs are kinda strange though. LOTS of key changes and time signature changes. But it's still good. :)
7 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Jane
Location: from Portland, OR
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
April 6, 2007
FABULOUS!!!
Chris Rice is one of my all-time favorite contemporary Christian musicians. His skills run the gamut from funny to pensive. This collection is true to the recording. Nice to sit and play for myself or to use for special music during worship. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
8 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Elione
Location: from Campinas, SP, Brazil
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 28, 2007
A hit!
I liked the album very much. I've been using it at my church and my fellow church members have complimented me on it.
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Brandon Sims
Location: from South Carolina
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 19, 2007
Chris Rice is Awesome
I love this book, it has so many great songs. I love the harmony than Chris applies within this arrangement. i have actually used this book for chapel services and my own recital usage. i loved the Christmas compilation as well. NO CHURCH PIANIST SHOULD BE WITHOUT!!!!
6 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
March 7, 2007
Listeners enjoy music
Have used most of the music in this book for church Preludes, etc. and received great response from the congregation
9 of 15 people found this review helpful.
B. Smith
Location: from Oswego, NY
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
February 21, 2007
Just what I have been looking for!!
This is it...the book you need if you want to play beautiful pieces at church without spending hours and hours of practice time. Gorgeous arrangements. Buy this book! Note to Chris Rice: make more of these, please!!!
8 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Minneapolis MN
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
February 9, 2007
Love this!
I had previously purchased the Chris Rice Christmas book and found that there were many beautiful pieces that I could play with little practice - which can be important! This book is the same. Many songs I can play after just a couple of 'run-throughs' and others I can work up to as I have time. The arrangements are perfect even for our fairly conservative service.
6 of 16 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from NY
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
February 3, 2007
Fun to play
The arrangements are pretty much sightreadable, but rarely boring. Very pretty harmonies.
7 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Patricia Sweet
Location: from California, MO
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 25, 2006
Just Beautiful
I agree with the other pianists' reviews who loved this book. Every time I play from it for church, I get compliments. But I also play it at home just for fun. You've got to try his Christmas collection. They are much easier arrangements, but very pretty. Anxiously awaiting Book #2!!!
7 of 12 people found this review helpful.
K Pembert
Location: from Portland, OR
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 1, 2006
Excellent Book
I was able to hear the CD before getting this book. Purchased the book and have enjoyed playing it. I take it with me to camps. Other pianists have enjoyed it so much that the first book is falling apart. I've had to purchase an additional book. These old hymns are familiar and enjoyable. Additionally, I take this book into Retirement/Nursing Homes and play the hymns. Doctors, Nurses and patients come and relax around the piano. Thank you Chris Rice. . . can you do another one?
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Hong Kong
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
December 29, 2004
Excellent arrangement for church pianist
Lovely arrangements of the old hymns that I've sung in my Sunday School days.
5 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Christy
Location: from Clifton Forge, VA/Oberlin, OH
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
December 1, 2004
Great Book
I stumbled across this book by chance with a gift certificate from one of my churches and just went ahead and bought it without really looking closely at the arrangements and was very pleasantly surprised. The arrangements are perfect for solo piano and combine very traditional melodies with great accompaniments. Come Thou Fount is an extrodinarily great arrangement, starting with the simple melody and then going to a chorale and then a very moving variation and returning to the solid chorale--very moving. The other arrangements are very good as well. The arrangements aren't terribly difficult (although not exactly "easy") but are very full and effective. I highly reccommend this book as well as any of the Mark Hayse books to any church pianist.
8 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Kate
Location: from Denver, CO
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 19, 2004
This is sweet music!
I love this book. contemporary but still the classic hymns everybody knows. I play out of this every day. "The Church's One Foundation" is more difficult because of all the key changes.
6 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Gary
Location: from Ventura, CA
Difficulty Level:
Early intermediate
July 5, 2004
Chris Rice rocks!
His version of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing is awesome! His music isn't terribly difficult to learn but still produces a challenge for the intermediate pianist.
8 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Cindy B
Location: from Roach, MO
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
May 2, 2004
Wonderful offeratories!
This is my favorite piano book for offeratories! They are easy enough to play and actually sound like the hymn. I can't wait for volume two!
6 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Janice
Location: from Washington State
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
June 18, 2003
This book saved me!
As a new church pianist who hasn't played much for 20 years, this book has provided me with an awesome offeratory every time I play. It is on the easy side of medium difficult, but sounds much more complicated. The songs are beautiful without getting "weird". I hope he puts out a sequel.
9 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Sandra G
Location: from Australia
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
June 6, 2002
At last - playable hymn arrangements!
I've searched high and low for hymn arrangements that are not only playable but sound like the hymn they have been arranged from. This collection of Chris Rice arrangements reflect the beauty and sacredness of the hymns he has chosen. Well done, Chris Rice, I look forward to your next collection.
7 of 16 people found this review helpful.
Kathy W.
Location: from Norman, OK
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 18, 2002
A great addition to your library!
If you want what you hear on the CD, this is it! No watered-down versions here. Beautiful harmonies with a contemporary flair. I find myself playing out of this book every day!
9 of 20 people found this review helpful.
Linda
Location: from N.C.
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
September 25, 2001
So much fun!!
I've had this book for 1 month and still can't wait to sit down to play!! I love it! Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian music. Fun to play!
10 of 17 people found this review helpful.