Spiritual Journeys: How Faith Has Influenced Twelve Music Icons

Rating:
Summary: Where Faith Meets Music
Review: "The secular music industry wants them to be perfect women with no physical flaws. The Christian world wants them to be perfect Christians, free from any struggles and have rock solid convictions from all areas of life...Their imperfect faith gives the non-churched audience a facet of Christianity they have yet to see - the human dimension," - Destiny's Child, Sexiness vs. Spirituality

Spiritual Journeys - How Faith Has Influenced Twelve Music Icons explores the intersection of faith and music in an era where pop culture has replaced the pulpit and musicians dubbed "surrogate clergy" homilize to the masses.

This thoughtful collection of essays explores the spiritual paths and expressions of a mélange of artists from country outlaw Johnny Cash, to soulful, sensual Al Green, to rap music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

While the book is punctuated with enough anecdotal information to give readers the flavor of conversing with the subjects, the only thing missing is fresh interviews with the artists to add to the journalistic credibility of the work.

A refreshing read for music lovers, seekers and the 'twenty-something' set, Spiritual Journeys affirms that faith has many colors, rhythms, origins, expressions and interpretations. The sacred can be found in the secular, is the message. The universal language of music is the medium.

Rating:
Summary: Taking a Walk with Twelve Music Icons
Review: "Spiritual Journeys: How Faith Has Influenced Twelve Music Icons" gives curious readers a clear look into the spiritual side of popular culture and is a perfectly delivered must-read for anyone who has any interest in the music world.

In a time when the public is informed of every step, breath, and blink of those in the spotlight, and the media floods us with details of business deals and band break-ups, romances and relationship strife, Spiritual Journeys gives readers a deeper look into the most intimate area of the lives of twelve icons of the music industry-their spirituality. Through deeply personal accounts of the life histories of various popular artists, readers of Spiritual Journeys will gain insight and a refreshing new perspective on the spiritual lives of this dozen.

The writers of Spiritual Journeys take readers on a journey of their own, past facades, and through deceptions and misbeliefs, into the core of the spiritual lives of some of the most well-know music artists of the past few decades. Through accounts of the spiritual travels of a group of very different musicians and performers, readers will experience challenges to their own faith, and very possibly a transformation of opinions, as we learn about the basic, and not so basic, belief systems of these stars.

We find that they are fallible human begins and, just like the rest of us, they are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. That the longing to know something deeper, to have faith in something bigger than ourselves, is in all of us. These artists have spent their lives searching and digging into their roots of faith, often in a very public manner, to discover that which continues to shape them-their own personal spirituality. And each one has found something to hold on to.

If nothing else, the spiritual journeys of artists like Lauryn Hill, Scott Stapp, P. Diddy, and others reflect, and sometimes even trigger, our own spiritual pilgrimage. Their questions and the answers they've found are brought into the spotlight in Spiritual Journeys, and remind us that we're not alone in our search for the Truth, in our search for the oft-seeming elusive God who created us. Reading their stories encourages us to take an active role in our own spiritual journeys, asking questions, seeking answers, and walking out our faith, despite the mistakes we make or the wrong turns we take. Their examples teach us that eventually, no matter how hard we fight it, we'll find exactly what we've been looking for.

Rating:
Summary: There and Back Again...
Review: A few months back, my landlady forced me to sit through an hour of CMT music videos so I could see this one funny video. An hour later, I hadn't seen the video she was looking for, but I was captivated by a video by Johnny Cash, "Hurt" - even more so when I saw it was written by NIN's Trent Reznor. A country legend covering an alternative ballad - quite a dichotomy.

Dichotomy seems to be the central theme of the latest Spiritual Journeys' tome from Relevant Books. Every artist profiled it seems has a problem reconciling their faith with their lives - much like what normal people go through. The authors cut through the fame and fortune shield and go right to the heart of the matter - the artist's struggle with faith and with a church that you would think should support them.

The book avoids the standard Christian rhetoric - in fact, it flat out defies it with it's honest look at real people and their rise to fame and the labors they engaged in to get there - both good and bad, avoiding the plastic-looking halos on the heads of the artists commonly associated with what has become known as contemporary 'Christian music.'

I should say here that I am not a big fan of the rap and hip-hop universes, but I still found the stories compelling enough to read, and, to be honest, was surprised by a number of the artists profiled. Having no experience with them other than hearing older people complain about their music, I had no idea some of them explored their faith the way they did.

I must mention a couple of caveats, though. The book focuses a little too strongly on dichotomies. The artists profiled all "walk the line" between good and evil, often choosing the incorrect path. I wish they had also included a few artists who tend to be a little less notorious, but still straddle both universes. Some stories I'd like to have seen explored include Bruce Cockburn, Charlie Sexton, Pierce Pettis, Michael Been and the Call, Tonio K., Vigilantes of Love, Sam Phillips, Van Morrison, and, as a guilty pleasure, Jon Bon Jovi. It seemed odd that the king of offensively embracing faith, "The Artist," was absent from the pages as well. Also, unfortunately for such a well-put together book there are quite a few typos, including passages where a member of a band or a music reviewer's name changes from one paragraph to another. Needless to say, it jarred the senses and made the book a little harder to read. Hopefully they will clear those up in the next edition.

Overall, Spiritual Journeys is a walk worth taking, especially if you are fans of Johnny, Lauryn, Moby, Wyclef Jean, Creed, Dylan, Kravitz, T-Bone, P. Diddy, Al Green, and Destiny's Child. (oh, yeah, and U2, although I'd recommend Walk On for a more in-depth look at the world's most famous band.)

Peace.

Rating:
Summary: This book sucks
Review: Before you think to yourself that just one person is saying this book stinks... but many have given it great reviews, look at the review dates. All these so called great reviews are done on the same day, or day after.I don't know when the book came out but, it's a little fishy. This is after the book has been out and really read. If you want to read a book that just names names for the good of selling it, here ya go. Anyone with a brain knows these musicians didn't have any contact with this author, he just makes general "guesses" from there music. If they say God, they really are praying, not singing, yeah right. You can't judge someone by the words in there songs, this author is part of the same christian right that wants "no Gay marriage", one of the icons he writes about being a great christian icon, Moby, doesn't even agree with that red neck view point. Scott Stapp has put on the creed website, Is Creed a Christian band?
"Are we a Christian band? This is a question we are asked a lot because of some of the references made in the lyrics. No, we are not a Christian band. A Christian band has an agenda to lead others to believe in their specific religious beliefs. We have no agenda! This is still found on there website under the FAQ's, maybe Scott Stapp doesn't know himself as good as these authors, Yes Scott, you are a christian band, you better just come to grips with it. Make no mistake about the term "Faith" in the title, they don't mean anything but christian, if Lenny Kravitz is into buddha, really it's just another cry from him to find Christ. No formal reserch done, full of bias views, junk with paper covers. These guys are making it rich off christian gossip, "have you heard the spritual news on this star"

Junk, trash, garbage
Thank You

Rating:
Summary: This book sucks
Review: Before you think to yourself that just one person is saying this book stinks... but many have given it great reviews, look at the review dates. All these so called great reviews are done on the same day, or day after.I don't know when the book came out but, it's a little fishy. This is after the book has been out and really read. If you want to read a book that just names names for the good of selling it, here ya go. Anyone with a brain knows these musicians didn't have any contact with this author, he just makes general "guesses" from there music. If they say God, they really are praying, not singing, yeah right. You can't judge someone by the words in there songs, this author is part of the same christian right that wants "no Gay marriage", one of the icons he writes about being a great christian icon, Moby, doesn't even agree with that red neck view point. Scott Stapp has put on the creed website, Is Creed a Christian band?
"Are we a Christian band? This is a question we are asked a lot because of some of the references made in the lyrics. No, we are not a Christian band. A Christian band has an agenda to lead others to believe in their specific religious beliefs. We have no agenda! This is still found on there website under the FAQ's, maybe Scott Stapp doesn't know himself as good as these authors, Yes Scott, you are a christian band, you better just come to grips with it. Make no mistake about the term "Faith" in the title, they don't mean anything but christian, if Lenny Kravitz is into buddha, really it's just another cry from him to find Christ. No formal reserch done, full of bias views, junk with paper covers. These guys are making it rich off christian gossip, "have you heard the spritual news on this star"

Junk, trash, garbage
Thank You

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Slap in the Face
Review: Cracking this book I expected twelve short testimonies. I didn't imagine these spiritual biographies to be a slap in the face for me. The irony that these are God-fearing artists, yet Johnny Cash struggles with drug addiction, P-Diddy is crying in the courts, and Lauryn Hill and her son live with her boyfriend, reminded me of how judgmental and self-righteous I can be and how open minded and forgiving I, as a Christian, must be. Moby guided me back to the mindset that I can't judge others when I am so imperfect myself. Bono reminded me that Jesus calls us to serve others and love them as you love yourself, if not more. It was good for me to read about people that recognize their faults, but can say, "This is me God. I'm messed up, but I'm trying to live for You." Some of the most basic and important messages of the New Testament, and I'm reminded by rock stars? This was unexpected. I was also inspired as an artist. Digging into the worship within the lyrics of these icons stirred me to get God's word out in my own ways. At times I felt the book was repetitive, reading the spiritual struggles of a musical idol over and over again. I was annoyed by the writing at times, and there were distracting typographical errors (I'm no expert, but I expect more from a published book). However, the inspiration and messages I received were worth the erroneous writing/editing.

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Journeys: How Faith Has Influenced 12 Music Icons
Review: Everyday of most of our lives is surrounded in music; whether it be from the music we choose to listen or what music others are listening to. The lyrics echo in our head and reach places in our hearts we rarely show to others. But behind those songs are artists that have stories of personal triumph and downright failure.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS profiles 12 artists who run the spectrum of musical taste but all have one thing in common - faith. For some faith snuck up on them and changed how they viewed the world, for others faith has been with since they day they were born, and there are those artists whose faith is still a mystery.

For me SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS placed the music of my father, Johnny Cash, with my music, Bono, side by side and dug into what drives these men. I found my personal ideas of what faith looks like on stage challenged and changed. Who knew the "Man in Black" and "The Pest" to the White House had so much in common.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS is not a question and answer with each artist, but it is an overview of the traces of faith throughout their life and career using interviews, articles, and other conversations had with the artists.

So join in the journeys of these artists and you'll find a picture of yourself in there too.

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Journeys: How Faith Has Influenced 12 Music Icons
Review: Everyday of most of our lives is surrounded in music; whether it be from the music we choose to listen or what music others are listening to. The lyrics echo in our head and reach places in our hearts we rarely show to others. But behind those songs are artists that have stories of personal triumph and downright failure.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS profiles 12 artists who run the spectrum of musical taste but all have one thing in common - faith. For some faith snuck up on them and changed how they viewed the world, for others faith has been with since they day they were born, and there are those artists whose faith is still a mystery.

For me SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS placed the music of my father, Johnny Cash, with my music, Bono, side by side and dug into what drives these men. I found my personal ideas of what faith looks like on stage challenged and changed. Who knew the "Man in Black" and "The Pest" to the White House had so much in common.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS is not a question and answer with each artist, but it is an overview of the traces of faith throughout their life and career using interviews, articles, and other conversations had with the artists.

So join in the journeys of these artists and you'll find a picture of yourself in there too.

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Slap in the Face
Review: Have you ever wanted to know more about your favorite music artists than you can learn from gossip magazines and television shows? This is the book for you. Spiritual Journeys is a unique look at some of the most prevalent names in music today. Written in an intelligent fashion to suit many readers, this book is a must-read for those interested in pop culture. Even if you don't listen to their music, it is fascinating to read about these celebrities' lives. You don't get the usual bio that everyone produces and knows, you get the real people; how they feel, who they really are inside. You leave this book feeling like you've been truly been educated on the lives of others who are burdened by the public's watchful eye. A must-read to keep up with today's ever-changing music world. With natural human curiosity inside every single one of us, I can not imagine anyone not enjoying this book. I have urged my personal friends to read this book, and I urge you. Enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: Have you ever wanted to know more about your favorite music artists than you can learn from gossip magazines and television shows? This is the book for you. Spiritual Journeys is a unique look at some of the most prevalent names in music today. Written in an intelligent fashion to suit many readers, this book is a must-read for those interested in pop culture. Even if you don't listen to their music, it is fascinating to read about these celebrities' lives. You don't get the usual bio that everyone produces and knows, you get the real people; how they feel, who they really are inside. You leave this book feeling like you've been truly been educated on the lives of others who are burdened by the public's watchful eye. A must-read to keep up with today's ever-changing music world. With natural human curiosity inside every single one of us, I can not imagine anyone not enjoying this book. I have urged my personal friends to read this book, and I urge you. Enjoyable read.