150 of the Most Beautiful Songs Ever

Rating:
Summary: best songs ever - electronic keyboard version
Review: Better than I thought it would be. Simple, one handed sheet music for the novice with a keyboard that has build accompaniment. I'm sure someone more adept at the keyboard would find it lame, but it was just what I was looking for.

Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Blend of Standards, Pops, and Show Tunes
Review: I found this book at the public library and checked it out. Loved it so much I kept it overdue until I could have bought my own copy several times over. So glad I finally added it to my library. It has fast become my favorite.

This collection contains too many great songs to name them all, but my favorites include "Chances Are," the Johnny Mathis love song, "Can't Smile Without You," Barry Mannilow's hit, and Gershwin's "Love is Here to Stay."

You won't find much rock 'n roll, jazz, or country & western in this volume, but you will find enjoyayable, singable songs from almost every decade of this century.

This book draws heavily from musicals ("My Funny Valentine" "Memory"), big band ("Sleepy Lagoon"), Hollywood ("Manhattan" "When You Wish Upon a Star"), ballads ("I Left My Heart in San Francisco" "Smile") and of course love songs ("Till There Was You"! ; "Where or When")

You do not need to be an accomplished pianist to play these, but they are not for beginners either. As Goldilocks would say, they are "just right!" I play piano casually and can sight read about half of these and play the rest with a bit of rehearsal.

Well, I've sold myself again. Time for me to cut this review short and return to playing from "150 of the Most Beautiful Songs Ever."

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Rating:
Summary: Not simple, not overwhelmingly hard, you will enjoy these.
Review: I keep finding songs in this book whose melodies I remember, but I could've never named them. If your mind goes blank in the music store, this selection is broad. 150 gives you a lot to work with! Best of all, the arrangements are just right. It's not Dan Coates, making me feel frustrated at my lack of innate talent. Some songs will take some effort, most allow me to sound good on the second pass through. That's my definition of intermediate. It's a great collection for those of us who love playing for our own enjoyment and want interesting arrangements.

Rating:
Summary: TOO OLD!
Review: I'm either too young or have just never been enough of a broadway musical fan, but i received my songbook finally and i think i recognize three songs in it - one from snow white and one from the sound of music and another.

Okay, i do know the dan fogelburg song and sting's song, but those to me shouldn't even be in the same group of "most beautiful songs" ever. there's a jim croce song, too. weird.

i have never even heard of most of the musicals from which these songs are taken. still fun to play, but not the greatest arrangements i've ever heard ....

Rating:
Summary: Too hard to read
Review: Maybe it's just because I'm 56, but the printed notes are too small to read easily, especially to sight read. I'm returning my copy. I wished an actual page of music was shown in the Amazon preview, instead of just the song list. On the other hand, I highly recommend The Library of Easy Piano Classics, which is very readble and has a high rating on Amazon reviews.

Rating:
Summary: best piano book ever
Review: This book is essential for all piano players...the music is easy enough for my 8 year old beginer, yet is full of recognisable songs and not the usual made up singsongy stuff that most begining songbooks have. A novice can easily pick this book up and play every song. This book is mostly full of broadway musical songs, as well as some more classical peices as well. You will use this book more then any other, I completely reccomend it.