The Spiritual Significance of Music product reviews

When I first agreed to review this, I had no idea what I was getting myself into - I thought that 'spirituality' might be a code word for Christianity and that I would be reading about gospel music or something. I was excited to find that 'spirituality' was defined in each interview as whatever it meant to that artist. For some, it was a communion with god, but for others, it was more obscure, a feeling of connectedness with other people or a direct line to emotion.

One of the ideas I really liked was that the space between the notes was just as important as the notes themselves. When I began listening to music for the spaces, I realized it was true. The difference for me between great music and just good is where they let you breathe - if they do at all. I love that music is a universal language that touches people on an emotional level, rather than an intellectual one. I have never met a person that doesn't like music itself (though obviously everyone has their own brand).

Reading The Spiritual Significance of Music is not like reading a novel. Each page is a new person, offering their little piece of wisdom about what music means to them. These perspectives open conversation, especially in a musically oriented family like mine. It's the sort of book that makes you suddenly think of four or five friends who really should read this (I have two lined up already). It's the sort of book that really should be a documentary like 'The Secret' or 'What the Bleep' because that way, you could listen to the music and hear the people speak, and I think it would be a moving experience.

A great book to buy, gift or pass around. A conversation that intigues me... after all, what is so special about music?