[.ca] Rise Up Singing: The Group Singing Songbook (ISBN 1881322130)

one of my very favorites:
When I first came across the first edition, at the Philly FOlk Fest, I literally jumped up and down in excitement. They were sold out and while we waited for a new supply to arrive a friend and I sang our way through the sample book. I had to buy the second edition a few years ago because my original copy was falling apart, quite literally. (But I still have it; couldn't bear to throw it away.) The second ed adds a much-needed songwriter index. You couldn't play the songs in this book if you don't already know the tune, since only chords are listed for most songs. On the other hand I can't open to any page without finding songs I know (and usually, love). Many of these are songs you won't find in other songbooks. All are singable. Included songs run the gamut of folk music (and that includes trad, Celtic and other ethnicities, folk-rock, singer-songwriter, and on and on) as well as Motown, Tin Pan Alley, a few showtunes, and more. When I first came across the first edition, at the Philly FOlk Fest, I literally jumped up and down in excitement. They were sold out and while we waited for a new supply to arrive a friend and I sang our way through the sample book.

Pity I trusted the reviews:
Too bad that I believed the good reviews of this book. I purchased it so that I could play guitar (the editorial review stated that it had guitar chords in an easy-to-use format) along with the songs. I have never seen a more poorly laid out book to try to play guitar to in my life! Confusing doesn't begin to describe it. Take a look at the sample pages 3-29 (I wish I had), that is exactly how the material is presented. In my opinion, a terrible waste of money.

Not all to everyone but I *love* it.:
With knowledge of most basic chords and a fondness for folky music (traditional & revival + related - old English/Irish, spirituals, 60s-70s pop) I'll page through for hours picking through these tunes. I'm familiar with ~ 15% of the songs here but that's still loads. When I pick up a new Leadbelly CD or hear a classic on the radio I look it up and usually find it - dog ear another page. Some of the reviews seem to be looking for a teaching guide. I wouldn't call S.O. that but if you're looking for a classic source of classic tunes, definitely pick this one up!

Indispensible & a classic:
This book has to be experienced to be believed. Compressing 1200 songs into less than 300 pages, it is a masterpiece of concise musical reference. The songs are organized into chapters based on themes, but there is also an excellent index which even lets you to look up a song by its first line. Extremely handy! Some people have mentioned finding the book confusing or poorly laid out/organized. While I disagree I can understand how it might be that way for some. The abbreviated chord notations don't convey the timing details as well as regular sheet music, and there are no melody notes (vocal part) so you really have to be somewhat familar with the song. But there is a definite logic to their notation system, which is explained at the beginning of the book, and I think they've done a fabulous job of squeezing a huge amount (and variety) of music into a really small space. It replaces several times its weight in other songbooks and the spiral binding is not only convenient but also very durable.

Everyone should own this book:
This is a fantastic, fun book to have at every gathering of two or more people. I love it!