FORMATTED FOR TWO-SIDED PRINTING: Internationally acclaimed acoustic guitarist Ellsworth ("El") McMeen has been arranging hymns and other spiritual music for guitar for over 30 years. He started in standard guitar tuning, but moved away from that tuning into various so-called "open" tunings. He has been called the "King of CGDGAD tuning," in light of his prolific arrangements and compositions in that lush and evocative tuning. This major work of spiritual music contains 26 guitar settings of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs, all lovingly arranged for solo fingerstyle guitar in the CGDGAD tuning. This book contains a chord chart for the aid of the reader. El is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists. https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists Many of El's recordings are described here: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElMcMeen

The audio sampler contains excerpts from these 10 songs, all in CGDGAD tuning:

1. Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
2. In Christ There is No East or West
3. Jacob's Ladder
4. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
5. Kingsfold (Tune: "Star of the County Down")
6. Poor Wayfaring Stranger
7. Praise to the Lord
8. Simple Gifts
9. This Is My Father's World
10. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Tune:
"Water is Wide")

El's double-length recording called "Gospel Guitar Treasures" can be found here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/elmcmeen7

?An American Folk Hymn Medley? brings together three 19th-century shape-note tunes in a contemporary setting for brass quintet. HOLY MANNA is popularly known as ?Brethren We Have Met to Worship? from its association with a text by Methodist clergyman George Atkins (1793-1827). It was first published in Columbian Harmony, a shape-note tune book, in 1829, and is attributed to William Moore, the publisher. RESTORATION, first published in William Walker?s 1835 shape-note hymnal, Southern Harmony, was later renamed ARISE from its association with a text by Joseph Hart (1712-1768) in which the chorus begins ?I will arise and go to Jesus?.? PLEADING SAVIOR, published in Joshua Leavitt?s 1830 compilation The Christian Lyre, is today best-known in many churches as the accompaniment to the text ?Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly.? In this arrangement, the similar tunes HOLY MANNA and PLEADING SAVIOR, both in major tonality and 8.7.8.7 poetic meter, frame the contrasting minor tonality tune, RESTORATION. Contrasting instrument textures, keys, and tempi, and a mix of both traditional and contemporary harmonies breathe a fresh spirit into these venerable tunes.

Song List:

Adoro Devote

All My Trials

All the Way My Savior Leads Me Lowry CrosbyINeed Thee Every Hour Lowry Hawks

Balm in Gilead

Benediction

Bread of the World Eucharistic Hymn

Canticle #1

Canticle #2

Close to Thee Vail Crosby Every Day and Every Hour Doane Crosby

Come to the Feast

Compline

Consecration

Deep River

Evening Prayer

Gloria

God Unseen Yet Ever Near St Flavian

Have Thine Own Way, Lord Adelaide

He Hideth My Soul Kirkpatrick Crosby

Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face Penitentia

Higher Ground Gabriel Oatman

Hold to God?s Unchanging Hand Eiland

Holy Is The Lord

I Love to Tell the Story Fischer Hankey

At the Cross Hudson Watts

I Will Arise and Go to Jesus Arise

I Will Praise Him Harris More Love to Thee Doane Prentiss

Jesu, Joy of Man?s Desiring

Jesus Paid It All Grape HallI Am Coming, Lord Hartsough

Jesus Spreads His Banner O?er Us Autumn

Just As I Am Woodworth

Kyrie Eleison

Lamb Of God

Lenten Meditation

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Picardy

Let Us Break Bread Together

Light Of The World

Litany

Lonesome Valley

Look Down That Lonesome Road

Lord, I?m Coming Home Kirkpatrick Draw Me Nearer Kirkpatrick Crosby

Lord, Speak to Me Canonbury

Meditation on Psalm

My Faith Looks Up to Thee Olivet

My Lord, My God

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Resignation

Nearer, My God, to Thee Bethany

Never Alone Anon

Night Prayer

Nobody Knows The Trouble I?ve Seen

O Esca Viatorum

Pass Me Not Doane Crosby

Only Trust Him Stockton

Peace

Praxis Pietatis Melica

Prayer

Prayer of Simeon

Psalm 102:1 Hear My Prayer, O Lord

Psalm 118:24 This Is the Day That the Lord Hath Made

Psalm 119:28 My Soul Is Heavy with Sorrow

Psalm 126:6 They That Sow in Tears

Psalm 128:1 Blessed Are They That Fear the Lord

Psalm 139:7 Where Shall I Go From Thy Spirit

Psalm 142:3 When My Spirit Grows Faint Within Me

Psalm 144:3 Lord, What Is Man

Psalm 16:1 Keep Me Safe, O God

Psalm 19:1 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Psalm 34:18 The Lord Is Close to the Broken Hearted

Psalm 65:2 Thou That Hearest Prayer

Psalm 88:13 Unto Thee Have I Cried, O Lord

Rendez a Dieu

Sanctus

Shall We Gather at the River Lowry

Softly And Tenderly

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

St Gregory Chorale

Steal Away

Sweet By and By Webster Bennett Leaning on the Everlasting Arms Showalter Hoffman

Sweet Hour of Prayer Showalter Hoffman Is Your All on the Altar Hoffman

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

The Lord?s Supper Way

To God Be the Glory Doane Crosby

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus He Is Lord

Wade In The Water

Wayfaring Stranger

We Give Thee Thanks

Were You There

What a Friend We Have in Jesus Converse

When I Lay My Burdens Down

Fast! That?s the way to describe this arrangement. The rhythm section is blazing (270 beats a minute!), but the horns are in half time. This will be a work out for any rhythm section, but the horns will be able to play it with ease. I like to put one arrangement on every record that really pushes the players, and this is the ONE!!! You gotta check out the audio sample on this one! This is the closer of the concert/performance/service hands down. This one will take a little work, but it will be well worth it. Don?t let this one scare you. With some work from just one soloist (listening to the demo), you can pull this off and be so glad you did! This is the most flexible Holiday/Christmas project you will ever find! This arrangement features a soloist plus full big band. Here is where the unbelievable flexibility comes in! There is a written out part for EVERY solo for trumpet, trombone, saxophone and a vocalist. 4 complete versions of this arrangement were recorded with each one featuring a different solo instrument. (there is a trumpet, trombone, saxophone and vocalist version of the entire record) Also, this arrangement was recorded with full big band, but you could use a 2/2/2 horn section (trumpet/sax/trombone) if you do not have access to all the players. ANY size group. ANY soloist on ANY song. Maximum flexibility! Instrumentation is: Alto Sax 1 and 2 Tenor Sax 1 and 2 Bari Sax Trumpet 1-4 Trombone 1-4 Rhythm chart Written out piano part 2018 Holiday Contest Entry