Notes
Paul French; delivers an amazing Instrumental album, featuring Musical Themes from Biblical Times! Paul's talents as a percussionist, blended with beautiful piano arrangements by, Christopher W. French, has made this album a true classic! The great variety of hand drums and percussion instruments are very unique in their sounds, as they bring to life the Old and New Testament Stories from the Bible! You don't have to be a percussion fan to appreciate this album, 'Journey To Bethlehem' speaks for itself, as one of the most exciting instrumental albums you will ever hear! Here below, are just a few of the percussion instruments used in our 'Journey To Bethlehem' instrumental album. As you listen, you may recognise these instruments being played. The Djembe-- Pronounced (Jem-bay) is a skin covered hand drum shaped like a large goblet and is meant to be played with bare hands. It's made of a frame or shell covered by a membrane or drumhead, made of one of many products, usually rawhide. The djembe originated in West Africa, where it became an integral part of the area's music and tradition. One of our most distinct songs to listen for the djembe is, 'The Triumphal Entry', which also has a rhythmic feel and flavor like the theatrical show, Riverdance. The Conga Drums-- The conga is a tall, narrow, single-headed Cuban drum of African origin, probably derived from the Congolese Makuta drums. A person who plays conga is called a 'conguero'. Although ultimately derived from African drums made from hollowed logs, the Cuban conga is staved, like a barrel. These drums were probably made from salvaged barrels originally. They were used both in Afro-Caribbean religious music and as the principal instrument in Rumba. Congas are now very common in Latin music, including salsa music, as well as many other forms of American popular music. Although they are played throughout this album, some great examples to hear Paul's conga's are in his songs, 'The Queen of Sheba' and 'Journey To Bethlehem'. Paul also used the wooden body of his conga drums, playing them with drum sticks. In his song, 'The Walls of Jericho', you will notice this technique at the intro and solo parts of the song. The Maracas-- Sometimes called rhumba shakers. They are simple percussion instruments, usually played in pairs, consisting of a dried calabash or gourd shell or coconut shell filled with seeds or dried beans. Often one maraca is pitched high and the other low. Although they look easy to play, they are very critical in keeping with time. Maracas are heard in many forms of Latin music and are also used in pop and classical music. In rock and roll, they are probably most identified with Bo Diddley. They're great for Christian Instrumental Music as well, and fun to play! The Güiro-- Is a percussion instrument that sometimes looks like a fish! It consists of an open-ended, hollow gourd with parallel notches cut in one side. It is played by rubbing a wooden stick along the notches to produce a ratchet-like sound. The güiro is commonly used in Latin-American music, and plays a key role in the typical cumbia rhythm section. Paul used the Guiro often throughout these instrumental songs, and is one of our favorites. With it's unique sound and flavor, it gives the music a push and sets the mood. Listen to 'The Queen of Sheba'. The Cow Bell and Wooden Block-- Cowbells are made of metal, and are an important element in Latin-American and go go music. Cowbells are struck with a stick - the tone being modulated by striking different parts of the bell and by damping with the hand holding the bell. They are often played as 1/4 notes in time to the music. Our song 'King David's Palace' is a great instrumental piece, where the Cow Bell and Wooden Block are used in a fun and energetic way! Timbales-- Timbales (or tymbales) are shallow single-headed drums, shallower in shape than single-headed tom-toms, and usually much higher tuned. The player (known as a timbalero) uses a vari
