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Post by Allen Wiener on Feb 2, 2009 10:29:04 GMT -5
Well, it's here at last: Music of the Alamo: From 19th-Century Ballads to Big-Screen Soundtracks, by William R. Chemerka and Allen J. Wiener. Foreword by Fess Parker! Introduction by Phil Collins! Dozens of photographs, many in color, showing period sheet music, album covers, and record sleeves, many quite rare. Complete Alamo discography and song title list with all songs written or recorded about the Alamo and the major figures of the Texas Revolution (you may be surprised at the number of songs devoted to Santa Anna!). Text covers the eras of minstrel shows and marches, the Mexican War, the 20th and 21st centuries, including the movie and TV soundtrack era. An entire chapter is devoted to Disney's "Ballad of Davy Crockett" and some 100 recorded versions of the song are documented.
All Alamo Society members will receive a flyer with ordering information in the March issue of Alamo Journal, which should reach you very soon. The book may be ordered directly from: Bright Sky Press 2365 Rice Boulevard Houston, TX 77005 $29.95 + $5.00 shipping & handling For Texas SHIP TO address, add $2.47 State Sales Tax. Canada & Europe: credit card only!AW
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Post by TRK on Feb 2, 2009 13:22:29 GMT -5
Congratulations, Allen and Bill. May your royalty checks be large and many
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Post by Allen Wiener on Feb 2, 2009 17:35:50 GMT -5
Thanks Tom -- I wouldn't hold out too much hope for big royalties, but probably enough to buy a round of drinks at Ernie's, if you ever make it to Bexar!
We are really pleased with the job Bright Sky did on this book; it's really nice. I hope everyone will enjoy it and find it a worthwhile addition to the Alamo culture library.
Allen
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Post by Jim Boylston on Feb 9, 2009 19:45:51 GMT -5
My copy from Amazon came via UPS today! Kudos for a job well done and a beautiful presentation! Chock full of little known information and color pictures to boot. Well worth the wait. Congrats Bill and Allen!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Feb 10, 2009 10:44:31 GMT -5
Many thanks Jim, and also for your very kind review of the book on Amazon. We really hope everyone sees this as a new study of a little-discussed aspect of the Alamo as a cultural symbol. The book was written from both a folklore/history and musical angle. More than two years of research went into it and we are very pleased with the beautiful job that Bright Sky Press did with the book.
AW
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Post by billchemerka on Feb 10, 2009 11:07:42 GMT -5
Thank you, Jim, for your generous comments. And it's already selling on eBay!
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Post by billchemerka on Feb 25, 2009 9:18:25 GMT -5
"Music of the Alamo" is the cover story of Roundup Magazine's February 2009 issue. The publication is published by the Western Writers of America.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Mar 9, 2009 15:17:32 GMT -5
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Post by sloanrodgers on Mar 14, 2009 14:23:43 GMT -5
It's truly a fantastic book. A long overdue history of a unique genre of American music. I got mine signed at the Symposium by the illustrious authors, but wish I had the foresight to have Phil Collins, Tony Pasqua and K. R. Wood scribble something in it. Oh well. The unexpected Alamo music CD hidden in the back cover made up for not getting the additional signatures.
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Post by TRK on Mar 14, 2009 14:43:28 GMT -5
It's on my next Amazon order, along with War of a Thousand Deserts.
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Post by Wade Dillon on Mar 14, 2009 21:46:56 GMT -5
Purchased my copy of the book and both Keith Kubena and I were surprised to see his piece, "The Alamo Song" which was written and conducted for Alamo Sentry.com, mentioned last in the 2008 selection of music! Thank you, Bill and Allen!
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Post by sloanrodgers on Mar 15, 2009 13:18:40 GMT -5
RR - you might be able to get some of those missing signatures at next year's Symposium, so bring the book with you! It was good seeing you again at the Symposium. Allen Maybe I'll do that if I remember the Alamo Music Book next time. I have heard that Tony Pasqua wants to be treated like an ordinary Joe and not like a celebrity singer/ guitarist, hounded by autograph seekers and paparazzi. I accidently signed his book at the recent symposium, so I hope he can sign mine on purpose. It was good to see you also Allen.
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Post by bobdurham on Jun 10, 2009 15:11:15 GMT -5
I just received my copy from Amazon -- have been leafing through it and I like it a lot. Like the various lyrics for Santy Anno -- have always been a fan of sea chanties. The CD music makes a great accompaniment to my reading.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 10, 2009 22:02:33 GMT -5
Many thanks for the compliments Bob; much appreciated. Appreciate even more that you enjoyed the book and got something out of it. I came across more of those sea chanties re: Santa Anna at Library of Congress than I would have expected. I especially like the bit about the Brit sailors reversing the lyrics, so that it's "Santy Anno" carrying the day and General Taylor running away. Politics and music making strange bedfellows.
Best,
Allen
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Post by billchemerka on Jun 10, 2009 23:02:35 GMT -5
Thanks, Bob (and trk, RangerRod and Wade, too) for your comments regarding Music of the Alamo. All the best.
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