{"product_id":"a-life-on-the-ocean-wave-the-story-of-henry-russell-9798855805994","title":"A Life on the Ocean Wave: The Story of Henry Russell","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe definitive biography of Henry Russell, famed nineteenth-century songwriter and performer.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHenry Russell was an entertainer and songwriter-arguably the leading popular singer, on both sides of the Atlantic, in the 1840s-who is best remembered today for his song \"A Life on the Ocean Wave\" and for such classics as \"Woodman, Spare that Tree! and \"Cheer Boys, Cheer!\" A child performer as a singer, he was born to a distinguished Jewish family and was already working in his teens as a musician and as a vocalist. Russell travelled to America in 1836 and established himself there as a popular singer and songwriter. Returning to England five years later, he produced a number of musical programs, which were among the most popular entertainments of the day. His songs went beyond sentimental themes and subjects to include purposeful social commentary, attacking, among other topics, slavery and the mistreatment of the mentally ill. Russell's combination of showmanship and songwriting made him the Elton John of his day. This revised edition has been updated using newly available archival and other sources, as well as new illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAndrew Lamb\u003c\/b\u003e is an English writer, music historian, lecturer, and broadcaster known for his expertise in light music and musical theater. Lamb was a member of the Advisory Board of The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. He is the author of \u003ci\u003e50 Years of Popular Musical Theatre \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eLeslie Stuart: The Man Who Composed \u003c\/i\u003eFlorodora, along with many other books.\u003cb\u003e Kurt Gänzl\u003c\/b\u003e is author of two editions of the award-winning \u003ci\u003eEncyclopedia of the Musical Theatre\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as many other books, including \u003ci\u003eGilbert and Sullivan: The Players and the Plays\u003c\/i\u003e and, with Jamie Findlay, \u003ci\u003eThe Musical: A Concise History, Second Edition\u003c\/i\u003e, both published by SUNY Press.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"State University of New York Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52179263979794,"sku":"9798855805994","price":135.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_53544926-04d9-4d10-a9a1-d4ad5355b974.jpg?v=1775637581","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/a-life-on-the-ocean-wave-the-story-of-henry-russell-9798855805994","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}