Across the Alley from the Alamo

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"Across the Alley from the Alamo" is a song written in 1946 by Joe Greene, which has become a jazz standard. Greene's whimsical lyrics (reputed to have been inspired by a dream), [1] concern a Navajo Indian and his pinto pony. The pair have an easygoing life until they take a walking vacation along a railroad track and are never seen again. [2]

The Mills Brothers' recording of the song scored #2 on the U.S. Billboard chart in 1947; [2] there were cover versions that same year by Woody Herman and his Orchestra, and by Stan Kenton and his Orchestra with vocalist June Christy. [3]

The Mills Brothers re-recorded it for their 1958 album The Mills Bros. – Great Hits. [4] It also features on albums such as Ella Fitzgerald's Live at Mister Kelly's (1958) [5] and Patti Austin's The Real Me (1988). [6] It was recorded by The Three Suns, 1947, RCA Victor 20-2272-B. [7] It was also recorded by The Skyrockets Orchestra with vocalist Dick James in 1948, by The Holy Modal Rounders on their 1975 album Alleged in Their Own Time, by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys in 1968 and Asleep at the Wheel in 1985.

This song can be heard in the 2021 film Don't Look Up featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. It is playing in the background during the scene when they are eating their last meal with family and friends.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Greene (American songwriter)</span> American songwriter and novelist

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References

  1. ↑ "Almost Remembering the Alamo". April 2014.
  2. 1 2 Gilliland, John. (197X). "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #20 - All Tracks UNT Digital Library". Digital.library.unt.edu. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  3. ↑ "Songs written by Joe Greene". Music VF. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ Jazz Times. Jazztimes. 2008. p. 111.
  6. ↑ Lord, Tom (2003). The Jazz discography. Lord Music Reference. ISBN   978-1-881993-06-3.
  7. ↑ "78Discography". 78Discography. Retrieved 8 February 2016.



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