Across the Alley from the Alamo
Across the Alley from the Alamo is a song written in 1946 by Joe Greene, which has become a jazz standard. The Mills Brothers' recording of the song scored #2 on the U.S. Billboard chart in 1947,[1] and there were cover versions that same year by Woody Herman and his Orchestra and by Stan Kenton and his Orchestra with vocalist June Christy.[2] The Mills Brothers covered it on their 1958 album The Mills Bros. – Great Hits.[3] It also features on albums such as Ella Fitzgerald's Live at Mister Kelly's (1958)[4] and Patti Austin's The Real Me (1988).[5] It was recorded by The Three Suns, 1947, RCA Victor 20-2272-B.[6]
It was also recorded by The Skyrockets Orchestra with vocalist Dick James in 1948, and Asleep at the Wheel in 1985.
Greene's whimsical lyrics (said to have been inspired by a dream he had), 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.[1]
References
- Gilliland, John. (197X). "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #20 - All Tracks UNT Digital Library". Digital.library.unt.edu. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
- "Songs written by Joe Greene". Music VF. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
- "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- Jazz Times. Jazztimes. 2008. p. 111.
- Lord, Tom (2003). The Jazz discography. Lord Music Reference. ISBN 978-1-881993-06-3.
- "78Discography". 78Discography. Retrieved 8 February 2016.