
Ballad of an American
The Autobiography of Earl Robinson
Scarecrow Press
Published on 4. December 1997
Book
Hardback
512 pages
978-0-8108-3433-0 (ISBN)
Description
Earl Robinson's autobiography, Ballad of an American, is the life-and-times story of the composer who wrote the immortal labor song "Joe Hill" and the cantata Ballad for Americans, which caused a media storm when it appeared on CBS national radio, with Paul Robeson singing baritone, in 1939. A member of America's Old Left, a perpetual FBI target, and eventually an adherent to New Age philosophies, Earl Robinson characterizes the expanse of America in the twentieth century through his music. Robinson was involved in folk music from the beginning, and his influence would eventually be felt by all of America through such artists as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Ballad of an American is not a definitive musicological or biographical work, but a witty, darting, first-person account of one of America's most famous composers, during one of the most lively times in American history. The book reads like a well-rehearsed anecdote, infected with Robinson's humor and containing telling word portraits of some of America's most important artists, such as Woody Guthrie, Paul Robeson, Carl Sandburg, and Frank Sinatra. Much like his music, Robinson does not shy away from the rough textures of his life and frankly discusses painful personal issues, musical triumphs, as well as the evolution of his active engagement in social and political expression. Eric A. Gordon, Robinson's collaborator for the book, has had access to Robinson's extensive personal archive of awards, newspaper clippings, letters, photographs, and interview transcripts collected over Robinson's life. The book also contains a list of works and a discography of Robinson's musical compositions. With Gordon's assistance, Earl Robinson has been eminently successful at creating a readable, human account of a life in music.
Reviews / Votes
...Gordon has created a new genre in the field of biography, one which gives free rein to the actual voice of the subject, thereby preserving beautifully its exact tone...while enhancing it with all the factual details that the subject may not remember with precision...Gordon has done his work so well by bringing Earl Robinson, his life and work-and especially his voice-right onto the printed page in a wonderfully vivid way, that we hereby nominate him for a Pulitzer Prize! * Hollister Report * ...wonderful book...marvelous volume. Thank you, Eric! * Jewish Currents * ...an entertaining and highly informative account of American leftist art movements in the 20th century...clearly captures the nationalism of the American Communist party and, furthermore, reveals the important political and social thought that went into the production of American popular art at the period...Robinson's work and life are always fascinating and touching... * Dirty Linen *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 223 mm
Width: 146 mm
Thickness: 34 mm
Weight
744 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8108-3433-0 (9780810834330)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Earl Robinson (1910-1991) was a composer, singer, musician, and writer, as well as a political activist. His works include numerous musical compositions, including Ballad for Americans, as well as books of folk songs and music. Eric A. Gordon (Ph.D., Tulane University) has collaborated extensively with American musicians and written about composer Marc Blitzstein.