“A Life on the Ocean Wave”: The Story of Henry Russell Revisted

In 2007, English writer, music historian, lecturer, and broadcaster Andrew Lamb self-published a fascinating biography of the “entertainer” Henry Russell (1812–1900), which Kurt Gänzl reviewed enthusiastically on these pages (click here for more). He clearly enjoyed reading and absorbing the book so much that, over the last 19 years, he has gradually been able to discover much more about Mr Russell himself.

I do not wish to repeat Kurt’s article, so I strongly suggest that you read that first. All I need to do is urge you, if you have any interest at all in 19th-century entertainers and performers, to read the new edition of Mr Lamb’s book, which has been “revised” by Kurt for the State University of New York Press—something that is rather surprising, considering Kurt’s aversion to anything “academic”.

As always, with both authors, what impresses immediately is the prose style: relaxed, homely, intimate, amusing—but, as I have said previously about Kurt’s writing, presenting one problem for the reader. One finds that one has a few minutes to spare and dips into the book, only to discover that two hours later one is still reading, when one should be on the way to the theatre or to collect one’s other half from the railway station—and she is ‘not amused’!

One of the problems of writing about Henry Russell, for both authors, has been that he led a colorful life and was rather free with the truth. As a result, what he said or wrote himself is often difficult to believe. However, with resources that have become available over the last few years—mainly via the internet—it has been possible to shine a little more of “the light of truth” on some of his darker and more elusive corners. In addition, Kurt discovered that he himself was related, albeit very distantly and, of course, amusingly, to Russell.

The story begins in North Kent, moving on to Canada and the USA before Russell’s eventual, well-earned retirement, during which he not only performed but also composed—including, naturally, “A Life on the Ocean Wave”, but also other songs you might have heard of, such as “Woodman, Spare That Tree”.

The book runs to 424 tightly packed pages, including many illustrations and useful appendices, which provide a detailed list of the venues where Russell performed, along with dates, as well as a comprehensive survey of his and others’ songs.

Whereas Lamb self-published the first edition, Gänzl’s revised and greatly expanded version is published by SUNY Press. It is a very handsome hardback and is available directly from SUNY for the steep price of 135 US dollars.

Highly recommended!