Bawdy & Soul is the result of R. A. Christmas’ lifetime interest in American Folk and Popular music—specifically, his roughly ten-year quest (ca.1975-85) for success in the “music business,” in and around Hollywood.
In the book’s Introduction you’ll meet Bob’s several “mentors” along the way—childhood friends Doug Cox (hit-songwriter) and Jim McMichael (UC-Irvine poet-professor); his songwriting-teachers Al Kasha and Buddy Kaye; and song-plugger Artie Valando, who “discovered” Christmas early-on, and tirelessly promoted his work.
Then there are the songs—a 132 page typescript with hand-written lead-sheets—from Folk to Country to Blues to Jazz; plus Novelty songs that will crack you up.
Christmas never sold a song—possibly because his work is way too “hip” to be commercial, then or now. What’s certain is that readers and hopefully performers will be “sold” on... More > these songs—as well they should be.< Less
