ABBA : LET THE MUSIC SPEAK BOOK LAUNCH PHOTOS

Host Howard Ainsworth, presenter on 4MBS Classic FM and the doyen of Brisbane radio, graciously compered the launch event (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Graphic designer and production editor Matt Tesch describes the 'birthing process' for the book (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Judith Durham, former lead singer of Australian music phenomenon The Seekers, was our special VIP guest speaker at the official launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

A very delighted author Chris Patrick acknowledges the crowd at the book launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Judith Durham signs a copy of ABBA : LET THE MUSIC SPEAK for Chris (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Crowds queue at the launch for signed copies (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Judith & Chris meet an adoring table of Ilse, Pene, Rose & Mimi at the launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

It's standing-room only at the book launch! (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Guest speakers Matt, Howard, Graham & Judith listen to Chris at the book launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Queueing for signed copies at the book launch! (photo: Alex Djachenko)

Proud authorial parents Robin and Nick Patrick at the book launch (photo: Alex Djachenko)

WONDERFUL BOOK LAUNCH last night!

Sensational atmosphere at the official launch at The Queensland Orchestra Studios in Brisbane’s West End last night. It was a beautiful summer evening overlooking the river, with fantastic food and drink provided by a small army of “Team Patrick” volunteers for the 120+ guests.
Keynote speakers touched on their relationships with Chris’ musical career, and the evolution and ‘birth process’ of ABBA : LET THE MUSIC SPEAK, capped off by the delightful and charming words of our VIP guest Judith Durham of The Seekers fame.
Dozens and dozens of still images. and hundreds of minutes of footage, were taken, and we hope to be able to post a selection here in the very near future.
Meantime, Ian Cole, who we were also thrilled could join us from Sydney specially for the occasion, has posted his own illustrated account at http://abbaworld.wordpress.com/

PS ~ I SAW ABBA MANIA TODAY ON THE GOLD COAST!
What a sensational show it is too: everything Chris (who’s playing cello in the band’s string section) said it was, and more ~ incredible atmosphere, audience participation and, perhaps best of all, meticulously authentic renditions of the famous four, their costumes, singing and stage presence … I closed my eyes several times and would swear I was listening to a studio album track!
This is an absolute ‘must-see’ show for anyone living in or visiting Southeast Queensland in the next two months of its season.
More from Chris when he’s recovered and has a chance to compose himself!
Cheers, Matt

BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED AND ARE BEING DESPATCHED!!

Hi everyone

Production editor Matt here, just letting you know that Chris and I and his team have spent this afternoon unloading the delivery truck, stacking and storing the books, and starting the mailout process for everyone who’s placed an advance order.

It’s been an exhausting but exciting day, but we were lucky that Brisbane’s stormy summer weather stayed fine – if a little humid – for the crucial stages of the arrival of the shipment!

And if you want to know what one tonne (or 1.7 cubic metres!) of books looks like – and feels like to carry – there are several people who can tell you: me, for one!

Chris is making a few posts elsewhere before he collapses in a heap tonight; he luckily has a hectic schedule of media interviews (radio, newspapers, etc) this week, as well as his eight performances in ABBA MANIA on the Gold Coast … and that’s all before the official launch for his book next Tuesday 16 December in Brisbane!

RSVPs for the event, featuring our VIP guest Judith Durham of The Seekers fame, are coming in thick and fast from around Southeast Queensland, but there’s still time to register your interest, if you use the “Contact” link on Chris’ website/s – http://www.abbaletthemusicspeak.com or http://www.christopherpatrick.com.au or – before Thursday this week (11 December).

So far – in less than six hours!! – we’ve managed to work our way through despatching all the Australian domestic orders, and the international orders begin tomorrow with The Netherlands and Europe followed by our enthusiastic supporters in the USA, South America, Asia and the Middle East.

Our intention is to have all pre-orders underway before the end of this week, so there is a very very good chance they will be received before Christmas … wherever you are!

A very long, dedicated and difficult journey – for Chris himself,  and for the other people who’ve believed in his vision and helped along the way – is reaching an exhilarating climax, and we are looking forward to our readers’ comments and reviews as you start to receive your orders.

One or two more posts to come before we can properly wish you all Season’s Greetings, but hopefully there will be a magical surprise under the chimney or in the stocking for you!