My book does have many vocal music excerpts, with lyrics included. Songs that have never been released in sheet music form, like “Put On Your White Sombrero, Just Like That & Crazy World, are featured in this way.

Hope that answers your question!

Regards, Chris

can u give some of thier music?

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24873882-5003424,00.html

Thanks for your kind words; it was a treat to meet the “famous” Ian Cole at the launch (at long last) ~ and thanks also for your ‘pre-emptive strike’ with your launch event photos (!!) on your blog … we’re hoping to upload our own photographer’s work from the night early in the New Year on both Chris’ blog and his website.

Meantime ~ as I’ve said to Chris many times ~ I think the deafening silence from around the world is a good indicator that everyone who’s received their ordered copies is having trouble juggling the demands of Christmas with their desire to immerse themselves in the book!

All the very best for the Season and the New Year to one and all.

Cheerz,
Matt

It was indeed a thrill to be at the book launch. But it’s even more of a thrill that the book is finally out in the world. I’ve been waiting so long for that to happen. You two have done a brilliant job.

Ian

Music history will be made – perhaps even rewritten – with the official launch of a groundbreaking new insight into the genius of ABBA by Brisbane musician Christopher Patrick, from 6:30pm on Tuesday 16 December 2008 at The Queensland Orchestra studios at 53 Ferry Road, West End.

Special guest at the launch will be Judith Durham, former lead singer of Australia’s music phenomenon The Seekers. The event will be compered by the doyen of Brisbane radio, Howard Ainsworth, Broadcast Manager for 4MBS Classic FM.

THE AUTHOR’S PASSION AND INSIGHT COMBINE

ABBA: LET THE MUSIC SPEAK is the result of a lifelong passion for both ABBA and a musical career as a professional cellist and arranger, and Chris has invested the past five years of his life – not to mention considerable financial risk – in self-publishing this ground-breaking, illustrated, 420 page book. Warmly endorsed by Judith Durham, and featuring a Foreword written by ABBA’s Swedish biographer Carl Magnus Palm, this book takes the reader, in Chris’ lively and engaging writing style, on a personally-guided tour “over the hills of joyful exuberance, through the valleys of melancholy and along the stretched-out roads of craftsmanship where their music was created.” – to quote Carl Magnus himself.

BENCHMARK INSIGHTS – FOR EVERYONE!

More than 30 years after the stunning Eurovision Song Contest debut of the Swedish supergroup, ABBA’s music remains a benchmark which continues to enthral millions of fans around the world – both on stage and screen as well as on vinyl and disc. Chris has created this guide to ABBA’s soundscape: the vocal and keyboard genius and precision audio engineering which continue to defy truly successful emulation to this day. No previous experience is necessary for readers of all types to enjoy the tour – this book has been carefully crafted to appeal to the interested general reader as well as to ABBA fans and serious musicians alike.

MEDIA

4MBS CLASSIC FM – MUSIC LOVER’S CHOICE / 29 NOV
What a fabulous two hours of live radio that was on Saturday 29 November! Chris presented an engaging and enlightening selection of music by Benny and Björn, discussing the vocal contribution of Agnetha and Frida, and ranging across the entire spectrum from “Arrival” through BAO, CHESS and KRISTINA pieces, to conclude with the seminal “Thank You For The Music”! “Sensational”, “informing”, “revealing” and “fantastic” were just some of the comments received following the program, which was re-broadcast on 4MBS FM the following Monday night (01 December) between 10pm and midnight. Included in the program were several references to the fabulous ABBA MANIA show, in which Chris is playing cello, currently running at Conrad Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast.

612 ABC RADIO BRISBANE – BREAKFAST / 04 DEC
Spencer Howson has invited Chris to present and preview his book ABBA: LET THE MUSIC SPEAK @ 0630 on the Breakfast program on ABC local radio – this follows a prior appearance by Chris on the afternoon Drive program with Kelly Higgins-Devine a few weeks ago, during ABC’s special ABBA and “Mamma Mia – The Movie” celebratory week’s programming.

AVAILABILITY

ABBA: LET THE MUSIC SPEAK is currently available only online at Chris’ website/s (below), but numerous independent bookshops and music retailers in Brisbane and Australia have been approached to stock the book. Worldwide orders have already been received from as far afield as Argentina, Israel, South Africa, the UK, USA, and Holland.

I’ve been quietly awaiting your book for some time. I just read your enticing prelude about the book.

You not only have me intrigued, you’ve rekindled some passion…for the music…it might be time to sit down with Arrival and really let it wash over me and fully realize once again, what it was in that album that “hooked” me all those years ago.

I for one, can’t WAIT for your book!!!

Congratulations on a herculean effort!!

Kevin Evans
Springfield, Illinois USA