On the Alamo
"On the Alamo" is a 1922 composition by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn and Joe Lyons. Jones and his Orchestra recorded it at Brunswick Studios in New York City in February without a vocalist, as was his custom at the time, and it was released as the b-side of "By the Sapphire Sea" on Brunswick 2245 in April.
On March 17, a copyright was filed by Tell Taylor, Inc., of Chicago, Illinois, possibly the last song published by William 'Tell' Taylor, who sold his business to Forster Music Publisher, Inc., and retired to Ohio, where he bought a home for his parents. 'Sapphire Sea' failed to make the charts, but by mid-Summer, 'On the Alamo' hit number 1 for four weeks., and finished as the 7th highest ranking single for 1922.
Notable versions
78 RPM">Gramophone record#Record albums">78 RPM
- Isham Jones Orchestra - Brunswick 2245, April 1922
- Benson Orchestra of Chicago - Victor 18931-B, September 1922
- Rudy Vallée and his Connecticut Yankees - Victor 22084, 1929
- Benny Goodman, featuring Art Lund - Columbia 36988, 1946
LP">LP record">LP
- Jo Stafford - Starring Jo Stafford, 1953
- Dave Brubeck - Dave Brubeck at Storyville: 1954 / Vol. 1, 1954
- Toots Thielemans - The Sound: The Amazing Jean "Toots" Thielemans, 1955
- Stan Getz - Split Kick, 1955
- Tal Farlow - A Recital by Tal Farlow, 1955
- Oscar Peterson - Nostalgic Memories, recorded 1949–51, released on LP, 1956
- Bing Crosby - New Tricks, 1957
- Ted Heath and His Music - Ted Heath's First American Tour, 1957
- Thad Jones - Keeping Up With the Joneses: featuring The Jones Brothers - playing the music of Thad Jones and Isham Jones, 1958, with brothers Thad, Hank and Elvin Jones, as well as bassist Eddie Jones
- The Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet - You 'n Me, 1960
- Betty Carter - The Modern [Sound of Betty Carter], recorded August 19, 1960, released 1961
- The Hi-Lo's - This Time It's Love, 1962
- The Art Van Damme Quintet - Blue World, 1970, with Joe Pass and Eberhard Weber
- Bing Crosby - A Southern Memoir, 1975
- Zoot Sims - The Swinger, 1981