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Topic: Pedal Steel Guitar Instrumental Music Sales |
Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 8:07 am |
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| Which Pedal Steel Guitarist had the most instrumental Music album sales? |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 8:17 am
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| My guess would be Alvino Rey. |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 10:45 am
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| I was thinking Speedy West would be way up there, he recorded for Capitol, a major label, but I do not know the amount of albums he sold. |
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Bowie Martin
From:
Wilson, NC USA 27896
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 11:01 am
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| Since "Sleepwalk" was the No. 1 record in America (for all music, and maybe even internationally) for a while, it would not surprise me if it wasn't Johnny and Santo. What does everyone else think? |
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Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 11:48 am
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| "Sleepwalk" was done on a (non-pedal) Stringmaster, right? |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 12:47 pm
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| It's either Pete Drake "Forever" or Bobbe Seymour "Happy Steel Guitar". |
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Joe Alterio
From:
Irvington, Indiana
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 1:02 pm
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Based on album sales, I'd say either Lloyd Green or Santo & Johnny.
Lloyd Green had four chart albums:
1968 - "Mr. Nashville Sound" - #37
1973 - "I Can See Clearly Now" - #36
1974 - "Shades Of Steel" - #21
1975 - "Steel Rides" - #47
Santo & Johnny had three chart albums:
1960 - "Santo & Johnny" - #20
1960 - "Encore" - #11
1961 - "Hawaii" - #80
By the way, Pete Drake had only one chart album ("Forever" - #85) back in 1964. Buddy Emmons, Alvino Rey, Speedy West, Bobbe Seymour, etc. never had a charting album (or single).
[This message was edited by Joe Alterio on 22 November 2006 at 01:07 PM.] |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 1:41 pm
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| Question is about pedal steel, so Santo and Johnny don't qualify. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 1:55 pm
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This is something I've thought long and hard about, my wife says not to post this as it would appear as "Bragging", I'm not so sure, mainly because my playing on the albums I'm referring to is most definitely only 'Average'.. Still, I think to set the record straight may be useful to some discographers.
As a 'Solo' artist and NOT as a session musician, and under a personal 10 year contract, I recorded at Abbey Road in the sixties for EMI, by far my WORST playing, but the stereo record market was embryonic and the major stores used my albums to demo the 'NEW' stereo sound systems. Most people in the UK who bought Hi-Fi systems in the sixties also bought one of the albums used for the demo, so mine along with 'Impact' sold the same approximate quantities as the major department stores sold Hi-Fi's.
EMI Columbia Studio Two Stereo series...
TWO-177 'Shades of Hawaii' (1967) ...in excess of 400,000...
TWO-218...'Hawaiian Nights' (1968)...over 500,000...
TWO-290 'Hawaiian Honeymoon' (1970) ...over 350,000
For those who wish to know, EMI Studio Two Stereo, was the only other International competitor to Decca Phase Four..In the early days of stereo record sales.
I think the above albums qualify as they were on release throughout the world.
Over 250,000 copies each in the UK alone.
I also had one track on a 'Stereo Sampler' that sold over a million in the UK..STWO2-'Impact' (1968), Re-Released as MFP-50341
The other featured EMI artists that I shared that album with were
Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra,
Mr. Acker Bilk,
David Rose and his Orchestra,
Pepe Jaramillo and his Latin-American Rhythm,
Ron Goodwin and his Orchestra,
Joe Loss and his Orchestra,
The Norman Newell Orchestra,
Ralph Dollimore and his Orchestra,
Manuel and the Music of the Mountains and
Jack Emblow.
And I'm still getting royalties from over 23 countries AND on-Line downloads from i-Tunes in particular and also other on-line services.
I must scan some of the royalty statements of the numerous countries and post some pictures.
"Off the top of my head" They included Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, The West Indies, Malta, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, in fact all of Europe and most of Asia, but funnily enough NOT the USA and only limited issue in Canada, presumably because the early market for the 'NEW' stereo recordings had already been well exploited.
As EMI probably isn't know so well in the USA, it's a label located in the United Kingdom.
Artists include Vengaboys, Geri Halliwell, Kraftwerk, Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd, and Sir Cliff Richard,
Shades of Hawaii was my first SOLO Steel Guitar album for EMI. It IS purely instrumental.. no vocals, and I AM the featured artist, i.e. Basil Henriques and the Waikiki Islanders and was released in 1967, today, it is still selling all over the world in CD format AND on-line downloadable from i-tunes etc.
Below is a sample of EMI's statement for December 2005 that plainly shows the new format for digital downloads.
And the DIGI one.. listing songs and service providers.
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[This message was edited by basilh on 22 November 2006 at 08:31 PM.] |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 1:59 pm
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The content of my EMI albums was NOT Hawaiian but middle of the road.
As were MOST of my albums. There are only two Hawaiian ones.
These are some of the REGULAR Pedal Steel albums.
TWO-177 Shades of Hawaii
1. Somewhere my Love
2. The Shadow of your Smile
3. Stranger on The Shore
4. Edelweiss
5. Pearly Shells
6. Strangers in The Night
7. Moonglow & Theme from Picnic
8. Moon River
9. The Breeze and I
10. Lace Covered Window
11. More
12. Sleepwalk
13. This is My Song
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TWO-218 Hawaiian Nights
1. Can't Take My Eyes Off You
2. My Star
3. There Must Be a Way
4. Love is Blue
5. The Last Waltz
6. Just Lovin' You
7. A Man Without Love
8. Dream
9. Careless Hands
10. You Go To My Head
11. Up, Up, and Away
12. Farewell (For Just A While)
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Two-290 Hawaiian Honeymoon
1. My Cherie Amour
2. Gentle on my Mind
3. He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother
4. I'll Never Fall in Love Again
5. Girl Talk
6. Albatross
7. Help Yourself
8. Love at First Sight
9. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
10. This Guy's in Love with You
11. Scat in The Dark
12. Little Green Apples
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Tara-1003 Sounds of Sunset
1. Give Me Your Hand
2. Castle of Dromore
3. South Sea Island Magic
4.San Antonio Rose
5. Help Me Make It Through The Night
6. Under The Double Eagle
7. Something
8. Stay
9. Rose Garden
10. Brahm's Lullaby
11. Body And Soul
12. Faded Love
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FRCD-068 My Guitars & I
1. Hawaii Tattoo
2. Sleepy Lagoon
3. The Third Man Theme
4. The Breeze and I
5. Analani E/Pua Mana
6. San Antonio Rose
7. Maria Elena
8. Under the Double Eagle
9. how Dya Do
10. Hula Blues
11. Swedish Rhapsody
12. Sleepwalk
13. Tico Tico
14. Begin the Beguine
15. Country Startime
16. Zambeezi
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FRCD-357 Irish & Country
1. After all these Years
2. To All the Girls I've Loved Before
3. When my Blue Moon turns to Gold
4. Forever and Ever
5. Swedish Rhapsody
6. Amazing Grace
7. The Carnival is Over
8. Red River Valley
9. The Rose of Mooncoin
10. The Seven Wonders of Fore
11. Make the World go Away
12. Old Flames
13. Roadstone Cowboy
14. The F & A Theme
15. Let the rest of the World go By
16. Before I Met You
17. Green Willow
18. The Tennessee Waltz
19. The Rose of Allendale
20. You Make Love
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Baz[This message was edited by basilh on 22 November 2006 at 08:37 PM.] |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 3:12 pm
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| Hey, Basil, it ain't bragin' if it's true!! |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 3:37 pm
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| Basil, I thought of you, but was under the impression that your earlier recordings were all on non-pedal steel, as is most Hawaiian style, while this question addresses pedal steel. but perhaps I was mistaken about your instrument? |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 4:17 pm
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| No disrespect to the non-pedal steel...I liked the Steel before they put pedals on it but my question was about the Pedal Steel Guitar. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 7:22 pm
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Well, then I stand corrected and say, 'You Da Man'!  |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 7:26 pm
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Well Jim, when you say "say, 'You Da Man'! "
Me not really .. just extra lucky in knowing how to embarrass the record company into giving me a personal contract. And then they just HAD to promote the product or end up with "Egg on their Faces" !!
Long story about exactly how, I'll tell it in another post.
I think the old adage about "It's not WHAT you know but WHO you know", holds true in my case.
(This was long before the Diamond Horse-shoe Rings)[This message was edited by basilh on 22 November 2006 at 08:14 PM.] |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 7:43 pm
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| An example of the NON Hawaiian Basil Swedish Rhapsody [This message was edited by basilh on 22 November 2006 at 08:39 PM.] |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 8:04 pm
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| Sort of "Country" Country Startime [This message was edited by basilh on 22 November 2006 at 08:41 PM.] |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 8:26 pm
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| Basilh, I love your song selection and yes, Hawaiian music counts because it was played on a Pedal Steel. I also noticed that you select songs that are well known and loved by many people. You have proven, without a doubt, that you have sold more Pedal Steel Guitar Records that anyone else..and those royalties will always keep coming in because you play music that people love...Your also a great businessman...IMHO |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 8:31 pm
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| Sorry, In my last post I meant to say: You're not your |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 8:48 pm
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Brad,
Thanks for the recognition. I'm not sure that it's deserved through my ability (I would think Lack of it.)
I kind of hate to take credit for the albums, because in my opinion they were NOT very well played. The package was right re: presentation and titles, as for the content ??
I WAS fortunate to be signed by a major international record label to a 10 year contract (With options) as a "Solo Steel Guitar Instrumentalist"..
I'm not sure how many other steel players got that kind of a deal, I believe that most steel albums were "Leased" from either the artist or the studio/management.
As for your comment about my "Business Acumen", Just lucky, in the right place at the right time, AND most of all, remember it's relatively easy to be a BIG fish in a SMALL pond.!
I could have retired in 1970 with the income from my sales, but continued to play and also work as a record producer even now.[This message was edited by basilh on 22 November 2006 at 08:53 PM.] |
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Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 9:24 pm
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| Basil, It's great to hear that a Pedal Steel player is getting enough royalties to have a nice life and be able to choose what he wants to do in retirement. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 10:03 pm
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Basil-I like your selection of songs that you list as recorded.
From 1936 on, (I got my Gibson 6 pedal steel in 1946 used)I have played most of those songs at one time or another, when steel guitar solos were in vogue by the general public.
I am highly impressed by your Pedal Steel recording career. ....al
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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 23 Nov 2006 4:43 am
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Thanks Al for the comments. I have recorded MANY more albums, but haven't got the title list handy for copy/paste into a post. Next week I'll post a separate post with my discography.
Basil Henriques & The Waikiki Islanders
Live at The Castaways
VOLUME 1
1. Adventures in Paradise
2. Trambone
3. My Isle of Golden Dreams
4. All of Me
5. Maui Chimes
6. Sweet Someone
7. Silhouette Hula
8. Blue Skies
9. The Preacher
10. Mamula Moon
11. Sweet Leilani
12. The Hawaiian Wedding Song
13. Undecided / Aloha Oe
14. Red Sails in the Sunset
15. Blue Hawaii Waltz
16. Blue Hawaii
17. A Light Touch
18. Body and Soul
19. A Little on the Lonely Side
20. A Walk in the Black Forest
21. Ebb Tide
22. Sand
23. Embraceable You
24. My Tane
25. Lover
26. Tiny bubbles / Aloha Oe
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Basil Henriques & The Waikiki Islanders
Live at The Castaways
VOLUME 2
1. Sentimental Journey
2. The moon of Manakoora
3. Strangers in the Night
4. Hoe Hoe
5. The White Blossoms of Tahni
6. Dream
7. How Dya' Do
8. Once in a While
9. Little Brown Gal
10. Skylark
11. I left my Heart in San Francisco
12. South Sea Island Magic
13. Autumn Leaves
14. Moonglow
15. Moonlight Medley
16. You are always in my Heart
17. I'm in the Mood for Love
18. Honolulu March
19. Lovely Hula Hands
20. Lovely Hula Girl
21. Sing me a Song of the Islands
22. Beyond the Reef
23. Malihini Mele
24. I only have Eyes for You
25. The Hawaiian War Chant
BLATANT PLUG !!
The albums above and in the previous post are available to buy "on-Line"
here :-
For my friends, 4 albums on a double CDl
My Guitars and I, a home recording that's not too bad
Irish & Country Steel Guitar, just what it says on the tin !!l
Live at the Castaways vol. 1, (26 Tracks) the very best of my Hawaiian Style playing
Vol.2 of the Castaways series (25 tracks)
[This message was edited by basilh on 23 November 2006 at 04:49 AM.] |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 23 Nov 2006 4:54 am
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A FREE album to download, not much steel..BUT it's some of the BBC recordings that I did for their national late night programmes.
A Herb Alpert style band with steel.
The Daily Dozen[This message was edited by basilh on 23 November 2006 at 04:58 AM.] |
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