Why are there no more hit instrumentals?
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- arbitropia
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To respectfully correct the first post, the hit version of "Rumble" was an original by the late great Link Wray (and his Ray Men), although I'm guessing Duane Eddy performed it as well. I believe Eddy's biggest hit was "Rebel Rouser." Off-topic but worth mentioning: saw Link Wray perform in the late '90s at the Khyber in Philly with a young bassist and drummer, and he absolutely tore it up. He must have been nearing 70 at the time, and cranked out some of the dirtiest, heaviest guitar I've ever heard. They opened (and closed) with "Rumble," and I was just astonished by the overwhelming raw power. Totally inspirational from a "you don't have to get lamer as you get older" perspective, which is not out-of-the-ordinary in jazz and blues but seemingly less so in rock.
Switching gears, how about Percy Faith's "Theme from 'A Summer Place'"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mERbQIvgJXs
I can't think of any recent instrumental hits, and that's a shame. Not sure why, but some of the reasons mentioned in this thread make sense. I think one reason could be that there are far fewer instrumental bands than there were in the heyday of instrumental rock, but I guess that's a chicken-or-the-egg situation. Are there fewer instrumental bands because there isn't a market for it, or isn't there a market for it because there are fewer instrumental bands?
Switching gears, how about Percy Faith's "Theme from 'A Summer Place'"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mERbQIvgJXs
I can't think of any recent instrumental hits, and that's a shame. Not sure why, but some of the reasons mentioned in this thread make sense. I think one reason could be that there are far fewer instrumental bands than there were in the heyday of instrumental rock, but I guess that's a chicken-or-the-egg situation. Are there fewer instrumental bands because there isn't a market for it, or isn't there a market for it because there are fewer instrumental bands?
"Watermelon Man" too, right? I think the hit version was by that conguero though, not the Herbie version.
-Ken
-Ken
Current band - www.myspace.com/nickafflittomusic
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Freelance drum hookups available constantly
My music - www.myspace.com/kenadessamusic
Recording space - www.myspace.com/twinreverbsound
HOT soul music - www.enzoandthebakers.com
Freelance drum hookups available constantly
- ;ivlunsdystf
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Did I dream that there was a Nickel Creek instrumental hit a few years ago? Really, I swear, I heard it three or four times a day at work in about 2003 or 2004. Anybody?
Then of course nobody's mentioning Kenny G's ongoing hitstorm/shitstorm. He's doing fine without singers. I guess it's been a couple of years since a new Kenny G one made it big, though, innit?
Then of course nobody's mentioning Kenny G's ongoing hitstorm/shitstorm. He's doing fine without singers. I guess it's been a couple of years since a new Kenny G one made it big, though, innit?
Oh no...Kenny G...oh no...Tatertot wrote:Did I dream that there was a Nickel Creek instrumental hit a few years ago? Really, I swear, I heard it three or four times a day at work in about 2003 or 2004. Anybody?
Then of course nobody's mentioning Kenny G's ongoing hitstorm/shitstorm. He's doing fine without singers. I guess it's been a couple of years since a new Kenny G one made it big, though, innit?
I think the Nickel Creek tune might have been "Ode to a Butterfly" or something? Even if it wasn't that song, that song rocks anyway and deserves to be a hit tune just because it's such an awesome romp.
-Ken
Current band - www.myspace.com/nickafflittomusic
My music - www.myspace.com/kenadessamusic
Recording space - www.myspace.com/twinreverbsound
HOT soul music - www.enzoandthebakers.com
Freelance drum hookups available constantly
My music - www.myspace.com/kenadessamusic
Recording space - www.myspace.com/twinreverbsound
HOT soul music - www.enzoandthebakers.com
Freelance drum hookups available constantly
- Jay Reynolds
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The Dick Dale cover of "Miserlou" that was featured in Pulp Fiction was probably a bigger hit in the 90's than it ever was in its original release.swelle wrote: It's either big orchestral soundscapes, or just a raided record collection (blame Tarantino + the Big Chill).
And then there's that instrumental from Kill Bill. With the sampled horn hit and the metallic snare sound. No idea what its called, but its been licensed to the Bujeezus Belt.
Also, why do I feel guilty suggesting that Fatboy Slim's hits are instrumentals?
Prog out with your cog out.
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My main band is instrumental (or "mostly-instrumental") and, boy, do we move product!
-Pete
www.weisstronauts.com
www.myspace.com/weisstronauts
-Pete
www.weisstronauts.com
www.myspace.com/weisstronauts
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Well played!audiodrome wrote:If you define an instrumental as a song with no singing in it, that covers about half of the current Top 40 right there!
Current band - www.myspace.com/nickafflittomusic
My music - www.myspace.com/kenadessamusic
Recording space - www.myspace.com/twinreverbsound
HOT soul music - www.enzoandthebakers.com
Freelance drum hookups available constantly
My music - www.myspace.com/kenadessamusic
Recording space - www.myspace.com/twinreverbsound
HOT soul music - www.enzoandthebakers.com
Freelance drum hookups available constantly
That song, BTW, is a whole-sale ripoff of an old Commodore 64 SID chip tune called "Lazy Jones" by David Whittaker.jessemesasavage wrote:That Kernraft 400 Zombie Nation song is mostly instrumental. At least they always play just the instrumental hook at every sporting event since it came out. That shit is only a few years old. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5LW07FTJbI
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