|
Author
|
Topic: Who played steel for Alfred Apaka
|
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
posted 19 April 2003 03:50 AM
profile send email edit
I have had his Hawaiian Favorites album for a number of years now.
It has Danny Stewarts Hawaiians as the band. And also Viki Ti trio and Slected Hawaiians.We recorded a version of Sleepy Lagoon with a borrowed D-8 and stereo ukaleli's in 1999. I remember my basically non steel playing friend doing the track himself ... I also remember "take 64" during the session! LOL. 
John may not have been a great steel player, but he DOES have the voice for it. |
Jeff Au Hoy
Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
|
posted 19 April 2003 04:55 AM
profile send email edit
I believe it was Danny Stewart playing pedal steel on that album. Jake Keli'ikoa and Jules Ah See also played steel behind Alfred Apaka, but I usually identify Danny Stewart by the fact that he sounds a little rough in comparison... his tone is kind of jangly with not much sustain and there are a lot of gaps in his lines...his phrasing is a little awkward-sounding... he seems to let the chord positions dictate the movement of the melodic line. |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
|
posted 19 April 2003 05:48 AM
profile send email edit
Didn't Duke Ching also gig with Alfred? |
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
posted 19 April 2003 08:01 AM
profile send email edit
The CD has absolutely no liner notes, but some great singing and the slide work is not shoddy.
Wasn't Alfred and influence on Bing Crosby? |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
|
posted 19 April 2003 10:01 AM
profile edit
I certainly have no recollection of Danny Stewart ever playing a pedal guitar. IMHO, he was a very fine steel player, played on "Hawai'i Calls" for many years. As for Alfred being and inspiration to Bing, I rather doubt that although there was an occasion when they did appear together. Bing had been on the scene many years before Alfred was born or ever known, and even then, Alfred was hardly a well known "name" outside of Hawai'i. Alfred was the greatest of them all and died a young man so suddenly. Others have come along, (Eddie Kekaula and Gary Aiko), each of whom were (and are) great. But noone has surpassed Alfred for his fantastic phrasing and over-all quality of voice...again, JMHO. As for Duke Ching having played with Alfred.....................................
43 years ago ? Let's get serious.[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 19 April 2003 at 01:50 PM.] |
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
posted 19 April 2003 10:44 AM
profile send email edit
Hi George. I was told Bing was listening to Alfred later on in his career and was influenced but that great phrasing too. Alfred aparently felt exactly the same about Bing, though he went off in his own direction.
That's why they apeared together. A mutual admiration society. |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
|
posted 19 April 2003 11:30 AM
profile edit
I wouldn't doubt you for a moment David. It must be remembered that, Alfred died at the tender age of 40 from a massive heart attack while playing paddle ball at the "Y" in the year 1960...(Jan. 31 to be precise). Bing was about 18 years older than Alfred and had his own style of singing and phrasing well established at an early age. There is no doubt they both belonged to a "mutual admiration society" at their career peaks. Bing died on the golf course, October of 1977 (also of a heart attack) at the age of 73. Both were 'da best' ! |
Ron Whitfield
Member From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
posted 19 April 2003 04:01 PM
profile send email edit
All the biggies of the time, Bing, Frank, knew of and were big fans of Alfreds. I don't doubt he influenced everybody who heard him. And, add David Kelii to the list of Apaka steel alumni.------------------
|
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
|
posted 19 April 2003 05:44 PM
profile send email edit
Maybe it was Duke Ping? Sorry, Keoki, brain cramp. |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
|
posted 19 April 2003 06:23 PM
profile edit
Ron, I agree. I'm just saying Bing was around and had formed his crooning style long before he ever met Alfred. "The Golden Voice of Hawai'i" no doubt had some influence on those whom you named. Sadly, while his popularity in Hawai'i was huge, he was not what you'd term as a BIG name on the mainland even though he was as good as the best. Up yonder here in the bush, I certainly knew about him, but you know, he was dead 8 months prior to the news of his death finally reaching me! Of course, back in the sixties all anyone cared about was Elvis.[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 20 April 2003 at 07:21 PM.] |
Ron Whitfield
Member From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
posted 23 April 2003 04:17 PM
profile send email edit
If Alfred had lived to relise the network TV program he was schedualed to star in, he sure would have given The King a good run for his money, especially in the early sixties, eh George. Were you fortunate enuf to have seen AA? What a tragedy to loose him, and then Jules just a few mos. later! Their Tapa Room shows were beyond legend.------------------
|
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
posted 24 April 2003 02:49 AM
profile send email edit
If Alfred had done that TV show Frankie Avalon would have been toast! Such and increadble voice.
He would have been a natural for all those beach blanket surfer movies. Maybe not as a lead actor, but somewhere in there musically.
[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 24 April 2003 at 02:51 AM.] |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
|
posted 02 May 2003 11:28 PM
profile edit
Ron, Alfred died in 1960, ten years before we ever set foot on Hawaiian soil. Therefore, (of course) I never met him or heard him in person...sure wish I had! |
The Steel Guitar Forum
