Sales Figures Provide Reality Check

In a world of hype, music sales figures provide a welcome reality check. Which acts sold more or less of their last record or even total career sales provide a glimpse at the power of perception when hype is in overdrive as well as some surprisingly substantial careers that fly under the radar.  Here is a look at three established artists who have new CD’s debuting today:

Siverstein – New: 18 Candles. Last: Discovering the Waterfront" (’05) 174,000 sold. Biggest Seller: "Dis covering The Waterfront".

Dave Alvin of Blasters, X, and solo fame – New: "West Of The West". Last: "Ashgrove" (’04) 27,000 sold. Biggest Seller: "King Of California" (’94) 41,000 sold.

Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley – New: "A Distant Land To Roam: Songs Of The Carter Family". Last: "Shine On" (’05) 10,000 sold.  Biggest Seller: "A Man Of Constant Sorrow" (’00) 63,000 sold.

Source: La Times/Nielson Sounscan. Note: Accurate Sales figures before 1990 are not available.