Dwight Twilley Band: Classic or Dud?

1 Blondes Swedish Heat Teenacide 10
2 Crooked Fingers Red Devil Dawn Merge 10
3 Damone From the Attic RCA 10
4 Driving Stupid Horror Asparagus Stories Sundazed 10
5 Exploding Hearts Guitar Romantic Dirtnap 10
6 Fevers Gaan Daar Waar De Meisjes Alien Snatch 10
7 Five Americans The Best of the Five Americans Sundazed 10
8 Knockout Pills Knockout Pills Dead Beat 10
9 Singles Better Than Before Rainbow Quartz 10
10 Ritchies Forever and Today Popboomerang 10

That said, the first Phil Seymour album is worth picking up if you like the first two Twilley records.

And Jeff, I think you're letting your Cleveland bias shine through.

I'm shocked that ILM has so little to say about these guys, who were easily the equal to Big Star...

Nah, they weren't nearly as wigged-out as Big Star. But I do love Sincerely.

i have twilley don't mind and my reaction to it is about the same as to shoes: mild enjoyment, coupled with puzzlement over its cult-classic status.

"I'm On Fire" is an AMAZING song.

I'm always confused at the degree to which everyone--even really educated folk like Jeff Wright--dismiss Dwight Twilley Band as some critic fave defined by one song that no normal music fan would have any reason to find remotely interesting.

Put your preconceived notions about "power pop" aside for a moment, and simply consider:
1) They have two singers, each of whom can channel the sexiest, most yearning Elvis you ever heard
2) They're not even power pop, anyway, more a fusion of Sun Records slapback, late-70's rock and Brian Wilson ca. Pet Sounds
3) They have a BOATLOAD of archive material, much of it just as good as the official stuff -- even their least interesting songs are catchy and fascinatingly produced
4) When Phil left, Susan Cowsill of The Cowsills (ie, the inspiration for the Partridge Family) sang harmony with Dwight on some really, really hard, desolate-sounding rock
5) Phil Seymour's "Precious To Me" single is a lost classic.
6) The guys met at a matinee Tulsa screening of A Hard Day's Night and were the only ones in the theater.

Matt, your first post in this thread compared DTB to Big Star and Raspberries. Even with the two singers/Elvis channeling/Sun Records/slapback, all of which is correct, they weren't nearly in Chilton/Carmen's class as songwriters, and their records aren't as unique/inspired to me as Big Star and Raspberries. I honestly haven't heard the 'distinctive production' you mention, maybe I need to listen more carefully.

Keep in mind that your third point may be part of the issue -- Big Star and Raspberries made three and four albums respectively (minus the recent reunions), while Twilley's been active (and mixing the palette between DTB and solo stuff) for 30+ years -- the batting average is bound to be lower.

Absolutely correct on 'Precious To Me'.

Thanks for the compliment also -- a lot of my 'education' came from the time hanging around with you and the crew at the late lamented Co-Op.

gypsy mothra otm.

I'm Loo-ooking for the mahaahajic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l24DFbedbJ0

i've been listening to Sincerely like crazy lately. sounds so great to me. his records have really grown on me over the years. i like them more and more over time. and i friggin' LOVE the phil seymour album. the first one. i don't have the second one. i need it.

like, even Scuba Divers sounds great to me lately. i must be in the mood. But Sincerely, man, what a record.

Certainly hitting me right this summer.

Because a photograph seems like an hourglass on time

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1xq0ykm_SrM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xq0ykm_SrM

I went and saw 'You're Next' and thought it was pretty meh, but it at least exposed me to this song which I've played about 150 times now. Anything else by this guy this good?

i've always loved 'that i remember' from that same album. also the whole 'sincerely' album is good

I had no idea I started this thread.

I've said as much upthread. But for me, where the classic work of Big Star and Raspberries is found on small handful of albums, it's precisely the depth and consistency of DTB/DT/PS's catalogue that gives their music its power. Whether it was recorded in 1975 or 1995, with Dwight and Phil or either of them solo, it doesn't make a difference really. It all sounds the same – often precisely the same.

And that sound is, in a word, special played at the right volume.
If you don't believe me, crank up "Burning Sand," a throwaway first released on The Great Lost Twilley Album. The joy in a song like this isn't in the songwriting or the performance really. It's in the cavernous echo on the harmonies, the thickness of which doesn't vary from verse to chorus until the very end when Twilley's screams are isolated for a brief moment of ecstasy before being lost in a cacophony worthy of Pink Floyd at the UFO club. It's a total rush.

Looking for the Magic is seriously one of my top 20 songs of all time. I never get tired of it. That fey rockabilly voice he does, he's not actually using any reverb is he?

There's a little echo but that's all.

Looking for the Magic playing very clearly in a bar in a House of Cards episode

Just fired up his latest on Spotify – Always. Two songs in it's totally enjoyable and he still hasn't missed a beat.

Scott Seward, in a post believe it or not eleven years ago you mentioned your friend David Snyder of The Bob fame. I would very much like to contact him to invite him to be part of a major project to digitize rock music magazines from the fifties through the eighties. I have been unable to locate him to tell him about the project and its predecessor, a project to digitize underground and alternative newspapers from the same period. Can you introduce us?

If Scott doesn't respond on this thread, you can reach him via his record store, probably.

They're playing On Fire at the bar! I couldn't be happier

Now it's "we gotta get you a woman" by Todd. I think I've just entered the pearly gates

And now fucking thin Lizzy's "wild one"? Surely I don't deserve this

And fucking "bye bye bad man?" Damn

Sorry trying to stop but "range life"

Last one, I promise: NO OTHA

ha

New Phil Seymour comp on Big Beat: https://acerecords.co.uk/prince-of-power-pop-his-very-best-11-unissued-tracks

Just picked up a copy of Wild Dogs, his last pre-exile album from '86. Completes my set of early Twilley vinyl.

Nutso story behind its failure (taken from a longer interview):

I've never actually seen a copy of Wild Dogs, I admit.

Twilley's not surprised. "Hardly anybody did," he says.

The Right Stuff press release that came with XXI jokingly referred to the album as having "mysteriously vanished in the Jersey swamplands when one of the label's chief executives was indicted on payola charges."

But it was no laughing matter.

"Basically," says Twilley, "I was sort of romanced away from EMI with the idea that there was going to be this terrific promotion department. So, I spent about a year writing the songs and putting together what I thought was going to be the big follow-up to the Jungle album. About two weeks before the album came out, I was watching television and on NBC news they were showing FBI footage of the president of my record company with the Gambino brothers. And the next day, every artist on the label was dropped - except me, of course. Probably because the record was already in the pipeline. And the day after that, I'm on some other label called CBS Associated. Nobody knew me. I didn't know anybody there. They just basically buried the album. You know, there was supposed to be a video and the whole thing. It was all just swept under the table. It was really a drag."

how is it?

It's alright. I need to absorb it some more. Production is very '1986', although it's more reined in than on Jungle (an album whenever I put on and hear the opening squiggly synth fanfare, I think I've put on the wrong record despite knowing better).

FWIW, Wild Dogs is up on US Spotify, which is kinda funny since it's​ never been on CD and was barely out on vinyl which went straight to the cut-out bins upon release.

His first 'solo' album, Twilley, from 1979 is seriously slept-on. Lavish Jams for days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pACQr0bI8ls

Oh nice. Doesn’t seem to be available anywhere online… maybe slsk?

Probably. The vinyl's getting pricey, and iirc the only CD version was an import twofer w/Scuba Divers that's long OOP.

The vinyl is literally available in VG+ condition on discogs for $9 right now

Plus Shipping!

I was using a broad definition of 'pricey'. On eBay copies start around 9 bucks (again, before shipping), but others get up near $20 before the $5 or so for shipping.

Haven't played it since whenever I bought it--had to check--but I've got Twilley Don't Mind.

Last song he did with Phil for a record that sank without a trace in 1986 is gorgeous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd8NQgFEa54

(Wild Dogs, mentioned upthread)

I remember when I bought Jungle I was surprised to learn that Twilley wrote and originally recorded Crucial Taunt/Tia Carrere's song from Wayne's World, Why You Wanna Break My Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_WOurqdVDU

I'm been reading this thread thinking, maybe I've been listening to the wrong Twilley.

His first 'solo' album, Twilley, from 1979 is seriously slept-on. Lavish Jams for days.

But nope, this is actually the one album I've bought, and have had zero success getting it to click.

(I do get more mileage out of the first Shoes album, btw, which is one of the common comparisons upthread, but I can totally see why people would also consider that one overrated)

I'm been reading this thread thinking, maybe I've been listening to the _wrong_ Twilley.

_His first 'solo' album, Twilley, from 1979 is seriously slept-on. Lavish Jams for days._


But nope, this is actually the one album I've bought, and have had zero success getting it to click.

(I do get more mileage out of the first Shoes album, btw, which is one of the common comparisons upthread, but I can totally see why people would also consider that one overrated)

By which I mean, while I like both songs, I don’t think the record really gets going until midway thru the first side. I also think “I’m On Fire” is a bit of a head fake and a little more cock rock than they actually were.

By contrast, once you get to Feeling In the Dark’s phased out shuffle, the shimmer of You Were So Warm and I’m Losing You, the record just hits another gear and doesn’t really come back down. But it starts with a bit of a head fake.

(as I said)

Since most of his records aren’t on Spotify, I downloaded his first three. Twilley and Scuba Divers were on a two-fer by Raven I think. I’m still digging into them but the first begins with a long Beatle-y tune ballad with strings and brass. It’s an interesting way to start off a solo career – it doesn’t sound inconsistent with anything he did with the band (who of course were plenty Beatle-y) but not really like anything they did either. One of the reviewers called it a “dirge” but I kind of wonder whether there was kind of an intended career pivot here they didn’t really follow through on.

Jungle, from 1984, is the real pivot and an unabashed pop move – synths, really tight harmonies and Linndrum beats, and the simplest song structures of his career. “Girls” was a top twenty song I somehow never heard until a few weeks ago. Between the call and response hook with Tom Petty in the chorus and the conceit of collecting intentionally dopey “insights” into the titular subjects, the whole thing is delightful (and the video is a pretty ace parody of Porkies).

Elsewhere, “You Can Change It,” which has a great big rush of a chorus and guitar hook, is where you start realizing that someone had the idea of positioning Dwight to capitalize on the Rick Springfield market – and that he’s pretty good at it. “Cry Baby” is another in that vein. Collectively, each of the tunes here has just enough melodic twists to remind you what a sly songwriter Twilley is, even when he’s clearly gunning for radio play.

Wild Dogs reissue: https://iconoclassicrecords.com/album/wild-dogs/

Awesome. I’ve since read that Shooting Stars was not only the last thing Dwight did with Phil but that he also wrote the tune for Phil right after his rather grim cancer diagnosis. Incredible song.

The only Dwight Twilley song I’m crazy about is “looking for the magic” but that one is easily a top 10 song of the 70’s for me, so I’m gonna go with classic if only for that song.

Reposted on his Facebook page:

With heavy hearts, we share the devastating news of Dwight Twilley’s passing. Today, he peacefully departed this world, surrounded by the love of his life, Jan, and close friends. The loss is immeasurable, and our words can't capture the depth of our grief. Dwight's musical prowess touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of many. We are profoundly thankful for the enduring musical legacy he has bestowed upon us all.

In the days to come, we will provide further details as we honor and remember the remarkable life of Dwight Twilley. 🎶❤️ #DwightTwilley #MusicLegend

;_; RIP

Rock'n'Roll Heaven Is On Fire Tonight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpU05HKaJug

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l24DFbedbJ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wSEhjFWaE

From 2018: Remembering Shelter, The Church, Tulsa & Leon Russell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRDiuTmuq_4

oof that's terrible news. seems like yesterday i saw him rock the bell house in brooklyn, but looking back that was 2014.

Jeezus, no end to this guy's bad luck:

https://tulsaworld.com/life-entertainment/local/music/tulsa-music-artist-dwight-twilley-dies/article_19c2525a-6e32-11ee-8c80-b3b7fc7dc636.html

Twilley was driving alone Oct. 14 when he suffered a massive stroke, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree. He passed away at Ascension St. John Medical Center in the Critical Care Unit with his wife and close friends at his side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWQVy8smxmU

xpost what an awful end :(

Missed this one: https://iconoclassicrecords.com/album/twilley/

And this one: https://iconoclassicrecords.com/album/scuba-divers-blueprint-edition/

And this one: https://iconoclassicrecords.com/album/jungle-40th-anniversary-edition/

Listening to the first time to The Luck, a shelved record from 2001 that finally got issued after Tulsa was well-received. Three songs in I’m reminded that the consistency of this guy was remarkable.

Also, good article on DT from around the time it came out: https://www.thomasconner.info/clips/dwight-twilley-it-has-had-everything-to-do-with-luck

The closest we’ll probably ever get to a book on the guy: https://web.archive.org/web/20070808180110/http://www.dwighttwilley.com/site/47moons/twilley_story.html

surprisingly there's a book titled Looking for the Magic, but it's about Arista records more generally (though I'm assuming they cover DT)

Per ILM-er Gerald T. McBoingBoing, Scuba Divers is getting a deluxe reissue with a bunch of the Blueprint material he took several whacks at before pivoting to said album:

https://iconoclassicrecords.com/album/scuba-divers-blueprint-edition/