Twilighters, The


Band members               Related acts

- Darrel Deck -- organ (1961-68)

- David High -- lead guitar (1961-68)

- Larry Huston -- bass (1961-68)

- Mike Mulvey -- trumpet (1961-68)

- Pat Mulvey -- sax (1961-68)

- William Webber -- drums, percussion (1961-68)

 

 

 

- none known

 

 

 


 

Genre: pop

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  Both Sides of the Twilighters

Company: Vanco

Catalog: 1001
Year: 1968

Country/State: Portland, Oregon

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5437

Price: $100.00

 

There are at least a half dozen obscure outfits that recorded under The Twlighters moniker and their catalogs have a tendency to get confused.  

 

This mid-1960s outfit was apparently based in Oregon.  So here's what the liner notes on their 1968 LP have to say:

 

"The story of the Twilighters begins seven years ago in Portland, Oregon.  Although the group was originally formed just for fun, soon their musical capabilities began ti show and there was a great demand for their performances.  Playing in various nightspots and clubs throughput the Northwest, the Twilighters have developed an original style, appealing to both young and old.  Unknown to many is the fact that four of the five are unsighted..  But being unable to see has not impaired their unsurpassed quality of music and in showmanship.  Members of the group including William Webber on drums, Pat Mulvey, saxophone, Pat's twin brother Mike Mulvey plays trumpet and Darrel Deck at the cordovox organ.  Dave High, the only sighted member of the group plays lead guitar."

 

I've seen some dealer lists characterize this as a lost garage classic.  Not even close !  Produced by Bob Gibson (who owned the Vanco label) and Rick Keefer, most of the ten tracks on 1968's "Both Sides of the Twilighters" were nothing more than lame pop and MOR moves.  Performed as instrumentals, the group's covers like 'Winchester Cathedral', 'Liechtenstein Polka' (yes it was really a polka) and 'Elmer's Tune' seldom strayed far from the original melodies making them professional, but totally mundane.  Bless guitarist High for at least throwing in an occasional tasty guitar solo ('Kansas Cityl').  The country-flavored 'Truck Driving Man' was actually okay in a Sir Douglas Quintet kind of way.  The two exceptions that ultimately saved the album from the recycle pile were the two originals - guitarist High's pleading ballad 'I Need Your Lovin' and the stunning 'Out Of My Mind'.  The latter had everything needed to have become a major radio hit making you wonder how radio managed to miss it.  Almost worth the price of admission by itself !!!  Too bad they didn't have the opportunity to record more original material since they certainly had the talent to make it big.

 

Vanco had the sense to release the two originals as a single:

 

 

- 1968's 'Out of My Mind' b/w ''I Need Your Lovin'' (Vanco catalog number 45-204 A/B)

 

Though I've never seen, nor heard a copy, there's one reference that credits the group with a second self-released single:

 

- 'Shiftin'' b/w 'The Shift' (Twi-Note catalog number 1)

 

Anyhow, the LP and the singles appear to have been it for the group. Another obscurity I'd love to know more about  ...

 

"Both Sides of the Twilighters" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Winchester Cathedral (instrumental)   (G. Stephens) - 3:46

2.) Hello Dolly   (J. Herman) - 2:55

3.) Liechtenstein Polka (instrumental)   (Kotshcer - Lindt) - 3:25

4.) Truck Driving Man   (T. Fell) - 2:40

5.) I Need Your Lovin'   (David High) - 2:40

 

(side 2)
1.) Fiesta In Acapulco (instrumental)   (Bob Gibson) - 2:35

2.) Kansas City   (Lieber - Stoller) - 2:50

3.) Elmer's Tune (instrumental)   (Albrecht - Gallop - Jergens) - 3:20

4.) My Heart Is an Open Book   (David Pockriss) - 2:30

5.) Out of My Mind   (Pat Mulvey - David High) - 3:10

 

 

 

There's at least one other release by a group using The Twlighters nameplate.  I haven't heard it, but I believe 1967's "Power & Peace" (Fleetwood catalog number BMC5069) is a different entity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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