[CD re-issue: DCC Classics 1989]
In 1975, back in the day when 7” 45 records were still being manufactured, an incredible single appeared: “I’m On Fire.” This catchy tune featured a strong power-pop base, with just a hint of rockabilly. The artist was the Dwight Twilley Band and the single was released through Leon Russell and Denny Cordell’s Shelter Records (early home to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as well, around the same time).
“I’m On Fire” was the perfect 45: yearning vocals, great instrumental hooks, a catchy, rolling groove that harkened to the pop yet rock sensibility of the English “Mersey Beat,” invasion, coupled with stellar harmonies. It was deservedly a big hit, but only the tip of the iceberg for the full album that was to follow in 1976 held additional musical rewards. “I’m On Fire” was an important introduction to “Sincerely” one of the most perfectly crafted 12-song albums of the entire decade. While Dwight handled guitars, keyboards and lead vocals, long-time side kick Phil Seymour provides rock-solid drums, pounding bass and angelic harmonies. Just the two of them providing it all.
While “I’m On Fire” starts this bakers-dozen tour de force, it soon segues into two sides [yes, albums back in the day had Two Sides(!)], of equally strong tracks. “Could Be Love” is a mid-tempo teen age yearning, complete with a very strategic borrowing of an effective John Lennon technique. Dwight, as did John, sings a key verse “I don’t want to sit and watch it all roll by-ay” in a minor key, even though the song itself is in a major key, just for emphasis.
“Feeling In The Dark” spotlights the Tulsa rockabilly roots of Twilley, while the jangly guitars of “You Were So Warm” harkens back to what so many loved about the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” album. The title song” Sincerely” closes side one with a dreamy pledge of fidelity to his fine young lady, complete with tastefully-placed backwards guitar parts that reference George Martin studio techniques.
Side two blasts off with Dwight channeling Elvis on the rollicking Sun Records-flavored “TV,” [note the scream from his gut] with hic-cupping vocal delivery, and then on to capture the teen angst of wanting to leave a relationship that is not working in “Release Me.” Almost 50’s, but contemporary to what was then happening in the 70’s with those signature bell-ringing harmonies.
“Three Persons” kind of teases you in that special Twilley way of almost being rockabilly, but keeping some straight pop reserve to it, while “Baby Let’s Cruise” is exactly what the title implies: a plead to hit the road with a special girl for a bit of lovey-dovey.
And then it is off to a rousing conclusion with homage to “England” (which is a strong recurring theme), complete with riffs that nod to the Beatle’s classic “She’s So Heavy,” and ending with the lilting “Just Like The Sun,” with those classic Twilley/Seymour layered harmonies. No wonder artists like Paul Westerberg of the Replacements and Alex Chilton rever these early tracks of the Dwight Twilley band.
Dwight went on to records a number of good CDs (as did Phil Seymour on his own). And this reporter was treated to a Dwight Twilley showcase at SXSW in 2006; the man is still rocking. But this bouquet of 12 songs set a standard that has infrequently been matched.
In 1989, DCC Classics re-issued this long out of print CD with four bonus tracks that didn’t make it to the CD and feature a little harder rocking side of Dwight and Phil. And while these songs are good historical footnotes, the original 12 tracks that comprise “Sincerely” each remain a classic primer in rock and roll. Rarely has perfection been achieved from beginning to end as in this seminal debut album. But with every listen, I’m STILL On Fire!
