This recording and sleeve notes kindly provided by Chris Trevena at Sounds Like Cornwall.
SIDE ONE:
1. THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING.
2. EYE LEVEL.
3. SOLITAIRE.
4. SING ALONG No. 1 (Cabaret, Bye-Bye Blackbird, On Top of the World, Lovely Bunch of Coconuts, Ten Green Bottles, Beside the Seaside.)
5. THE WEDDING.
6. REMEMBER YOU’RE A WOMBLE.
7. AMAZING GRACE.
SIDE TWO:
1. POPCORN.
2. ODE TO JOY.
3. MELODY WALTZ. (Kay Tucker)
4. SING ALONG No. 2 (John Brown’s Body, Homey-Horsey, The Hokey-Cokey.)
5. PEYTON PLACE THEME.
6. EVIVA ESPANA.
7. THE DAMBUSTERS MARCH.
THE TWINTONES
Some months ago, a duo, the Twintones from Nanpean were booked into the studios to make a normal dem. tape. At that time we had not heard of them, so we were more than surprised when they turned out to be extremely likeable eleven-year-old twins. The drum-kit was set up and the portable organ carried in and we were all ready to go. We are not quite sure what we expected to hear, but we certainly did not expect the confident and accomplished attack of that first number. We were still not believing it when the machines were running for the second number: this time with a complete change of mood and style. At the end of the two hour session, we were convinced that here was an unusual talent that deserved all the help that could be given it. How this help and encouragement grew can be seen from the other sleeve notes and whether or not Kay and Gary go on to bigger and better things is all in the lap of the gods. On this L.P. is a very wide range of numbers from the sing-along selections that everybody knows, to the sophisticated `Solitaire’—interpreted with a feeling that can only be described as incredible in eleven-year-olds; from the fun-tracks of the ‘Remember You’re a Womble’—where the kids were good enough sports to play their second instruments, Kay on trombone and Gary on euphonium—and ‘Banana Rock’ where they also sing, to the impressive version of ‘The Dam Busters March’ that closes this album. We believe this record would be completely acceptable even if it had been made by seasoned performers, and, as you listen, you will be inclined to forget that these kids are so young. When you do remember this fact, we think you will suddenly become aware of the outstanding talents of THE TWINTONES. SENTINEL RECORDS.
BASIL SOPER, General Manager, ‘Talk of the West’, Nr. St. Agnes, Cornwall, writes: Earlier this year, whilst DICK EMERY was appearing at TALK OF THE WEST, I received a telephone call from JOB MORRIS of SENTINEL RECORDS. He invited me to the studios to listen to what he described as rather an interesting tape he had just made. This was just the beginning of a frenzied whirl of events during the following two days. I was very impressed by the tape, especially when I was told that the two performers were twins, only eleven years old. I took a copy of the tape to Dick Emery’s hotel room, and he sat spell-bound listening to a really professional sound from these young highly talented children. I went off to meet Mr & Mrs Tucker, their parents at Nanpean, and, with their permission, Kay and Gary duly appeared on the DICK EMERY SHOW on the last night at TALK OF THE WEST. There were some 600 people in the audience that evening, and they shouted for more and more. Kay and Gary, the TWINTONES—had ‘arrived’.
A few months later, the kids appeared yet again, as competitors in an Amateur Talent contest at TALK OF THE WEST, performing against very experienced adult amateur and semi-professional acts, winning their heat and then 3rd place in the finals. Again they received great acclaim from capacity audiences—not simply because they were so young, but because of their skill.
Now their first L.P. record: Job Morris and his wife Irene, who are very concerned about the tremendous amount of local talent existing in Cornwall never having the opportunity of being recognised, have produced this delightful L.P. which I really commend to you. This is truly ‘home-grown’ talent. These two delightful youngsters are still unaffected by public acclaim, with understanding parents, themselves from musical backgrounds, giving them all the love and support they need. If Kay and Gary had the chance to appear either on NEW FACES or OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, it is quite possible they would greatly impress a national audience, and may even have the opportunity of entering the professional show-biz world. I don’t know that this is necessarily a good thing whilst so young. At the moment they give a lot of pleasure to themselves, their family and their many friends through their music. Perhaps that is enough. Once you have heard this super L.P. you will join the many others who share the delights of Kay and Gary Tucker —THE TWINTONES. Happy listening.
SENS 1025
Cover Photo: ANDER GUNN, St. Just. Produced and recorded in Newlyn’s Riverbank Studio by JOB MORRIS.
© 1974 SENTINEL RECORDS (Cornwall) LTD. NEWLYN • PENZANCE • U.K. BASIL SOPER. September 1974. Printed in England by West Brothers • Printers • Ltd.