The Talbot Brothers of Bermuda

The Talbot Brothers were a musical group based in Bermuda that were among the most popular calypso performers of the 1950s. They were brothers Archie (lead singer, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Austin (acoustic guitar, harmonica), Bryan, a.k.a. "Dick" (tipple, a large, 10-stringed ukulele), Ross, a.k.a. "Blackie" (electric guitar) and Roy Talbot (bass), and their cousin Cromwell "Mandy" Mandres (accordion). [ [http://www.hipwax.com/music/calyp_tb.html Vinyl Safari] ]

The Talbots were the first of Bermuda’s many notable singing groups. [www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_2637_0_0_43/http%253B/portalcontent.gov.bm%253B7087/publishedcontent/publish/ministry_of_community_affairs_and_sport/cultural_and_community_affairs/bermuda_connections_culture_resouces_guide/articles/gombeys__bands_and_troudadours_0.pdf "Gombeys, Bands and Troubadours" at www.gov.bm] ] They performed a variation of Trinidadian calypso in a smooth melodic style influenced by popular music. They performed and recorded cover versions of calypso classics in addition to many of their own originals.

The Talbots organized in 1942 and became a popular attraction in local hotels. But it was an early recording they made in the United States that made them even more popular in their homeland, and heralded fame beyond their shores. "Bermuda Buggy Ride", according to the essay "Gombeys, Bands and Troubadours" on Bermuda’s official website...

Their popularity with American tourists resulted in tours of the U.S. starting in the early 1950s. Notable in their instrumentation was Roy Talbot’s home-made upright bass dubbed the "doghouse." Roy created the instrument out of a large meat-packing crate and a single fishing line. This item was a particular curiosity, and during the Talbots’ tours many of their fellow performers and visiting celebrities would autograph the crate.

The Talbots released 10" and 12" vinyl records on the small Audio Fidelity label in the mid-1950s before being signed to ABC Paramount Records in 1957, where they made two LPs [ [http://www.bsnpubs.com/abc/abc100.html List of ABC-Paramount Records releases at bsnpubs.com] ] that were more accessible in North America.

They were frequent performers on television in the 1950s, appearing on Ed Sullivan's variety shows and other programs. [http://www.rbtcharitygolf.org/content.asp?t=memoriam Ross Blackie Talbot - Charity Invitational Golf Tournament] ]

Archie Talbot composed the title song to the 1956 Columbia motion picture "Bermuda Affair." It is included on their first ABC Paramount LP. [ [http://www.atomicplatters.com/more.php?id=38_0_1_0_M AtomicPlatters.com] ]

Ross, the penultimate survivor of the group, died in 2000 at the age of 82. [ [http://www.bermuda-online.org/beautifulbda.htm Bermuda-Online.org] ] An avid golfer, there is an annual charity golf tournament in Bermuda dedicated to him.

According to an undated document on the Bermudan government’s website, bassist Roy Talbot is the last survivor of the brothers.

Recordings

Notable songs recorded by The Talbot Brothers include:

*Atomic Nightmare (Archie Talbot)
*Back to Back (Zombie Jamboree) (Lord Intruder)
*Bermuda Buggy Ride (Archie Talbot)
*Bermuda Affair (Archie Talbot)
*Bermuda’s Still Paradise (Ross Talbot)
*Give an Ugly Woman Matrimony (Ross Talbot - F. Reid)
*Gonna Cut You with the Razor (Archie Talbot - F. Reid)
*Is She Is or Is She Ain’t (The Charmer)
*Last Train to San Fernando (Mighty Dictator)
*Nora, Nora (Lord Kitchener)
*You Can Go, But You’ll Return (Archie Talbot - F. Reid)

Partial Discography

* The Talbot Brothers Calypso ("Bermuda"); Audio Fidelity AFLP-903 (10”)
* Bermuda Calypso Party ("Bermuda, Vol. 3"); Audio Fidelity AFLP-1807; c.1957
* Calypsos; ABC-Paramount ABC-156; 1957
* Talbot Brothers of Bermuda; ABC-Paramount ABC-214
* Talbot Brothers of Bermuda (Volumes 1-3); Talman (reissue)

External links

* [http://www.hipwax.com/music/calyp_tb.html Vinyl Safari]
* [http://www.calypsoworld.org/noflash/cla-4-2.htm CalypsoWorld.org]
* [http://www.atomicplatters.com/more.php?id=38_0_1_0_M "Atomic Nightmare" discussed at Atomic Platters]

References