Wednesday 18 November 2009

Johnny Carroll - Do You Want to Touch Me (197?)












A pretty rhetorical question from the Brummie stud I'm afraid, these were innocent times. According to the sleeve notes of this LP, Johnny Carroll (not to be confused with the US rockabilly singer of the same name), seems to have reached the peak of his fame in 1970 by winning the UK talent show New Faces, a programme which began in 1973 I understand. But I'm not here to judge, here is a big, hearty celebration of everything that I love about these records, ie, the mannered voice that would probably be labelled karaoke these days, lashings of showbiz cheese, and a dash of benign self-delusion. But Johnny can throw some mean shapes on his guitar it seems, presenting a slight oddity in the form of a number of instrumental tracks (whose lack of vocals I mistook for artistic humility at first, imagine!). This is best showcased in his cover of Telstar, which is actually quite fun, but by sounding like the Shadows does rather yank Joe Meek's astral visions back down to earth. I blame the producer.

I also wanted to mention what I think is the album's highlight, Johnny's cover of Buddy Holly's Oh Boy. It's not exactly a reimagining, but I like the loping, almost glam-rock treatment which suggests a confidence that would have been promising under different circumstances. Incidentally, the keen eyed might have spotted that Johnny's LP gave rise to this blog's name, courtesy of its typically student CV-like sleeve notes. For that alone, I have to elevate this album to exemplary status. And to think, my copy isn't even signed...

Oh and sorry for the quality of the cover pic. I've replaced it once but am still getting to grips with how best to do this. Apart from anything I want to be able to show lots of details including, in this case, a grab of the back cover if only to show his spectacular backing band of walruses and the curious John Inman-style personality pose Johnny has chosen to strike:


POPULAR MIDLANDS ENTERTAINER

Johnny Carroll - Do You Want to Touch Me
Raven Records KS 1014

SIDE ONE
Hello Young Lovers
All in the Game
Walk Don't Run
The Wonder of You
Summer Place
If
That'll Be the Day
Rave On

SIDE TWO
Pretty Woman
Telstar
Unchained Melody
Apache
O' (sic) Boy
Are You Lonesome Tonight

The popular Midlands entertainer JOHNNY CARROLL was born in Brimingham less than a mile from the City centre. JOHNNY lost his father when he was nine years old. His mother, of whom JOHNNY is very proud, was left to act as mother and father to Johnny and his elder sister, JOHNNY left school when he was fifteen and entered the electrical contracting industry as an apprentice electrician. This was soon to change as JOHNNY was asked to join the Birmingham based pop group called the DAKOTAS as lead guitarist and vocalist, but after an uneventful start, JOHNNY changed his style and joined a group called the OLYMPICS who experienced huge success with Midlands audiences after changing their name to the VOGUES. In 1969, JOHNNY was a very popular act with audiences throughout the country and in 1970 was asked to appear on Opportunity Knocks and was voted second by the viewing public, success followed. In October 1970, JOHNNY appeared and won the popular T.V. series NEW FACES and has been voted the most popular comedian by the top clubs and audiences of the Midlands. Since winning the New Faces, JOHNNY has topped the bill at the NEW CRESTA CLUB, Birmingham, HELMAEN INTERNATIONAL CLUB USK, South Wales and has appeared at the BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME for a command performance with TONY HATCH, LARRY GRAYSON and NOEL GORDAN, TITO'S NIGHT CLUB, North Wales, WINSTON'S Bournemouth, and the YEW TREE COUNTRY CLUB, Bristol. JOHNNY has received great acclaim from the press and when asked to what did he owe his great success he said without hesitation "The fantastic Midland audiences and the Clubs throughout the Midlands - and don't I love them for it."

JOHNNY CARROLL would like to say many thanks to TONY CHAFFE for making this album possible.

Lead Guitar: JOHNNY CARROLL
Keyboards: Mal Ford
Base (sic) Guitar: John Summers
Drums: Les Hobbs
Vocal Backing: Lynne Stanley

Recording Engineer: Ron Eve Gooseberry Studios
Cutting Engineer: John Dent, Trident Studios
Sleeve Design and Art Direction: Ross, Kent Studio
Photography: Kent Studio
Produced by Malcolm Ransom, Raven Records

30 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I played with Johnny in the early 80'es. Do you know what happened to him and is it possible to buy this record in England.

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  3. johnny as a car sales in south side of Birmingham

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  4. watcha johnny give us a call me and big paul need a night out mate davey..........

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  5. this man really really is a joke

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  6. I see him at Car Auctions regular, he`s been selling cars since the late Seventies.

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    1. I knew Johnny when he was a solo artist, first met him at the Goodyear club in Wolverhampton, in those days he was billed as a comedian and the guitar/singing was a bonus, he was fabulus and his rendition of Pretty woman was better than Roy Orbisons. I was asked by Tony Chaffe, his manager, to introduce the package show to the Cannock area and was happy to do so. Would love to catch up with him again for old times sake.

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    2. Hi Mavis you can catch up with John in Solihull town center. I often see him at O'Neils and chat to him. He is a nice bloke still the showman.
      mike

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  7. Most Thurday night he hangs out in a few pubs. Foley Arms and the cross key in Stourbridge. nice fella

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  8. met his daughter on a train today, got chatting, and she mentioned him, im 46 but remember watching him with my mom, who loved him. thanks for the chat elaine, enjoyed it.

    Paul

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  9. Bumped into Johnny today in Birmingham, he hasn't changed a bit. I knew him in the early 80's when I was selling cars in Birmingham at Bristol Street Motors. He was in regularly buying up the part exchanges to trade on.

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  10. hi john its davey boy when you up the tower lost me mad dance partner pal

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  11. Hope Johnny is keeping well.
    I did the backing vocals on his LP.

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  12. During the 70's Johnny was the main cabaret act at a series of promotions to 300 to 400 customers at various venues held throughout the UK,promoting Radiation Ascot gas products.I was General Sales Manager and over a period of weeks got to know Johnny pretty well.He was at all times totally professional and brilliant on stage with his comedy and his guitar playing.He also involved himself talking to the customers and was very much part of the promotion along with the sales staff.If you read this Johnny,a big hallo from me..Cheers

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  13. I remember Johnny at the Adelphi in the 60s with the Olympics and the Vogues and his famous (bath) tap routine.

    A few years later I worked for WBA Pools and we used to have regular agents nights at the Golden Throstle Club (which became the Kings)we would book Johnny on every other monthly show as he was by far the best in the business.

    His playing of Apache was brilliant I wish I could download it as my ringtone!

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  14. Hello All,

    I am now on Youtube you can see a couple of videos from The Comedians and The Barn. I will be doing some shows later on in the year. love you, love you love, you!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/MrJohnnycarroll

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    1. well that has made my day! Thanks Johnny :)

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    2. Johnny carol has passed away may he rest in peace a lovely man

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    3. What a character johnny was, extremely funny and very popular as all the comments on Facebook will testify.
      Rip johnny

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  15. Hi Johnny,
    the first time we saw you was in Torquay in 1980-81, I think the hotelwas called monamee and you signed your LP to us, its great to see your still performing as you was fantastic all them years ago.
    thanks chris kean from the ambassadors tribute to the legends

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  16. The first time i saw you we fell in love rightly or wrongly we were electric. Those feelings and memories last forever.
    Rosten

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  17. Writing this while playing the LP which the wife got signed by Johnny after we saw him at Wick Ferry Holiday centre in the early 70's. Still good to listen to

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  18. I know where he lives ?

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  19. my wife now used to cut his hair in the 70`s !!

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  20. I saw Johnny playing at Pontins when I was about 14 (1976). I was knocked out as his comedy slot was hilarious (albeit a bit rude according to my Mam) and then played guitar and sang (it was his job before he became a "superstar" (this was Johnny's standing joke that night)! It was great and I thought the album was really good too and Johnny signed it for me. Had a big impression on me.....still impressed to this day

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  21. I saw this great comedian and musician many times at The Gaiety pub Smethwick and I have a signed copy of this album ..... great days

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  22. i saw johnny at the cresta solihull in the early 70s,,he was fantastic brought the house down,he should of had his own tv show,,,he never stopped for over 60mins,,,regards john griffin

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  23. I worked with Jonny many times around the clubs, he is a very funny man and received standing ovations after his act.
    He was a Gentleman and was always willing to help out.
    We were resident at Hately Heath WMC, and when Johnny was appearing he would fill the place, at 9pm the doors were shut as the club was full, 400 plus audience.
    He made sure they had a Brilliant Night.
    Thanks Johnny for some Brilliant shows and nights.
    Nigel and Ian.

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    1. I met Johnny at a pub called The Drum and Monkey in Dorridge last Friday night (25/10/2019)What a lovely man and looking fantastic for his age.

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  24. Su and Jon Walker23 January 2020 at 15:38

    My lovely bestest neighbour Johnny Carroll passed away on Monday 20th January 2020 so very sad, he will be greatly missed by my husband and myself, his words were, what's mine is yours, alway so helpful and friendly. Love you Johnny, god bless you. Su and Jon your neighbours.

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