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