Sings/Here I Am Johnny Tillotson

£12.56

Genre:
Pop
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 1162

This product is also available in these versions:
Sings/Here I Am (MP3), MP3 (£7.99)

Unlike today, the stars of the early 60s were contractually bound to be prolific and, in many instances, they recorded two albums each year as well as cutting new singles. The quality often suffered as artists might complete their commitments with bottom-drawer material or uninspired covers. Despite a life of continual touring, some artists rode above this and created substantial work. Johnny Tillotson is a good example who recorded eight albums for MGM between 1963 and 1967. The albums didn’t sell as they deserved his but they certainly merit being reissued by Ace. Ace have already paired “Talk Back Trembling Lips” / “The Tillotson Touch” (CDCHD331) and “She Understands Me” / “That’s My Style” (CDCHD 345), and now we have JOHNNY TILLOTSON SINGS (1965) and HERE I AM (1967) on the same CD.

Being a fan, I am very pleased to have a CD that does not contain the tracks that I know so well, such as Poetry In Motion and Talk Back Trembling Lips. I suspect that most of the performances will be new to UK listeners. There are no UK hit singles but there is the theme song from the TV series, Gidget, starring Sally Field. The reason for the slightly odd lyric in Angel is because it is from the Walt Disney film, Those Calloways, starring Brian Keith and Vera Miles, which was concerned with living on marshland and protecting wild geese.

Among the 24 tracks, there are the occasional standards (I’ll Be Seeing You, How High The Moon) and covers (Bobby Vee’s US hit, Come Back When You Grow Up, Wayne Newton’s Red Roses For A Blue Lady), but most of the time, he performs new material. How good it is to hear P F Sloan’s Cling To Me and Wayne Carson Thompson’s Deafening Roar Of Silence (now there’s a challenging title for a songwriter). There are several songs from one of the most underrated of the Brill Building writers, Paul Evans, who wrote When for the Kalin Twins. Among Tillotson’s own songs is the hopelessly optimistic Our World: “We’ll learn from all you’ve done wrong” – I don’t think so somehow.

Johnny Tillotson has a strong sense of humour. His amusing song about the hairstyles of the day, Long Hair Committee could have come from the Lovin’ Spoonful songbook, and you can tell he is about to burst with laughter while singing the TV theme, (Wait Til You See) My Gidget.

By 1967 the music world wanted the changes brought about by psychedelia and heavier forms of rock. Maybe Johnny Tillotson should have gone wholeheartedly into country music like Rick Nelson or Glen Campbell, but he didn’t. These albums are more than curios as they contain so many good performances. In addition, the tracks use some key session men and also feature Charles Callelo, the arranger of many of the 4 Seasons’ hits.

I saw Johnny Tillotson in October 2000 at the Grand Theatre, Leeds in a package show with Bobby Vee, Brian Hyland, Freddy Cannon and Little Eva. He was an excellent stage performer with very entertaining patter. He described how he had been touring the UK in 1963 with Del Shannon. “We were harmonising From Me To You on the coach, but it was Del who had the good sense to go back home and record it.”

By Spencer Leigh

Share

Track listing

Show

Side 1

Delivery & Returns

Show

We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Customer reviews

Show

Related products

Customers who bought this item also bought