Johnny Burton –Polevault Man

Johnny Burton –Polevault Man/The Polythene Doll –Philips 6006236 (1972 UK)

Polevault Man is one of those out-of-period numbers, although it came out in ’72 it sounds more like 1968. It’s a bouncy little number on the border of Psych and PolkaGum with some snazzy fuzz. I first heard this track on one of those Circus Days comps and its chorus and lyrics just stuck in my mind. It’s quite a moral tale in fact, as a boasting Johnny recounts his exploits of jumping ahead of Mr. Average to add to his conquests, but he gets his comeuppance in the end…
Vocally, Johnny has a certain Scouser stance in his raspy delivery, but who is he? There’s a Johnny Burton who has a single Come On, Dance With Me/ Slave Girl that is collectable in Northern Soul circles…But is it the same Guy?

Click on title for a soundclip of Polevault Man