JOHN WALKER – ’Annabella’/’You Don’t Understand Me’ (Philips BF 1593) June 1967
John Walker | Annabella | Philips | 1967 | It must have been very hard for John Maus late of Walker Brothers fame to decide what sort of song to chose as a first solo single – therefore congratulations all round because this is very nice and I like it. Which really surprised me in a gunny way as people had said “oh it needs lots of plays and you won’t like it when you first hear it, but it will grow on you,” which is often what people say when they really mean it’s not a very good record.
Well, this is all breathless and the tune is very much like “Sunny.” An odd little song about how he loves her and she mustn’t take any notice of the boy who’s after her, it all ends suspended in mid-air. I like listening to it and John’s voice has an uncertain charm which endears me to the record more. (Disc & Music Echo, 01/07/67)
What’s the label? Sounds a bit like Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees. I quite like it, but I don’t know if it’s commercial enough to be a hit. Is it John Maus Walker? I wouldn’t have guessed. I hope it’s a hit because I dig him. It’s got a good intro. (Tich, Melody Maker, 01/07/67)
John Walker | Annabella | Philips | 1967
Upon the collapse of the Walker Brothers as an operational unit, everyone predicted success for Scott Engel, but had little to say when questioned on the subject of one John Maus.
But Scott has lain silent since the split and JOHN MAUS is the first to rush in with a solo single, “ANNABELLA” part written by the Hollies’ Graham Nash, on Philips. John’s winsome voice is surrounded by a pleasant orchestra, as he intones a sad song which sounds remarkably like “Sunny” for several bars.
It’s an important stage in John’s attempt to carve a solo career. Although “Annabella” isn’t earth shattering – we wish him well. (Melody Maker, 01/07/67)
The first of the solo Walkers – and John has come up with a very much better disc than I had dared to anticipate. A rhythmic ballad with a haunting moodiness, intimately handled and well suited to John’s husky tones.
A classical fugal influence underlines the accompaniment, in which cellos and flutes are prominent. Full marks to Reg Guest for framing John in such an imaginative showcase, which considerably strengthens the vocal. The tune isn’t a world-beater, but the interpretation lifts it above average.
FLIP: A self-penned ballad, with a driving beat. Opens quietly with guitar and maracas, then in comes the brass and chanting girls. Recording’s a bit muffled. (NME, 01/07/67)
JOHN WALKER sticks his neck out
“I’M sticking my neck out every chance I get .. . just to see if I get it chopped off!” So says genial John Walker, formerly Maus, and formerly one-third of that Holy Trinity of Pop, the Walker Brothers.
He was commenting on the appearance of “Annabella” in last week’s hit parade and marking his debut as a solo star.
“I am a bit surprised I had a hit with my first record,” he admitted. “But I’m not expecting miracles with it either. I had to see if I could do it by myself and, frankly, I’m a bit surprised.
“I’m still not convinced I can make it on my own—but I’m certainly encouraged.”
The world waited with bated breath after news that the phenomenal Walker Brothers — once second only to the Beatles in fan popularity — were to go their separate ways. If anyone can make it solo it will be Engel, people whispered. No one held out much chance for giant John, so long overshadowed by skinny Scott.
But it turned out to be a question of first-come, first-served. While a thick veil of silence surrounds the mysterious activities of Engel and Leeds, it is the Maus that roars back into the limelight with grim determination.
“It was important to me to get an early start on my own because of the way things stood with the Walker Brothers just before the split,” John explained. “I knew if I didn’t do something quickly I might not do anything and disappear into oblivion!
“Problems within the Walker Brothers stemmed from boredom. Scott handled virtually everything and I felt out in the cold. I wanted more responsibility and the chance to use my own Ideas.”
John Walker | Annabella | Philips | 1967
And that’s exactly what he’s doing now — he has formed a backing group (complete with girl singers) and worked extremely hard on a stage act.
“Things are coming round now. People don’t seem to be connecting the old Walker Brothers with me anymore. They’re accepting me for myself—which is good.
“Most people weren’t expecting anything. Nobody really knows if I can do anything. Everybody is scared to death—including the fans. That’s why I’m concentrating on getting a good stage act going.”
Would he consider reviving any of the Walker Brothers hits in his work?
“A couple of tracks I did for the album turned out sounding like the group. Or at least the type of songs like something we would have done. But I’m doing my best to make sure things don’t sound like that.
“It’s what happens now that is much more important. Whatever I do—good or bad—it’s me. It’s a testing time because I don’t believe the name ‘John Walker’ really means anything. Scott’s yes —but not me.
“One must have a hit record, of course, and fight your way up and down the chart. But that alone doesn’t mean everybody is automatically going to come and see you.
“If I’m lucky enough to get a couple of top ten hits and begin to mean something, then I want to have something to back it up. At the moment it’s sort of second-time-around for me!”
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