The Chuck Berry Collectors Blog

Monday, May 9. 2022

CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 2

CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details see the bibliography section of this site.

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: The more you browse the Internet, the more cover version you find. Here's another list of artists and band playing Chuck Berry's music. [continued]

An Australian group called John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong had a single out in 1986 titled “Run Rudolph Run” which is not the Berry number strangely enough. It’s a self written song where they use the title between the verses. It sounds like a leftover from the Beach Boys in the ‘60s. Again it’s always a chance to take if you haven’t heard the song, and this is a very good example.
An American guitar player called Lightnin’ Red had an album out in 1972 called “The Super Guitar Of …” (Stereo Gold Award MER-351) featuring “Guitar Boogie” credited to Chuck Berry, but that’s the Arthur Smith’s version he’s playing.

ALARM CLOCKS (USA)

Originally a garage rock trio from Parma, Ohio, formed in 1965. Bruce Boehm (guitar), Mike Pierce (vocals, bass), and Bill Schwark (drums). They recorded a single in ’66 released on their own Awake label. Nothing happened and the band disbanded in 1967. The single though became later on popular among collectors and in 1996 turned up on a compilation album “Back From The Grave”. Various old songs made up an album “Yeah!” on Norton Records in 2000. The group reformed in 2006 and added a fourth member, guitar player Tom Fallon, and they had a new album out on Norton. Busy guys.

Carol ( : ) 2009 (live)

LP: Live Nov.7, 2009 [My Mind’s Eye Records NME-003] ● USA, 2010

Recorded live at the Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, Ohio. Limited Edition of 300 copies. Record has a white cover with artwork pasted on and insert with song titles, and the labels have handwritten song titles.

ARA VA DE BO (Spain)

Nuri* (lead vocals), Ricard Casals** (lead vocals), Joaquin "Max" Sunyer (guitar), Josep "Kitflus" Mas (keyboards), Primitiu Sancho (bass), Jordi Colomer (drums).

Carol** (2:59) 1977 (Spanish lyrics)
Rock And Roll Music* (3:46) 1977 (Spanish lyrics)

LP: Ara Va De Rock [Pardal 709 L.P.] ● Spain, 1977
CD: Ara Va De Rock [Actual Records 80 2008/14] ● Spain, 1998 (reissue)

Seems like this is an educational album for children.
See also Max Sunyer

AUTOMATICS (UK)

Punk-rock quartet. They had a single out in 1978 and later a few in the 2000s, and seven albums from 2000 to 2009.

You Can’t Catch Me (3:49) 2000

LP: The Missing Album [Destroy Records BURN-001] ● UK, 2000

BARBARA ANN (Spain)

Rock quintet, all men despite the band name. Hector Fernandez (vocals, ac.guitar), Jorge Garcia (el.guitar, vocals), Pedro Pasamontes (guitars), José Antonio Danta (bass, vocals), and Sergio Ramos (drums, vocals). Add. musician: Lluis Vidal (piano).

Carol (2:31) 1992
Carol (2:31) 1992 (Spanish version)

CD: Another Girl [3 Cipreses CR-9C-0910] ● Spain, 1992
LP: Another Girl [3 Cipreses 4C-0910] ● Spain, 1992*

Okay rockin’ version but the Spanish one sounds best. The CD has 15 tracks, but the LP* only features 11 tracks, which means the Spanish version is not included.

BASICS (Australia)

Rock trio, formed 2002 in Melbourne. Michael Hubbard (lead guitar, vocals) replaced by Tim Heath in 2005, Kris Schroeder (bass, vocals), Wally De Backer (drums, vocals). Most of their songs are originals, often written by Kris Schroeder, so it’s interesting to see they selected a Berry tune to cover, where they, by the way, are enhanced by a horn section.

You Never Can Tell (3:05) 2019

LP: B.A.S.I.C. [The Three Basics 3B0170562] ● Australia, 2019
CD: B.A.S.I.C. [The Three Basics 3B0170579] ● Australia, 2019

But a pretty ordinary version.

CARROLL BATEMAN And The UNTOUCHABLES (USA)

Singer and guitarist together with Ted LeMire (saxophone), Tom Vanyo (bass, vocals), Richie Pommer (drums).

No Particular Place To Go (2:50) 1966 (live)?

LP: Songs From Last Night [Smigar Records M-101] ● USA, 1966

I have a feeling this is very local. Record label out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

BETTERDAYS (UK)

Rhythm & blues quintet from Plymouth. Mike “Shane” Hayne (lead vocals). Richard Broczek (guitars), Bob Pitcher (keyboards, vocals), Mike Weston (bass, vocals), Frank Tyler (drums). Formed in 1960 as a rock’n’roll group but who more and more added rhythm & blues to their repertoire. They released an EP on the Oak label in the early ‘60s and a single in 1965 on Polydor, but promotion and sales were poor so they disbanded in 1966.

Too Much Monkey Business (2:10) 1994

CD: No Concessions [Aftermath NAFT-1001] ● UK, 1994
2-LP: Backlash [N.T.B. Records 1003] ● UK, 2017

This re-issue in 2017 contains more songs than the 1994 version. The album has both early unreleased songs and newer recordings from the reunion of the band in 1994.

BLACK CAT JOE & MISS CORINA (France)

Black Cat Joe (vocals, guitar, harmonica, bass drum & cymbal), Miss Corina (washtub bass, maracas, tambourine). I have found two albums and two EPs by them. They play folk blues and primitive rock’n’roll. You can find several You Tube clips where they a.o. perform both “Carol” and “Roll Over Beethoven”.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2013
You Never Can Tell ( : ) 2013

CD: A Thousand Miles From Nowhere [Kerozen, no cat number] ● France, 2013

BLACK LIPS (USA)

Flower-punk band from Atlanta, Georgia formed in 1999. They have released over 12 albums and a LOT of singles and EPs since 2002.

Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 2004 (live)

7” 33 1/3 EP: Live At The Jam Club [Shake Your Ass Records SYA-009] ● Italy, 2004

Recorded live on a two-track at Jam Club in Mestre, Italy (near Venice). Limited numbered edition.

BLACK KNIGHTS 2005 (UK)

Back in the ‘60s, really 1965, they had a single out on Columbia “I Gotta Woman” produced by George Martin. This reunion band consisted of Mal Jefferson (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Frank Hopley (piano, vocals), Ritchie Ballard (bass), Allan Schroeder (drums, vocals), the latter was a founding member of the original group.

Johnny B. Goode (3:20) 2005
Nadine (3:29) 2005
No Particular Place To Go (2:30) 2005

CD: Back In Black [Mastersound MS CD.570] ● UK, 2005

LYNDA CARTER (USA)

Lynda Jean Cordova Carter from Phoenix, Arizona, born in 1951. She’s an actress and singer. Won Miss World USA in 1972. Played the role of “Wonder Woman” for three seasons in the ‘70s TV series. So far she has released four studio albums, from 1978-2018.

You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie …) (3:21) 2011

CD: Crazy Little Things [Potomac Records PP-4003] ● USA, 2011

Pretty good pop version.

CASH (USA)

Rock quintet. Kathy Turner (vocals), Howard “Bunk” Beenken (guitar), Isaac Josef Anthony (organ), Tim James (bass), Hank Laake (drums)

Johnny B. Goode / Roll Over Beethoven [in a rock’n’roll medley] (10:10) 1972 (live)

LP: Caught Live At The Golden Hawk [Catch Records LAM-128] ● USA, 1972

Recorded live at the Golden Hawk on 9 September 1972 in Des Moines, Iowa. In addition to the Berry covers the medley consists of: Long Tall Sally, Great Balls Of Fire, Shake Rattle And Roll and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.
It’s not easy to find on line tracks from obscure albums, so I can’t comment here.

CHANTAL (Germany)

German classical group or instrumental-ensemble with ten to fourteen musicians gathered.

Roll Over Beethoven (4:54) 2003 (live) (instr)

CD: Live At The Cavern [Zounds Music 27000 60022] ● Germany 2003

Recorded live at The Cavern Club in Liverpool 22 February, 2003. This is in a series titled Audiophile Edition – Volume 4.
Again, I wonder why they include Beethoven, except that Beatles recorded it and had a hit with it, but still ? The Beatles wrote plenty of their own. As a matter of fact of the 14 tracks on the album, 13 are from the pens of Lennon-McCartney.

CO-DEPENDENTS (Canada)

Rock’n’roll-country quartet from Calgary, Alberta, consisting of Billy Cowsill (lead vocals, ac. guitar), Steve Pineo (el. guitar, vocals), Tim Leacock (bass, vocals), Ross Watson (drums). They existed from 1998 to 2004.

You Never Can Tell (3:02) 2001 (live)

CD: Live At The Mecca Café – Volume 2 [Indelible Music NIRC-0009] ● Canada, 2006

Album recorded live at the Mecca Café in Calgary, 27, 29, 30 June 2001. Here we have 18 mostly covers of rock’n’roll, soul, R&B songs from various well known artists and groups.

CORMAN (France)

Alias Marc Simon, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter. In the ‘90s he performed and recorded with Claude Saut as Corman & Tuscadu. He’s also recorded a lot as Marc Simon. To be quite honest I am not sure where he’s from, France or Italy? Most of the albums by him are from France. It’s not easy when you have songs recorded in French, English, Italian and German.

Carol (4:09) 1997

CD: Anatomia [Baracca & Burattini 489171 2] ● Italy, 1997

I have only found one release of this album from Italy. And this is also the only release as Corman.

CRAZY ROCKERS (Netherlands)

Four piece indo-rock band. See Volume 3, page 1146 for biographical info.
However, there were some missing links in there. I didn’t have the exact year for the first two Berry covers and I missed the timing. And the CD “Story Of The Crazy Rockers” was also missing. Now their Berry covers collection is complete and correct, so far.

Bye Bye Johnny (2:32) 1964
Rock And Roll Music (2:18) 1964

LP: Drivin’ With The Crazy Rockers [Delta DL-502] ● Netherlands, 1964
CD: Story Of The Crazy Rockers [Sam Sam Music CDHL-1006] ● Netherlands, 1992

Reelin’ And Rockin’ (2:13) 1964

45: Delta DS-1116 ● Netherlands, 1964 (PS)
CD: Story Of The Crazy Rockers [Sam Sam Music CDHL-1006] ● Netherlands, 1992

You Never Can Tell (3:21) 1998

CD: In Session [KoKo Records 98201] ● Netherlands, 1998

Vocals by Sugar Lee Hooper.

CREOLE STRING BEANS (USA)

Six piece Swamp pop/R&B group from New Orleans, Louisiana.

You Never Can Tell ( : ) 2009

CD: Creole String Beans [String Bean Music SM-001] ● USA, 2009

Recorded at Word Of Mouth Studio, New Orleans. There are a couple of live performances by the band of this song on You Tube.

CROSSTONES (USA)

A rock band led by guitarist Bobby Emmons.

Run Rudolph Run (2:46) 1980

LP: It’s Christmas Time [Clifton Records CL-2001] ● USA, 1980

This runs too fast in a country rock way, enhanced by a horn section which makes it a little nagging. Record label out of Clifton, New Jersey.

KIKKI DANIELSSON (Sweden)

See Volume 3, page 1153 for biographical info.

Run Rudolph Run (2:42) 2016

CD: Christmas Card From a Painted Lady [Universal Music UNI-0602557-24198] ● Sweden, 2016

Slower and pretty dull version, unfortunately.

DELILAH DeWYLDE And The Lost Boys (USA)

Delilah DeWylde (vocals, upright bass), Lee Harvey (guitar), and DJ McCoy (drums). Delilah hails from Western Michigan and started with her high octane rockabilly back in 2004. She’s released three albums and two EPs from 2008-2012.

Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 2012

45: Merry Christmas From Delilah DeWylde… [Girl Friday Records GFR-003] ● USA, 2012

Released in limited quantities; 100 copies on green vinyl, and then re-issued in 2013 on red vinyl with 130 copies.

DOLLHOUSE (Sweden)

Garage rock band from Enköping, Sweden. They were active from 2000 to 2011. Unfortunately no info when the Berry number below was recorded.

Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 2010 (?)

45: Ghost Highway Recordings GHR-130 ● Spain, 2016

Interesting release with Dollhouse on one side with the Berry number and Jake Starr And The Delicious Fullness on the other with a Bo Diddley cover “Gunslinger”. There are two picture sleeves (color drawings), the Berry side has a “Dollhouse” leaning on a jukebox like on Berry’s LP “New Juke Box Hits”. The Diddley sleeve is showing “Jake Starr” in disguise as Bo as on his Checker LP “Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger”. Limited editions of a 100 hand numbered copies each on black, green and blue vinyl.

MAX SUNYER (Spain)

Real name Joaquin Antoni Sunyer Llop. Jazz-rock guitarist, born in La Pobla de Massaluca, Terra Alta in 1947. He’s been active since the mid ‘60s. He studied classical guitar playing from the late ‘60s during four years. Musicians on the album below are: Jordi Querol (vocals), Max Sunyer (guitar, harmonica), Pepe (bass), J. M. Vilaseca (drums).

Carol (2:53) 1972
Rock And Roll Music (2:51) 1972
Roll Over Beethoven (2:45) 1972

CD: 1972 [PDI S.A. F-80.3325] ● Spain, 1994 (reissue)

I can’t seem to find the original album, so maybe this is something that never came out originally(?) It’s a straight rock’n’roll album with ten tracks and again Berry’s music is represented the most.
See also Ara Va De Bo

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 11:03 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Saturday, May 7. 2022

Run! Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – and the copyright mystery

[original post published Dec. 2013 - addition May 2022]

It's Christmas time and while listening to the radio, from time to time you'll hear one of the various cover versions of Berry's Run Rudolph Run. Berry's???
While everyone will tell you that this is a typical Chuck Berry song with a typical Berry melody (later re-used at the same session for Little Queenie) and typical Berry lyrics (Said Santa to a boy child, "What have you been longing for?" — "All I want for Christmas is a Rock and Roll electric guitar!"), all over the Internet you will read that this song was written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Broadie! And this includes Wikipedia …
With the help of three fellow Berry experts, biographer Bruce Pegg, discographer Morten Reff, and sessionographer Fred Rothwell, I've tried to sort out a few facts from the rumors.

In 1939 Robert L. May wrote the story of Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, first for his daughter Barbara, later as a giveaway booklet for his employer, the Montgomery Ward Company. Ward's was the first owner of the Rudolph copyright. In 1946 the copyright was transferred back to May and today belongs to The Rudolph Company, L.P., that means May's heirs.

In 1949 Johnny Marks, husband of May's sister Margaret and both a songwriter and radio producer, took the tale and created the famous Christmas song Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The singing cowboy Gene Autry seems to be the first who recorded the song (though some sources name Harry Brannon) and made it a huge hit. Copyright to the 1949 Rudolph song is owned by Marks own publishing company called St. Nicholas Music, Inc.

In 1958, Chuck Berry recorded his version of a Christmas story named Run Rudolph Run. The original Chess release 1714 came with this authors line:
(C. Berry Music — M. Brodie) / ARC BMI
Chuck Berry Music, Inc., Berry's company, is listed here as the author as it is on most Chess singles starting with Beautiful Delilah up to Ramona Say Yes. For some reasons, probably financial, it seems to have made sense to use a company name here instead of an individual's name. As the melody is pure Chuck Berry, it's no wonder that Chuck Berry Music, Inc. claimed authorship and that ARC, the Chess/Goodman publishing company, claimed copyright.

But, mystery #1:
Who is "M. Brodie"? Chuck Berry using a co-writer? A person named M. Brodie does not exist on the Internet. Not as a songwriter nor in any relation to a record company. So if M. Brodie was a songwriter, Run Rudolph Run is his or her only published work. But M. Brodie might also have been someone Berry or the Chess Brothers wanted to give a favor (money/fame) – as they did with Alan Freed on the original Maybellene record. Or M. Brodie might be just a pen name such as "E. Anderson" on Let It Rock who was Berry in disguise.
In the ASCAP authors database, the co-writer of Run Rudolph Run named M. Brodie is identified as member number 268788988. While it's strange that Run Rudolph Run even exists in the ASCAP database because the original single clearly refers to the rival songwriter organization BMI, it becomes even more strange:
Member number 268788988 has additional entries for songs he wrote or co-wrote. All these additional songs stem from albums recorded by a late 1990s group called the Soultans of which a Marvin Lee Broadie was lead singer. And Marvin Lee Broadie indeed wrote some Soultans songs such as Cross My Heart on their Love, Sweat and Tears album. But if you look at Broadie's photo on his concert management site, I strongly doubt he was even born when Berry's Rudolph hit the record stores. Or, as Bruce Pegg puts it:

So unless this songwriter wrote one song in 1958, then had 40 years of writers block only to surface again as a writer for a German pop band at the end of the 90s, this Mr. Broadie is not our man.

And don't overlook the different spelling of M. Brodie and Marvin Broadie.

So let's go to mystery #2:
Up to today on all Chess records or re-releases Berry's recording is always credited to Berry/Brodie or just Berry, this includes the latest HIP-O-Select boxes. In contrast, the ASCAP database and almost all cover versions name the songwriters as Johnny Marks and Marvin Broadie. Marvin Broadie aside, what has Johnny Marks to do with the Berry song?
Wikipedia claims that Marks indeed wrote the song, though Wikipedia fails to give a source for this claim. Is it likely that Marks wrote the Berry tune? Not if you compare Run Rudolph Run to Autry's hit record. But if you knew that in 1958 Marks wrote Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, that story might not be too far away. Our mysterious M. Brodie could be an alias for Johnny Marks, which allowed him (an ASCAP songwriter) to team up with Berry (a BMI songwriter). However, while this is possible, I don't believe it.
More likely is a different, more logical link to Marks. His publishing company St. Nicholas Music, Inc. is very strict about copyrights. And in fact the company was created by Marks just because of the Rudolph song and to cash on its success. As such it has "exploited the name and likeness of Rudolph via trademarks in connection with a wide variety of products and services, such as musical performances, audio recordings, sheet music and other music publications" (quoted from court papers). So Marks may have forced Arc Music/Chess Records to register the song with ASCAP and under the Marks/Brodie name. St. Nicholas Music, Inc. along with Character Arts, LLC (which owns the rights to the Rudolph 1964 TV special) successfully forbids Rudolph to appear in movies unless you pay for a license. And they certainly forbid Rudolph to appear in songs as well.

I'm really glad that my rights to the Rudolph name are older than theirs. Otherwise I might have feared their lawyers for using it.

The mysteries remain. I am 100 per cent sure that the mysterious M. Brodie never heard himself called Marvin. This dual use of the 268788988 member number in the ASCAP database is certainly an error introduced by trying to remove variant spellings for the same writer. This is where M. Brodie was mixed up with Marvin Lee Broadie. Johnny Marks' entry to the game was most certainly due to legal reasons. I strongly doubt Marks' contribution to the song, but if you can put some light into this darkness, let me know.

[Addition 31-01-2022:]
Someone sent me a copy of a Facebook post by Daryl Davis, who played piano behind Chuck Berry in later years. Unfortunately I don't have a link or date to share.
Daryl reports on a discussion between him and Berry in preparation for a New Year's Eve show at B.B.King's in NYC:

I asked him about why Run Run Rudolph a/k/a Run Rudolph Run was often credited to Johnny Marks and somebody named Brodie. He said that he wrote the song himself but the name "Rudolph" had been trademarked and the publishing company publishing his songs had been sued for his using it. He was perturbed that the publishing company didn't fight the suit more vigorously, because Johnny Marks had nothing to do with his song and now he had to share the copyright. He also said that Brodie did not exist and it was a scheme to make more money for Marks and his publisher. He regretted not pursing it more at the time. But he still continued to make a lot of money from the song, just not as much as he was entitled to make. It was a bittersweet song for him.

[Addition 07-05-2022:]
In today's news there was some reporting about limitations to fair use of fictional characters in local copyright laws, in this case German Urheberrecht. A very well-known song in Europe is the title song to the 1969 TV series Pippi Longstocking. The original Swedish lyrics were written by Astrid Lindgren herself (melody by Jan Johansson). The German lyrics were written by Wolfgang Franke. 60 years after Lindgren's initial complaints about not getting compensation for use of her fictional character in Franke's text, copyright court rulings and a final settlement between the heirs explained that at least following these local laws you're not free to use the name and properties of a fictional character without sharing the income. Following this, at least here in Germany Robert May was entitled to shared copyright on the Rudolph lyrics.

Posted by Dietmar Rudolph in Chuck Berry Recordings at 12:18 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Friday, April 29. 2022

CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 1

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: The more you browse the Internet, the more cover version you find. Here's another list of artists and band playing Chuck Berry's music.
Regarding all the new covers of “Run Rudolph Run” several of them are titled "Run Run Rudolph" but I have not used that on any of the entries.

MINDI ABAIR & THE BONESHAKERS (USA)

Blues, rock, funk. Mindi Abair, Randy Jacobs, Rodney Lee and Third Richardson, with the help from Derek Frank and Blanca Garza. Mindi is a saxophone player and vocalist, she was born 1969 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Run Rudolph Run (2:37) 2018

CD: All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues [Pretty Good For A Girl Records PGCD-02] ● USA, 2018

Now this a funky version, very unusual.

RANDY BACHMAN (Canada)

Guitarist, singer, songwriter, born 1943 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Member of the pop/rock group Guess Who, and later Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Run Rudolph Run (3:39) 2008

CD: Takin’ Care Of Christmas [Avalon Music 41516] ● Canada, 2008
CD: Takin’ Care Of Christmas [12 Hit Wonder 41516] ● Canada, 2014 (reissue)

A midtempo rockin’ version, with a children choir.
See also Bachman & Cummings

FRANKIE BALLARD (USA)

Joseph Vincent Camilleri, born 1948, is a Maltese-born Australian singer, songwriter and saxophonist. The family moved to Australia when he was two. Apart from recording as a solo artist he’s been a member of well-known bands like Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons and The Black Sorrows, both of which are featured in the Berry Covers songbook.

Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 1995

CD single: All Saints Hotel [Head Records D-1248] ● Australia, 1995

See also Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons, and The Black Sorrows
Actually, to add a little to the Run Rudolph Run entry by Jo Jo Zep on page 1277 (Vol.3). The song was recorded and released in 1975. In addition to the mentioned Various LP and CD it was also released on single in 1975, Mushroom K-6194, as Jo Jo Zep And His Little Helpers. And the song was credited to Chuck Berry.

CAPTAIN RAT AND THE BLIND RIVETS (USA)

Captain Rat is Fred Wisniewski on drums and vocals. The Blind Rivets are Tim Vear (guitar, vocals), Todd Modern (keyboards, vocals), Richard Cabal (saxophone, vocals), Mark Rubel (bass, vocals).

Run Rudolph Run (3:12) 1982

33 1/3 EP: Run Rudolph Run [Pogo Records PEP-001] ● USA, 1982

Recorded at Faithful Sound Studios, Urbana, Illinois. Record label out of Champaign, Illinois.

CHESTERFIELD KINGS (USA)

Very popular garage rock quintet from Rochester, New York. I have found 11 albums released by the band, and 17 singles. Band members have been changing throughout the years since they started back in 1980. The members on the Berry cover below are: Greg Prevost (vocals), Ted Okolowicz (lead guitar), Jeff Okolowicz (rhythm guitar), Andy Babluk (bass) and Mike Boise (drums). I found a live clip on You Tube and they are a solid rock band that sounds like the Rolling Stones.

Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 1998

CD single: Living Eve Records LSD-98FC ● USA, 1998

This single didn’t sell anything(?) as it was a limited edition Christmas release for the Fan Club.
In 1981 they had a single out titled “You Can’t Catch Me” which was an original song and not Berry.

CLOVERS (USA)

The group itself goes way back to 1946 and Washington D.C. and had hits in the ‘50s with songs like “Blue Velvet”, “Devil Or Angel”, “Love Potion No. 9” and more. However, the album below is a compilation of Christmas tracks recorded by various old vocal groups like The Orioles, The Rainbows, The Jewels, The Velons and the Clovers. I won’t mention any names here as I don’t know how many (if any) of the original band members were left.

Run Rudolph Run ( 2:31) 1989

Various LP: A Capital Christmas [BJM Records BJM-002] ● USA, 1989

This is a modern rockin’ version, enhanced by a horn section, shoo-be-doah, shoo-be doah …

PASCAL COMELADE (France)

Pascal Paul Vincent Comelade, born 1955 in Montpellier. He uses very unusual and different instruments like singing saw, toy piano but also guitars, accordion, piano and drums. His first album came in 1980, and he’s recorded so many… However, since I don’t have any of his releases it is a little difficult to find out how many versions there are of “Sixteen”. One has Pascal playing Toy piano and one has Mark Cunningham, both at 2:34 length. There is also an earlier version featured on a self released album compilation from 2010 titled ”Galletto Présente Enregistrements PC- 75-90” featuring recordings from 1975-1984, and the song runs for 4:33.

Sweet Little Sixteen (1:26) 1987 (instr)

LP: El Primitivismo [Les Disques Du Soleil Et De L’Acier DSA-54011] ● France, 1987

Here Pascal plays toy piano and drums, plus has Damned Pat on distant vocals (!)

EP: Rock Del Veneno [Les Disques Du Soleil Et De L’Acier DSA-54012] ● France, 1988

EP released as a limited and numbered edition of 100 copies. The song here is a remixed version of the LP track above.

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:33) 1991 (instr) (live)

CD: Stranger In Paradigm [Vand’Oeuvre 0630] ● France, 2006

This was recorded live in Barcelona in 1991. VERY unusual electronic pop version which is hard to recognise. The album itself is a compilation of songs from the ‘90s and 2000s. Limited numbered edition of a 1000 copies.

CROSS-SCHACK-OSTERMANN (Denmark)

Rock/blues trio. Billy Cross, singer, guitarist (born William Schwartz in 1946 on Manhattan, New York) has been living in Denmark since 1980. Mik Schack (aka Michael Hans Greve Schack who is Jazz musician and journalist), and Flemming Ostermann (rock/jazz guitarist and vocalist, Co-founder of the famous Danish band Savage Rose).

Nadine (4:08) 2006
No Money Down (4:25) 2006
Run Rudolph Run (4:16) 2006
Thirty Days (3:21) 2006

CD: Trio From Hell [Kick Music KICKCD-270] ● Denmark, 2006

Nine tracks on the album, and as you can see they are pretty long ones, from 3 and a half to 6 and a half minutes.
See also Billy Cross

GANG (Netherlands)

Sweet Little Sixteen (3:09) 1979

Various LP: Lift 4 [Universe Productions OP-4] ● Netherlands, 1979

This album has songs by five different white blues bands. It is in an album series from Lift 1 to Lift 5.

HOLLYWOOD BRATS (UK)

A rock band from London formed in 1971 and disbanded in 1974. Original members were: Andrew Matheson (vocals), Casino Steel (keyboards), Eunan Brady (guitar), Wayne Manor (bass), Lou Sparks (drums).

Sweet Little Sixteen (3:29) 1973 (live)

2-CD: Sick On You [Cherry Red CDBRED-676] ● UK, 2016

Previously unissued track. The CD set also contains their debut “lost” album first released in 1980, and everything is remastered by Norwegian Casino Steel and enhanced by previously unissued outtakes, rarities and live tracks. Produced in collaboration with original singer Andrew Matheson.

HOTT ROXX (Canada)

A rock’n’roll band (sextet) active in the late ‘70s consisting of Jim Tovey (vocals), John King (guitar, vocals), David Harrison (guitar), George Bland (keyboards, harp), Scott Shelson (bass, vocals), Tony Ciaccia (drums). They had one single, “Here We Go Again” FOX-1005) and one album, “Rock’n’Rolls Gone Hollywood” FO-7002, out in 1978. So the single below must have been some sort of promotion for the band, but the album doesn’t include a version of “Little Queenie”. The title track of their album is a typical Berry soundalike, it even mentions Johnny B. Goode …

Little Queenie (4:22) 1977 (live)

45: Force 1 Records FO-1003 ● Canada, 1977

Pre-U.S. Release Canada Radio Exclusive. Recorded in Toronto March 1977. A record to get your “Hott Roxx” off.
This is what’s written on the label.
Please see page 1650 Mystery Cover Version (Vol. 4) for more info regarding this release.
However, at that time I didn’t know anything about it. Later on I thought it could be the Canadian band April Wine because they released an album recorded live in Toronto March 1977 (which didn’t include “Little Queenie”). But it seems it was not.
So what was the purpose for the release of this promo single by the Hott Roxx?
Anyway, now at last we are hopefully at the end of this question mark. No Rolling Stones and no April Wine.
(Thanks to Discogs)

IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC (Sweden)

THard rock quartet, Nicke Andersson (vocals, guitar), Tobias Egge (guitar, vocals), Dolf DeBorst (bass, vocals), Tomas Eriksson (drums, vocals). They have seven albums out on Psychout Records from 2010-2018 and many singles.

Sweet Little Sixteen (3:01) 2010

10” LP: In Concert! [Psychout Records PSYCH-011 LP] ● Sweden, 2010

Noisy rendition. 6 tracks. Produced by Nicke Andersson. In concert? It sounds studio to me.

ANDREAS JONSSON & The Pink Cadillac Band (Sweden)

Born 1986. From Värmland. Singer, songwriter, guitarist who’s made a name for himself as a musician, producer, arranger and has collaborated with people like Ingvar Karlsson (Sven-Ingvars), Louise Hoffsten, Linda Gail Lewis. His band Pink Cadillac is known for playing the real stuff from the ‘50s.

Carol ( : ) 2014
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2014
Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 2014

LP & CD: Well That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll [Andreas Jonsson AJMP-02] ● Sweden, 2014

Again it is interesting to notice that Berry has three covers on the album, plus one from the Beatles and Bruce Springsteen, a couple from Jerry Lee, and one from Little Richard and Carl Perkins a.o.

Little Queenie (3:27) 2018
No Particular Place To Go (2:48) 2018

LP & CD: We’re Ready [Andreas Jonsson Self released] ● Sweden, 2018

This was re-released in February 2021 in connection with their We’re Ready Tour.

KOOL RAY And The Polaroidz (USA)

Doug Johnson (guitar), John Parkhurst (guitar), Dee Person (bass), Denny Propst (drums). Maybe they are all doing the vocals?

I’m Talking About You (1:58) 1980
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:52) 1980

LP: Introducing [Stuff Records SR-80-001] ● USA, 1980

Recorded at Creative Audio, Urbana, Illinois. A cool(!) and straight rock’n’roll album with songs from Berry, Cochran, Beatles, Richard and Orbison. 13 tracks including two original songs.

TERRY MANNING And The WILD ONES (USA)

Terry Don Manning from El Paso, Texas. He’s played with Bobby Fuller and fronted The Wild Ones. He’s worked at Stax Studios in Memphis, and also done a lot of engineering and producing. Apart from the album below, he’s released three albums, among others a tribute to Bobby Fuller in 2013.

Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1963

LP: Border Town Rock ‘N Roll 1963 [Norton Records ED-374] ● USA, 2012
CD: Border Town Rock ‘N Roll 1963 [Norton Records CED-374] ● USA, 2012

Recorded 12 October 1963 at the TCA Clubhouse, El Paso, Texas. Previously unissued. This album (Volume 7) is in a series titled El Paso Rock.

98 DEGREES (USA)

Andrew Lachey, Jeffrey Timmons, Justin Jeffre and Nick Lachey. A Grammy–nominated boy band. They have seven albums out including two Xmas concepts. All members are from Ohio. They have sold over 10 million albums and have had several Top 40 single hits.

Run Rudolph Run (3:23) 2017

LP: Let It Snow [UMe B-0027412-01] ● USA, 2017
CD: Let It Snow [UMe B-0027310-02] ● USA, 2017

A good pop version with a horn section, although the short guitar solo makes it a little rockin’.

ROCK MACHINE (France)

Studio musicians.

Around And Around ( : ) 1978
Carol ( : ) 1978
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1978
Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1978

LP: A Stone Collection [Carabine 26 519] ● France, 1978

Also featuring a few soundalikes like “Route 66”. The front cover proclaims: A Non Stop Dancing Record...
But what does Johnny B. and Sixteen have to do with the Stones, except that they have played them live?

SHORTY AND THE HEARTBEATS (Ireland)

Brian “Shorty” O’Kane (bass, vocals, guitars), Iggy Ward (guitars), Rosey Hunter (vocals, tambourine), Gary Hunter (drums).
For some strange reason there are seven additional vocalists (!) on the album.

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:50) 1986

LP: Sweet Little Sixteen [Homestead Records SRT6KL-1060] ● UK, 1986

Recorded at Homestead Studios, Randalstown, which is a small town in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 11:05 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Tuesday, March 29. 2022

CBID - More Berry Covers - part 2

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Spending more time on discogs and 45cat found me some more previously unknown cover versions.

YOSHITAKA MINAMI (Japan)

Singer, songwriter and producer. born 1950 in Tokyo. A popular man in Japan with a lot of singles and albums released from the early ‘70s.

You Never Can Tell (3:24) 2002

CD: Blue Nude [JVC VICJ-60908] ● Japan, 2002

WILLY MONTI (Chile)

Pop singer who had several singles out from 1965.

No Particular Place To Go (as “No Tenia Nada Que Hacer”) (2:22) 1965

45: Demon SD-087 ● Chile, 1965

Now this is actually a pretty nice version and the musicians featured are pretty good.

GÜNTER NORIS und die Big Band der Bundeswehr (West Germany)

Real name Günter Maier. Born 1935 in Bad Kissingen, died 2007. Bandleader, pianist, composer and arranger. He’s released so many albums…

Memphis, Tennesse (2:43) 1972 (instr)

LP: LP: Rock & Pop Party – Welthits Im Happy Sound 2 [CBS S-65493] ● West Germany, 1972

Quite goode big band version with a solid beat.

JAY ORLANDO (USA)

A jazzy saxophone player who had at least 3 albums out in the ‘70s. On his Jay & B album from 1972 “Horn Aplenty” (which didn’t feature “Memphis”) he’s labeled as "The Sexiest Sax In Showbiz" (!)

Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:30) 1972 (instr)

45: Jay & B Records JB-45001 ● USA, 1972

Record label out of Las Vegas, Nevada.

LE POING Mark Robson (France)

Rock quartet led by Mark Robson.

Sweet Little Sixteen (1:35) 1971 (live)

LP: Hard Rock’n’Roll Live [Carabine 26 222] ● France, 1972

It seems this album was first released in 1971 on a none label issue. So the album above was a re-release which also came out both in Italy and Spain.
See also MARK ROBSON

REFLOTRON (Switzerland)

You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) ( : ) 1987

45: MSM MSM-1020 ● Switzerland, 1987 (picture sleeve)

MARK ROBSON (France)

He’s known in France as a rock’n’roll performer doing rock standards. He began in the group “Le Poing Mark Robson” around 1970 which was a rock-quartet and gradually became his vehicle.

Rock And Roll Music ( : ) 1976

EP: Rockotek [Ultra Nova UN-1000] ● France, 1976

Monday, March 21. 2022

CBID - More Berry Covers - part 1

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Spending more time on discogs and 45cat found me some more previously unknown cover versions.

ALFA (Finland)

Pure Finnish rock band from Tornio. Active from 1975–1979, released one single in 1978, see below.

Beautiful Delilah (2:33) 1978

45: Poko Rekords PIS-015 ● Finland, 1978 (picture sleeve)

The A-side was a probably original song called “Hey Hey Hey”, written by one Jarmo Voutilainen.

PAUL BEAN And The Four Angels (Australia)

Seems like both Paul Bean and The Four Angels were a part of Jerry Rudolph And His Orchestra.

Maybellene (1:38) 1957

EP: Rock, Rock, Rock [Prestige Records PEP-1018] ● Australia, 1957

Featuring Jerry Rudolph And His Orchestra. The other tracks are: House Of Blue Lights, Razzle Dazzle, Ko Ko Mo.

GINNY BIRON And The G Notes (USA)

Virginia Rachel “Ginny” Avery Biron Lefebvre (1937-2001) from Alton, New Hampshire.

Johnny B. Goode (2:38) 1970

45: NCS 811122 ● USA, 1970

Recorded at North Country Sounds, Auburn, New Hampshire. Produced by Roland Lefebvre. A-side was the Buck Owens title “Don’t Ever Tell Me Goodbye”.

COMMAND (France)

Rock’n’roll sextet, five guys and one girl.

Maybellene ( : ) 1981

45: Command no cat no (self released)● France, 1981 (picture sleeve)

It’s an interesting fact that even though you don’t have a record label you decide to release a single (in 1981) and pick two old classic rock’n’roll songs, “Love Potion No.9” is the other. Hail, Hail. And they actually managed to get the correct spelling.

CTMF featuring The Dear Watson Sound (UK)

Billy Childish = Steven John Hamper, born 1959 in Chatham, Kent. Now here is a guy with several aliases and a lot of record releases. You’ll find many under Billy Childish, Wild Billy Childish, CTMF, The Chatham Singers, The Guy Hamper Trio, and The Dear Watson Sound which was Billy Childish, Julie Hamper and Wolf Howard. CTMF is short for Chatham Forts.

Too Much Monkey Busisness (2:38) 2017

45: Damaged Goods DAMGOOD-468 ● UK, 2017 (art sleeve)

The Billy Childish 45 Club series – BCSC-6, limited edition. This Berry cover is garage rock, sounds almost like it was recorded back in the ‘60s. Maybe that was the intention?

FEDERALS (UK)

Beat sextet from Watford. They had 7 single releases in England from 1963-1965. Tony Bolton (vocals), Brian Hawkwinds (guitar), Tony Selvidge (keyboards), Frank Milne (trumpet, vocals), Micheal Bush (bass), Guy Shepard (drums). It seems the records from Romania were exclusive as I can’t find any release from UK for the single and LP. The album was re-released in Romania at least three times, in 1970, 1971 and 1974.

Rock And Roll Music (2:27) 1965

45: Electrecord C.S. 133 ● Romania, 1967
LP: The Federals [Electrecord ED.0202] ● Romania, 1965

Memphis, Tennessee (2:31) 1965

LP: The Federals [Electrecord ED.0202] ● Romania, 1965

BOBBY HACHEY (Canada)

Singer and an eminent guitarist, born in Atholville, New Brunswick in 1932, died 2006. Besides having a band with his brothers, Terry and Curly in the ‘50s and ‘60s, he’s played with famous Canadian singers. He has also released many albums throughout his career. Check out his “Guitar Boogie” (Arthur Smith) on You Tube. Pretty amazing. You’ll also find a later clip with him doing “Johnny B. Goode” live on stage somewhere.

Johnny B. Goode (2:25) early 1980s

LP: Hello Marylou [Contact CO-518] ● Canada, early 1980s

FATS HAGEN & BAND (West Germany)

A rock’n’roll band (sextet) in the style of Fats Domino from Bavaria (München). Founded in the early ‘70s. However, in the late ‘90s the band broke up, and later on Fats Hagen has performed as a one-man band.

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:27) 1982

45: Ariola 105 096 ● Germany, 1982
LP: Big F. H. Is In Town [Ariola 205 095] ● Germany, 1982

KIRK HELDRETH (USA)

Probably a country singer.

Johnny B. Goode ( 2:36) 1978

45: MH Records MH-201 ● USA, 1978

Although it doesn’t say anything on this label there’s another single on MH Records from 1978 by The Overtons which says record label out of Nashville, Tennessee.

JOHN HENRY III and The Country Blues (USA)

I don’t know, but except for the fact that he’s a country singer, he’s had several singles out in the ‘70s on various labels like Monument and Goldband. In 1970 he had a single out titled “Mathilda” on the Country Blues label credited to John Henry III and His Niece Dolly Parton (!)

Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:29) 1971

45: Country Blues Records C.B. 813 ● USA, 1971

Record label out of Nashville, Tennessee.

Johnny B. Goode (2:31) 1972

EP: Sings Country Blues [Earl Dixon’s Hillbilly Heaven H.H. 45-1972] ● USA, 1972

Record label out of Lorton, Virginia. Sounds a bit like Buck Owens but without the feeling and it also has a noisy saxophone solo.

CLAUDE JOBIN (Canada)

Shown on the LP as Claude Jobin Et Ses New Country Generation.

Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:01) 1971

45: Guitare GT-110 ● Canada, 1971
LP: Dans La Nuit Prés De Toi [Guitare GTL-1909] ● Canada, 1971

French lyrics. A terrible version by all means.

Maybellene (2:53) 1971

LP: Dans La Nuit Prés De Toi [Guitare GTL-1909] ● Canada, 1971

French lyrics. This is actually a little better with a good walking bass line.

LOS BONYS (Mexico)

Memphis, Tennessee (as “El Dinosauro Miope”) ( : ) 1964

45: Philips 45/0331 ● Mexico, 1964

HAROLD LUTHER (USA)

Real name Harold Luther Smith. Can’t find much but it seems he was the producer of a couple of local singles in the late ‘70s.

Little Queenie (as “Queenie”) (2:58) 1974

45: Herald Recording Studio 7404 ● USA, 1974

Record label out of Brookhaven, Mississippi. The single is coupled with his own song “Forbidden Love”, which was the A-side by the way.

MARSHA LYN (USA)

Male Country singer. The single below is the only stuff I’ve found on him. However, there’s another (maybe the same) Marsha Lyn who had some singles and an album out on King’s Universal Records in the mid ‘80s.

Johnny B. Goode (2:40) late 1970s

45: Alibi Records V-2711 ● USA; late 1970s

Recorded at Valtron Recording Studio, Helena, Montana. Good walking bass but that’s about all.

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 13:48 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Monday, January 31. 2022

CBID - Some old but missing Berry releases popped up

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: CBID lists and shows Chuck Berry Vinyl and CD releases from all over the world. While our list is pretty complete, from time to time some rare releases pop up from which I hadn't heard before - such as these:

BIO / CHUCK BERRY ‘75
Beat Goes On BGOCD-1459 ● 2021

It says Digitally Remastered but I don’t know as I haven’t heard it. Anyway, it’s the two original LPs which follows the series on BGO that started back in the mid ‘90s. See page 211 and pages 215-217. Plus page 1984.

INDIA

78rpm

Rock And Roll Music / Blue Feeling (instr)
London HL-M. 8531 ● 1957

IRELAND

78rpm

School Day / Deep Feeling (instr)
Columbia DB(I) 3951 ● Ireland, 1957

Black label, white print.
Photo thanks to Thierry Chanu.

ITALY

CHUCK BERRY’s GOLDEN DECADE
Cadet (Durium) D.30-152 ● 1967

Maybellene / Johnny B. Goode / Nadine / Roll Over Beethoven / Thirty days / No Particular Place To Go /Memphis, Tennessee / School Day / Too Much Monkey Business / Bye Bye Johnny / Sweet Little Sixteen / Anthony Boy / Back In The USA

As you can see this is a single record. The front cover is the same as the first issue of the US Golden Decade album, gold record with no titles printed. Everything is in el.stereo, very bad sound. The label colour is the dark blue/white one.
It’s printed 1967 on the labels and on the proof pressing shown which means that what I heard way back that there were no Berry albums released in Italy in the ‘60s is wrong. Later 1970s pressings have a slightly different label listing the local copyright control association SIAE instead of the multi-national BIEM.

Which also means that the “Back Home” album on page 2003 is from 1970.

JAPAN

CHUCK BERRY’s GREATEST HITS
Globe (Chess) JET-7198 ● 1964

No Particular Place To Go / You Never Can Tell / Maybellene / Nadine / Brenda Lee / You Two / Memphis, Tennessee / Sweet Little Sixteen / Roll Over Beethoven / Rock And Roll Music / Johnny B. Goode / Brown Eyed Handsome Man (1961 version)

Refering to page 374. The tracks are of course not the same as the US release Chess LP-1485, as you can easily see. I didn’t have this album back then and unfortunately I messed it up when writing. Anyway, it really says The Best of Chuck Berry on the back cover and on the label. As far as I can see this was the very first Berry LP issued in Japan. Including “No Particular Place To Go” and “You Never Can Tell” were wise, however, “You Two” and “Brenda Lee” were not, even though they were B-sides of the first two tracks. The front cover is the same as the US LP-1485 with the yellow sticker.
For some strange reason they included the 1961 version of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” (from the On Stage album with the audience noise).
This particular album was also issued in Taiwan in two different disguises, see pages 475-476, and also this blog.

SOUTH AFRICA

LIVE AT THE FILLMORE AUDITORIUM
Fontana STL-201 ● April 1968

The whole cover looks like it was copied from the issue in Netherlands (Fontana Int. 858 047 FPY) and not USA. Nothing is mentioned on the cover or label that this is from South Africa, but IT IS.
This is mentioned on page 2019 in Vol. 4 but I didn’t have the album at the time but here it is:

SOUTH KOREA

CHUCK BERRY’S GREATEST HITS
Seill SL-137 (Tae Do Record Co.) ● mid 1960s

This looks very much like the ones from Taiwan. Thin paper jacket, however, it has an open folio sleeve with an art work for a George Jones album on the opposite side. Same tracks as the original US Chess LP.

There are still records out there that we have never seen or heard of. It’s a strange world.

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 12:09 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Sunday, January 30. 2022

CBID - Surfin' the Net for Berry covers

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Spending days on discogs and 45cat resulted in a large list of cover versions to be added. Some of the following entries are additions or corrections to the corresponding descriptions in the book or in previous blog posts.

Many new entries this time. It’s amazing that Berry’s music has received such a status among all kinds of artists and groups. As you will notice there are a lot of mixed musical styles among the over 60 new covers. Both discogs and 45cat are places I have found many of them. It’s a whole new world out there when it comes to searching for singles and albums.

The Dutch heavy rock group Bintangs was featured in Vol. 3 of CBID with three cover versions. Now it goes to show they have recorded a lot more. We can add 6 more covers. They have even included a cover version in their new CD titled “These Hands” that came out in September 2021.

The group The Yellow Dogs from Japan have also recorded a lot of Berry tunes. I found one single and when searching discogs I happen to find several more. How did I miss that back in the days of cover searching? Actually that goes for Bintangs too. However, the internet is a completely different thing today than it was yesterday.

I would like to make your attention to a girl trio called Skeleton Dolls on You Tube were they talk about Chuck Berry regarding his 90th birthday and they also do a live version of “Thirty Days”. It’s interesting to listen to young people, and especially girls, talking about Chuck’s legacy to the world of music, with passion and enthusiasm. It gives people like me satisfaction that there is actually a hope for the future.

LEE AARON (Canada)

Real name Karen Lynn Greening. Heavy rock singer, born in Belleville, Ontario in 1962. Known as Metal Queen, but she’s also released jazz oriented albums. In the 1980s and early ‘90s she had several hits on the Canadian charts.

Run Rudolph Run (2:32) 2020

CD: Almost Christmas [Big Sister Records ] ● Canada, 2020

This album is only available through her website.

ANDREW SIXTY (Italy)

Three guys who’s into techno, mixes and you name it. We’ll leave it at that.

Johnny B. Goode (3:38) 1994

CD: Andrew Sixty [House Records Rap HR-001-1] ● Brazil, 1994

Vocals: Andrea Alberghi.

Johnny B. Goode (5:21) 1994 (dance mix)

12” 45: Jukebox Records JBR-001 ● Italy, 1994

Vocals: Andrea Alberghi. This 12” was actually released in many various countries, like Mexico, Australia/New Zealand and Spain.

BILL BERRY (Belgium)

Johnny B. Goode (as “Johnny Be Good”) ( : ) 1970

45: Monopole S. 103 ● Belgium, 1970 (picture sleeve)

Haven’t got a clue, except that on both sides of the label his name is Bill Derry (!) On the sleeve it clearly shows Johnny B. as the A-side but on the label it’s the B-side. It’s also printed on the front sleeve: The American Rock Racket!
Still a little confused?

BINTANGS (Netherlands)

See Volume 3, page 1075 for biographical info.

Bye Bye Johnny (4:43) 1996 (live)
Soul Rockin’ (3:40) 1996 (live)
Run Rudolph Run (2:48) 1996 (live) Bonus track

2-CD: Dynamite Night [Bananas Records 48397 2] ● Netherlands, 1996

Recorded live at Paradiso, Amsterdam on 27 January 1996. It contained a bonus CD with 4 tracks including “Run Rudolph Run”.

It Wasn’t Me (3:14) 2002

CD: La Femme Sans Tête [AG Music AGM-1267] ● Netherlands, 2002

It Wasn’t Me (2:54) 2018 (live)

CD: It’s A Nightmare [Miller Records MILLCD-001] ● Netherlands, 2018
LP: It’s A Nightmare [Miller Records MILLCD-009] ● Netherlands, 2018

Back To Memphis (3:41) 2021

CD: These Hands [Miller Records MILLCD-002] ● Netherlands, 2021

Good to see that they picked a more obscure Berry track for this new album that came out in September 2021.

There’s also a bootleg out titled “Live At The Dorpshuis, Ruinerworld”, Netherlands, recorded 3 March 1979, featuring four Berry covers: Run Rudolph Run, I’m A Rocker, Soul Rockin’, Bye Bye Johnny. The sound quality is okay if you’re a fan.

BOMB SQUADRON (USA)

Heavy metal rock band from Reading, Pennsylvania, formed in 1994.

Run Rudolph Run (2:47) 1997 Noise!

EP: More Bad News [Final Vinyl Records 006] ● Germany, 1997

Recorded 3. August 1997 at Snugfit Studio, Richboro, Pennsylvania. A limited edition of 300 copies on pink vinyl.

CD: Another Generation Found 1994-1998 [Doppelganger Records DGR-003] ● USA, 2005

This is their entire studio history.

BREAKAWAYS (New Zealand)

Beat, R&B, rock quartet from Wellington.

Johnny B. Goode (2:22) 1965

45: W&G S-2349 ● New Zealand, 1965

Recorded in Australia.

Guitar Boogie (1:55) 1966 (instr)
I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ About You”] (2:38) 1966
Little Queenie (2:27) 1966

LP: Let’s Take A Sea Cruise! [His Masters Voice MCLP-6221] ● New Zealand, 1966
CD: Let’s Take A Sea Cruise! / Album Two [EMI 7243 8 21714] ● New Zealand, 1997

Regarding Guitar Boogie, they have almost followed Berry’s arrangement to the point but the good beat is not there.

GUST BROUX (Belgium)

Memphis, Tennessee (as “De Pisbak”) (2:07) 1982

45: A.B. Records AB-601 ● Belgium, 1982 (picture sleeve)

Strange sound with minimal beat and flat singing, almost country style.

BURNING (Spain)

Popular hard rock band from Madrid founded in 1974.

Johnny B. Goode (2:52) 1974

45: Movieplay SN-20.940 ● Spain, 1974 (picture sleeve)

Their English pronunciation is so terrible I actually first thought they were singing in Spanish !!! But they are enthusiastic.

ALAN BURTON (USA)

He’s probably a rock singer regarding the A-side below which is on You Tube.

Rock And Roll Music ( : ) 1973

45: Crimson no cat no ● USA, 1973

Recorded at Paul Greys House of Hits, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The A-side is titled “Sunshine, You’ll Love It” written by Burton and Ron Bradley.

CAROL (Japan)

Rock’n’roll quartet.

Johnny B. Goode (3:09) 1975

45: Philips FS-1522 ● Japan, 1975 (picture sleeve)

Strange name for a male band.

CASEY AND THE PRESSURE GROUP (Netherlands)

Rock, soul, funk quartet.

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1972

45: Polydor 2050 229 ● Netherlands, 1972 (picture sleeve)
LP: Memphis Revisited [Polydor 2925 010] ● Netherlands, 1972

The album recorded 27 & 28 June 1972, at Sound Push Studio's in Blaricum.

CHANDLER & The CHASERS (Spain)

Not sure about Spain.

Promised Land (as “Promise Land”) (2:49) 2012

Various EP: We Want To Be Black Vol.1 [Fole Records FOLC. 012] ● Spain, 2012

The other artists on the EP are: Lord Rochester, The Clams, Guadalupe Plata. The sleeve has pictures of Bo Diddley and Otis Redding.

CHAPLIN BAND (Netherlands)

Five guys all dressed up and looking like Charlie Chaplin (excuse me) ! At least on the single in question (below). A side is titled “Don’t You Wanna Be My Girl”, written by the band. This pop/disco group from Maastricht have had several singles and three albums out . They were formed in 1976 by brothers Jo and John Bartels.

Memphis, Tennessee (3:12) 1976

45: EMI Holland 5C006-25377 ● Netherlands, 1976 (picture sleeve)

Sorry to say but you don’t wanna hear this.

CLASSIC ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND (Czechoslovakia)

Rock’n’roll revival group, formed in late 1970s by Josef Pilař in Prague.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 1984

EP: Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Band [Panton 8133 0166] ● Czechoslovakia, 1984

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1991

LP: Classic Rock ‘n’ Band [Globus International 21 0056-1 311] ● Czechoslovakia, 1991

They also do a cover of “Route 66” which is probably in the Berry/Stones way.

COPLEY, JEFFRIES & REID (USA)

See TRIANGLES.

GERARD COX (Netherlands)

Now here is a singer who’s been around for awhile. His first record I found was from 1962, and he’s had records out in the next four decades.

No Particular Place To Go (as “Fijn D’r Vandoor In M’n Automobiel”) (2:30) 1990

45: EMI 12 7527 7 ● Netherlands, 1990 (picture sleeve)
CD: Favorieten Expres [Universal Music 080 861-7] ● Netherlands, 2020

CZERWONO CZARNI (Poland)

This is a rock-beat band formed in 1960 and is one of the pioneers of Polish popular music. The band lasted until 1976, but played at their 50th Anniversary in 2010. On the CD cover below six guys are pictured, but I have also seen the band as a quintet...

Sweet Little Sixteen (3:27) 1961

EP: Elevator Rock [Pronit N-0169] ● Poland, 1961
2-CD: 40 Przebojów [Polskie Nagrania Muza PNCD-1297 A/B] ● Poland, 2010

Interesting to see that they covered a Berry song as early as 1961 and at 3 minutes and 27 seconds. But the result just sounds funny, however, to give the guys a little credit, the piano player is pretty good. On the 2010 release the Berry track is a bonus cut on CD 2.

DOCTOR EXPLOSION (Spain)

Garage rock trio from Gijón formed in 1989. Jorge Muñoz-Cobo (guitar, vocals), Angel Kaplan (bass), Pablo Gonzalez (drums). They have had many singles and albums out since 1990.

Let It Rock (as "Déjalo Sacudirse") (1:43) 1992 (live)

EP: Thunderpussy TH-002 ● Spain, 1992

They tried to do it their way and pretty much made it. The EP came out in three different colours on the cover, one is red, then blue and finally purple.

Beautiful Delilah (2:12) 2004

EP: The Chesterfield Childish Club [Soundflat Records SFR-45-013] ● Spain, 2009

DREADFUL SNAKES (Canada)

Not sure about who this is. This is probably a rock band since the other side of the 45 is “A Fool In Love” written by Ike Turner. (Just so it’s mentioned, there’s a bluegrass group, The Dreadful Snakes, who had an album out in 1995 titled “Snakes Alive”.)

Carol (as “Oh Carol”) (2:35) 1978

45: Snake Records SR 1 / SR 2 ● Canada, 1978

Recorded at Comfort Sound in Toronto, Ontario, October 1978. Produced by T. C. Wilkins.

EL COBRAS (USA)

The two songs are described as surf-rock. This seems to be their only output(?)

Guitar Boogie (2:18) 1964 (instr)

45: Essar Records E-714 ● USA, 1964

This version lacks everything, no feeling, no beat and no drive and even has an organ. The B-side, also an instrumental, is titled “Oh Yeah”.

CONNY & DANNY FABRY (Belgium)

Husband and wife who had a lot of records out in the ‘80s and ‘90s, both as a duo and by themselves. Conny (real name Christine Truyens) born 1952, Danny (real name Robert Esseldeurs) born 1948. They divorced in the early ‘90s.

You Never Can Tell (as “Zo Is Het Leven” [C’est La Vie]) (3:22) 1985

45: Limbo Records 5317 ● Belgium, 1985 (picture sleeve)

They have followed the Emmylou Harris arrangement.

FREE WILL (USA)

Rock quintet. Joe Whiting (vocals, tenor saxophone), Mark Doyle ( lead guitar, vocals, piano), Bill Irvin (rhythm guitar, vocals), John DeMaso (bass), Tom Glaister (drums).

Chuck Berry Medley (10:20) 1969

2-LP set: Cold Cold Morning [Grail Records Production GRL-301/2] ● USA, 2017

Songs are: Rock And Roll Music / Around And Around / Nadine / School Day / Thirty Days. Between each song they repeat “Rock And Roll Music” in shorter snippets. Recorded in New York , November 1969. I like this one!

FUTURE DREAM (Austria)

Quintet.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1974

45: Koch Records (self released) ● Austria, 1974

3 tracks.

GANGBANGS (Netherlands) ?

Searching for this band online is pretty hopeless. There is other stuff that pops up, I tell you. (However, on discogs another variation (alias) turns up, CPC Gangbangs which hails from Canada and have 8 singles and 1 album out from 2006 – 2009.)

Beautiful Delilah ( : ) 2002

45: High School Refuse Records HSR-014 ● Netherlands, 2002 (picture sleeve)

GROOVIE GHOULIES (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1223 for biographical info.
Refering to what I wrote about this track, it has come to my attention that it was actually released on a 3 track vinyl single back in 1997.

Trick Or Treat (1:32) 1997

45: Lookout! Records LK-186 ● USA, 1997 (picture sleeve)

3 tracks on orange vinyl, coupled with “Graveyard Girlfriend” and “Devil Town”. It says it was recorded at Sonic Iguana, Lafayette, Indiana.

GIBASDRA (Sweden)

It seems like they are a dance band type of thing, however, they look like a rock band.

You Never Can Tell (as “Monsieur Pierre”) ( : ) 1971

45: California C-5061 (PS) ● Sweden, 1971

Mari-Anne Sjöberg is doing the vocals here. I haven’t heard this but the Swedish title is identical to the one by the Streaplers from 1970.

HIGHWAY (Netherlands)

Sounds and looks like a dance band.

Thirty Days (as “Oh, Jenny Girl”) (2:23) 1981

45: Menopole S. 1900 ● Belgium, 1981 (picture sleeve)
LP: Holland Rock En Rolland 1 [CNR 541 697] ● Netherlands, 1984

This is the same version as the one by John Lamers & The Skyliners back in 1963 but then titled “Kom Terug”.
See also JOHN LAMERS

I.O.W. CHEROKEES (UK)

I.O.W. stands for Isle Of Wight. Beat group.

Anthony Boy ( : ) 1966

45: 69 Club 69-EP-001 ● UK, 1966

Recorded at Olympic Sound Studios 17 April 1966.

RUSS JEFFERS & BECKY (USA)

Husband and wife bluegrass duo. Russ Jeffers (vocals. Guitar), Becky Jeffers (ac.bass), James McKInney (banjo), Craig Duncan (fiddle). They have released six albums.

Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:29) 1975 (live)

EP: Lee-Ann Records L-1001 ● USA, 1975
LP: Russ & Becky Jeffers At Opryland [Lee-Ann Records (NR-6062)] ● USA, 1975

A little confusing info here. The EP above has only Russ Jeffers, but all the songs on the EP are on the LP. The LP says only Russ Jeffers on the front cover and labels. On the back cover it says Russ and Becky with pictures of them both. There’s no cat.no. The NR-number refered to is the mastering number from Nashville Record Productions.

KEENS (Italy)

Garage rock quartet, Luca Burranca (vocals, harmonica, maracas), Andrea Caruso (guitar), Adriano Izzo (bass), Efisio Pistis (drums).

Beautiful Delilah (1:58) 2006

45: Psych-Out Records PO-45018 ● Italy, 2007 (picture sleeve)

3 tracks, recorded at Dream Studios, Turin, on 24 June 2006.

KING AUTOMATIC (France)

He was the drummer in a French punk band called Thundercrack, now he’s a one-man band playing garage rock. But I have been unable to find his real name.

You Never Can Tell (2:28) 2015

EP: Havin’ A Whole Lot Of Fun [Futuropolis 250043] ● France, 2015

2 songs by King Automatic and 2 songs by Johnny Jano. Recorded March 2015 at Studios Duroc in Nancy.

KOFFERS (Netherlands)

Rock quartet.

Rock And Roll Music (as “Rock ‘N Roll Music”) (2:53) 1989

45: D & K DK-89001 ● Netherlands, 1989 (picture sleeve)

The song has a goode drive and they perform and sing well.

JOHN LAMERS And The Skyliners (Netherlands)

He’s had a lot of singles out during the years, starting in 1960 up to the early ‘80s. And also a few albums.

Thirty Days (as “Kom Terug”) (2:27) 1963

45: CNR UH-9630 ● Netherlands, 1963
LP: Crazy Love With John Lamers [CNR GA-5050] ● Netherlands, 1964

Tuesday, January 25. 2022

CBID - Mikka Grytviken and the Differents honor Chuck

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Chapter 14 in Volume 2 describes songs which tribute Chuck Berry in title or lyrics as well as albums dedicated to honor Chuck. Here's one of each.

DIFFERENTS (USA)

Rock trio, Lou Hallwas (vocals, guitar, piano), Gary Stier (vocals, bass), Dan Garrity (drums). They have two albums out, one in 1997 and one in 2018.

Chuck Berry (2:35) (Dan Garrity) 2018

45: Stars/No Stars 007668-8 ● USA, 2018

Recorded at Gravel Road, Chicago, Illinois. Gary Stier does the lead vocals on this tribute which is a little different (yes) as it has not so much Berry beat or guitar but is still rockin’ good.

MIKKA GRYTVIKEN (France)

This French guy, born 1971, (with Scandinavian roots, sounds Norwegian to me) has released a digital tribute album to Chuck for streaming or downloading. 12 tracks:

Carol / Maybellene / Route 66 (!) / Oh What A Thrill / Darlin’ / You Never Can Tell / Sweet Little Sixteen / It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes / Little Queenie / Johnny B. Goode / School Day

It was released 23 September 2021. He says that it is his favourite songs. It’s very interesting to notice that he has picked a song, “Darlin’”, from Chuck’s very last studio album, “Chuck” 2017. Mikka is doing the vocals and playing all the instruments, guitars, bass and drums. According to himself he’s a pop, rock, blues, jazz and soul music singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer. His English pronunceation is not perfect but he has a goode feeling for the music.
(Thanks to Ari Niskanen of Finland who sent me the link: https://mikkagrytviken.net/)

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 12:14 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Saturday, January 15. 2022

CBID - Chuck Berry in Radio and Movies

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Chapter 5 in Volume 2 presents not-for-sale vinyl and CD albums produced by radio stations for broadcast, chapter 7 in Volume 2 looks at movies containing Chuck Berry in person or Chuck Berry music in their soundtrack. Here are additions to each:

CHUCK BERRY ON THE RADIO
Concept Albums

SOUNDS OF SOLID GOLD (VOLUME 3) - Going Back In Time

LP: United States Marine Corps, Programs 10/11 ● USA, 1970s

Rock And Roll Music

Four tracks on each side. Side One (program 10) focuses on the year 1957, with music by Bill Justis (“Raunchy”), Pat Boone (“April Love”), Berry, and Jimmie Rodgers (“Honeycomb”). Side Two (Program 11) covers 1966 and includes The Toys (“Attack”), The Association (“Cherish”), The Temptations (“Get Ready”), and Neil Diamond (“Solitary Man”). Interesting selection with combining Justis, Boone, Rodgers and Berry.

CHUCK BERRY IN THE MOVIES
Soundtracks featuring Chuck Berry recordings

FUGUEUSES
[English title: RUNAWAYS]

AFCL Productions (Colour 95 min.) ● France, 1995

Starring Marie Trintignant, Irene Jacob, Nicole Garcia. Directed by Nadine Trintignant

Berry’s “No Particular Place To Go” is played in the movie. Actually, half of the song including guitar solo is heard very clearly.

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 12:12 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Friday, January 14. 2022

CBID - Additions to the Eddy Clearwater Discography

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Besides covering Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson, CBID also has chapter 19 containing a session discography as well as record releases by the Berry-inspired US artist Eddy Clearwater. Two releases need to be added thereto:

SESSION WORK and GUEST APPEARANCES

Shoji Naito

NEW COOL OLD SCHOOL

CD: Ogden Records ORCD-380 ● USA, 2016

Eddy Clearwater tracks: Big Boss Man w/Gerry Hundt / I’ll Change My Style w/Ariyo / Last Night / Walking By Myself w/Ariyo

Album also featuring Willie Buck, Billy Flynn, Lee Kanehira, Mark Fornek, Katherine Davis, Erwin Heller, Milwaukee Slim, Grant Kessler, Marty Binder.
14 tracks recorded in Chicago June/July 2015, produced by Shoji Naito. Shoji was born in Toyota, Japan and moved to Chicago in 1996. Harmonica and guitar player. Co-produced Eddy Clearwater’s “Soul Funky” CD from 2014.

Shoji Naito

WESTMONT TO CHICAGO – Tribute To Eddy Clearwater

CD: Ogden Records ORCD-382 ● USA, 2020

Sen Sa Shun (instr) – Eddy Clearwater Band / I Need You Baby – Eddy Clearwater / Like The Creeper (instr) – Shoji Naito / Stranded – Eddy Clearwater / A Minor Cha-Cha (instr) – Eddy Clearwater Band / Reconsider Baby – Eddy Clearwater / Eddy’s Midnight Dream (instr) – Lee Kanehira / Find Yourself – Win Noll / Deep Blue Sea Blues – Willie Buck / Don’t Go No Further – Willie Buck / Greyhound Harmonica Jam (instr) – Shoji Naito / You Don’t Have To Go – Eddy Clearwater / Women Be Wise – Ginny Morin / Crossover – Tom Crivellone / Ogden Avenue (instr) – Shoji Naito

Finally we have a tribute album to Eddy Clearwater which is a little unusual since we also get four previously unissued tracks by Eddy himself, recorded back in the Summer of 2015 (see CD “New Cool Old School” above). 15 tracks all staged by guitar and harp player Shoji Naito who also produced the album. The musicians featured are people from Eddy’s original band plus musical friends. (Eddy died 1 June 2018, he was 83.)

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 13:24 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Thursday, December 23. 2021

CBID - The Night Chuck Berry Died

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Berry's influence to modern rock music is not only seen through the vast number of artists covering his compositions. You also find artists who refer to Berry in song names, album titles, or lyrics. Chapter 14 in Volume 2 describes all these tribute songs and albums.

BINTANGS (Netherlands)

See Volume 3, page 1075 for biographical info.

Good Luck Chuck (3:09) 2006

CD: DOC [Who’s Next Records WNR-2006002] ● Netherlands, 2006

Written by Frank Kraaijeveld. He’s the bassplayer and only original member from the line-up back in 1961. As always, Bintangs does a great job of bringing Berry’s feel into their performance. It rocks in a goode way ...

BULDOŽER (Yougoslavia)

Buldožer was a Yugoslav-Slovenian progressive rock band from the 1970s and 1980s.

I Remember Chuck Berry (0:53) 1979 (instr)

LP: Živi Bili Pa Vidjeli [Helidon FLP-05-017] ● Yugoslavia, 1979

Berry guitar riffs all the way in almost 1 minute.

JOSHUA COOK & The Key Of Now (USA)

Joshua Cook from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a singer and guitarist who plays roots music in the form of rock’n’roll, electric blues and rhythm & blues. The two musicians who’s backing him is Tommy Folen on bass and Nick Fishman on drums. Both doing backing vocals.

CD: The Night Chuck Berry Died [Black Dog ] ● USA, 2017 (live)

The album is dedicated to Charles Edward Anderson Berry (Let It Rock). Recorded live at the Peppermint, Reno, Nevada, very probably on 18 March 2017, when Berry died. There are no Berry covers or tribute on this, but there are a couple of soundalikes. The album was released on 30 May, 2017.

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 10:32 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Thursday, December 16. 2021

CBID - It's Run Rudolph Run Time again

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: It's Christmas time again and so we see new covers of Run Rudolph Run and more.

BLACK SORROWS (Australia)

See Volume 3, pages 1079-1080 for biographical info.

Promised Land (2:31) 1996 (live)

3 CD: Radio Waves [Head Records/Mushroom HEAD-106] ● Australia, 1996

MARCEL BONTEMPI (Germany)

Real name Marcel Sala-Keikel from Kassel. Has been around since the mid ‘90s and in the 2000s released several singles on various labels. In 2015 a CD was released containing many various recordings and demos.

Down Bound Train (3:15) 2020

45: Twi-Lite TL-006 ● 2020, Germany

Very good cover here, and Bontempi plays all the instruments himself. Great picture sleeve front and back, and it even contains a booklet where the lyrics are illustrated by Bontempi. Pretty versatile this guy.

FOO FIGHTERS (USA)

Run Rudolph Run (2:33) 2021

This fast rockin’ studio version was officially released in December 2021 on various streaming platforms. I know I have never done this before but times are changing and this, I’m afraid, will often be the new way of making songs available to the people. Last year in December they did perform it live as part of a special Christmas show for Amazon. Check it out on You Tube.
It brings the question, should we include more streaming versions? Not sure.
However, the following is also available this year:
GREGG MARTINEZ (USA): MacDaddy Christmas - Run Rudolph Run (3:28) – MacDaddy Productions. Available in Flac.

GEORGIA SATELLITES (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1210 for biographical info.

Run Rudolph Run (3:49) 1988 (live)

Various artists CD: Southern Rock Christmas [Cleopatra CLO-0093] ● 2015, USA

NORAH JONES (USA)

She was born in 1979 as Geetali Norah Shankar, in Manhattan, New York and was raised in Dallas, Texas. Known as a jazz- styled singer/pianist. Daughter of legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar. You won’t find much on the Billboard charts, but that doesn’t hide the fact that she received 2 Grammys in 2003 for Song and Record of the Year with “Don’t Know Why”. And again Record of the Year in 2005 with Ray Charles for “Here We Go Again”.

Run Rudolph Run (3:10) 2021

CD: I Dream Of Christmas [Blue Note ] ● USA, 2021

Hey, talk about laidback. Only the lyrics are left. No beat, no riffs, nothing … Jazz/pop arrangement. Pretty amazing that she actually chose to record this rockin’ tune. She probably liked the lyrics. Goode for a Berry.

LADO LESKOVAR (Yugoslavia)

As you might notice on page 1315 I was wondering if he was singing in Serbo-Croat and it turns out he was. The title for this cover was “Memfis Tenesi” (!)

BERNIE MARSDEN (UK)

Bernard John Marsden, British rock guitarist and songwriter, born in 1951. He’s been a professional musician since the early ‘70s. Famous for being a member of Whitesnake, 1978-1982; the song “Here I Go Again” from ’82 has become the bands anthem.

Back In The USA (2:30) 2021

CD: Chess [Conquest Music CD-18092] ● UK, 2021

This is the second issue of Marsden’s Inspirations Series. The first was for the three Kings, Albert, B.B. and Freddie.
On this CD above he pays tribute to his mentors on the Chess label, like Berry, Bo Diddley, Howlin Wolf, Sonny Boy, Elmore James and Muddy Waters.
However, it has always been a mystery to me why English artists decide to sing about the USA in favor of other classic rock’n’roll songs from the Berry songbook. I’m so glad I’m living in the USA sounds a bit silly in the hands of a foreigner, if you ask me.

BILL STAMPER (USA)

Let It Rock (1:50) 1965

45: Loy BS-100 ● USA, 1965 (PS)

Don’t know much here, except that he’s probably a country singer. It doesn’t say anything about where, when or what, but the record pressing plant was called Rite Record Productions Inc. and was located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The version itself is nothing to write home about and sounds pretty boring.

TY TENDER (Austria)

Real name is Fritz Weller. Born in 1943. Rock’n’Roll singer whose been active since the ‘70s. Known as an Elvis impersonator.

Little Queenie (2:58) 1993
Maybellene (2:18) 1993
Memphis, Tennessee (2:28) 1993
No Particular Place To Go (2:22) 1993
Promised Land (2:46) 1993
You Never Can Tell (3:17) 1993

CD: My Rockin’ Way [PG Records (Sounddesign)10 158] ● Germany, 1993

For some strange reason this album has passed me completely by. 17 tracks and six are Berry covers on one CD is pretty unusual. Well, except for “Promised Land” which is done the Presley way and “Memphis” the Rivers way, the rest are pretty ordinary. Good rockin versions although very predictable. He sings well and has a tight band.

Run Rudolph Run (3:49) 2012 w/The Continentals

CD: Rockin’ Christmas [Foxrocks (Mcdp International) FOXCD- ? ] ● Austria, 2012

THREE SOULS IN MY MIND (Mexico)

This rock group was formed in 1968 by Alejandro Lora (lead vocals-bass), Ernesto de Leon (lead guitar) and Carlos Hauptvogel (drums). They were enhanced on some albums by Arturo Labastida (saxophone) and Carlos Martinez (trumpet). They have had many albums released on the Raff label, 13 to be exact, and several “Greatest Hits” and “Best Of…” compilations on various labels.

Betty Jean (3:20) 1978

LP: La Devaluación [Raff RF-9044] ● Mexico, 1978

Reelin’ And Rockin’/ Sweet Little Rock And Roller / Johnny B. Goode / Bye Bye Johnny
(as “Potpurri De Rock”) (6:15) 1982

LP: Viejas Rolas De Rock [Raff RF-9108] ● Mexico, 1982

The lyrics of “Reelin’ And Rockin’” are following the 1973 Berry version. They were surely influenced by Berry. Take a listen to their “Oue Viva El Rock And Roll” from 1974. The song itself is not Berry but wait for the guitar solo !!! It was released on single (Raff RF-5039) and album in 1975 (Raff RF-9019).

STEFAN ULBRICHT (Germany)

Promised Land (2:23) 2020 (instr)

CD: Addicted To Boogie [Piano Reloaded Music] ● Germany, 2020

LUCINDA WILLIAMS (USA)

Born in 1953, Lake Charles, Louisiana. A rock, folk and country music singer/songwriter, who had her commercial breakthrough in 1998 with the Gold album “Car Wheels On A Gravel Road”. Has received several Grammy Awards and has released a string of albums.

Run Rudolph Run (3:41) 2020

LP/CD: Lu’s Jukebox Vol.5 – Have Yourself A Rockin’ Little Christmas [Highway 20 Records H-2011] ● USA, 2021

Lu's Jukebox is a six-volume series of performances recorded live at Ray Kennedy's Room & Board Studio in Nashville, starting in late 2020. Note quite sure if this is really live with an audience or just played live in the studio.

ZACH WILLIAMS (USA)

Christian/gospel rock artist from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Born in 1981.

Run Rudolph Run (2:44) 2021

CD: I Don’t Want Christmas To End [Provident /Sony Music SMV CD7761627] ● USA, 2021

Ten tracks recorded at the Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 12:48 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Tuesday, July 6. 2021

CBID - Never ending additions to the list of Chuck Berry cover versions

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: New Chuck Berry cover versions from well-known and little-known artists and groups including an astonishing number of Maybellenes.

A friend of mine called the other day and said he had a Berry cover that was not in Vol.3: Red Jenkins And The Midnight Cowboys (Sweden). It contained a version of “Promised Land” (2:14), and the album on Shannon Records SMLP-5013 was released in 1983 but recorded in 1971. It took me a while to figure this out as I was sure I had Red Jenkins somewhere. And I did find out. If you look at page 1363 you’ll find Midnight Cowboys which was the original band name when the album was released back in 1971.

CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS (USA)

Blues/R&B/soul quintet, formed in 2007. Fronted by guitarist, trumpeter and vocalist Lech Wierzynski (born in Warsaw, Poland).
Johnny Bones (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Lorenzo Loera (keyboards, melodic), Beau Bradbury (bass, percussion), Ben Malament (drums, washboard, percussion).

You Never Can Tell (4:38) 2021

CD: Covers From The Cave [Tubtone Records ] • USA, March 2021

ALEX CHILTON (USA)

Born 1950 in Memphis. He was a founding member and lead singer of the Box Tops (“The Letter” 1967). Chilton later formed the power-pop band Big Star. By the time the album below was done he was living in New Orleans. He died in 2010 of heart failure.

Maybellene ( : ) 1999 (live)

CD: Boogie Shoes - Live On Beale Street [Omnivore Records OVCD-420 ] • USA, 2021
LP: Boogie Shoes - Live On Beale Street [Omnivore Records OVLP-420 ] • USA, 2021

Previously unissued recording from 1999 at the New Daisy Theater in Memphis. Backed by the High Rhythm Section. The LP was limited to just 100 copies.

DOWNLINERS SECT (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1167 for biographical info.

Rock And Roll Music (2:07) 1964

EP 45: Brite-Lights Big City [Contrast Sound Prod. RBCSP-002] • UK, 2011

Called the lost EP. Due to various circumstances this was not released back in ’64. It was supposed to be a follow up to the “R&B At Nite In Gt. Newport” EP.

Little Queenie (3:12) 1998

CD: Dangerous Ground [Birch MB-23897] • UK, 1998

Don Craine (vocals-rhythm guitars) and Keith Grant (vocals-bass) are supported by Paul Martin on harp / sax and Alan Brooks on drums plus some additional musicians. Grant sings on “Little Queenie”.

DRONGOS (New Zealand)

According to what I have found on the net, they were a quartet from New Zealand who primarily performed in the streets of New York City from 1979-1986. They actually moved to New York in 1978. Jean McAllister (vocals-guitar), Richard Kennedy (vocals-guitar), Tony McMaster (bass), Stanley John Mitchell (drums).

Too Much Monkey Business [as “Monkey Business”] (2:53) 1984 (live)

LP: Small Miracles [Proteus Records PROT-002] • USA, 1985
MC: Small Miracles [Proteus Records M5PROTE-2] • New Zealand, 1985

It was recorded live on the streets of Manhattan, 5 September 1984. Now this is a very goode rockin’ version, rhythm, vocals and guitars.

BILLY FURY (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1205 for biographical info.

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:23) 1969 (live)

CD: Three Saturdays With Billy [Top Sounds TSSCD-009] • UK, 2021
10” LP: Three Saturdays With Billy [Top Sounds TSLP-009] • UK, 2021

Recorded live for BBC Radio 1, broadcast on Saturday Club, 18 January ’69. Previously unissued.

FOGHAT (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1197 for biographical info.

Maybellene ( : ) 2019 (live)

2-CD+DVD: 8 Days On The Road [Foghat Records (Select-O-Hits) ] • USA, 2021

A 50th anniversary celebration concert album (14 tracks) recorded live 17 November 2019 at the Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, New York. The club is owned by Daryl Hall. It features the current line-up led by founding drummer Roger Earl, plus Charlie Huhn (guitar and vocals), Bryan Bassett (guitar) and Rodney O’Quinn (bass).

LES COCHRAN’S (France)

Beat quintet.

Carol (2:18) 1966
Memphis, Tennessee (2:38) 1966

EP: Les Cochran’s [Zaphyr 6002] • France, 2000

Songs copied from an acetate, recorded in 1966. Two Berry songs, one from the Kinks, and one original. On the front cover they are four (quartet) and on the back they are on stage as 5 (quintet). It’s a strange thing that a band name themselves after a certain artist and no songs from that artist appears. It’s about the same with The Rockin’ Berries from the UK. They never recorded any Berry songs, not even a soundalike!

LOVESICK DUO (Italy)

Paolo Roberto Pianezza plays various string instruments and Francesca Alinovi plays upright bass. After six years they have released 4 albums and several singles. They are rooted in the American style of the ‘40s and ‘50s country, rock & roll and western swing. He’s a very good player and she can really slap that bass.

Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] ( : ) 2017

CD: The New Orleans Session [Lovesick Duo ] • Italy, 2017

Featuring special guest: Chloe Feoranzo

Back In The USA (2:49) 2015
No Particular Place To Go (2:51) 2015

CD: Lovesick Duo [Pianezza LOV-01] • Italy, 2015

It’s kinda amazing that two people can make so much goode sound.

MIRACULOUS MULE (UK)

Rock quartet consisting of Alex Louise Petty, Ian Burns, Michael J. Sheehy, Patrick McCarthy. The album below was their debut. They have released three more since then.

Down Bound Train (5:07) 2011

10” EP: Miraculous Mule [Stag-O-Lee STAG-O 022] • UK, 2011

6 track EP recorded in London.

JAYNIE NORTON And Her Dominators (UK)

A south London rocker who had a 45 vinyl out in 2019. On this debut album she gathered some old rockers from bands like Wild Angels, Matchbox and Rockhouse including Wild Bob Burgos (drums), Dick Callan (guitar), Dave Thorncroft (sax), Ian Sab (piano) and Bob Plumb (upright bass).

Maybellene (2:25) 2021

CD: Rev’d Up & Rockin’ [TCY Records TCY-035] • Switzerland, 2021

But guys, “Maybellene” should only be credited to Berry, not the addition of Alan Freed and Russ Fratto. That’s ancient history.

ROLLING STONES (UK)

See volume 3, pages 1475-1477 for biographical info.

There’s a new 6-CD set out on Laser Media, “The Broadcast Archives – Rolling Stones Box” LM-5608 (UK), containing 89 various live recordings with the band, from radio broadcasts, 1965-1988. A lot of Berry covers here (14 to be exact) and several soundalikes but there’s no info on the set, and I will not use time and effort to try and find out what’s new or previously released and where, what or when. The sound is also a bit irritating bad on some cuts. So why bother. Just for die-hard Rolling Stones fans, and me because I bought a copy (!)

RULLATOR BOOGIE BAND (Norway)

Blues/Rhythm & Blues sextet from Drøbak. They usually perform cover versions but also include original songs. On the 12 track CD below they have two originals.

Carol (3:19) 2019 (live)

CD: Live Fra Rommen Scene [Rullator Boogie Band, no cat.#] • Norway, 2020

Recorded live 30 October 2019 at Rommen Scene, Groruddalen, Oslo, Norway. A good rockin’ version.

TOMMY STEELE (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1532 for biographical info. However, on 10 October 2020 he was knighted so he’s now Sir Tommy Steele. It was about time.

Maybellene (3:02) 1959 (live) (previously unissued)

3-CD: Hits And Rarities [Acrobat Music ACTRCD-9108] • UK, May 2021

BBC Radio “The Tommy Steele Show” broadcast 14 November 1959. Don’t know what to say except it was a big disappointment. Apart from making up his own lyrics and shouting, he’s just singing the refrain a few times while the orchestra is blowing away! The CD set itself is interesting containing a lot of rare and unissued stuff.

KENT WENNMAN ROCKABILLY QUARTET (Sweden)

Kent Wennman (vocals-guitar), Ulf Holmberg (lead guitar), Stefan Persson (bass), Per-Åke Persson (drums), plus add Nicke Widén (steel guitar).

Maybellene (2:01) 2019

CD: Guitar Man & Other Great Rockabilly Tracks Associated With The King Vol. 2 [Kattguld CD 024] • Sweden, 2019

6 tracks. Not quite sure if I should laugh or cry? Do they really mean that “Maybellene” is associated with Elvis? They do a very decent cover though.

CD: Good Rocking Tonight And Other Louisiana Hayride Live Performances Associated With The King [Kattguld CD 025] • Sweden, 2021

9 tracks. All the tracks are songs that Elvis performed on the Louisiana Hayride one time or another. Some he did record and others he didn’t. I mean, hey, “Tweedle Dee” = Elvis? Give me a break, and the Lavern Baker classic is performed country. The guys are pretty good musicians and have the rockabilly feeling for sure. But the album titles are pretty irritating.

JERRY WILLIAMS (Sweden)

See Volume 3, page 1607 for biographical info. Except that the man died in March 2018. He was 75.

Down Bound Train (2:58) 2006
Too Much Monkey Business (2:44) 2006

CD: Waterfront Studio Sessions [Universal Music AB 050257757369] • Sweden, 2019
LP: Waterfront Studio Sessions [Universal Music AB 050257757138] • Sweden, 2019

“Down Bound Train” is actually very good, but “…Monkey Business” is a cover of the Elvis version and that was a disappointment.

Down Bound Train (3:35) 2015

CD: Ghost Rider [Universal Music AB 060254730493] • Sweden, 2015
LP: Ghost Rider [Universal Music AB 060254731847] • Sweden, 2015

Now this is strange in two ways, first too much music/noise and second the whole album is so far from what I have ever heard from Mr. Williams. The whole concept of the album is quite dark which reflects the music and arrangements.

Almost Grown (2:47) 2016 (live)
You Never Can Tell (3:43) 2016 (live)

2-CD set: Man Måste Få Lira [Universal Music AB 060255717019] • Sweden, 2017

It was recorded live at the Scalateatern, Stockholm 29 April 2016. A typical Jerry show! He has a great band, great singers, and he gives it all during almost 2 hours. He also has a habit of talking between some songs and when Jerry starts talking nothing can stop(?) him. He also had something to say about “Chucken” (as he called him) before “Almost Grown”...

Posted by Morten Reff in CBID Updates at 12:36 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Saturday, May 1. 2021

Farewell to my favourite RnR magazine

Yesterday I received the 250th and ultimate issue of German-language Rock 'n' Roll Musikmagazin (RRMM).
The magazine started in 1977, produced by three Rock'n'Roll fanatics who complained about the lack of reliable information about 1950s music and performers. So Claus-D., H.-Günther and Wilfried decided to research and publish by themselves.
RRMM was a magazine made by fanatics and made for fanatics. My subscription started with issue number five in 1978.
When I started writing about Chuck Berry, RRMM was the logical choice: an early concert report made it to number 35 in 1983, a two-part biography with discography was published in numbers 49 and 50 in 1986. Since then whenever there was something of interest to tell about Chuck Berry, I was happy to write an article for the German-language readers. My final contribution was in the next-to-last issue published this January.

Early RRMM issues with Dietmar's contributions

As everyone interested in 1950 Rock 'n' Roll knows, all of the famous performers have died or at least are becomming very old. And so did the readers of RRMM. In the end, there were so few subscriptions that printing the magazine was no longer reasonable.

I want to thank all the fellow writers at RRMM for doing all the research and for providing all their results to us, especially Dieter and Klaus. And many, many thanks to Waltraut and H.-Günther for keeping the magazine alive for 44 years!

Those of you who don't know the magazine still have a chance to buy certain back-issues. Look at the list of available issues at http://rocknroll-magazin.de/index/archiv. If you don't read German, don't worry. Translation software such as Deepl is excellent and will easily output a readable English version of everything you don't understand.

Posted by Dietmar Rudolph in Non-Berries at 19:56 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

Friday, April 16. 2021

The Toronto Concert Complete - not yet - still

Everyone interested in Chuck Berry's music knows the Toronto concert. This is because Berry's performance at the Toronto Rock&Roll Revival festival of September 13th, 1969 has been recorded professionally both on film and on audio tape.
The audio was published on hundreds of vinyl and CD albums starting with the 2-LP set Live in Concert (Magnum LP-703) in 1978. The optical recording was used as early as 1970, most importantly in D.A. Pennebaker's movie Keep On Rockin' from 1972.
The interesting thing to collectors is that none of the audio or video releases contains the entire performance. The 2-LP set has, very uncommon for a live recording, each song completely separated with faded start and ending. The movie contains just a selection of songs as well as some in-between talks, but cut and spliced as it fitted to the director.
it is totally unclear why there has never been a complete release of the entire show. At least in the 1980s and 1990s a more complete source still existed, as budget re-releases of the concert contained indeed MORE than the original Magnum album. For instance a French LP album contains half a minute of introduction between School Day and Wee Wee Hours.
Thus at least in the 1990s some company still owned a more complete, maybe entire tape of the show they could license. Some labels used this, though never in total.
It is unclear whether this tape still exists somewhere. When Bear Family in 2014 released their huge Berry box, they tried to find it, but didn't succeed. Therefore Bear Family extracted the only song from the show still missing an audio release (the short Bonsoir Cherie) from Pennebaker's movie.
We all thought this would be the end of the story. But a few days ago, Sunset Blvd. Records released another audio CD with music from Toronto, but promoted their release with a prominently placed large sticker:

Even those like me who already have dozens of records containing the same show, felt tempted to buy one of the (pretty expensive) CDs. Don't do it!

Also Sunset Blvd. Records (SBR) did NOT find the original audio tape. Instead they cut and spliced available and well-known material trying to recreate the original concert. There's nothing wrong trying so. I did the same in 1997. However, I used all the material from all the sources. SBR obviously only had the Magnum album and Pennebaker's film.
This means that several of the transitions between songs are missing from this CD. And it means that what sounds like on-stage chatter and comments is not at the correct place, since Pennebaker already had cut and spliced segments from all over the concert and shuffled them around.
The songs are not in the correct sequence and parts of the show are omitted even though already known. The only interesting thing is that SBR included Kim Fowley's introduction to Berry.
So this is a fake! And at some time SBR must have recognized it. MC Kim Fowley is heard twice at song endings applauding Berry. One is at the non-medley version of Johnny B. Goode and thus also on the SBR CD. A second time is at the end of Maybellene.This and its placement at the end of the Magnum 2-LP set lets me assume that this song is one of the rare encores in a Berry concert. SBR instead decided to place Maybellene after I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man which ends with Berry asking "You name it, we play it." Maybellene starts with "Did I hear Maybellene?" Fits, thought the people at SBR. But this required them to cut off Kim Fowley from the end of the song and to fade over into Too Much Monkey Business.
And indeed it's too much monkey business here. Why to spend all the effort to create such a fake? Either you have the original tape or you don't. But don't pretend to have it.
Interestingly the liner notes refer to and correctly name our database as a source. So they must have found this site. But why didn't they read the long chapter we have dedicated to this concert alone? All this leaves us fairly disappointed.

To end with a positive note: Have a look at Don Pennebaker's description about how the title Keep On Rockin' got selected and about his visit to John Lennon's bedroom showing him the film: https://phfilms.com/films/sweet-toronto-keep-on-rockin/#summary
Somehow Pennebaker misses to tell that Lennon demanded payment for his appearance and thus had to be cut from the film.

Posted by Dietmar Rudolph in Chuck Berry Recordings at 11:57 | Add Comment | Contact Webmaster

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This weblog is an addition to my Chuck Berry fansite called "A Collector's Guide to the Music of Chuck Berry" which describes all books and records of interest to everyone enjoying Chuck Berry's music.

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The Chuck Berry Collectors Blog

News and discussions to Dietmar Rudolph's "A Collector's Guide to the Music of Chuck Berry"

Monday, May 9. 2022

CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 2

Saturday, May 7. 2022

Run! Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – and the copyright mystery

Friday, April 29. 2022

CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 1

Tuesday, March 29. 2022

CBID - More Berry Covers - part 2

Monday, March 21. 2022

CBID - More Berry Covers - part 1

Monday, January 31. 2022

CBID - Some old but missing Berry releases popped up

Sunday, January 30. 2022

CBID - Surfin' the Net for Berry covers

Tuesday, January 25. 2022

CBID - Mikka Grytviken and the Differents honor Chuck

Saturday, January 15. 2022

CBID - Chuck Berry in Radio and Movies

Friday, January 14. 2022

CBID - Additions to the Eddy Clearwater Discography

Thursday, December 23. 2021

CBID - The Night Chuck Berry Died

Thursday, December 16. 2021

CBID - It's Run Rudolph Run Time again

Tuesday, July 6. 2021

CBID - Never ending additions to the list of Chuck Berry cover versions

Saturday, May 1. 2021

Farewell to my favourite RnR magazine

Friday, April 16. 2021

The Toronto Concert Complete - not yet - still

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