The Chuck Berry Collectors Blog

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: While we're still continuing our list of new cover versions, Beyoncé recorded an obscure Berry song, even more obscure.

There’s a rock’n’roll quartet The Lady Shelters from Tokyo, Japan, who besides having released a few albums (no Berry though) also have a series of rock’n’roll covers on You Tube. Performed live in the studio. They do “Around And Around” and “Back In The USA”, BUT also a cover of the obscure rocker from Berry titled “I Will Not Let You Go” (2:55), performed in December 2022. They are good and enthusiastic musicians. The song was recorded by Berry himself February 1972 in London, and later featured on the “London Sessions” album, and as the B-side of the UK single “Reelin’ And Rockin’”.

There is also a newly found Tribute titled “Boogie For Chuck Berry” (1:50) by Jean-Paul Amouroux and Memphis Slim from 1984 featuring Slim on piano and Jean-Paul on organ. Written by Amouroux and Slim. Available on the album “Jean-Paul Amouroux And His Friends” Média 7 MDCD-201 (1989). Unfortunately I have not been able to listen to this so far so I can’t comment. The album is a compilation of tracks recorded from 1976 to 1989 featuring besides Slim also Jay McShann, Willie Mabon, Milt Buckner and Sammy Price. Amouroux has also done several Berry covers, you’ll find them below.

JEAN-PAUL AMOUROUX (France)

Jazz and blues pianist and songwriter in the boogie woogie style. Born 1943 and died in 2022. Released several albums since the mid ‘70s often in collaboration with other musicians.

Johnny B. Goode (2:21) 2015 (instr)
Memphis, Tennessee (2:50) 2015 (instr)
No Particular Place To Go (2:28) 2015 (instr)
Rock And Roll Music (2:14) 2015 (instr)
School Day (2:07) 2015 (instr)
You Never Can Tell (3:26) 2015 (instr) feat. Claude Braud on saxophone

CD: Plays Rock’n’Roll Hits In Boogie Woogie [Black & Blue BB- ? ] ● France, 2015

(10 Years Of Rock’n’Roll 1954-1964). 26 tracks including 6 by Berry !!!. Pretty good music, however, I have one complaint, “School Day” and “No Particular Place To Go” are very similar songs and as instrumentals they become even more similar. “Roll Over Beethoven” or “Promised Land” would have been a better choice.
See also Tributes

BEYONCÉ (USA)

Carter née Beyoncé Giselle Knowles. Born 1981 in Houston, Texas. Singer, songwriter, producer, actress. Very famous with a lot of credits to her name. She’s the best selling female artist of all time. 32 Grammy Awards and 26 MTV Video Music Awards and more. From 1990 she was a member of the popular Pop/R&B group Destiny’s Child. Her first solo album came in 2003.

Oh, Louisiana (0:52) 2023

CD: Cowboy Carter [Parkwood Enetertainment/Columbia ] ● USA, 2024

Would you believe, another one in the line of obscure Berry songs, this time covered by one of the most popular singers in America this side of 2000. Originally it was featured on the Berry album “San Francisco Dues” in 1971. I have always liked this song and especially the bass line that makes it special. Actually Beyoncé has used exactly the same arrangement and there is also a video of this on You Tube. Maybe it will help people to seek out the original song by Berry. HOWEVER! Why the chipmunk voice and why under a minute? The original runs for four and a half minutes. The album has 27 tracks. There is also another variant of this issue, 23 tracks, which does not include the Berry cover. And more; the original Berry cut of “Maybellene” is featured in about 3 seconds on “Smoke Hour” with Willie Nelson where he is talking about a radio show and a few songs (just seconds) are played. To sum it all up, this is a weird album by all means, and to set the record straight, has nothing to do with country music at all. People who say otherwise don’t know what country music is all about (and there are many out there, unfortunately).

CAGEY STRINGS (Germany)

See Volume 3, page 1109 for biographical info.

Johnny B. Goode (4:31) 2013
You Never Can Tell (as “C’est La Vie”) (4:12) 2013

2-CD: Vollgas [Gema  4034677186305] ● Germany, 2013

Run Rudolph Run (3:19) 2023

CD: Have Yourself A Cagey Little Christmas [Artists & Acts (Universal) ] ● Germany, 20237

D.J. BLUES BAND (UK)

This is already on this blog. However, I hadn’t heard the cover back then, but I have now, so read below.

I Still Got The Blues (2:53) 1965 (?)

4-CD set: Something Inside Of Me [Wienerworld Presentation WNRCD-5114] ● UK, 2021

“Unreleased Masters & Demos from the British Blues Years 1963-1976”. This is really a different approach from a UK band in the ‘60s, almost big band style with a trumpet solo! in the middle. It’s Jim Pitts who’s doing the vocals on this one. It’s another track to add to the already huge amount of Berry songs that’s been covered.

FRANK ZNORT QUARTET (Norway)

Founded in 1998 by Sef Foyn and four friends (quartet?) just jamming whatever music they wanted (no one named Frank Znort). They had their first CD out in 2002 after the act had developed into a multi-musician project. The largest quartet in the world(!) They have released several CDs since 2004.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:46) 2012

2-CD: Perler Fra Svin [Snort Records FZQV-003] ● Norway, 2012

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. On this album you’ll find almost every musical genre arranged in jazz form, rhythm & blues or whatever. The Berry cover sounds like a version from the Caribbean. The singer even uses a typical Caribbean accent.

INMATES (UK)

British pub-rock band which was founded in North London at the end of the ‘70s. The original line-up was: Bill Hunley (vocals), Peter “Gunn” Staines (lead guitar, vocals), Tony Oliver (rhythm guitar, vocals), Ben Donnnelly (bass), Jim Russell (drums, vocals). They had a Top 40 hit in the UK with a cover of Jimmy McCracklin’s “The Walk” in January 1980. Several singles and albums released throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s.

I’m Talking About You (2:12) 1980 (live)
Let It Rock (5:00) 1980 (live)

CD: Tainted Rock!!! [Speedball SBC-004] ● Italy, 1991

Recorded live at The Rainbow Music Hall in Denver, Colorado, USA, February 1980. Previously unissued. A loong good rockin’ version of “Let It Rock” to end the show. They also do a version of “Don’t You Lie To Me” credited to Chuck Berry, but is not counted for here as it was originally written and recorded by Hudson Whittaker aka Tampa Red in 1940.

IMPOSTERS (USA)

Surf-punk, hardcore band from Hermosa Beach, California.

Come On (2:28) 2010

LP: Animal Magnetism [Dead Beat Records DB-94] ● USA, 2011

Sounds a bit like the Stones’ version in speed but still different with their own approach. LP released in different vinyl colors.

SPEEDY KING AND HIS FEETWARMERS (Belgium)

Already on this blog.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ (3:40) 1977 (live)

Various LP: Jeuzelfestival ’77 [Monopole M.LP-0169-844] ● Belgium, 1977

Festival organized by the youth centre De Jeuzel in Wuustwezel, Belgium. See also Memphis Mill Brooks with “Memphis, Tennessee”.

MARTIN MANN (West Germany)

Schlager, singer, composer, songwriter and producer. Born 1944 in Vienna, Austria but grew up in Wiesbaden, Germany. He has released a few solo albums and several singles since 1969.

Roll Over Beethoven (3:06) 1976

45: Jupiter Records 17 149XT ● West Germany, 1976 (art sleeve)

This is actually a Medley of Beethoven, High School Rock and Hound Dog.

As Martin Mann & The King Elvis Group:

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1979
Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1979

2-LP: Bravo Präsentiert: Die 24 Grössten Rock’n’Roll Hits – Mit 12 Elvis-Songs [Jupiter Records 300184-272] ● West Germany, 1979

Don’t know what this album was all about and for sure have never heard of The King Elvis Group?

MEMPHIS MILL BROOKS (Belgium)

I have found absolutely nothing about this artist (!)

Memphis, Tennessee (2:55) 1977 (live)

Various LP: Jeuzefestival ’77 [Monopole M.LP-0169-844] ● Belgium, 1977

Festival organized by the youth centre De Jeuzel in Wuustwezel, Belgium. See also Speedy King & His Feetwarmers with “Reelin’ And Rockin’ “

TODD MORGAN & The Emblems (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist from Sacramento, California. This is a trio consisting of Todd (vocals, guitar, piano), Zack Sapunor (bass) and Andrew Philip (drums). He has 6 albums so far to his credit.

Run Rudolph Run (2:54) 2021

CD: Santa Claus Blues [Todd Morgan - TAW-105] ● USA, 2021

I had never heard of Todd Morgan until the morning of 12 March 2024 when he suddenly turned up on You Tube when I was searching for Berry’s “Go Bobby Soxer”. There he was performing it live on stage in 2023 (check it out). I also found another version, and live versions of “Down Bound Train”, “Brown Eyed Handsome Man”, “Johnny B. Goode”, “Roll Over Beethoven” and “No Particular Place To Go”. I also found his web site, but looking through his albums it was no Berry(?) except the one above. And I found nothing on Bandcamp which is strange?

EILERT PILARM (Sweden)

Nils Roland Eilert Dahlberg, born 1953 in Anundsjö. He’s released several albums, but he can’t sing! Here’s what’s written on discogs which I think says it all: “His interpretation is characterized by inadequate singing voice, lack of tone, lack of rhythm and very poor pronunciation of the English lyrics. This is believed to be the key to Pilarm's success”. So do the people (audiences) feel sorry for him and therefore think it’s okay?

Johnny B. Goode (2:11) 2001 (live)

CD single: Johnny B. Goode [Björk CDS-1] ● Sweden, 2001

Don’t know what to say. Is this real? Everything here is a mess. His singing is so out of tune, he don’t know the lyrics and the rhythm section has problems keeping up.
Overall, there are too many Elvis impersonators on the marked and have been for many years. I must admit I have stayed away from a few when I come across them doing Johnny B. or Promised Land. Sorry to say.

PILEDRIVER (Germany)

Michael Sommerhoff (vocals, guitar), Peter Wagner (vocals, guitar), Rudi Peeters (keyboards), Marc Herrmann (bass, vocals), Hans in’t Zandt (drums). Rock band very influenced by the music of UKs own Status Quo. If you go to YouTube and search Piledriver “Bye Bye Johnny” it is mentioned as a Status Quo classic! Not bad.

Bye Bye Johnny (5:22) 2015 (live)

2-CD: The Boogie Brothers Live In Concert [Rockwall Records RW-04042012] ● Germany, 2017

Also Blu-ray of the concert and extras. 20th Anniversary Show at Stadthalle Wattenscheid October 2015.

Bye Bye Johnny (4:58) 2020 (live)

3-CD: Live In Europe – The Rockwall Tour [Rockwall Records RW-04042023] ● Germany, 2023

DVD + Blu-ray. 5 discs, comes in a box-set. The Berry number is from a concert on CD3 recorded live in Zwolle, Netherlands 25 January 2020.

“BUCK” PIZZARELLI & The West Texas Tumbleweeds (USA)

John Paul “Bucky” Pizzarelli was a jazz guitarist and banjoplayer, born 1926 in Paterson, New Jersey, died in 2020. His first album came in 1960. And he’s released and been involved in many, many albums. The Tumbleweeds: John Pizzarelli (guitar, backing vocals), Jessica Molaskey (backing vocals), Martin Pizzarelli (bass), Danny Coots (drums). John Paul and Jessica were husband and wife and parents to both John and Martin.

Promised Land (2:58) 2009

CD: Diggin’ Up Bones [Arbors Records ARCD-19394] ● USA, 2009

In addition to this almost family gathering there are 3 musical friends on the album, Rebecca Kilgore, Andy Levas and Aaron Weinstein. This is a little different than most other versions, sort of a more folky approach with a western swing arrangement. I really dig this !

BOBBY “GUITAR” POREMBSKI & CITY RHYTHM (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist from New York City, New York. He also plays accordion by the way. Bobby (vocals, guitars, ukulele), Bryan Gottshall (bass), Dan Goldfedder (drums). Would you believe that he has actually 71 albums on Bandcamp! In 2021 he was nominated for the single of the year with “My Love” by the International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA Awards 2021 Atlanta, Georgia).

Johnny B. Goode (3:03) 2012

Digital album: One Take, No Rehearsals – A Jam For Autism [BP Self-released ] ● USA, 2012

Studio recordings of classic rock’n’roll songs that they often performed live with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for autism. Pretty goode album.

DIMITRIS POULIKAKOS (Greece)

Rock singer and actor, born 1943.

Little Queenie (5:30) 1979 (live)

LP: Crazy Love – Live [Minos Records DAL-MSM-363] ● Greece, 1979

This is a cross between Stones and Berry and is the opening track of the album.

POWDERHOUSE (USA)

This is a female-fronted (Teresa Mastrorilli) rock band from Boston. However, the Berry cover has a male singer (Ray Boyce). They have singles, EPs and albums out on FOC Records, but you’ll find much more to download on Bandcamp.
Teresa Mastrorilli (vocals, lead & rhythm guitars), Fred Pickard (lead & rhythm guitars, vocals), Art DaPrato (keyboards), Ray Boyce (vocals, bass, guitars), Kevin Moylan (drums).

Run Rudolph Run (3:12) 2011

Digital album: Covers Vol. 1 [FOC Records Self-released] ● USA, 2011

Straight forward rock version with a good beat. Released 21 june 2011. The Berry cover was also available as a download single in December 2012. The album was remastered at FOC Studios North, Ludlow, Vermont in January 2021. Listen on Bandcamp.

PREBENS PÅGAR (Sweden)

Rock/pop quintet from Landskrona. It seems they are a popular live band and have released some albums and 26 singles the latest in the Autumn of 2023.

You Never Can Tell (3:14) 2005 (live)

CD: Prebens Pågar [Melody Records MECD-1005] ● Sweden, 2005

PRELLIES (UK)

Beatle rock band from Birmingham. The band has been playing around in the UK, Belgium, Isle of Man and the Beatleweek.
They have also made a soundtrack for a television programme on the life of Stuart Sutcliffe (the fifth Beatle). The songs on the CD below contain the soundtrack.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:31) 2005
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:14) 2005

CD: Afternoon Tea [Atombeat Records AB-001] ● UK, 2005

SUZANNE PRENTICE (New Zealand)

Country singer, born 1958. Been active since the early ‘70s. She’s been called the Queen of Country in New Zealand, a strange thing for me to understand when you mostly do covers of American songs/hits. And she’s received a lot of Awards too. She has a good voice and released a whole bunch of albums since 1973.

Johnny B. Goode (2:51) 1975

LP: Suzanne Prentice [Music World MALPS-394] ● New Zealand, 1975

This sounds very clean and ordinary with little drive. She also had an album out in 1980 titled “Dreamin’ My Dreams” containing a version of Johnny B. but I don’t know if it’s the same version as above or recorded for the new album.

JOHN PRIMER (USA)

See Volume 3 under CHICAGO BLUES – A LIVING HISTORY page 1123 for info on this.
And the timing for Reelin’ And Rockin’ is (3:41).

BEN PRYER & THE LUCKY DOGS (UK)

Ben Pryer (lead vocals, guitar), Jack Norman (bass), Joe Butcher (drums, backing vocals). Regarded as one of UK’s finest vintage bands, playing music from the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:39) 2019 (live)

CD: An Audience With [Lucky Dog Records ] ● UK, 2019

From the opening riffs it sounded like the Beatles’ version. But there are a lot of good old rock’n’roll covers on the album.
Released 19 April 2019 on Bandcamp.

VICTOR PUERTAS & MAX GENOUEL (Spain/France)

Good blues from Barcelona and Nantes. Victor Puertas (vocals, harp, keyboards), Max Genouel (vocals, guitar), Julien Dubois (bass), Hugo Deviers (drums, vocals). As they say: For a week we recorded at La P’Artquetterie, an old wooden-floors factory turned into a juke joint and run by friends in the middle of the French countryside.

You Can’t Catch Me (4:41) 2019

CD: Recording Session [Self-released ] ● Spain/France, 2019

What a fabulous album and music. Again, it’s nice to see that a Berry tune was picked out among 12 tracks.

PUSSYCATS (Norway)

See Volume 3, page 1434 for biographical info.

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:36) 1965 (live)

CD: The Pussycats Live 1965 [Backstage Records BR-014] ● Norway, 2023

Previously unissued concert, 9 tracks recorded live at Kino (movie Theatre) Bellevue, Tromsdalen, Norway, 13 October 1965. Limited edition of 300 copies, but because of good sales they printed another 300 (!)

RADIO NASTIES (UK)

Garage rock trio from Southwest of England led by Ben Hayes. They had at least 2 original singles released on Death Of Glory Records in 2013.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:57) 2020
Johnny B. Goode (2:55) 2020
Roll Over Beethoven (3:06) 2020

Digital album: Rockdown 2020 [Self-released ] ● UK, 2020

Released 28 January 2021. 12 rock’n’roll classics recorded in the summer of 2020 during lockdown.

MASON RAMSEY (USA)

Country singer, guitarist, from Golconda, Illinois born 2006, which means he’s only 17 years of age when he recorded the Yuletide classic. His voice sounds more mature though. Popular guy and he has his own website. Next spring he will tour Germany and the UK. His first record came out in 2018 (!)

Run Rudolph Run (2:45) 2023

Digital single: Atlantic 00 7567 96697 9 7 ● USA, 2023

Pretty ordinary country-rock version.

DIG RICHARDS And The R’Jays (Australia)

Singer, songwriter, musical theatre actor Digby George Richards was born in 1940 and died in 1983. He was also a televison presenter. Active in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s as the lead singer of the band The R’Jays. According to info he seems to be the very first rock’n’roll artist to have a full 12” LP release in Australia (see below). In the ‘70s he became a country artist.

Carol ( : ) 1959
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1959

LP: Dig Richards And The R’Jays [Festival Records FL-7119] ● Australia, 1959

DAVE RICKETTS (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist in the country and folk-blues tradition. Since 2002 he has led the Gypsy jazz and Hot jazz band Gaucho who have several albums to their credit. He’s a great fan of Django Reinhardt.

Down Bound Train (3:37) 2020

CD: Daddy’s High Again [Self-released ] ● USA, 2020

Really good folk-blues version. Check it out on YouTube. 9 of the tracks on the album were written by Ricketts, plus one by Memphis Minnie and the Berry track.

ROCKABILLY HEART (Denmark)

Trio: Tamra Rosanes (vocals), Den Skaldede Kok (bass, percussion), Morten Wittrock (piano, vocals). However, they have had a lot of help from various musicians, too many to mention. Part of the album was done in Nashville at the studio of Jack Clement. Singer, songwriter Tamra is American born but has lived in Denmark since 1972. She’s recorded almost 20 country albums since the early ‘80s.

Maybellene (2:38) 2014

CD: Rockabilly Heart [Target Records CD-1334] ● Denmark, 2014

ROCKIN’ DEVILS (UK)

Rock’n’Roll revival band (trio). They released 8 albums during 1974 to 1979.

Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1974

LP: Bring Back Rock’n’Roll [Hot Stuff Records HSL-001] ● UK, 1974

GRAZIANO ROMANI (Italy)

Rock singer, songwriter. He’s recorded three tribute albums to Bruce Springsteen, so he must be a fan! Although he’s released several other albums since 1993.

Johnny B. Goode (4:31) 2015

2-CD: Vivo/Live [Route 61 Music RT61-2015003] ● Italy, 2015

Pretty heavy and noisy, but still rockin’.

ROY & THE DEVILS MOTORCYCLE (Switzerland)

Garage punk, rock, psychedelic and blues. The band was formed in 1991 in a little village, Oberdiesbach, in the mountains of Switzerland. Three who lived there were the Stähli brothers, Markus, Matthias and Christian, who all played the guitar and sang. They got hold of a drummer named Oliver, later Elias Raschie.

Johnny B. Goode (4:16) 2005

LP: Because Of Women [Voodoo Rhythm VR-1233] ● Switzerland, 2005
CD: Because Of Women [Voodoo Rhythm VRCD-33] ● Switzerland, 2006

Very strange psychedelic version.

SEM ROZENDAAL (Netherlands)

Pop singer, songwriter, guitarist who appeared on the eleventh season of the television talent show, The Voice of Holland, in 2020-21

You Never Can Tell (2:21) 2021

CD: The Voice of Holland - Seizoen 11 - Live #2 [8ball Music 87 1777 46895 7 8] ● Netherlands, 2021

Nice to see that he chose this classic for his performance on the Voice. It’s a rockin’ good version with a horn section. As far as I know he didn’t win, but…

RYNOZ (Sweden)

Aka Ryno Rockers. See volume 3, page 1485 for biographical info, although not much info there of the band. The quintet was formed 1974 in Enviken. During the ‘70s and ‘80s they were considered as one of the most genuine bands in Sweden playing ‘50s music. The entry below is new.

You Never Can Tell (2:33) 2012

CD: Bop ‘Til You Drop [Scana SNCD-035] ● Sweden, 2012

JEFF ST. JOHN & THE EMBERS (Australia)

Jeffrey Leon Newton, blues-rock singer who because of spina bifida spent most of his life in a wheelchair. Born 1946 in Newton, New South Wales, died 2018 at his home in Perth, Western Australia. His first single came in 1966 and his first album in 1972. There’s much on YouTube with this guy, unfortunately not the Berry numbers.

Nadine ( : ) 2004 (live)
You Never Can Tell ( : ) 2004 (live)

CD EP: Live At The Perth Blues Club [not on label – R-1103] ● Australia, 2018

Four tracks recorded live 13 April 2004. The other two are “Drift Away” and “Waltzing Mathilda”.

SANDRO Y LOS DE FUEGO (Argentina)

Roberto M. Sánchez born 1945 in Buenos Aires, died 2010. Rock singer who is considered as one of the first rock artists to sing in Spanish in Latin America. He was also a well known actor and director. He released over 50 albums and sold millions.

I’m Talking About You [as ”Hablando De Ti”] (1:56) 1965
Rock And Roll Music [as “Música De Rock And Roll”] (1:54) 1965

LP: Al Calor De Sandro Y Los De Fuego [CBS 8533] ● Argentina, 1965

I am not going to put him down, but the music from the above album sounds so uninspired and boring.

MICHELLE SCHMITT (USA)

Born in Detroit, Michigan. Singer, songwriter from the San Francisco Bay area. Owner of Pine Mountain Studio, Alexander Valley, California. She has released many albums since 2004. Schmitt and her band do benefit concerts every December in the San Francisco and Marin County to raise money for the hungry in those communities.

Run Rudolph Run (4:19) 2014

CD: To Remember You [Harrison Street Records 05 6383 64518 ] ● USA, 2014

A little laid-back version. This album was officially released at her and the band’s 2014 annual benefit concert. This holiday record is dedicated to the memory of her dad, who died earlier in the year. He loved Christmas music.

Let It Rock (3:18) 2015

CD: Detroit Girl [Harrison Street Records 08 8829 53477 3 0] ● USA, 2015

Interesting because very few women have covered this Berry classic. Solid version.

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: We still continue with our list of new cover versions which came to our attention recently. Again a few are digital-only, but worth to be listed here.

BILL MADISON (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist now living in Lehigh Acres, Florida. He was part of the folk music venues in Boston, New York City and Montreal during the ‘60s. His career spans more than 60 years, and his first album came out in 1973 titled “Sunday Mornin’ Hayride”, an album which has been re-issued a couple of times. In the ‘80s and ‘90s he played the ski resorts and honky tonks of Northern New England. His music is available on various streaming sites.

Roll Over Beethoven (3:58) 2016 (live)

CD: Here’s To Ya! [Saloon Records ] ● USA, 2016

Live from Bill’s Happy Hour at Street Jelly Bar & Grill. 15 tracks with a variety of cover songs from the ‘50s and up. Released 15 June 2016.

MALAVENTURA (Spain)

Country-folk duo from Murcia who got together in 1992. Fernando Rubio (vocals, guitar, harmonica) and Joaquín Talismán (vocals, guitar, banjo). They can really play a guitar!!!

Memphis, Tennessee (2:45) 2017

CD: Malaventura [Perdicion PER-1801] ● Spain, 2017

Released 26 December 2017. They have approached this cover closer to Berry’s own. Good to hear.

MARTIN CIRCUS (France)

Band (sextet) formed in 1969 playing psychedelic and progressive rock, but changed their style in the early ‘70s to pop and later on to disco and new wave. Have released many singles and albums since 1969/1970.

Rock And Roll Music [as “Rock’n’Roll Circus”] (3:21) 1977

45: Vogue 45. V. 140.323 ● France, 1977

Rock And Roll Music [as “Rock’n’Roll Circus”] (5:47) 1977

LP: Rock’n’Roll Circus [Vogue LDA-20 294] ● France, 1977

Oh dear, this sounds like a disco version with absolutely no feeling or whatever. And almost 6 minutes on the album. Forget it.

MASHUUN (Austria)

A progressive rock band from Styria, active between 1972 and 1974. They won a band competition organized by Fono Forum and BASF but the group got a short life.

Sweet Little Sixteen (5:08) 1973

Various LP: Mashuun/Magic 69 [Rex Records Austria REX RRL-008] ● Austria, 1973
Various 2-LP: Underground Made In Styria [Golden Pavilion Records GP-1026/27LP] ● Portugal, 2016

Very strange version indeed. The Rex album was a promo and never released officially. Finally in 2016 the Golden Pavilion one was a remastered album set pressed in 400 copies. The two groups featured were Mashuun and Magic 69.

DENIS MAZHUKOV & OFF BEAT (Russia)

Singer and pianist Denis Mazhukov, who is by the way regarded as the king of rock’n’roll in Russia (pretty late don’t you think since he was born in 1973). But good for him as he’s really got it when it comes to 50s and 60s music. I am sure that Jerry Lee Lewis is one of his favorites, if not his ‘mentor’.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:41) 1995

CD: Off Beat [SNC Records SNC-5034] ● Russia, 1995

Fast swinging rendition.

Johnny B. Goode (2:41) 2006 featuring Maxim Leonidov

Digital album: Rockin’ At The Top [DM Self-released ] ● Russia, 2007

Released 1 January 2007. The music is good but the vocals are uninspired.

Sweet Little Sixteen (3:16) 2012

CD: Rockin’ All Day And Night [DM 3923U Self-released ] ● Russia, 2012

On Bandcamp the album contains 8 tracks but on discogs there are 11 tracks (?)

MERŪNAS (Lithuania)

Pop singer. Real name: Merūnas Vitulskis, born in 1983.

You Never Can Tell [as "Pažiūresim, Kas Nutiks Vėliau”] (3:03) 2007

CD: Merūnas [Hitas HITCD-007] ● Lithuania, 2007

Ordinary standard version. But nice to finally have someone from Lithuania doing Berry.

MINX (Canada)

Hard rock band (quintet) from Kamloops, British Columbia. They have four albums on bandcamp.

Johnny B. Goode (2:52) 2018

Digital album: Minx [Self-released ] ● Canada, 2018

Released 24 April 2018. Seven tracks, six written by the band. Hard rock version.

LOGAN MIZE (USA)

Country singer who grew up in Kansas. Has been a long-time Music Row staff songwriter in Nashville. He released his 5th album called “Welcome To Prairieville” in 2021.

Run Rudolph Run (2:44) 2022 with Jenna Paulette

CD EP: Merry Christmas From Logan Mize [Big Yellow Dog Music 08 5004 03773 4 7] ● USA, 2022

This was reissued in 2023. Okay version but that’s all.

M&J BLUES (UK)

Father & son duo from Sheffield, Mark Lyall (el.guitar) and.Jeff Lyall (vocals, ac.guitar).

You Never Can Tell (3:44) 2016 (live)

2-CD: In The Presence Of Friends [M&J Self-released] ● UK

Recorded live 7 August 2016 at the Honey Bee blues club session at the Porter Cottage, Sheffield. The Berry track was part of the encore. Released 6 November 2016.

SONNY MOORMAN (USA)

Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist from Hamilton, Ohio.

Maybellene (5:51) 2015
Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (2:58) 2015

CD: You Made All My Blues Come True [Atlas Records ATLAS-0014] ● USA, 2015

Acoustic treatment of these two classics. Featuring Moorman on vocals, guitar and porchboard. The album was released digitally in June 2022. Instead of me saying anything, you can listen to them on Bandcamp.

VAN MORRISON (UK)

Van Morrison, OBE (Order of the British Empire), born 1945 in Belfast. He’s a Grammy Award-winning Northern Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist. He was the lead singer in the Northern Irish band Them who had several hits in the mid ‘60s like “Gloria” and “Here Comes The Night”. Later he left for a successful solo career.

Bye Bye Johnny (2:58) 2023

CD: Accentuate The Positive [Exile 3369580] ● Europe, 2023
LP: Accentuate The Positive [Exile 3369603] ● Europe, 2023

A genuine rock’n’roll album from Van Morrison. It was a surprise for me, in 2023. 19 tracks, and I do like the album title, to accentuate the positive about the past music. And he picked some obscure tracks to record also.
It reminded me of the fantastic album Neil Young released in 1983, titled “Everybody’s Rockin’ “ (No Berry though).

MOTHER McCREE’S UPTOWN JUG CHAMPIONS (USA)

Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Grateful Dead related. With the help of Mike Garbett, Tom Stone and Dave Parker on various acoustic instruments.

Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (2:26) 1964 (live)

CD: Live at the Top of the Tangent, 1964 [Grateful Dead Records GDCD-4064] ● USA, 1999

Jerry Garcia is doing the vocals on this one. Don’t know what to think. It’s okay, acoustic but lack feelings. The album was recorded in July 1964 at the Top Of The Tangent, Palo Alto, California.

JOE MULLINS And THE RADIO RAMBLERS (USA)

William Joseph Mullins, born 1965 in Xenia, Ohio. Bluegrass and gospel singer, banjoist, bandleader and radio broadcaster.

Run Rudolph Run (3:57) 2023

CD: Because It’s Christmas Time [Billy Blue Records BBR-0243 CD] ● USA, 2023

Nice to finally have a genuine bluegrass version. Really good, swings. I get this Jim & Jesse vibes here, the song they didn’t record.

MYSTIC EYES (Germany)

Beat band from Regensburg; active in the late ‘60s but reunited in 1997.

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 2000

CD: Flashback [GVR Records CD-006] ● Germany, 2001

GÜNTHER NEEFS (Belgium)

Pop singer, born 1965 in Mechelen. Has released several albums since 1992. He’s the son of Louis Neefs.

You Never Can Tell (2:47) 2019

CD: Roots 66 – Music From Chicago To L. A. [KMK Muziek KMK-65018] ● Belgium, 2019

Released as both CD and LP, plus DVD.

NERVOUS EATERS (USA)

Punk rock band (quartet) from Boston, Massachusetts.

Beautiful Delilah (3:21) Mid ‘70s

LP: Eaterville #1 [Penniman Records PENNLP-002] ● Spain, 2004
CD: Eaterville #1 [Penniman Records PENNCD-001] ● Spain, 2009

It sounds like the Rolling Stones! One of the longer versions of this Berry track. They usually clock in at around 2 minutes. Previously unissued.

CHET NICHOLS (USA)

Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, producer from Chicago where he grew up. In the ‘60s he was part of the musical revolution in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. He has a farm in Kansas, and is inducteed into The Kansas Music Hall Of Fame.

Johnny B. Goode (2:27) 1965 as Chet Nichols & The Chosen Few

Digital album: Raw & Roll [Self-released ] ● USA, 2021

Released April 2021. The Chosen Few were a trio from Chicago and they were all around 15 years old at the time of recording. Chet Nichols has also recorded a song titled “Rock & Roll Music” (1972) which turns out to be his own composition.

NIGHTBREAKERS (Netherlands)

8 piece country-rock group.

You Never Can Tell [as “C’est la Vie”] (3:39) 2001

CD: In The Mission [Rarity Records C-192649] ● Netherlands, 2001

Sounds a bit like Emmylou Harris’ version but with a sax solo and a piano solo without the original melody.

DON NORMAN (Canada)

Born in Ottawa 1944. In the ‘60s he recorded for Capitol Records of Canada. Living in Kingston, Ontario since 1970.

Maybellene (2:27) 2017

Digital track: [Don Norman ] ● USA, 2017

Pretty cool country version, a little slower than usual. Don Norman (vocals, guitars, harp, percussion), Jack Pearson (solo guitar), Chris Nole (keyboards), Dave Francis (bass), Shannon Forrest (drums). Here is what Don Norman says on Bandcamp about recording this track: “ ‘Maybellene’ was Chuck Berry’s 1955 breakout hit for Chess Records in Chicago. The record sold over a million copies but more importantly it stands as the original road map for guitar based rock’n’roll music. As a young, pre-teen I was brought to tears by the emotions Chuck’s singing and guitar playing aroused in me. Thanks for changing my world Chuck”.
Released 3 April 2017.

You Never Can Tell (2:48) 2018

Digital track: [Don Norman ] ● USA, 2023

This was recorded in 2018, but remastered and released 14 October 2023. Unfortunately pretty ordinary version.

NOT FADE AWAY (USA)

Rock’n’roll quintet from Phoenix, Arizona. Jared Mancuso (vocals, guitar), Nick Gallardo (vocals, guitar), Ian LeSage (vocals, guitar), Allison Kelly (vocals, bass), Andrew Torres (only drums). Very much a Buddy Holly tribute band, but they also play others like Ritchie Valens, Elvis, Jerry Lee, Shirley Ellis and more. They have this album below and a single on Bandcamp and they make great covers, also sleeves.

Johnny B. Goode (3:24) 2020

Digital album: Rock’n’Roll Reignited [Self-released ] ● USA, 2020

Released 3 February 2020. Recorded at Studio Crash in Philadelphia, PA. Rockin’ version and Allison does a very good job.

STEFAN NYKVIST (Sweden)

Lars Erik Stefan Nykvist, born 1976 in Ãlvdalen, Dalarna. Singer, organist, accordionist and was the founder of the danceband Larz Kristerz in 2001. He left the band in 2014 for solo work.

Oh What A Thrill [as “Nej, Inte Jag”] (2:28) 2020

CD: Stefan Nykvist [Enviken Records ENREC-182] ● Sweden, 2020

This is a cover of the Eddie Meduza version from 1982.

FINN NØRBYGÅRD (Denmark)

Comedian, singer and actor, born 1952 in Esbjerg. Well, he was originally a school teacher but did success on national TV in the ‘80s with Jacob Haugaard in a Saturday Night comedy show, and in the ‘90s a successful comedy/musical show with Jette Torp.

Johnny B. Goode (2:34) 1997

CD: 21 Sange Og Monologer Fra Showet: Mig & Elvis [National Records CD-81664] ● Denmark, 1997

Produced by Danmarks Radio for RMT Productions. Taken from a musical show, “Me & Elvis”, that Nørbygård travelled around with in Denmark during 1996/97, 132 shows altogether with 21 songs and monologues. But I don’t understand the title here, as there is only one track an Elvis medley, the rest are songs from the likes of Berry, Tommy Steele, Percy Sledge, Chubby Checker, Beatles, Willie Nelson etc. Well, there’s also a Danish cover of “Fever” which Elvis did record back in time, but still…

OFF BEAT (Russia)

See DENIS MAZHUKOV

BERT PAQUETTE & The New Gamblers (Canada)

Rock and country singer and guitarist.

Maybellene ( : ) 1981
Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] ( : ) 1981

LP: Bert Paquette & The New Gamblers [Black Rose Records LP-1001] ● Canada, 1981

Covers on the album are from the likes of Freddy King, Hank Williams, Elvis, Jimmie Rodgers …

COLIN PAUL (UK)

Elvis impersonator. See Volume 3, page 1406 for biographical info.

Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 2009

CD: Home For Christmas [CP Self-released CD-01 2801 66916 7 5] ● UK, 2009

Okay version.

I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ ‘Bout You”] (2:22) 2014

CD: Child Of The Sixties [JaG Records 146 5] ● UK, 2014

A pretty good version. Interesting to hear an Elvis soundalike doing Berry numbers that Elvis never did.

MAURICIO PEDROSA BLUES QUARTET (Brazil)

Singer, pianoplayer from São Paulo.

Memphis, Tennessee (3:46) 2013
Roll Over Beethoven (3:47) 2013

Digital album: On The Road Again [Self-released ] ● Brazil, 2013

I especially enjoyed “Memphis” since he’s not followed the Mack/Rivers arrangements.

MIKE V. PHELAN (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist from San Antonio, Texas. I am not sure if the songs below were recorded in 2016, because all of his 7 albums were released on Bandcamp in the summer of 2016, so…?

Johnny B. Goode (2:35) 2016 (?)

Digital album: Mike Rocks [Self-released ] ● USA, 2016

Released 29 June 2016. 16 tracks. Rocks? Well, the singing is more pop oriented.

Maybellene (2:09) 2016 (?)

Digital album: Beyond The ’70s [Self-released ] ● USA, 2016

Released 25 May 2016. 20 tracks.

PENTTI-OSKARI KANKAAN 7-SEINÄHULLUA VELJESTÄ (Finland)

A musical humour band founded in 1966 by Pentti Oskari Kangas. It’s a difficult band name to pronounce, and to speak for that matter. If you’re not from Finland, that is.

Rock And Roll Music (3:11) 2009 (?)

2-CD: Tuplat Vaakahuoneella [Fifty-Fifty FFCD-1061] ● Finland, 2009

The Berry cover is one of many bonus tracks (previously unreleased) so I don’t know when it was recorded actually.

PHILADELPHIA JUG BAND (USA)

Jug band (originally a quartet) formed in 1962 (!) by students at the Council Rock High in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I’m amazed that they are still doing their thing, however, I don’t know if there are any original members left or whatever.

Sweet Little Sixteen (4:12) 2012

CD: Always Fresh! [Self-released GKMZ-002] ● USA, 2012

Nice to hear a jug/string band version of this classic.