CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 4

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.

On Bandcamp there are many versions of “Johnny B. Goode”, “You Never Can Tell” and “Run Rudolph Run” it will make you dizzy. However, I have listened to them “all” and have been very selective of the ones I decided to include in this Berry covers survey. There’s a limit of what to use. The artist/group should have a decent collection of music or albums. The sound quality must be up to a certain standard, which sometimes it’s not, and the performance must also be up to standard.

NIC ARMSTRONG (& The Thieves) (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1047 for biographical info.
However, I didn’t know the whole story back then. He started as just Nic Armstrong and the album below is first of all just him on most instruments. However, in 2005 when the album below was reissued under the moniker Nic Armstrong & The Thieves, it was to illustrate that he had a full band sound on stage. And I didn’t know about the EP from 2004.

I Want To Be Your Driver (2:14) 2004

45 / CD: Broken Mouth Blues EP [One Little Indian Records 397TP7 (CD)] ● UK, 2004

4 tracks. Except for the Berry cover the three others were written by Armstrong.

CD Enhanced: The Greatest White Liar [One Little Indian Records TPLP-347 CDX] ● UK, 2005

Recorded at Toe Rag Studios, London. Produced by Liam Watson.
Now this album came in different packages. The first original album was by Nic Armstrong only. The same goes for the EP. The enhanced album above is a reissue by Nic Armstrong & The Thieves containing a bonus track (the Berry one) and two MPEG videos. The thing is that the US promo album from 2004 included this Berry track but it was left out of the various 2004 releases in Europe, USA and Australia. Strange.

PIERRE ARNAUD (Spain)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist from Barcelona. He usually sings in Spanish or French and has a repertoire of Chanson Française, Gypsy Jazz, blues, jazz and folk. Here’s what he has to say on bandcamp about the album below:
“This is a special album I've been recording with great musicians, usual gypsy jazz and jazz players located in Barcelona, but most of all good friends of mine”. No names unfortunately, but they sure can play.

You Never Can Tell (4:22) 2017

Digital album: Pierre Arnaud & Los Mercenarios De La Barbacoa [Self released ] ● Spain, 2017

Released 12 December 2017. You probably have not heard this classic performed quite like this before? His English pronunciation is far from the best, but that’s not the main point here, it’s the music and musicians who are playing. Go to Bandcamp and listen.

ROCKIN’ RAFFI ARTO (France)

From Paris. Singer, pianoplayer. At the time of recording this album below he was only 12 years old (!) He’s into rhythm & blues, boogie woogie, rockabilly, rock’n’roll and pop. Pretty versatile musician at such a young age!

You Never Can Tell (4:23) 2013

CD: Introducing Rockin’ Raffi Arto [Swingin’ Records SRCD-719] ● France, 2013

His playing is far from Johnnie’s. He opens by just playing the melody in a soft way and then starts singing and rockin’. After 3 minutes he stops, pauses, and then plays the song as an instrumental for almost one and a half minute. Pretty unusual but works very well !!!

BALLISTIC CATS (USA)

Rock’n’roll/rockabilly band from California. Matthew White (guitar, backing vocals), Lissy Abraham (lead vocals, bass), Christopher White (drums, keyboards, backing vocals). They have released three full length albums and the EP below.

Roll Over Beethoven (3:17) 2011

Digital EP: Ballistic Cats [BC Self-released ] ● USA, 2011

Released 3 May 2011. I like this in more than one way. First there’s Lissy who’s singing and second they have arranged it a little different from many others. The bass and guitar have a driving sound. Listen on Bandcamp and you’ll see what I mean.

BANG! (Spain)

With such a name you expect a heavy band, but no. It’s a rock’n’roll trio from Murcia, who mostly do covers of ‘50s to’70s rock’n’roll songs.

You Never Can Tell (3:08) 2014

Digital: Dance & Roll [Self-released ] ● Spain, 2014

A little boogie arrangement. They also do a version of “Route 66” in the Stones/Berry way but still do their own interpretation.

Memphis, Tennessee (3:17) 2023
Roll Over Beethoven (3:27) 2023

CD: Rock’N’Roll Shots [Good Old Music no cat no] ● Spain, 2023

Good versions in their own arrangements. They also do a cover of “Surfin’ USA”.

DAVID BECK’S TEJANO WEEKEND (USA)

Cajun country. Singer, songwriter, guitarist from San Marcos, Texas. Musicians on the track below: David Beck (vocals, bass), Tony Browne (guitar), Peter Huysman (keyboards, vocals), Joel Guzman (accordion), Dees Stribling (drums, percussion).

Memphis, Tennessee (2:47) 2019

Digital: Vol. 1 [Self-released ] ● USA, 2019

Recorded by David Beck at the Woodshed Studios. Released September 2019. They have also released a Vol. 2.

CAMERON HONS (Australia)

Indipendent rock musician, singer, songwriter, film-maker, actually a multi-instrumentalist from Sidney. He’s been playing and producing music since 2004. If you check out Bandcamp you will find many albums by him. He also has a merchandise site for CDs, DVDs, T-shirts and more.

Johnny B. Goode (2:43) 2022
Roll Over Beethoven (2:28) 2022

Digital: In My Spare Time [Self-released ] ● Australia, 2022

8 covers like “Sweet Home Chicago”, “Peter Gunn”, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”, “Green Onions” and others. The two Berry numbers must be characterized as punk-rock. Pretty noisy.

NELSON CARRERA (Portugal)

See DIXIE BOYS

CRACKED COOKIES (France)

Three ladies from Strasbourg who started out in 2016 and perform various styles of music their own way. Jitka Sterbakova (Jessika), Maria Dubus (Claude), Marie Ruby (Ruby). Sometime they remind me of the Andrew Sisters. They sing in pretty harmonies and play guitars, bass, drums, piano, and put on a spectacular show when they perform live.

You Never Can Tell (2:46) 2018

Digital EP: The Cracked Cookies [Self-released ] ● France, 2018

Released 19 October 2018. Very unusual rendition. Go to Bandcamp and listen. You can also check them out on YouTube to get an idea of their performance skills.

MALCOLM CROSS (USA)

Singer, guitarist from Los Angeles, California. He also plays percussion and vibraphone. He has 4 albums on Bandcamp. Bossa Nova (2018), Old time blues (2012) and Beethoven (2010). Pretty versatile fellow. Here’s what he has to say about the EP below:
“Chuck Berry, the Guv'nor. The Beatles and the Stones loved his music; The Beach Boys blatantly stole it - every Rock & Roll guitarist since owes him some kind of debt. So, for my latest guitar student project immersing myself in his deep catalog of songs was a no-brainer; I picked 3 of my faves for this collection and played/recorded all the instrument parts. All Hail Charles Edward Anderson Berry!! ”

I Want To Be Your Driver (2:16) 2013
Johnny B. Goode (2:40) 2013
Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (2:14) 2013

Digital EP: Mal Plays Chuck [Self-released ] ● USA, 2013

Released 13 July 2013. Not bad for a young guy to play and release a tribute to the Master in 2013. And he’s got what it takes to get the music right ! Listen on Bandcamp.

DIEGO DANGER (USA)

Rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. Adam Smith (vocals, guitar, drums), Adam Audieheim (keyboards, percussion), Ryan Audieheim (bass) are playing on the album below. However, they are not just a trio, sometimes expanded to both quartet and quintet. They have 12 albums on Bandcamp.

Run Rudolph Run (2:57) 2020

Digital album: Happy Holidaze [Past World Records Self-released] ● USA, 2020

Released 20 December, 2020. They have slowed the tempo down a bit which actually makes it more groovie.

DIXIE BOYS (Portugal)

Rock’n’roll/rockabilly quartet. Formed 1994 in Oporto, very influenced by the ‘50s musical icons.

Thirty Days (2:50) 2011 as Nelson Carrera & The Dixie Boys

CD: Boogeyman Boogie [Ragingplanet Records AS/RP-059] ● Portugal, 2011

Nelson Carrera is a singer, songwriter, guitarist. It’s okay but drags a little.

Johnny B. Goode (3:25) 2013

CD: 50’s Special [Ragingplanet Records AS/RP-138] ● Portugal, 2013

They have a goode sound here but the singer’s English pronunciation is not the best.

DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist from Nashville, Tennessee. His band: Nathan Aronowitz (keyboards, vocals), Will McGee (bass, vocals), Noah Miller (drums, percussion). In 2022 they played over 200 shows!!!
His Bandcamp site is actually filled with various live concerts, you’ll be amazed. It seems he’s recorded everything and everytime. And you will find his music on all the sites, like Spotify. Amazon, Apple, iTunes, YouTube and you name it.

Johnny B. Goode (4:46) 2023 (live)

Digital: 10/15/2023 Pittsburg, PA – Club Café [Self-released ] ● USA, 2023

Released 30 October 2023. Rock version with a little country flavour, but they could have skipped the organ.

SAM EMPASIS (USA)

Bay area (California) folk punk artist.

Johnny B, Goode (2:36) 2022

CD: The Kidd Returns [Shallow Dive Records SDR-016] ● USA, 2022

Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Rip Florence at SubRosa in Santa Cruz, California. Now this is bizarre. You hear a guitar, harmonica and a voice singtalking the lyrics.

42 DECIBEL (Argentina)

Rock band from Buenos Aires. Junior Figueroa (vocals, lead guitar), Billy Bob (rhythm & slide guitar), Matt Fraga (bass), Nicko Cambiasso (drums). There are CD albums on Discogs and digitals on Bandcamp.

Johnny B. Goode (4:44) 2015 (live)

CD & Digital: Rude, Live And Fast [42D Self-released ] ● Argentina, 2016

Released 1 January 2016. Recorded at The Roxy Live in Buenos Aires on 13 November 2015. Only sold at their gigs.
In case of need you can also watch the complete show at YouTube.

GEORGE GEE SWING ORCHESTRA (USA)

Bandleader from New York City. He’s been around for more than three decades. Has released several albums in the jazz field.

Run Rudolph Run (4:35) 1995

Digital single: Run Rudolph Run [Self-released ] ● USA, 1996

Released 1 January 1996. Yes, it swings! Unissued holiday favorite featuring vocals by guest guitarist Nick Palumbo.

GRAN THIEF (USA)

Five piece stringband group from Boston, Massachusetts. Patrick Mulroy (vocals, guitar), Tom Farrell (resonator guitar, vocals), Zach Meyer (mandolin, vocals), Alex Barstow (5-string violin, vocals), Mike Harmon (bass, percussion, vocals).

You Never Can Tell (4:31) 2019 (live)

Digital album: Bake Sale! [Plow Man Records ] ● USA, 2021

Released 1 October 2021. Sounds okay but the studio version below is a little better. 18 tracks recorded live by festival archivist Ray Potter at the 2019 Podunk Bluegrass Festival. Mixing by Mark Fitzgerald and Todd Hitchinson of Rosewood Sound. This record is available exclusively through Bandcamp and the band's own website.

You Never Can Tell (4:07) 2022

Digital album: Ain’t Hangover Yet [Plow Man Records ] ● USA, 2022

Very country influenced and without any drums, still a good version.

GUITAR MAC & HIS BLUES EXPRESS (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist from Sacramento, California. He has over 20 albums available on Bandcamp. I actually met this guy in 1984 in San Francisco and saw him play. He’s a real good blues performer as you’ll see if you check out his catalog. And a very humble and nice guy.

Johnny B. Goode (4:17) 1982 (live)

CD/Digital album: Keymaster @ Work / California State Fair [Mac Sound ] ● USA, 2021

A goode version with much energy.

DOMINIC HALPIN & The Honey B’s (UK)

Pop/rock/country singer, songwriter from Manchester. On his own site he has 13 albums for downloading and on Bandcamp, iTunes or Spotify.

You Never Can Tell (3:01) 2016

Digital album: Slick [Self-released ] ● UK, 2016

Released July 2016. Pretty standard rendition but with saxophone instead of piano.

HAND OF DOOM (Germany)

Heavy rock group from Bad Hersfeld.

Johnny B. Goode (3:08) 1979

2-CD: Poisenoise [Shadow Kingdom Records SKR-014DCD] ● USA, 2009
2-LP: Poisenoise [High Roller Records HRR-075] ● Germany, 2009

Reissue of the single original album from 1979 with extra tracks, including the Berry number.

HIDEAWAYS (USA)

Blues-rock band from East Northport, New York. Chris James (vocals, guitar, organ), Scotty McCiche (harp, vocals), Sean O’Neill (bass), and the late ‘Boom Boom’ Johnson (drums).

Bye Bye Johnny (2:56) 2006

CD: The Lost Tapes Vol.1 [Mind Smoke Records MSR#600] ● USA, 2020

Hey, this is pretty good guys!

You Can’t Catch Me (4:01) 2006

CD: The Lost Tapes Vol.2 [Mind Smoke Records ] ● USA, 2021

Also quite good!

HITTILS (Sweden)

Pop and rock group from Blekinge. They seem to be a quartet but could expand to more members.

Come On ( : ) 1996

Live On The Radio [Headphone Records HRCD-1963] ● Sweden, 1996

GUIDO HORCKMANS (Belgium)

Actor and singer, born 1942 in Mechelen, died 2015 in Hulst, Netherlands. To many people he’s probably best known for his character as Pastor Walter in the Flemish soap “Familie”.

Johnny B. Goode (1:58) 1998

CD: Graceful [Rainbow R.10107] ● Belgium, 1998

This a tribute album to Elvis. Just so you know. But playing and singing Johnny B. in under 2 minutes is wrong. Either you skip a verse or two or you are playing it too fast.

HOTFOOT GALE (UK)

Rock’n’roll revival quartet, Mike Gale (vocals, piano), Mick Mannion (guitar, vocals), Tony Warren (bass, vocals, lead vocals on Johnny B), Paul Fox (drums, vocals).

Little Queenie ( : ) 1975?

LP: Hotfoot Gale [Box Records BOX-2] ● UK, 1975?

Johnny B. Goode (2:56) 1977

LP: Grease Lightnin’ [Castle Records CALP-032] ● UK, 1977

I feel they are playing it a little too fast and becomes fussy.

DIANE HUBKA & The Sun Canyon Band (USA)

Jazz singer from Los Angeles. So far she’s released some 6 jazz oriented albums.
To quote a little from her web-site regarding the album below: What happens when a world class jazz singer returns to her Appalachian folk roots then meets up with a veteran blues/rock guitarist, who is also a gifted singer-songwriter? L.A. based Diane Hubka & The Sun Canyon Band brings new life to a wide variety of celebrated genres, from Texas swing to delta blues, from lilting ballads to heartland country rock.

You Never Can Tell (3:46) 2023

CD: You Never Can Tell [Self-released no cat no + digital download] ● USA, 2023

Very good and slower in a waltz arrangement, you also get the feeling of cha-cha rhythm. Featuring Albert Lee on guitar.

TRACY HUANG (Taiwan)

Pop singer, born 1951 in Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County. She must be popular because of all the albums released.

You Never Can Tell (Ce’st La Vie) (3:18) 1981

LP: Tracy Goes Country [EMI EMGS-5054] ● Singapore, 1981

This sounds exactly like the Emmylou Harris version (!)

KIKE JAMBALAYA (Spain)

José Enrique Pulido Losa, born 1966 in Madrid. Singer, songwriter, pianist in the rock’n’roll, boogie woogie genre, Jerry Lee style.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:58) 2017

CD: Rock ‘N’ Roll, Brother! [Snap!! Records FUNCD-037] ● Spain, 2017

DAWSON JAMES (USA)

Country singer, guitarist from Sedalia, Colorado.

Johnny B. Goode (3:22) 2011

CD: Plaid Shirt Livin’ [Double Dice Records DDR-004] ● USA, 2011

Recorded at Side 3 Studios in Denver, Colorado. Produced by Dawson James. Nothing new under the sun…

JD & DYNAMITE (UK)

Rockabilly trio.

Promised Land (3:28) 2018

CD: JD & Dynamite [Foot Tapping Records FT-179] ● UK, 2018

Okay rockin’ version with a little country feeling.

JIMMY JEMAIN - THE RAPIERS (UK)

Pop/rock quintet: Jimmy Jemain (vocals), Colin Pryce-Jones (lead guitar), Neal Ainsby (rhythm guitar), Nathan J. Hulse (bass), John Tuck (drums). The four musicians = The Rapiers from London, who themselves have albums and several EPs/singles out since the mid ‘80s.

Thirty Days [as “Forty Days”] ( : ) 2014

CD: A Tribute To Cliff Richard And The Shadows [InBeat Records IB-1401 CD] ● UK, 2014

Just for the record, I haven’t heard this but I assume it sounds like Cliff’s.

JERRY And JO’ANNE (Canada)

Jerry Robitaille and Jo’Anne Moreault. Country duo from Lennoxville, Québec. Their first album came in 1971. They sing in both English and French.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1972

LP: Down Home [London Records EBX.4171] ● Canada, 1972

With the Cajun Country Gentlemen Orchestra.

JETT PUPPY (Canada)

Rock’n’roll group from Toronto. Edward Greer (vocals, guitar), Brent Welbourn (guitar, vocals), Jon McSpadden (piano, vocals), Miss Mary (bass, vocals), Fraser Kolvasky (drums, vocals).

Almost Grown (2:12) 2023

Digital: Almost Live [EP 1] ● Canada, 2023

Recorded at York University. 7 tracks including bonus. Released August 2023.

JOHN THE REVELATOR (Netherlands)

Blues rock band, formed in 1968 by Tom Huissen.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:24) 1998

CD: Seven (Blue) Seas [Tamalone Records 281198] ● Netherlands, 1999

Unusual version.