CBID - Another Bunch of 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: Not a week goes by without a new Berry cover turning up. It is so amazing, but fun!

Always something's turning up. The US band featured on this blog which I named Gran Thief doing “You Never Can Tell” in 2019 and 2022 turns out to be GRAIN THIEF. Sorry about that folks.

On a Very Best Of album by Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles from 1975 on United Artists UA-LA504-E there’s a title “C’Est La Vie (You Never Can Tell)” credited to Chuck Berry. Well, Patti and the girls recorded a song in 1963 titled C’Est La Vie and that’s where the mix-up happened, I think, when compiling the ’75 album on United Artists. Although I don’t understand it since C’est La Vie was never a title for the Berry song until Emmylou Harris used it in 1977.

I might have mentioned it before, but Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band’s performance of Berry’s “You Never Can Tell” in Leipzig, Germany, 7 July 2013 is just bloody marvelous. It’s on You Tube in fantastic quality. So if you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favour!!!

CHUCK AARON (USA)

Folk/country singer, guitarist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. I haven’t managed to find this cover below on any album, however, you can listen to it on Soundcloud. And there he has the following to say about the song and Berry: "I grew up listening to country music along with early rock & roll. Every guitar player of my generation played or tried to play “Johnny B. Goode”. Berry died 18 March 2017. No one does it like Chuck Berry, so I decided to do my version of Nadine as a tribute to the man."

Nadine (3:10) 2022

Digital: audio video ● USA, 2022

This is a slower and very good rendition of this Berry classic. Thanks Aaron!

BEAT MERCHANTS (UK)

The Beat Merchants were formed in Horsham, Sussex in 1962. They had two singles out on Columbia in 1964-65.

I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ About You”] (2:24) 1964

CD: The Beats Go On [Circle Records CPW C102] ● UK, 2000

Also released on 180gr vinyl. Previously unissued, of which I understand. This will go high up in the Covers Hall of Shame.

SIMON CASEY (Ireland)

A very popular pop singer. He had his first single “A Better Plan” in 2003 which spent three weeks at No.1 in The Irish Top 30 and certified triple Platinum. He has released several records on Universal.

You Never Can Tell (2:59) 2017

CD: The Third Dance [SKC Music ] ● Ireland, 2017

A pretty ordinary version.

CHARLES CHRISTY & THE CRYSTALS (USA)

An obscure beat quintet from Fort Worth, Texas, who had two singles released in 1965-66. The collection below is the first ever album by the band. 12 tracks digitally re-mastered from original acetate disc.

School Day [as “School Days”] (3:28) 1965

LP: The Lost ’65 Sound City Sessions [Vee-Tone Records VTRLP-2056] ● USA, 2021

Recorded late 1965 at Sound City Studios. Produced by Phil York. Previously unissued. Limited edition of 500 copies on yellow vinyl.

TERRY DAVIDSON AND THE GEARS (USA)

Blues/rock quartet from Columbus, Ohio, formed in the early ‘80s. Terry is a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. They have released several albums, the latest I found was from 2016.

I Will Not Let You Go (2:46) 1986 (live)

LP: Bangshift [Bangshift Music 604045XB9] ● USA, 1986

I have always wondered why this Berry rocker was never covered. Well on discogs it’s nothing mentioned that this is a Berry song, but from what I’ve heard it really is.
Anyway, another new title to add to the vast majority of Berry covers!!! You’ll find some live versions on You Tube though.

GERRY GUTHRIE (Ireland)

Ballina based country singer, guitarist, born 1982, who has been around since the early 2000s and started his own band in 2010. He has released six studio albums. He toured extensively both in 2024 and ’25.

You Never Can Tell (3:23) 2022

CD: This Ain’t My First Rodeo [GG Music ] ● Ireland, 2022

Okay version with a horn section.

JOEY AND THE SHOWMEN (France)

See Volume 3, page 1273 for biographical info. The live version of “Memphis” listed there is also from 2004, but recorded at the Olympia, Paris.

Johnny B. Goode [as “Johnny, Reviens!”] ( : ) 2004 (live)
Thirty Days [as “Rien Que Huit Jours”] ( : ) 2004 (live)
Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] ( : ) 2004 (instr) (live)
Johnny B. Goode / Carol [as “Johnny, Reviens” / “O Carole”] ( : ) 2004 (live)

CD: Live 2004 [Pin Up Disques CDA-111] ● France, 2004

Recorded live 11 June at Salle Jeanne d’Arc, Saint-Etienne, France

LOYALES (USA)

A six piece cover band from Brooklyn, NY. Milton (singer, guitarplayer and bandleader), Julia Joseph (singer), Martin Kearton (lead guitarist), Bennett Paster (keyboardist), Jeff Eyrich (bassplayer), Robert Weiss (drummer). The Loyales are "like a living, breathing jukebox, full of expertly curated 45's" New York Magazine said.

Nadine (4:05) 2015 (live)

Digital: video You Tube [Lucy Music] ● USA, 2015

More and more covers pop up on you tube and other digital medias. That’s the way it goes. And this is a pretty good version recorded professionally and live at The Living Room.

LONNIE MACK (USA)

See Volume 3, pages 1338-1339 for biographical info.

Memphis (in medley with “Wham”) (7:53) 1992 (live)

CD: Live From Louisville 1992 [The Last Music Company LMCD-262] ● UK, 2025

Previously unissued. Recorded live in July 1992, and he is joined by Denzil “Dumpy” Rice (keyboards), Bucky Lindsey (bass) and Jeff McAllister (drums).

MOOSE & DA SHARKS (USA)

Rock quintet from the Detroit area. They seem to have been around since the early ‘70s, sort of a revival band but also doing some original stuff. There’s even a video of them performing live in 2019…

School Day [as “School Days”] (2:44) 1975

LP: Rock & Roll Disaster [Butterscotch 101] ● USA, 1980s (?)

It sounds very ‘70s. Of course the album could be a compilation.

PHIL OCHS (USA)

Philips David Ochs, folk singer, songwriter, born 1940 in El Paso, Texas, died 1976 in Far Rockaway, NY. More of an album artist, his first came in 1964.

School Day (2:33) 1974 (live)

2-CD: American Troubadour [A&M Records 540 728-2] ● UK, 1997

Previously unissued.

OFFENBACH (Canada)

Already on this blog.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ [Chu’ Un Rocker] (4:35) 1980 (live)

2-LP: Live À Montreux 1980 [Les Disques Buzz Music BUZCD-7848] ● Canada, 2014

Recorded live in Montreux 5 December, 1980.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ [Chu’ Un Rocker] in a medley (6:25) 1983 (live)

2-LP: À Fond D’Train “Live” [CBS GFC-80086] ● Canada, 1984

A double album also featuring Canadian artist Plume (Michel Latraverse). Recorded live at the Forum De Montreal 17 September, 1983, taken from the Offenbach/Plume 1983 tour.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ [Chu’ Un Rocker] in a rock & roll medley (6:41) 1985 (live)

2-LP: Le Dernier Show [CBS GFC-80109] ● Canada, 1986

Recorded live at Forum De Montréal 1 November, 1985.

I’m A Rocker (4:34) 1980s with Vic Vogel Big Band

CD: Les Incontournables Blues [BMG Musique Québec Inc. RCA-74321-38040-2] ● Canada, 1986

According to discogs this is a compilation album with 16 tracks. No more info, sorry.

BUCK OWENS (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1402 for biographical info. Plus three songs live 1989 already on this blog.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1973 (live)

3-CD: Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long, On Stage 1964-1974 [Omnivore Recordings OV-577] ● USA, July 2025

78 live performances on three CDs, 75 on CD for the first time, 25 previously unissued in the US, and 20 more previously unissued anywhere. The Berry cover above falls into the latter, which was Live at Toys For Tots Benefit Show, Bakersfield, 1973. Also on this set are previously issued Berry covers (CBID Vol.3, page 1402) like: Johnny B. Goode (Live at John Asuaga’s Nugget Hotel Casino Resort, Reno, 1971); Roll Over Beethoven (Live at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 1974) and Johnny B. Goode  (Live at Nakano Sun Plaza, Tokyo, 1984).

GRAM PARSONS & THE FALLEN ANGELS (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1405 for biographical info.

Almost Grown (3:10) 1973 (live)
Thirty Days [as “Forty Days”] (0:50) 1973 (live) both part of a rock’n’roll medley (12:36)

CD: The Last Roundup [Amoeba Records AM-006] ● USA, 2023

Recorded live at the Biljou Café, Philadelphia, PA, 16 March 1973. Emmylou Harris is present doing vocals. The medley also consists of Hang On Sloopy, Boney Moronie, and Baby What You Want Me To Do. Previously unissued.

ROCKLINERS (Netherlands)

Dance band (quartet). At least that’s what they look like, although it seems they are hung up on songs by Ray Davies (The Kinks).

School Day (2:31) 1993

CD: So Mystifying [AMR Productions AMR-930203] ● Netherlands, 1993

BOB SHEPHERD (USA)

Country singer, songwriter, guitarist.

I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ Bout You”] (2:45) 1980

45: Do-Dah City Records 801-07 ● USA, 1980 (promo)
LP: Foot’Loose [Do-Dah City Records 801-06] ● USA, 1980

Record label out of Wichita, Kansas. Again absolutely no year printed anywhere !!! What’s the matter with people? But it looks late ‘70s early ‘80s, so…

SWELL MAPS (UK)

Punk rock group formed 1972 in Birmingham by brothers Kevin and Adrian Godfrey with addional members. They released two albums and four singles before they disbanded in 1980.

Almost Grown (1:21) 1970s

2-LP: Mayday Signals  [Easy Action EARS-095LP] ● UK, 2021
CD: Mayday Signals  [Easy Action EARS-153] ● UK, 2021

Compilation featuring previously unissued tracks. No info when the track was recorded.

GLYN TUCKER with Ian Lowe & The Tornadoes (New Zealand)

See volume 3, page 1577 for biographical info. However, I didn’t have the cat no and exact year at the time and the group name should be Tornadoes with an e.
And by the way, he was born 1943 in Wellington. He’s a singer, songwriter, musician and producer. It seems the 45 below was his first record. He’s had a long career with nominations, awards and gold discs as a band member, producer and you name it.

Carol (2:55) 1960

45: Zodiac Z45 1034 ● New Zealand, 1960

The performance is pretty dull without any spirit. Although the guitarist shines now and then.

JAMES D. M. TUCKER (New Zealand)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist. He’s released several albums since 2011 containing songs written only by him.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:07) 2018
Johnny B. Goode (2:31) 2018
Maybellene (2:18) 2018
Reelin’ And Rockin’ (3:31) 2018
Rock And Roll Music (2:29) 2018
Roll Over Beethoven (2:26) 2018
School Day [as “School Days”] (2:39) 2018

4-CD: The ‘50s Revisited [Riverside Entertainment RSE-201850] ● New Zealand, 2018

He recorded 80 classic rock and roll songs for this album set!!! Pretty amazing. On discogs it is printed that School Days was written by Gus Edwards and Will D. Cobb. However I doubt that, as the one referred to by those writers was recorded by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five in 1949.

VOLADORAS (Sweden)

Garage rock band from Stockholm (quartet, 3 ladies and one man).

Come On ( : ) 2001

45: Loser Records LOST-1005 ● Sweden, 2001 (PS)

WEBB WILDER (USA)

See Volume 4, page 1918 for biographical info.

Beautiful Delilah (4:01) 2025

CD: Hillbilly Speedball [Landslide Records LD-1052] ● USA, 2025

This is the first cover from Webb Wilder, the reference above are for two soundalikes, “Battle Of The Bands” 2005 and “Ju Ju Man” 2009.