Entries by Morten Reff

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: still we discover releases which were missing from the book, including some from well-documented countries.

UK

CHUCK BERRY’S GREATEST HITS
Marble Arch MALS-660 • January 1967

See page 176 for info.

Same tracks as the mono LP but in electronic stereo. STEREO MALS is stamped in red letters on the back cover.  You will find the labels with the printing Stereophonic or without. Both have MALS 660 printed on the labels.

NETHERLANDS

Nadine / Come On
Funckler AR 45.111 • 1964 (picture sleeve, Chuck Berry Song Series #6)

Here we have three different variants. The Chuck Berry Song Series was a series of 45s going way up to #17. This one pictured had an orange Funckler label with some variations in printing. However, you might find it with a black label although I have never seen one. The other two images show two different (earlier) releases having colour tops, blue and purple. One with orange and one with black Funckler label, the latter being the first issue. Although we have no info what came first, the hen or the egg.
There is also a third label variant from Holland, Chess International orange label. Although I have never seen ARI 45.111 like that. Hopefully to give you a better explanation regarding all of this, please see page 400 under ARI 45.082 Roll Over Beethoven / Sweet Little Sixteen.

Probably third issue:

Probably second issue:

Probably first issue:

NEW ZEALAND

ST. LOUIS TO LIVERPOOL
Viking [Chess] LP-1488 • 1964

This is the mono variant. Don’t know if the stereo one was released.

PHILIPPINES

You Never Can Tell / Brenda Lee
Chess ARI-1013 • 1964

Multicolor label. The sound here is pretty poor. According to Thierry Chanu it seems like master (the tape machine) might have fluctuated.

SPAIN

ROCKIN’ AT THE HOPS
Zafiro [Serdisco] 301 12367 • 1989

Same as the UK reissue Charly (Green Line) LP GCH-8041 (1986).

NEW JUKE BOX HITS
Zafiro [Serdisco] 301 12364 • 1989

Same as the UK reissue Charly (Green Line) LP GCH-8008 (1986).

BERRY IS ON TOP
Zafiro [Serdisco] 301 12369 • 1989

Same as the UK reissue Charly (Green Line) LP GCH-8043 (1986).
The above three albums have printed 1988 on the back cover, but the labels says 1989.

TAIWAN

CHUCK BERRY’S GOLDEN DECADE VOL. 2 [2-LP]
Giant TD-1215 16 • 1973

Same as US LP 2CH-60023, but it seems as this was a single LP cover, no fold-out. And the back cover is in black & white, no colours.

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: An addition to chapter 18 in Volume 2. This chapter covers the session work and records by Chuck Berry's main musical partner Johnnie Johnson, recorded in addition to his work with Berry.

SESSION WORK and GUEST APPEARANCES

Keith Richards

TALK IS CHEAP (30th Anniversary De-luxe edition)

2-CD: BMG 4050538466980 • USA, 2019

Big Town Playboy (4:19)

(See page 876.) A remastered edition of the 1988 original album, released 29 March 2019. CD one has the original album and CD two has 6 tracks all previously unissued. The track above featuring Johnnie Johnson is previously unissued. It’s a midtempo bluesy tune with Johnnie in good form and Keith throwing in some Berry riffs at the end. Also available on 180gr. vinyl as a 2 album set.

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: three additions to chapter 14 in Volume 2 which covers tributes to Chuck Berry.

ÅGE ALEXANDERSEN (Norway)
See Volume 3, page 1036 for biographical info, and also Volume 4, page 1763.

Gå Gå Gå (3:52) (Chuck Berry-ge Alexandersen) 2018

CD: So far this is only available on line. He performed it live during his 70 years birthday party (where he spoke highly of Berry) which was filmed for TV.

This is Åge’s tribute to one of his mentors, Chuck Berry. He says he once did get some Berry singles with Johnny B. Goode and Sweet Little Sixteen and he knew what he was going to do. He says that there wouldn’t be any rock’n’roll as we know it without Chuck Berry. He uses a great deal of the text from Sweet Little Sixteen and then writes his own lyrics to fit in. It’s actually a rock song but it’s not rockin’, if you get my drift. Anyway, it’s a good tribute.

LA MANZANA PLASTICA (Mexico)
1960s rock/beat band who is still out there playing “pure rock of the ‘60s” as they call it.

Berry Rides Again (as “El Gran Chuck Berry”) (2:20) 1970

45: CBS 6644 • Mexico, 1970

Sung in Spanish. Taken from The Steppenwolf’s tribute to Berry from 1968 (see Steppenwolf on pages 761 and 1895).

GUNN-TRUSCINSKI DUO (USA)
Steve Gunn (guitars), John Truscinski (synths, drums). According to something I’ve read they play a mixture of folk, rock and experimental music. And if you listen to the tribute below it sounds something like that.

Seagull For Chuck Berry (5:02) (Gunn-Truscinski) 2017 (instr)

LP: Bay Head [Three Lobed LPTLR-124] • USA, 2017

Recorded at Echo Canyon West (?) in March 2017. Not so much Berry pickin’ on this slow and unusual instrumental. You can hear traces from “Deep Feeling”, but Gunn explains that we sometimes took direct inspiration from the late rock’n’roll godfather. However, you will have to listen closely. Anyway, because of the title it’s a tribute all right. The album above was their third as a duo.

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: Yet another list of cover versions to be added to the chapter on Chuck Berry covers in Volume 3 and two songs which made it there by mistake:

Here’s another cover that must be moved to the NO Chuck section:
The Mike Cotton Sound (UK): Around And Around (1964) (live) (page 1142) Written by Mike Cotton.
This was one of the early covers I spotted way back in the late ‘60s and unfortunately didn’t re-check when I was working with Vol.3. But now we know.

Also the group Big Country (UK) – page 1073 must be erased as their version of “Promised Land” from 1989 was written by Stuart Adamson and NOT Berry.

However, cover versions of Berry song keep coming. And some of these are quite goode, indeed. Here's the latest list of new and newly discovered Berry covers.

GEORGE BENSON (USA)

Singer, songwriter and guitar player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1943. Alternating between jazz, pop, R&B , and scat singing. In the ’60s and ’70s he was known for his funky instrumental jazz, and in the ’80s and ’90s for his more smooth R&B crooning. His first album “The New Boss Guitar Of George Benson” came out in 1964. He recorded a tribute album to Nat King Cole in 2013.
As a guitar player he was heavily influenced by jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. In 1976 his album “Breezin’” hit the #1 spot on the Billboard album chart and was certified triple-platinum. He has also received several Grammy Awards throughout his career.

Havana Moon (4:54) 2019
How You’ve Changed (3:21) 2019
Memphis, Tennessee (3:19) 2019
Nadine (3:53) 2019
You Can’t Catch Me (3:35) 2019

CD: Walking To New Orleans [Provogue PRD 819873018650] • USA, 2019
CD: Walking To New Orleans [Provogue PRD-75812] • Netherlands, 2019
LP: Walking To New Orleans [Provogue PRD-75811] • Netherlands, 2019

The subheading is Remembering Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. The LP is available in both black and yellow vinyl. “Nadine” turns out to be the best Berry cover on the album. Of course it’s interesting that a guy like Benson turns to Berry’s and Domino’s music to make an album. Although I would have wished for a more original approach. I have been listening to the album several times and it becomes a little predictable, there’s no surprises.

WILD BOB BURGOS And His Houserockers (UK)

See Volume 4, page 1779 for biographical info.

It’s My Own Business ( : ) 2018

CD: Yeah!!...Dedicated To Rockin’!! [TCY Records TCY-033] • Switzerland, 2019

Recorded in December 2017. “Dedicated to the memory of the late great Chuck Berry”.
He’s done several soundalikes and tributes, but it’s goode to finally have him in the Cover series. The album contains 14 tracks, all written by Burgos except the Berry tune.

SANDY FORD & FLYING SAUCERS (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1197 for biographical info on The Flying Saucers.

Maybellene ( : ) 2018

CD: Out Of The Blue [Raw 1041] • UK, 2018

Self published album, containing 27 tracks, mostly covers of well-known rock’n’roll songs, and some originals. Produced by Sandy Ford and he also plays most of the instruments himself. Sandy’s voice is remarkable reminiscent of Gene Vincent’s.

JERRY GARCIA BAND (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1207 for biographical info.

Let It Rock (6:37) 1987 (live)
You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) (7:08) 1991 (live)

6-CD box: Electric On The Eel [ATO Records JGFRR-1021] • USA, 2019

Both songs recorded live at French's Camp On The Eel River in Piercy, California on 29 August 1987 respectively on 10 August 1991.

HET COCKTAIL TRIO (Netherlands)

No biographical info.

No Particular Place To Go [as ‘De Hele Wereld Alleen Van Ons’] ( : ) 1964

45: Imperial IH-608 • Netherlands, 1964 (PS)

JP AND THE RAZORS (UK)

A three-piece rhythm and blues/rock’n’roll outfit from the North-West of England. Guitar, bass and drums.

It Wasn’t Me (3:50) 2018

CD: Nothin’ To Lose [JPRCD-18011] • UK, 2018

Again it goes to show, all material is original apart from the Berry number!

LOS DRACS (Spain)

Beat sextet.

Johnny B. Goode [as ”Ven Johnny Ven”] (2:24) 1965
Rock And Roll Music (1:57) 1965

EP: Los Dracs [Alma 4010-XC] • Spain, 1965

Johnny B. follows the others from Spain or Mexico. Rock And Roll Music built around the Beatles’ version, plain and straight forward.

SEAMUS McGARVEY BAND (UK)

At the age of 72, Seamus McGarvey comes out with his debut album! A family band from Southend On Sea consisting of Seamus McGavey on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, John McGarvey on harmonica, Pat McGarvey bass, 5-string banjo and backing vocals, plus Jed Potts on rhythm and lead guitars, Calum McIntyre drums and washboard.

Roll Over Beethoven (3:10) 2018

CD: Seamus O’Boogie [Johnny Rock Records JOROCK-028] • UK, 2019

A rockin’ goode version with a solid beat, one of the best I’ve heard in a long while. Recorded in Edinburgh during two days in March 2018.

LITTLE HERBIE MAYES & The Twisters (USA)

No biographical info.

Maybellene (1:51) 1962

45: Alley AS-1064 • USA, 1962

Fast rockabilly version with a good bass line.

DUKE ROBILLARD BAND (USA)

See volume 3, page 1460 for biographical info.

Dear Dad (2:13) 2019

CD: Ear Worms [Stony Plain SPCD-1403] • USA, 2019

This is a rockin goode version for sure. Duke has gathered a lot of friends to participate on this album and it is Klem Klimek who sings on this track but Duke is playing guitar, at least. The album was conceived as an album of songs that he heard and was attracted to growing up. Duke had this to say about pickin’ “Dear Dad”: It is one of my favorite Chuck Berry tunes. A latter song of his and never a hit, but it possesses all the components of a great Berry composition. Chuck’s command of the English language and his ability to create the coolest slang ever written is uncanny – Coolerator?!!! What’s cooler than that?
The CD contains 13 tracks and the opening and self penned “Don’t Bother Trying To Steal Her Love” is a cool one too, rocking like a Chuck Berry tune and sounding very close to “You Never Can Tell” in the verses.

TOMMY ROE (USA)

See volume 3, pages 1472-73 for biographical info.

It has come to my knowledge that it is actually guitar wizard Reggie Young who plays the eminent guitar fills and solos on Tommy Roe’s version of “Carol” from 1964. The guitar playing blew my mind the first time I heard it. I was sure there must have been someone special, but now it is out that it actually was Reggie Young, a studio musician who’s played on 100s of country, rock and pop songs (and hits) since the late ‘50s. Unfortunately he died 17 January 2019 at the age of 82.
Additional info for us all, it is also Reggie who played solo guitar on the Bill Black’s Combo album “Plays Tunes By Chuck Berry” [Hi SHL-32017] from 1964.

LINDA RONSTADT (USA)

See volume 3, pages 1478-79 for biographical info.

Back In The USA (2:58) 1980

CD & LP: Live In Hollywood [Rhino 574477] • USA, 2019

Recorded 24 April 1980 for her HBO television special at Television Center Studios in Hollywood. She was joined on stage by a band featuring Kenny Edwards (guitar), Danny Kortchmar (guitar), Billy Payne (keyboards), Dan Dugmore (pedal steel), Bob Glaub (bass), Russ Kunkel (drums), plus backing vocalists Wendy Waldman and Peter Asher, the latter besides being the executive producer also plays percussion. The Berry cover sounds very much like the hit version from 1978, very solid. The album contains 12 tracks, and except for two of them the rest are previously unreleased, including the Berry number.

ARLEN ROTH (USA)

See volume 3, pages 1481 for biographical info.

Promised Land (5:21) 2019 feat. Jerry Donahue

CD: Tele-Masters [Aquinnah AQ-0414] • USA, 2019

A whole album of players who are known for their Fender Telecaster skills. 16 tracks and besides featuring Arlen Roth (of course) you’ll hear in the country field people like Vince Gill, Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, Albert Lee. In the blues field Joe Bonamassa a.o. And people like Steve Cropper, Bill Kirchen, Redd Volkaert and also Cindy Cashdollar (Fender steel).
BUT where’s James Burton???

LUDWIG SEUSS BAND (Germany)

Born in 1964, Munich, Germany. Blues, Cajun, Zydeco pianist, organist and accordionist. Has been a member of the Spider Murphy Gang since 1987. Check out this group on pages 1526-1527 in Vol. 3.

Maybellene ( : ) 2018 (live)

CD: Live Im Lustspielhaus [Styx Records STYX-1094] • Germany, 2018

Sounds okay by me. The vocalist on this Berry number is Günther Sigl, a founding member of the Spider Murphy Gang.

JIMMY (STAGGER LEE) SMITH (USA)

No biographical info.

Memphis, Tennessee [as "Memphis"] ( : ) 1970s

45: Rexius RR-5051 • USA, 1970s

Don’t know much about this except I have seen the record and label but haven’t heard it. It could be an instrumental version or… The flip side is a cover of ”Stagger Lee” and is actually credited to Chuck Berry! Record label out of Portland, Oregon. I am not even sure about the year either, it could be the late ’60s for all I know.

TONY VILAPLANA (Spain)

No biographical info.

Maybellene ( : ) 1964

EP: Tony Vilaplana Y Sus Teen Stars [Vergara 35.0.076 C] • Spain, 1964

I haven’t heard it but he looks like a teen star and he probably sounds like it too, or maybe he listened to Gene Vincent’s version?

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: a beautiful re-release of mankind's most important record release containing a Berry number.

USA

THE VOYAGER GOLDEN RECORD (3-LP set / 2-CD set)
Ozma Records OZMA 001 • USA, 2017

Johnny B. Goode

A very nice box in LP size containing 3 gold vinyl LPs (or 2 CDs) with a 90 page elegant booklet with the story telling the whole background and many color photos, several taken from the spacecrafts.

The project started way back in July 1972. The initial idea was a grand tour of the Solar system exploring the four mysterious outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

In 1977 the United States of America (NASA) launched two spacecrafts, Voyager I (5 September) and Voyager II (20 August). Each contained a special Gold Record which included pictures, sounds and music from planet Earth. Apart from the usual classical music of Beethoven, Bach, and musical highlights from various countries, the discs also have popular tracks like Louis Armstrong “Melancholy Blues” (1927), Blind Willie Johnson “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground” (1927) and Chuck Berry “Johnny B. Goode” (1958).

The idea to the golden record came about in January 1977 when Carl Sagan and Frank Drake met in Hawaii, both colleagues at Cornell University.

The metal Gold record is covered with a lid with information for the aliens on how to build a record player, how to use the enclosed cartridge of stylus inside the package and how to place the pickup onto the record.

The gold record was recorded at half-speed which gave 2 hours of material. One and half hour of music, the rest being spoken greetings, natural sounds and photographs.

On the OZMA release, the sound is distributed onto three golden-color vinyl LPs which you don't have to build your own record player for. Also included in the box are a slipmat for your record player showing the spacecraft's trajectories, a gold foil print of the original record cover and a 100-page book.

Sunday 28 January 2018 this LP vinyl box set won a Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package. Well deserved.

The Voyager Golden Record 3xLP Vinyl Box set and 2xCD-Book edition are available from Ozma Records at: https://ozmarecords.com/pages/voyager

After over 41 years the two spacecrafts are some 19 billion kilometers from earth and have now reached what’s called "Interstellar space", beyond the planets mentioned above. And continue their journey through the Universe by some 16-17 kilometers per second (!). Both Voyagers send signals home every day taking up to 18 hours to reach earth.

In 2017 a documentary titled “The Farthest” was made by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios in association with Irish Film Board and ZDF in collaboration with Arte, BBC, RTÉ and PBS, (Crossing The Line Productions) to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the launching. Very interesting to follow what happened before, under and after. You even see a glimpse of Berry performing at the launching event back in 1977.

Here are a few comments from the documentary regarding Berry and Johnny B. :

We had a big party at the JPL [Jet Propulsion Labratory, a federal research center in Pasadena, California where the spacecrafts were built] and that was a good send off for Voyager.
The greatest moment at JPL was when Chuck Berry was on the steps of the administration building doing the Duck Walk to Johnny B. Goode.
Ed Stone [Voyager Chief Scientist] was dancing to Johnny B. Goode, it was something to see. Everybody was dancing.

Candy Hansen-Koharcheck (Imaging Science Representative):

4 billion years from now when our sun turns into a red giant, Voyager will be traveling out there through the stars, and the sounds of our time are going to be out there, Chuck Berry is still out there…

A little humor at the end. Comedian and actor Steve Martin told the viewers on Saturday Night Live 22 April 1978 that a message was soon received after Voyager had been launched which read: Send more Chuck Berry … And he was dead serious. A transcript of the joke can be found at http://climateerinvest.blogspot.com/2017/03/send-more-chuck-berry.html.

To follow up in connection with the 40th Anniversary, the Dualtone Store offered a black T-shirt saying exactly that: Send More Chuck Berry. You can actually buy it on their web-site https://www.dualtonestore.com/products/send-more-chuck-berry-t-shirt

Thanks to Ozma Records/LAD Design for providing additional information and several of the images shown.

Further links worth to follow are:
an interactive version of the Golden Record: http://goldenrecord.org/
NASA description of the Golden Record production: https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/golden-record/

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: Johnny B. Goode was released as a single in March 1958. In the US it took until late 1959 when the hit finally appeared on Chuck Berry Is On Top. However, this was not the first LP release of this song. Here's the album to know. Also we show yet another version of the CHUCK album as an addition to our blog post of November 2017.

AUSTRALIA
Correction - see Volume 4, page 1989

ONE DOZEN BERRYS
Philips B 94229 L • 1958

Sorry folks but there is a very important difference on this Australian release, compared to the US one. They actually changed the dreadful “Low Feeling” with the classic “Johnny B. Goode”.
I didn’t see this when doing CBID Vol. 4. But what an intelligent thing to do.
Of course Chess should have done exactly the same thing since the song and album came out in the US at the same time, March 1958. The actual album could even have hit the charts. The front cover is the same as the US one but the back is different, just the titles on side 1 and 2 and a survey of other Philips albums (no rock’n’roll though).
This means actually that Johnny B. Goode first appeared on an LP in 1958, in Australia. Unfortunately we don’t know for sure when this album came out in 1958.
Thanks to Thierry Chanu for making me aware of this fact.

POLAND / EU

CHUCK
Decca 00602557682472 (86) • 2017

I just came across another issue of the «Chuck» album, namely from Poland.
It comes in a CD Jewel case (plastic) with booklet and is on Decca 00602557682472 (86). The front cover is a little bit different because of the white line going all around. It’s printed in very small lettering: ZAGRANICZNA PLYTA – POLSKA CENA, repeated over and over again on the white line. This is also printed on the inside of the back cover visible when you look at the CD itself. I have scanned the front, back, inside cover and label. The CD label says made in the EU but the cat.no is different from the UK one although the label look exactly the same except for the number.
The shrink wrap has a red/white/black sticker on it.

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: Some observations and yet another list of cover versions to be added to the chapter on Chuck Berry covers in Volume 3:

There’s lot of versions of Johnny B. Goode on the net but many of them are for download only. I am glad that I am not doing the books now (especially Vol. 3) as there would have been a complete mess finding out if the actual songs are available on any CDs.

I also found a duo calling themselves Johnny B. Goode (yes) and a girl quartet named The Maybellene’s, both seem to be from the US.

Note: “Back In The USA” by Starbyrd we will have to place in the NO Chuck section, it’s not Berry’s!

Also, “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck is featured in many films, as we know. A more recent movie from 2015 titled “A Christmas Melody” has this played when the family is driving from one place to another. Cast Lacey Nicole Chabert and Brennan Elliott. Directed by Mariah Carey who also has a role in this movie.

DONALD FAGEN (USA)

Donald Jay Fagen from New Jersey, born in 1948, is a singer and keybord player and probably best known for being a co-founder of the 1970s pop-rock/jazz band Steely Dan.

Viva, Viva Rock & Roll (2:42) 2007 (live)

CD: Morph The Cat [Reprise 43325-2] • USA, 2007
5-CD box: Cheap Xmas: Donald Fagen Complete [Rhino/Warner Bros. 812279328 2] • USA, 2017

Interesting to see that he covers an obscure Berry rocker. He does a great job of it, and you can even find a performance on You Tube.

ADAM DOUGLAS (USA/Norway)

Born in the USA (Oklahoma), but now living in Norway (Harestua . Hadeland). Born in 1981. He’s a very versatile artist performing rock’n’roll/soul/blues type of music, and released his debut album in 2015, “I May Never Learn”. He competed in the Norwegian TV-show Stjernekamp (=Starfight) in 2017 and won.

Run Rudolph Run (4:01) 2017

CD: An American Holiday [Reva Records CA-19] • Norway, 2018

Recorded live in Nordstrand Kirke, Oslo, Norway. (Kirke = Church) This was also a TV-programme. This version of the Berry classic doesn’t run so much and the guitar solo is more 60s/70s lacking the most.

JOHNNY FRITZ (Canada)

Country singer/songwriter , born 1961 in a small town just outside of Toronto.

Johnny B. Goode (4:02) 2015

CD: No End In Sight [J Fritz 234639] • Canada, 2015

ERIN HARPE And The DELTA SWINGERS (USA)

Run Rudolph Run (3:33) 2018

CD: Christmas Swing [Vizz Tone CD-VTJJ-003] • USA, 2018

WALLIS LAKE & The Surfin’ Guitars (USA)

Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:03) 1963
Let It Rock [as ‘Rocking On The Railroad’] ( : ) 1963

45: 4 Sons Records 4106 • USA, 1963

Label out of Paris, Tennessee. Again interesting to see a double sided Berry cover 45. There’s no year printed on the label, but because of the mistitle of “Let It Rock” it’s probably taken from the Berry “On Stage” Chess LP from August ’63. I haven’t heard it but it should be interesting to hear if they by any chance used the new arrangement of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” which was also included on the “On Stage” album.

RONNIE LANE (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1305 for biographical info.

You Never Can Tell (9:57) 1980 (live)

CD: Live At Rockpalast 1980 [MIG Music 90542 CD] • Germany, 2012

Recorded on 19 March 1980 in Cologne, West Germany. This is okay but nothing more, even though he has Ian Stewart with him on piano. Almost 10 minutes, I still feel it doesn’t swing enough.

SCORPIONS (UK)

See volume 3, page 1492 for biographical info.

Guitar Boogie (instr) (2:20) 1959
Rock At The Philarmonic [as ‘Rockin’ At The Phil’] (instr) (3:52) 1960

CD: The Scorpions: Anthology 1959-1965 [Wooden Hill WHCD-004] • UK, 1996

When Vol.3 was published I didn’t have this particular CD. I was quite certain that it was the same version and nobody told me that “Guitar Boogie” was actually a Berry cover and not Arthur Smith’s. Anyway, it turns out that the numbers here were recorded in November 1959 and December 1960 respectively. AND the version of “Rockin’ At The Phil” is a totally different take, going much slower and stretched out to almost four minutes. However, it doesn’t have the fire and power of the released fast and shorter version. “Guitar Boogie” is not in the same league, it’s messy and in poorer sound quality.
The CD contains 32 tracks, many instrumentals.

SHIVAREE (USA)

Alternative pop/rock band formed in 1997 and consisted of Ambrosia Parsley (vocals), Danny McGough (keyboards), Duke McVinnie (guitar). Probably best known for “Goodnight Moon”, a song used in both Dawson’s Creek and Volume 2 of Kill Bill. The band separated officially the same year the album below came out.

I Want To Be Your Driver [as ‘ I Wanna Be Your Driver’] (2:29) 2007

CD: Tainted Love: Mating Calls And Fight Songs [Zoë Records ZOE 01143-1092-2] • USA, 2007

This is quite okay, but too much noise for me, and the guitarist is no rock’n’roller to say the least.

RON WILLIAMS (USA)

Country singer/songwriter in the traditional style. Son of country singer/songwriter Leona Williams.

Nadine (3:18) 2013

CD: Foolproof [Loveshine CD-4261] • USA, 2013

A solid rendition of this Berry classic, with fiddle, steel and a horn section.

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: Chapter 18 in Volume 2 has a complete discography, full session information and everything else of interest about Johnnie Johnson, Berry's great pianist. Here's an addition to the Johnnie Johnson discography:

SESSION WORK and GUEST APPEARANCES

Kentucky Headhunters With Johnnie Johnson (USA)
MEET ME IN BLUESLAND
CD: Alligator Records ALCD-4965 • USA, 2015

Stumblin’ / Walking With The Wolf / Little Queenie / She’s Got To Have It ◊ / Party In Heaven / Meet Me In Bluesland / King Rooster / Shufflin’ Back To Memphis / Fast Train / Sometime / Superman Blues

11 tracks, recorded 26-28 January 2003 at Barrick Recording Studio, Glasgow, Kentucky. Johnnie plays piano on all tracks and does vocals on one song marked ◊. Two of the songs have typical Berry guitar and beat, “Stumblin’, a very goode one, and “Party In Heaven”. For some strange reason this album was never released when Johnnie was alive. They say that the session was actually a spontaneous one and therefore no immediate plans to release an album. Luckily it became a reality in 2015. Three more songs were later featured on an album by the Kentucky Headhunters in 2019 (see below). See also cover versions for extra comments on “Little Queenie”.
This album should be in every Berry fan’s collection. It has drive and the piano of Johnnie is spot on. Play It Johnnie…!

Kentucky Headhunters (USA)
LIVE AT THE RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR
CD: Alligator Records ALCD-4988 • USA, 2019

Rock Me Baby / Rock-N-Roller / Hi-Heel Sneakers

Johnnie does not play on other tracks. The three tracks were recorded 26-28 January 2003 (see “Meet Me In Bluesland” above). Johnnie really shines on “Rock-N-Roller”. The other 10 tracks on the album were recorded live in 2016 at the Ramblin’ Man Fair in Maidstone, UK (it was part of an European tour). They even do a couple of Johnnie Johnson co-written songs, “Shufflin’ Back To Memphis” and “Walking With The Wolf”. They also do “Stumblin’ “. However, the band sounds different on stage, much more rock and heavier and therefore I feel they lose a lot of their integrity and individual style.

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: 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. Here's another CD containing an Eddy performance:

CDs

BLUES TO BOP LUGANO

CD: Altri Suoni (Casino Lugano) AS-058 • Switzerland, 1999

Don’t Steal My Blues

12 tracks. This was recorded at the annual festival in Lugano, Switzerland called Lugano Blues To Bop, 2-5 September 1999, It’s a very long stretched out slow blues, clocking in at 12:46, written by Eddy himself. The other performers on the CD are Ian Siegel, Mike Stresser & Ed Gents, John Crampton, Captain Luke, Judith Emmeline, John Carter Cash a.o. I have tried to check what happened during the festival and who backed Eddy on the show but with no luck. There’s no such info on the album. However he is augmented by both tenor saxophone and organ in addition to bass and drums.

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: a 2018 vinyl single

Back In The USA / Memphis, Tennessee
Chess TMR-529 (UMG Recordings Inc.) • 2018
[Manufactured by Universal Music]

This was released on Black Friday November 2018. The label is a replica of the Chess silver top, which is kinda silly as the original single came out in 1959 on the blue label with vertical silver Chess logo. It comes in a new designed Chess sleeve, printed in 2017. The sound is very good. Great for old jukeboxes. This is also out in brown vinyl in case you got to have everything (unfortunately I do).

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: Cassette tapes contributed to a large part of worldwide sales of prerecorded music throughout the 1970s to 1990s. The first commercial MCs were produced by Phillips/Mercury in 1966. Most MCs were duplicates of LP albums, which is why collectors typically go for the original. This one here is an exception.

UK

FROM ST. LOUIE TO FRISCO
MC: Mercury CMP-7029 • 1968

Side 1: Louie To Frisco / Ma Dear / Misery / I Love Her, I Love Her / Little Fox
Side 2: Soul Rockin’ / I Can’t Believe / The Love I Lost / My Tambourine / Rock Cradle Rock / Oh Captain / Mum’s The Word

Now here is a rarity. It’ s the first time we write about a certain cassette, since it was only issued like this in the UK. Why they chose to ignore an LP is anyone’s guess. I have collected Berry records since the mid ‘60s and have never seen a copy. I actually wondered if what I heard back then was just a fabrication, since it never showed up anywhere. UNTIL 14 days ago (mid September 2018) it suddenly turned up on eBay in all its glory(?). I should have loved to see my face when I spotted it. I bid so high (bidnapper - £ 171,-) that absolutely no-one would beat me. I ended up paying £ 26,- + postage for a cassette which is really somethin’ else, all things considered.
I have written the sequence of the songs as they are a little bit different than on the LP because of the length of the individual songs. As you can see the MC cover is just an extract from the original album cover. The stereo sound is the usual Mercury without depth.
Anyway, my UK Berry collection is finally complete(?) except for a few promos. Not bad after over 50 years.

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: Chapter 7 in Volume 2 is about "Chuck Berry in the movies". This includes both those movies Berry is shown on screen and those having soundtrack albums featuring one or more Berry recordings. Here's a new one of the latter type:

THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD
Millennium Media (Colour, 118 min.) • USA, 2017

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson • Directed by Patrick Hughes

An action comedy featuring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Gary Oldman. Other artists on the soundtrack include Lloyd Price, Memphis Slim, Lionel Richie, Bobby Bland, Foreigner, King Harvest, Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band, Atli Örvasson, the latter wrote the music score.

THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD
Millenium 88235 02533-9 - 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray (2 discs) Colour 118 min.• USA, 2017
Also available as DVD.

Berry’s Little Queenie is heard in the movie and was also included on the soundtrack album (CD and LP). The album has 15 tracks but there are 24 songs featured in the movie.
THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD
Milan Records N2 36887 • 2017
Little Queenie

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: 31 artists/groups – 44 new cover versions to be added to the chapter on Chuck Berry covers in Volume 3 (+ 1 correction)

BRYAN ADAMS (Canada)

See Volume 3, page 1034 for biographical info.

Rock And Roll Music (2:34) 2014

CD: Tracks Of My Years [Verve (Badman) 96823 7] • USA, 2014

Here Adams has gone back to his roots and recorded songs from the likes of the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, John Fogerty, Eddie Cochran and more. There are three variants of the album, standard edition (11 tracks), De Luxe edition (16 tracks) and a Japanese edition (17 tracks).

ANIMALS (UK)

See Volume 3, pages 1041-42 for biographical info.

Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1966 (live)

LP: Five Animals Don’t Stop No Show [Rhythm & Blues LPR&B-13] • UK, 2017 (RSD)

Recorded live for a BBC radio session in 1966. RSD means that the record was released in time with the internationally celebrated Record Store Day, here in April 2017.

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.

Havana Moon (3:23) 2018

45: Twi-Lite TL-002 • 2018, Germany

Sounds a bit like Carlos Santana’s version from 1983. Although a little more simple arrangement. Bontempi plays all the instruments himself according to the sleeve.

BRAD & BRIAN (USA)

Duo from Vermont, New England. No more information available.

No Money Down (2:49) 1966

LP: Brad & Brian [Allen TR4M-5080/5081] • USA, 1966

Acoustic rousing bluesy version, according to someone who’s heard it. Recorded at Allen Associates by Glenn Allen. The album proclaims that the music is blues, folk, rock and pop by the duo. I think this must have been a local maybe private pressing.

CADILLAC, The (Hungary)

Rock’n’roll revival group from Budapest. Been around since the early ‘90s.

Sweet Little Sixteen (4:09) 1994 (live)

CD: Live ’94 [Bál-Na Produkció ? ] • Hungary, 1994

Roll Over Beethoven (2:33) 1997

CD: The Cadillac’s Showtime [Cadillac & Maximusic Records CAD 59-01] • Hungary, 1997

CASTAWAYS (Philippines)

Sonny Baecher (vocals),Tony Jalandoni (lead guitar), Charlie Meeleib (rhythm guitar), Bobby Juico (bass), Danny Pangan (drums).

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:10) 1970s

45: Silahis Records SRS-077 • Philippines, 1970s

CHICAGO BLUES ALL STARS (USA)

See page 1265 under CLIFTON JAMES
This should actually have been listed under Chicago Blues All Stars and not Clifton James. Don’t know what the people at Laserlight were thinking as the info on the actual “Chicago Blues Band” CD listed under Clifton James in Vol.3 are full of mistakes and wrong info. The band was really called Chicago Blues All Stars and the personnel on the actual recording were as follows: led by Willie Dixon (bass), Lafayette Leake (piano), Lee Jackson (guitar), Walter Horton (harmonica), Clifton James (drums). So it actually should read something like this:

Wee Wee Hours (5:10) (live) 1970

2-CD: Chicago Blues All Stars 1970 [Klondike KL2CD-5084] • USA, 2017

Vocals by Clifton James. Recorded in Germany on 8 November 1970. CD 1 is by this group performing 10 tracks and the rest they are backing Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
CD 2 has more by Rosetta Tharpe and also gospel groups The Patterson Singers and Stars Of Faith, all backed by the band.

ERIC CLAPTON (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1126 for biographical info.

Little Queenie (6:18) 1974 (live)

2-CD: Eric Clapton: Life In 12 bars [Universal 673212-9] • UK, 2018

Previously unreleased. Recorded live at Long Beach Arena, California in July ’74. 32 tracks. Also released as a 4-LP deluxe set. Music on the 2-CD set is taken from a documentary about the life and times of Clapton. Available as DVD and Blue-Ray.

JESSIE CLARK (USA)

Contemporary country/folk artist from Norfolk, Nebraska. Sounds a bit like Anne Murray.

Johnny B. Goode (3:07) 2015

CD: Beautiful Night [Praire Wind Records 888295211000] • USA, 2015

Again interesting to notice the inclusion of Berry’s classic, as the other 11 tracks are not familiar with me at all.

FOX AND THE RAIDERS (USA)

Garage band.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 1965

45: Disaster Records DR-140 • 1965

Record label out of Inidianois, Mississippi

GIBASDRA (Sweden)

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

You Never Can Tell (“Monsieur Pierre”) ( : ) early 1970s

45: California C-5661 (PS) • Sweden, 1970s

I haven’t heard this but the Swedish title is identical to the one by the Streaplers from 1970.

HERMANOS CARRION (Mexico)

Memphis, Tennessee [“Memphis”] (2:18) 1966

EP: La Llorona [Orfeon EP-613] • Mexico, 1966

Singing in Spanish. Arranged as the Johnny Rivers version.

HOLLIES (UK)

See Volume 3, pages 1252-53 for biographical info.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ (2:28) 1963 (live)
Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1963 (live)
Too Much Monkey Business (2:02) 1965 (live)

LP: Shake With The Hollies [Rhythm & Blues LPR&B-14] • UK, 2017 (RSD)

The first two covers were recorded live in concert 1963 (not the best of sound), and the last one was recorded live in 1965 for the Shindig! TV show in the US. RSD = Record Store Day, April 2017.

BRIAN JAMES (UK)

Born Brian Robertson in Hammersmith, London in 1955. Regarded as a punk-rock guitarist and also a founding member of bands like The Damned and The Lords Of The New Church. He’s also been involved in other bands and has released several solo projects.

Around And Around (2:31) 2017

45EP: Too Hot To Pop [Easy Action EARS-134] • UK, 2017

First I thought it was something wrong with the pickup but it wasn’t. A crash site for sound. I don’t know who decided to make it like this but it didn’t work at all. Punk rock. The four track vinyl EP also includes “Route 66” with a Berry beat which is ok but nothing more, “Long Tall Shorty” using a little bit of Berry guitar sound, and finally “Living Doll” which I won’t comment.
Brian wrote the liner notes on the back side: When Mr. Chuck Berry died recently I figured it was time to cover one of his songs as a tribute (also check out the title of this EP). Then I thought why stop there? So I settled on an EP of my childhood faves, hope you dig ‘em, they were fun to play. So now you know.

JOHNNY LABORIEL (Mexico)

Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (2:33) 1964

EP: Que Hice You de Malo [Orfeon EP-379] • Mexico, 1964

Singing in Spanish. Arranged as the Johnny Rivers version.

LA CRUZ (Mexico)

Roll Over Beethoven (4:10) 1970s

45: Discos Versalles VER-001 • Mexico, 1970s

This turned up on eBay August 2017 but without any reference to year of release. However, because of the length of the song it’s probably modeled after the ELO 1972 version (?)

JIMMY LaFAVE (USA)

Folk singer/songwriter. Born in Wills Point, Texas 1955 but grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Died in Austin, Texas 2017, 61 years of age. A great fan of Woodie Guthrie and a friend of the family, and have contributed on several Woodie Guthrie Folk Festivals. Actually, LaFave had been given 20 copies of lyrics from Guthrie by his daughter Nora Guthrie, for him to set music to. The album below features three of them. LaFave had released many albums since his first “Down Under” in 1979.

Promised Land ( : ) 2016

2-CD: Peace Town [Music Row Records ] • USA, 2018

A 20 track set containing various recordings made during the last year of his life.

ELISE LeGROW (Canada)

Pop singer, songwriter Elise Madeline LeGrow was born in 1987. She is known both as a solo act and as a member of the band Whale Tooth. In April 2012 she released her first self titled EP and later in the year she released a seven track album. The album below would be her first full solo album. You Never Can Tell was available for listeners on iTunes and Spotify from mid 2017.

You Never Can Tell (3:06) 2017
You Can’t Catch Me (medley) (3:01) 2017 (in medley with “You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover”)

CD: Playing Chess [Awesome Music BMG 538337362] • USA, 2018

11 Chess classics. You Never Can Tell is a slow soulful rendition. The reason she did it this way, she says, is because most listeners, including myself, usually miss its lyrical depth. Our slower tempo highlights the poetry. You Can’t Catch Me is taken at a slower speed so that it fits with the Diddley number. Interesting combination.

LUIS LÓPEZ (El Salvador)

Johnny B. Goode [Ya Vas Barrabás, Ya Vas] (2:07) 1982

45: Dicesa DI-04 • El Salvador, 1982

Red vinyl.

TRINI LOPEZ (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1330 for biographical info.

You Never Can Tell (2:27) 2008

CD: Ramblin’ Man [Fuel CD-061731] • USA, 2008

Sorry to say but this sounds pretty dull and uninspiring. The album contains 14 various cover versions of songs ranging from “The Wanderer” and “Lay, Lady, Lay” to “Lady Madonna” and “Sugar Sugar” (yes), and of course remakes of “If I Had A Hammer” and “La Bamba”. Recorded at the Ranch Studio in Los Angeles. This was his 63rd studio album!

TONY MAC (USA)

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1960s

45: Jewel Records 806J-0928 • USA, 1960s

Record label out of MT Healthy, Ohio.

OFFENBACH (Canada)

Featuring Gerry Boulet.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ [Chu’ Un Rocker] (5:15) 1977

45: A&M AM-444 • Canada, 1977
LP: Offenbach [A&M SP-9027] • Canada, 1977

PACIFICS (Ireland)

Beat quartet from Dublin.

I’m Talking About You (1:38) 2011

45 EP: Play Favourites [Bachelor BR-51] • Ireland, 2011

Authentic ‘60s beat sound to this, in 2011.

RED ‘HOT^N’ BLUE (Norway)

A bluesy rock band from Bergen. Tim Wright (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Jan Gunnar Bortheim (guitar), Ole Brudvik (bass) and Karsten Olsen (drums).

School Day [“Schooldays”] (2:28) 1989

EP 45: Bring It On Home [Asyl Records UNI-109] • 1989, Norway

A pretty heavy blues-rock version with forceful vocals and driving guitar(s). Recorded at Bergen Lydstudio.

ROLLING STONES (UK)

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

Come On (2:02) 1963 (live – Saturday Club,26 October)
Roll Over Beethoven (2:19) 1963 (live – Saturday Club, 26 October)
Memphis, Tennessee (2:22) 1963 (live – Saturday Club, 26 October)
Around And Around (2:45) 1964 (live – Top Gear, 23 July)
Carol (2:31) 1964 (live – Saturday Club, 18 April)
Beautiful Delilah (2:10) 1964 (live – Saturday Club, 18 April)

2-CD: On Air [Polydor (BBC) 670 274-0] • UK, 2017

Finally after so many years we get a very good section of the Rolling Stones live from the BBC. Most of them have been frequently featured on various bootlegs throughout the years (no survey from me there).

Bye Bye Johnny (2:08) 1964 (live – Saturday Club, 8 February)
Carol (2:40) 1964 (live – The Joe Loss Pop Show, 17 July)

10” LP: The Rolling Stones Play Chuck Berry [Reel To Reel STONES-01] • UK, 2017

Sorry, this is probably a bootleg, but I just had to include it. The 10” vinyl contains 8 tracks. In addition to the two songs above it includes the following from the above 2-CD set: Come On, Roll Over Beethoven, Memphis Tennessee, Beautiful Delilah, Around And Around. Plus a cover version of Don’t You Lie To Me from Saturday Club, 8 February 1964. The front cover has a picture of Mick Jagger and Chuck Berry’s faces, which also decorates each label, side one and two respectively.
A limited edition of only 1000, mine is # 281.

CHRIS SMITHER (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1514 for biographical info.

Maybellene (2:56) 2017

CD: Call Me Lucky [Signature SIGCD-2093] • USA, 2018

A slower almost acoustic version in the traditionally Smither way.

STARGAZERS (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1530 for biographical info.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 2018 (live)

CD: Rock That Swing [Part Records 3720] • Germany, 2018

Recorded live February 2018 in Munich, Germany during a boogie and swing festival. 11 bands from Germany, UK, Italy, France and Sweden.

STONE SOUP (USA)

Folk group from Upstate NY. John Bagale, Kira Kim-Fredell, Leila Núnez-Fredell, Peter Kim-Fredell. They also released an album in 2000 titled just “Stone Soup”.

Maybellene (3:59) 2018

CD: Big Wheel Turn [Unified Field Prod. 79857651332 0] • USA, 2018

A slow bluesy folk version, really effective.

THOMAS LAVELLE FOUR (UK)

You Never Can Tell (2:49) 2015

45: Rollin Records RR45-049 • UK

The Berry classic done the Jerry Lee Lewis way.

GEORGE THOROGOOD (USA)

See volume 3, page 1558 for biographical info, and a lot of other Berry covers.

It Wasn’t Me (7:32) 1980 (live)
No Particular Place To Go (6:04) 1980 (live)
Reelin’ And Rockin’ (7:25) 1980 (live)

2-CD: Live At Rockpalast – Dortmund 1980 [MIG 90722] • Germany, 2017

Now here we have Mr. Thorogood in full blast! I remember back in the early ‘80s that I watched this show on TV and it was quite different from what I have seen before. Playing guitar like a ringin’ a bell and walking down from the stage and mingle with the audience still playing all the way. What a revelation. On this set he plays four Elmore James classics (among others a fabulous version of “Madison Blues”), a little John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and more.
Recorded at Westfalenhalle in Dortmund, Germany, 26 November ’80.

WILD ANGELS (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1603 for biographical info.

Promised Land ( : ) 2016
Reelin’ And Rockin’ ( : ) 2016

CD: Leathers, Studs ‘n’ Stripes [Crazy Times CTR-CD 119] • UK, 2017

Billed as The Legendary Wild Angels on the cover. Rob Davies (lead/rhythm guitar, vocals), Freddie Piretta (piano, accordion), Mitch Mitchell (bass, vocals), Bob Burgos (drums, vocals). Rob Davies is singing on the two Berry covers. Goode Rock’n’Roll music.

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: as single proudly claiming that you cannot hear Chuck Berry on it.

USA (?)

SIX WHOLE MINUTES OF GOLDEN SILENCE!
Vacuum Records • 1959

Part I: Golden Silence / Part II: Quiet! (Please?)

Not featuring the following artists: Elvis Presley, Frankie Avalon, Ricky Nelson, Little Anthony, Duane Eddy, Lydia E. Pinkham, Chuck Berry. Spike Jones couldn’t join us either…
As it’s printed on the label: (Any Speed) You don’t even need a record player.
Now this is a very special record indeed. There’s no music at all, just as it says, 3 minutes of silence on each side. And you can actually play it as it has grooves. BUT there’s no sound.
Who came up with this crazy idea is anybody’s guess. The cover is as thick as an EP cover. And you can enjoy(?) reading what’s not on the record, especially on the back (see picture).
I have tried to check it out on the net but there’s nothing to find, and if you search for Vacuum Record you’ll end up with a vinyl record cleaner system.
The EP cover looks like it was made in 1959 but the record itself looks newer, so…

And who’s Lydia E. Pinkham? Well, Lydia Estes Pinkham (1819-1883) was the concocter of a herbal alcoholic “women’s tonic” meant to relieve menstrual and menopausal pains. One could refer to the Scaffold and their “Lilly The Pink” in 1968 but that was long after the record mentioned was out(?) However, the song above was based on an old US American folk song titled “The Ballad Of Lydia Pinkham” known to exist around 1914.

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: Page 1861 in Volume 4 has a brief discography for Billy Peek, a guitarist who played with Berry and recorded several Berry covers and soundalikes. Here's an addition to the Billy Peek discography:

Single

The Hammer / Sweet Home Chicago

Rivertown RT-005 • USA, 1987

On page 1861 there’s a Billy Peek discography which says that this single came out in 1992. Well, it didn’t. The album “The Answer” that the two songs are featured on was released in 1992. However, there’s no year of release printed on the single in question, so I figured that it also came out in ’92. But now when this PS turned up it’s printed 1987 on the back. So the actual album that came out in ’92 featured various songs probably recorded between 1987-1992. It seems like «The Hammer» was the actual plug-side. I had it the other way around in the book. As you can see on the attached labels nothing is mentioned about any A or B-side.