Friday, July 5. 2024CBID - 6034 cover versions of Chuck Berry songs
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: It's time to update the summary pages of CBID which showed the number of artists who covered a certain Chuck Berry song as well as the top list of Berry songs most often covered. As of May 2024, Morten Reff's counting results in this top list of Berry songs covered. Included are only those cover versions which have been released on Vinyl or CD to the public more than one hundred times. Other recordings such as those from live performances, TV shows, bootlegs or Berry's multiple own recordings do not count in this regard.
In comparison with page 1030 in Vol. 3 of the Chuck Berry International Directory (2012), except for #1 - #6 who are still at the top with the highest numbers of covers there are several changes to the rest of the above list. “Run Rudolph Run” especially! “Let It Rock” and “Reelin’ And Rockin’“ are new entries. “I’m Talking About You” didn’t have that many covers at the time of publishing Vol. 3 in 2012, but it was included back then as 20 song titles sounded better than 19 (!). Lesser known Chuck Berry songs, even the most obscure ones have been covered as well. Here is the complete list as of May 2024 which once again proves the importance of Chuck Berry’s lyrics and melodies to the evolution of pop and rock music throughout the decades. 'Run Rudolph Run' (Marvin Brodie-Johnny Marks), 'Too Pooped To Pop' (Billy Davis) and “Mad Lad” (Billy Davis) are included in this survey because they are Berry originals, even though they were not written by him (at least, that's what the composer credits say). Conversely, although Berry's versions of 'I Got To Find My Baby' (1960) and 'Too Late' (1975) were both credited to him, they were actually covers of originals by Little Walter and Jimmy Wakely respectively. In addition there’s a lot more cover versions of 'My Ding-A-Ling', but this is not an original song by Berry in the first place. Written by Dave Bartholomew and recorded by him in 1952, although Berry changed some of the lyrics and added new ones.
Comparing this report to the same list of covers on pages 1635 to 1675 (Vol. 4) plus the additions on pages 2074-2085 and of course all the CBID Updates on this blog, there are 11 new Berry titles added to this survey. Which mean that a total of 96 titles have been recorded by various artists and groups. A total number of 6034 versions! And if you look at page 1675 you will see that in 2013 we had just 4556 versions, which means the total number has increased by some 1500 versions. Pretty amazing! For those readers who don’t want to search the complete Volumes 3 and 4 as well as the updates in this site's blog for a specific cover version, we provide here a PDF file containing an update to the corresponding chapter in the book. It lists all the artists and recording dates which make up for the No. of Artists column in the table above. For more details about the corresponding album such as label and release date, read the books and the updates on this site's blog. As mentioned so many times before, this survey of Berry covers will never be completed in full since his catalog is always interesting for various artists without regard to musical genre. And also there will be covers that we still don’t know about. Monday, June 10. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 9
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: This is the ninth and ultimate post in our list of newly found cover versions. First I have to give prominence to Bjørn Knudsen of Norway for all the work he’s done of finding Berry covers in the most unusual places. He has been of invaluable assistance. A US singer, songwriter and guitarist James McMurtry has a song titled “Choctaw Bingo” (2002), you can listen on You Tube, which sounds like an extraordinary long slower version of You Can’t Catch Me, with new lyrics, clocking in at 8:47. It’s a selfpenned song but the verses are sung exactly like Berry’s. (Thanks to Fred Rothwell.) Here’s a “new” Berry tribute as follows: LEGACASTER (Spain) Rockabilly trio consisting of El Lega (vocals, guitar), Daniel Nunes (ac. Bass), Berto Martinez (drums). Album below recorded at Kathrina Studio (Lliça d'Amunt Barcelona) October 2016. Big Berry (Boss Man Guitar) (1:48) (Drake-Stokes) 2016 45 EP: Big Berry [Kathrina Records KRMNLP-002] ● Spain , 2017 There’s a video on You Tube of this tribute. The EP has 6 tracks, the CD has a bonus track “Monkey’s Uncle” (Ray Sharpe). And here we go with our "new" Berry covers: BUSTER SHUFFLE (UK) Ska punk band from London. You Never Can Tell (2:05) 2013 CD single: Century Media Records ● UK, 2013 (PS) Very ordinary rendition in the way they are singing but it rocks all right. THE OTHER HALF (USA) Garage rock quintet from Pottstown, Philadelphia according to Secondhandsongs.. They were active in about two years 1965-67. Life as a Berry cover enthusiast is pretty tough. Searching for The Other Half shows a group from San Francisco that usually pops up which was active in the mid to late ‘60s. And to make things even harder, there was a group from Chicago by the same name at about the same period of time. Carol (2:25) 1966 LP: The Other Half [7/2 Records HS-1 2] ● USA, 1966 1313 MOCKINGBIRD LANE (USA) 1989-1996 garage, punk band from Albany, New York. They released several 45s and two albums. Bye Bye Johnny (2:51) 1990s LP/CD: Unfinished Business (The Toilet Tapes) [Cacophone Records CALP/CACD-2030] ● USA, 2020 13 tracks previously unissued. Noisy rock music but with a good drive. CATFISH JOHN TISDELL (USA) Blues, folk-rock singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player from Idaho. He has since the early ‘70s performed solo or in various bands. If you check out his catalogue on Bandcamp you’ll be surprised how many digital albums he has !!! You can’t ignore a man who’s so dedicated to his work and music. No Money Down (3:58) 2009 Digital: Honky Tonk Blues [Catfish John ] ● USA, 2009 Catfish John (vocals, guitar), Rick Martinelli (bass), Steve Wright (drums). A pretty good version. If I couldn’t have listened to this track I would have assumed they were different versions from different years. Rock And Roll Music (3:29) 2016 Digital: Better Get It While You Can [Catfish John ] ● USA, 2016 Catfish John (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Dave Stang (lead guitar). TRACY (Taiwan) See TRACY HUANG TRIMBLE TONES (Canada) 5 guys whose inspiratiom must have been the American golden age of popular music from the ‘50s and ‘60s. I saw the expression Old Time Band. Johnny B. Goode (2:23) 1974 LP: Take 30 With The Trimble Tones [Soundaround International SSE-7425] ● Canada, 1974 They have a smooth sound as some of the American groups like the Four Freshmen, and I enjoyed this version because it’s different but a little boring. The album itself has too much polka and accordion. Memphis, Tennesee [as “Memphis”] (2:15) 1976 LP: Whole Lotta Shakin’ [Soundaround SSE-7615] ● Canada, 1976 The LP title should indicate that this is a rock’n’roll album, however, it’s not. Although they include the title, “Rock Around The Clock” and “Memphis”, but that’s about all. TURBOSOS (South Korea) I have tried to find information about this but without any luck. There are many albums on Bandcamp and all of them seem to have been released in the Spring of 2017. In case, a very productive gang. But the reason I have included them is the fact that they are pretty good in what they do. And very versatile and varied in musical taste. Maybe they are just some studio musicians/friends who have recorded a lot of various tunes and hey! let’s just put them out on various albums. Their album “Red Face” and several others feature pop/crooner tunes sounding like Nat King Cole. Very professional and extraordinary if you compare them to the more rockin’ uptempo albums below. Are we talking about the same guys or what??? Memphis, Tennessee [as “Tennessee”] (2:33) 2017 Digital: Music Ogg [Self-released ] ● South Korea, 2017 Released March 2017. These guys are quite good. Sweet Little Sixteen (3:07) 2017 Digital: Tried Now [Self-released ] ● South Korea, 2017 Also released March 2017. Again a solid version. TUULA-HELENA (Finland) Tuula Helena Hooli, pop/country singer, born in Keuruu. Mainly active in the 1970s and ‘80s. You Never Can Tell [as “C’est La Vie Sanoi Vaari” ( : ) 1982 CD: Uusilla Urilla – I Nya Spår [CWC Records CWC-1005] ● Sweden, 1982 TWANG (Germany) Rock’n’roll, Americana, country, TexMex quintet from Braunschweig. Founded in 1998. They have released many singles, EPs and albums since 1999, even 3 Xmas ones including the one below. Run Rudolph Run (2:19) 2019 CD: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Presents [Countryfied Records (Riptide) no cat no] ● Germany, 2019 It runs too fast and loses the soul of the song. BOBBY TYLER (USA) Singer, songwriter, guitarist from St. Louis. Country, rock’n’roll and rockabilly. Named “The Rocker” by Chuck Berry. Johnny B. Goode (2:40) 2020 CD: Lonesome Ride [BT self-released] ● USA, 2020 Recorded at Graveless Studos, St. Louis, Mo., engineered, mixed and mastered by Michael Girard. Also available as digital for downloading. He’s also done “Rock’n’Roll Christmas” (Digital December 2023 on Bandcamp), the Berry soundalike from George Thorogood (see page 1903 Vol.4). TYMON & THE TRANSISTORS (Poland) Rock band led by Tymona Tymańskiego, founded in 2002. Memphis, Tennessee (2:24) 2014 feat. Wojciech Waglewski CD: Rock’n’Roll [Agora SA 97 8832 68136 7 2] ● Poland, 2014 Waglewski’s English pronunciation is not the best, however, they have at least done their own version and still keeping the Memphis beat, sort of. MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (USA) See WINTER WONDERETTES HANK RASCO (USA) See Wasted Rangers U.K. SUBS (UK) Punk-rock group (quartet) from London. They started out around 1976 as The Subversives, then U.K. Subversives and becoming U.K. Subs. First album in 1979 and have released many, several of them live. Many changes in the line-up during the years, so on the album below the band consisted of Charlie Harper (vocals, harmonica), Darrell Barth (guitar), Flea (bass), Matthew McCoy (drums). I’m Talking About You [as “Talking ‘Bout You”] (1:52) 1990 LP: Mad Cow Fever [Fallout Records FALL LP-048] ● UK, 1991 They also do a cover of “Route 66” which sounds like a punk variant of Berry/Stones. UNSPOKEN WORD (USA) A prog rock quintet (4 guys and a girl) hailing from Long Island, New York. Formed in the late ‘60s. Angus MacMaster, Denise Puma, Gene Boris Stashuk, Greg Buis and Les Singer. Around And Around (5:17) 1970 LP: The Unspoken Word [Atco Records SD-33 335] ● USA, 1970 This is different from anything else I’ve heard so far. Very psychedelic and unstructured with much organ and distorted guitars. It’s Denise Puma who’s doing the vocals on this unusual Berry cover, always interesting to hear a female interpretation. There’s not many. STAN URBAN (Scotland/Denmark) See Volume 3, page 1582 for biographical info. Little Queenie (3:25) 2014 (live) Digital: Live From Graceland Randers [Memphis Mansion ] ● Denmark, 2015 Recorded live with Stan and his el.piano. Randers is a town in Jylland, Denmark. The recording place is a house (museum) built like Graceland in Memphis. VULTURE CULTURE (Germany) Punk Rock quartet from Paderborn, formed in 1989. Two ladies and two men. Maybellene ( : ) 1997 7” EP: Hypocrite! [Flight 13 FLI-047] ● Germany. 1997 I have heard “Country Roads” (John Denver) in a terrible speed-ed up version. So I can just imagine what Maybellene sounds like (?) HANNAH WADDINGHAM (UK) Stage actress and singer, born 1974 in Wandsworth, London. She also goes by the name of just Hannah. She possesses a powerful voice. Run Rudolph Run (2:19) 2023 (live) feat. Sam Ryder Digital album: Home For Christmas – Soundtrack From The Apple Original [Self-released 50 5944 91515 3 3] ● UK, 2023 Recorded live at the London Coliseum backed by a big band, and featuring Sam Ryder on vocals (duetting with Hannah) and guitar. WAILIN’ WALKER & THE HOUSEROCKERS (Canada) Al “Wailin” Walker, from Vancouver, British Columbia. Singer, guitarist who’s been around since the late ‘70s. Regarded as one of the finest blues/rock guitar players in Canada. 3 & 4 March 1981 they were the opening act for George Thorogood & The Destroyers at Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, two shows each night. Tulane (2:59) 1978 LP: Rock It Day & Night [Jitterbug Records 00666JR] ● Canada, 1983 According to Bandcamp and other sites it says that this was released in 1978, however, on discogs the LP label says 1983. Maybe a reissue? Anyway, you’ll find several albums by Wailin’ Walker for downloading on Bandcamp. CLIFF WARD & THE CRUISERS (UK) They were a ‘60s beat quintet. Clifford Thomas Ward from Stourport On Severn. Singer, songwriter, born 1955, died in 2001. As Clifford T. Ward he released his first album “Singer, songwriter” in 1972 and many others followed. No Money Down (2:54) late ‘60s 2-CD: Path Through The Forest-The Secret World Of Clifford T. Ward 1964-71 [Wooden Hill WHCD-028] ● USA, 2009 This is a compilation CD-set of 57 tracks, containing recordings by Clifford T. Ward, Cliff Ward & The Cruisers, The Secrets, Simon’s Secrets, and Martin Raynor & The Secrets. WASTED RANGERS (USA) Country-rock group from Vancouver, Washington, fronted by singer and pianoplayer Hank Rasco. Johnny B. Goode (4:19) 1978 (live) 2-LP: The Wasted Rangers [Wasted Rangers Self-released ] ● USA, 1978 Recorded live at The Last Hurrah in Portland, Oregon, 23 December, 1978. Album probably sold at gigs. Promised Land (2:48) 1976 as Hank Rasco & The Wasted Rangers CD: Wasted: Dead Or Alive [Wasted Rangers Self-released ] ● USA, 2021 Released 6 March 2021 on Bandcamp. WEIGHT WATCHERS (Italy) Rock band, but actually I haven’t the slightest idea. The label Mellow Records was located in Piacenza, Italy. Maybellene [as “Mabellene”] (1:55) 1995 CD: Rock’n’Roll [Mellow Records MMFS-1004] ● Italy, 1995 Regarding “Sweet Little Sixteen”, it is the last track on the album and sounds like they have had too much jungle soda or whatever. It’s just a total mess. On the back sleeve it says: all songs were recorded live, but on the bandcamp site it says it was a studio album. Anyway, was released for downloading 26 April 2018. RICK WETZEL’S GROOVIN’ HIGHER (USA) Trumpet player who grew up in Garden Grove, California. He’s played and arranged for artists like The O’Jays, The Temptations, The Four Tops and more. Also a contractor for horn and string sections for national and international acts and various star shows. Johnny B. Goode [as “Johnny Be Good”] (3:40) 2018 CD: Rockin It [Groovin’ High Records no cat no] ● USA, 2018 A solid rendition, with a good horn section and an excellent bass player. It’s a vocal version but I don’t know for sure who’s singing as nothing is mentioned, but should we indicate Rick himself(?) WHISKY HOLLOW (Canada) Country rock band founded in 1974. Very popular band. They released 3 albums and several singles many of them charted. Promised Land (2:36) 1976 LP: Population 4 [Rowdy Records RMR-104] ● Canada, 1976 WHISTLE BAIT (Finland) Rock’n’roll/rockabilly sextet from Hamina. Formed back in 1984. Their first single came out in 1987, and several albums since 1990. You Never Can Tell (2:58) 2008 (live) CD: On Stage With Whistle Bait [Goofin’ Records GRCD-6151] ● Finland, 2008 A mini album (7 tracks), limited edition. The Berry cover sounds like everybody else’s. TAM WHITE & THE DEXTERS (Scotland) Thomas Bennett Sim White. Blues and jazz singer, guitarist and actor. Born 1942 in Edinburgh, died 2010. In 1968 he released singles on Decca and later on Deram, Astor and RAK. His first album came in 1970. Roll Over Beethoven (3:20) 1985 (live) LP: Tonite! Live At The Preservation Hall [SRT Records KCLP-001] ● UK, 1985 Album recorded 28 and 29 April 1985 in the Preservaion Hall, Victoria Street, Edinburgh. Featuring guitarist Jim Condie. A soul/rhythm & blues version with a big horn section. Also available on Bandcamp as digital 23 July 2022. JOHNNY WILD AND THE DELIGHTS (USA) From Orlando, Florida. It’s a seven piece band, four men and three ladies. So far I have seen three albums. Johnny B. Goode (2:46) 2016 CD: One Night With You [Chesterwick Recording EPA-4237] ● USA, 2016 Pretty tough and goode rockin’ version. MANOS WILD (Greece) Rockabilly/country/pop singer, songwriter. He started his career in the rockabilly band Breathless in Thessaloniki in 2006. If you go to Bandcamp and search for this guy you wouldn’t believe how many “albums” and “singles” he has out !!! Maybellene (2:45) 2021 CD: Rockin’ Days [Self-released ] ● Greece, 2021 Thirty Days [as “Forty Days”] ( : ) 2023 CD: A Session For Everyone [Rebel Music Records RM-5034] ● Germany, 2023 MARTY WILDE (UK) Reginald Leonard Smith. He was one of the English rockers that really had hits and popularity. Besides hitting with a string of American covers, he did chart with an original song “Bad Boy” in 1959/60. In addition to all the singles, he‘s released many albums and his latest came in 2020, “Running Together”. He’s the father of Kim Wilde, Ricky Wilde and Roxanne Wilde. Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1996 CD: It’s Been Nice [Select Records SRCD-02] ● UK, 1996 I have always wondered why Marty has never appeared in this survey before. Strange that this album above slipped my attention? He often performed “Roll Over Beethoven” (YouTube) in his concerts, and also “Sweet Little Sixteen”. MIKE WILLIAMS (USA) Singer, pianist from New York State. Johnny B. Goode (2:38) 1981 LP: Pleasing You [Trackdown Records RR-42581] ● USA, 1981 Recorded at Trackdown Recording Studios, Glens Falls, N.Y. However, both sound like it was done in a living room, very amateurish and simple. RANDY WILLIAMS, GEOLOGIST (Canada) Randy Bruce Williams from Edmonton, a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, painter you name it. Has released a lot of albums and singles for downloading. Memphis, Tennessee (4:27) 2003 (?) CD: Rare Antiquity – Digging Down To The Past [Archaeology Communications Canada CD-41745 2 3] ● Canada, 2009 This I was about to forget completely. Sorry to say but he can’t sing and Sweet Little Sixteen is particularly bad. He’s off key most of the time. And 6 minutes? On YouTube it says 2003 not 2009 as on SecondHandSongs, and produced by Williams, but I have not made time to check any further. Do I have to? WINTER WONDERETTES (USA) A musical called The Marvellous Wonderettes that performs pop songs from the ‘50s and ‘60s used as a vehicle paying homage to the high school songleader squads of the ‘50s. The first musical opened in Milwaukee in 1999. It was revived in 2001, and then to Los Angeles in 2006, the first Off Broadway play was in 2008 and a revival in 2016. Different actors. It even got a UK premiere in 2019. Run Rudolph Run (2:13) 2010 CD: Original Studio Cast Recording [LML Music CD-255] ● USA, 2010 This sounds a little tame, maybe since it’s reflected more to the female teenagers of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. WITNESSES (USA) Punk-rock band (quartet), and the version below is a little bit too much although I have heard worse. Run Rudolph Run (2:53) 2002 Various CD: The Night Before [Rich & Sexy Inc. RSI-001] ● USA, 2002 Subheading: A New York Christmas: Past, Post, Punk, Present & Future. BERNIE WOODS & THE FOREST FIRES (UK) See Volume 3, page 1613 for biographical info. Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 2014 CD: Bernie Woods & The Forest Fires [Foot Tapping Records FT-143] ● UK, 2014 SHÕJI YOKOUCHI And The Beat Beat Beat (Japan) Jazz guitar player, arranger, composer. Born 1933, died 1996. Released many albums, the first in 1962. Rock And Roll Music ( : ) 1965 (instr) LP: Let’s Go Guitar Beat [Polydor SLJM-1178] ● Japan, 1965 ZLATNI AKORDI (Yugoslavia/Croatia) Rock quintet from Zagreb who started out back in 1963 but had several changes in the line-up. The album below must have been a reunion, since the band only lasted until the mid ‘70s. Johnny B. Goode (2:45) 1999 CD: Povratak Ruku [Croatia Records CD-5256625] ● Croatia, 1999 Recorded at J.M. Sound Studio in Zagreb late December 1998 and early January 1999. This really rocks! Tuesday, June 4. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 8
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: We're still continuing our list of newly found cover versions. You Never Can Tell how much covers are out there, e.g. of this tune. WENDELL BRUNIOUS (USA) Black jazz trumpet player and bandleader from New Orleans, born 1954. The Dave Donohoe Band: Teddy Fullick (trumpet), Dave Donohoe (Trombone), Frank Brooker (clarinet, saxophone), Malcolm Home (banjo, guitar), Tom Kincaid (piano), Jim Swinnerton (double bass), Bill Evans (drums). You Never Can Tell (5:54) 2007 featuring The Dave Donohoe Band (UK) CD: West End Blues [P.E.K. Sound PKCD-312] ● USA, 2007 Recorded live at the Keswick Festival, UK. Pretty unusual to include such a song, as most of his recordings are in the jazz field. Again I like it when people are doing their own versions in such a way. And almost 6 minutes! You can listen on You Tube. But nothing is mentioned who’s singing, Dave Donohoe? It reminded me a little of the fantastic live version Bruce Springsteen did in 2013 (You Tube), with the trumpet, sax and trombone solos. LORNE DALEY (Canada) Country singer, born 1948, from the Quyon-Pontiac area (Quebec), now living in Kanata. You Never Can Tell (3:11) 2018 CD: Going With The Flow [Lorne Daley ] ● Canada, 2018 At the age of 70 he’s still got the punch. FREDDY DELLA (France) Born In Alger and moved to France in 1962. You Never Can Tell (2:50) 2012 CD: Retour Aux Sources [Freddy Della ] ● France, 2012 DONALDZ (Sweden) Danceband formed in 2018, a quintet, from Gislaved in Småland. You Never Can Tell (3:10) 2020 CD: Spegelbild [Donaldz ] ● Sweden , 2020 Well, well, the English pronunciation is far from the best. And the music is pretty straight forward. FRAMED (Sweden) Danceband from Kungälv on the west coast just north of Gothenburg. A quintet, founded in 2008. Johnny B. Goode (2:55) 2010 CD: Varje Ögonblick [Atenzia Records ] ● Sweden, 2010 ADAM HALL & THE VELVET PLAYBOYS (Australia) Singer and trumpeter from Perth. The band has played together since 2005. Mark Turner (guitar, saxophone, vocals), Tim Voutas (keyboards), Anthony Dodos (Trombone), Kane Shaw (bass), Bronton Ainsworth (drums). Their repertoire is rooted in the jazz and rhythm & blues music of the ‘40s and ‘50s. You Never Can Tell (5:47) 2011 (live) CD: When It’s Party Time Down South [Velvet Playboys VP-002] ● Australia, 2011 Recorded live 8 July 2011 at the Fly By Night Musicians Club in Fremantle. Five songs were included from the gig. The rest of the album contains seven studio recordings. LASSE STEFANZ (Sweden) See Volume 3, page 1308 for biographical info. You Never Can Tell (3:37) 2022 2-CD: Världens Bästa [Mariann Records (WMS Sweden) 50541974 70707 ] ● Sweden, 2023 This is a little bit different from other danceband versions as it has a pretty tough guitar sound and really good piano. GEORGE LEE JR. & THE CRAZED COWBOYS (USA) Singer, multi-instrumentalist from St. Louis, Missouri in the country rock genre. In addition to George Lee on lead vocals, bass, piano and tambourine there are Bo “Fiddly” Chaldupek (fiddle), Paul “Lefty Z” Zahn (lead and rhythm guitars, organ, vocals), and Stuart “Crawdad” Heck (drums, vocals). You Never Can Tell (3:07) 2001 CD: Damn! It Feels Good To Be A Cowboy [Crazed Cowboys Ent. 64412 2] ● USA, 2001 Pretty good traditional arrangement. Produced By Tom Lee. SON LEWIS (USA) He is already on this blog. Too Much Monkey Business (3:28) 2016 CD: Talking With Ghosts [Silk City CD-2037] ● USA, 2016 Unusual country-blues version. Pretty cool stuff. MOJO BLUES BAND (Austria) See Volume 3, page 1371 for biographical info. Promised Land (4:04) 2015 (live) 2-CD: 100% Approved – Live [Styx Records STYX CD-1085] ● Austria, 2017 Recorded at Metropol, Vienna, June 2015. You will find several performances on You Tube of the band doing this Berry classic. MULE SKINNER BAND (Sweden) Rock’n’roll/danceband from Karlskrona founded in 2014 by Gert Lengstrand. The band consists of former members of The Streaplers. So far they have released three albums. You Never Can Tell (3:05) 2015 CD: Together Again [Athenzia Records ATZ-1531] ● Sweden, 2015 Okay version, however, the problem with many of the Swedish dancebands is that they are not the best in English pronunciation and the complete performance suffers from that. Just for information as this cover was already listed before: Go Go Go (2:32) 1965 CD: På Begäran [Mule Skinner self-released] ● Sweden, 2020 This is the original cover that The Streaplers did in 1965. (see pages 1538-1539). The Berry cover is a bonus track on the above CD. NEIGHBOURS & FRIENDS (Denmark) This is a collaboration of various Danish musicians, 11 to be exact. You Never Can Tell (4:21) 2015 2-CD: Timernes Glas [Self released ] ● Denmark, 2016 Really good and swinging rendition. Recorded live at Velje Musikteater 16 November 2015. You also get a DVD at the same purchase. 26 tracks. NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (USA) See Volume 3, pages 1388-1389 for biographical info. School Day [as “School Days”] (3:28) 1973 (live) 2-CD: 3/17/73 S.U.N.Y. StonyBrook – StonyBrook, NY [Kufala Recordings KUF-0268] ● USA, 2007 Recorded at Stony Brook University. You Never Can Tell (5:44) 1977 (live) 2-CD: Winterland San Francisco CA, 12/31/77 [Kufala Recordings KUF-0340] ● USA, 2009 OZONE HAZE (USA) Rock band from Bagley, Minnesota. They performed in Minnesota and North and South Dakota in 1972 and 1973. However, I have been unable to pinpoint the recording date of this Berry cover. However, there are several videos of newer dates on You Tube by the band. They also do “Route 66” in the classic Berry/Stones way. You Never Can Tell (3:26) 2019 (?) Digital: You Tube video ● USA, 2019 (?) I know this is not the way I prefer to include Berry covers, however, they have made a video of old black and white footages from the ‘50s and Berry’s performance on the 1965 Belgium TV show (he didn’t perform the song there). Strange but you never see the band itself (?) AISHLING RAFFERTY (Ireland) Country singer, born 2002. Her victory on the 2022 edition of TG4's long-running country music show GLÓR TÍRE saw Knockshegowna's Aishling become a household name on the Irish country music scene. She’s had several singles being popular on iTunes. The CD below was her debut album which took home the Big Tom Inspiration Award at the 10th Annual Hot Country TV Awards concert. You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) (3:20) 2022 CD: Love Me When I’m Old [Self released ] ● Ireland, 2022 Sounds like most of the others, similar to Emmylou Harris. The Berry cover was also out as a single for downloading. LOTTE RIISHOLT (Denmark) Country/pop singer. She released four singles in the mid ‘70s and her first album came in 1977 titled “Lotte”. However, it took many years before releasing any new recording. In 2001 she had a single out and later more followed and also several albums. You Never Can Tell (3:14) 2021 CD: Country With Love Vol.2 [LR Musik / Gateway Music ] ● Denmark, 2021 This is a little different as the fiddle and steel guitar are in focus, and backing vocals going wooh-wah-wah. SCHOVANKY (Czech Republic) Country group, formed 1971, consisting of 6 ladies plus guest singer Hana Lounová who is doing the vocals on the 1992 Berry cover. A popular group with several albums to their credit. You Never Can Tell [as “C’est La Vie”] (3:14) 1992 CD: Schovanky [Studio Fontána CD-0009 2311] ● Czech Republic, 1992 Music-wise it’s quite good, but the Czech language sounds strange here. Johnny B. Goode (2:08) 1990s CD: Master Serie [Venkow Records 547 075-2] ● Czech Republic, 1999 A compilation album. Don’t know when this was recorded as nothing is mentioned on the cover. EVE SELIS (USA) Country singer, songwriter. I found 11 albums by her since 1998. Run Rudolph Run (3:10) 2012 CD: A Merry Little Christmas [Eve Selis self-released] ● USA, 2012 It rocks and she has a tough voice [YouTube]. In 1998 she released an album titled “Out On A Wire” on Stunt Records, containing a song called “Memphis” which turns out to be an original tune. 77s (USA) Rock band from Sacramento, California. They have released many albums (and singles) since their LP debut in 1983. Run Rudolph Run (3:10) 2001 CD: Happy Chrimbo! [Fools Of The World FOW-2001] ● USA, 2001 Good rockin’ version. PHIL SEYMOR (USA) Singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer Philip Warren Seymor was born 1952 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and died 1993 in Sherman Oaks, California. I spotted 2 albums and 8 singles during his lifetime but several albums (live and compilations) coming later. On his Archive Series Vol.5 album he is titled "The Prince Of Power Pop" (!) I’m Talking About You (2:35) 1978 CD: The London And Los Angeles Unreleased Sessions [Sunset Blvd SBR-7902] ● USA, 2016 Phil Seymor Archive Series Vol. 4. Pretty good. Interesting that they extended the version with over 30 seconds as the usual timing is just under 2 minutes. This Berry number was produced in Los Angeles ’78. SHAKEY JAKE (UK) Rock quintet. There’s more than one out there who’s calling themselves Shakey Jake, so … Tulane (2:58) 2017 Digital album: Demo – February 2017 [Self-released ] ● UK, 2017 The album contains 8 tracks of rock, soul and blues tunes. You can listen on Bandcamp. SHIVERIN’ SHEIKS (Scotland) Rock and roll/pop quartet from Glasgow. Maybellene (2:17) 2013 CD: A Curious Case Of… [Holy Smoke Records ] ● UK, 2013 SILVER CADILLACS (Netherlands) Quintet playing ‘60s music, mostly instrumentals. Thirty Days [as “Forty Days”] (2:47) 2000 (live) CD: First Gear [Caddy Records CRSC-7001] ● Netherlands, 2000 Recorded live in concert at Café Lombok, St. Agatha, Netherlands. JOHN SINCLAIR (USA) Singer, musician, poet, manager for the Detroit rock group MC5. Born 1941 in Flint, Michigan. Has released a lot of albums, solo and with various artists. No Money Down (3:56) 2004 CD: No Money Down: Greatest Hits Vol.1 [Big Chief Records ] ● USA, 2005 Pretty good bluesy rock version and Chuck Berry even gets a namecheck at the end. I haven’t found this track on any other Sinclair releases. This album was made available for downloading 4 November 2020. PETER SKANDERA & DAVE MAYBEE (New Zealand) Multi-instrumentalists from Raglan. Kiwi musicians Skandera and Maybee playing delta-blues, swamp, gospel, country-blues all with slide, dobro, banjo, harp, acoustic and electric guitars. Thirteen Question Method (3:51) 2023 Digital: Blue Grit & Rhyme [P&D Productions ] ● New Zealand, 2023 Recorded and produced by Peter Skandera and Dave Maybee at Kario Sound & Bridle Creek Studios, Raglan. Released June 2023. Very powerful acoustic folk-blues version. They surely made their own version of this Berry song. SKIFFLE PARTY (Australia) Floyd Thursby (lead vocals, ac.guitar), Adam Russo (el.guitar, washboard, vocals), Tom Flenady (ac.bass, vocals). Maybellene (1:59) 2021 CD: Skiffle Party ! [Ang Fang Industries AFG-012] ● Australia, 2022 A true skiffle version. Recorded Sunday 5 December 2021 at Bungalow Business in Melbourne, released May 2022. MARK T. SMALL (USA) This is already on this blog, but I got to listen to the song and also found a little bit more info which I think is of importance. Maybellene (4:23) 2008 (live) CD: Screamin’ & Cryin’ The Blues [Whaling City Sound WCS-043] ● USA, 2008 A winner! What a good acoustic version, almost a little guitar boogie (Arthur Smith) influence. This guy can play! PAT SMILLIE BAND (USA) Rock, blues, soul and funk singer, songwriter. Pat Smillie hails from Detroit. Influenced by people like Delbert McClinton, Mitch Ryder, Joe Cocker and such. Back To Memphis (3:31) 2006 CD: Pat Smillie Band [Fat Bank Music FBM-1002] ● USA, 2006 Nice to see even another cover of this obscure Berry song. SYLVIA SMIT (Netherlands) Versatile singer in pop, country and even jazz from Volendam and based in Klazienaveen. She has released many singles on CD and digitally since 2012. You Never Can Tell [as “C’est La Vie”] (3:05) 2013 Digital single: [Disclosure Music Productions ] ● Netherlands, 2014 Good big band version but her voice is pretty flat. CHRIS SMITHER (USA) See Volume 3, page 1514 for biographical info. You Can’t Catch Me (4:25) 2011 CD/Digital EP: What I Learned In School [Signature Sounds – Self-released] ● USA, 2011 Six tracks. As usual with Mr. Smither the performance is excellent! Released November 2011. It’s available online and at Chris Smither concerts only. SMYLE (Canada) Psychedelic rock band (quartet) from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1967 as The Smile. Maybellene (2:29) 1971 LP: Smyle [Columbia ES-90017] ● Canada, 1971 Don’t know why, but the opening and ending are exactly like Lonnie Mack’s Memphis, unnecessary if you ask me. SO MUCH FACE (USA) This is Tom Bone Jenkins through his many incarnations. Chocolate Wolf Music is his own company (BMI). Has many albums on Bandcamp, especially live compilations. (I must say they come up with some unusual names for themselves!) You Can’t Catch Me (4:30) 2015 (live) Digital: Live At Tuxedo Junction Inn 5/9/15 [Chocolate Wolf Music ] ● USA, 2015 Pretty cool and long version. SOCIAL DISTORTION (USA) Hardcore punk rock band formed 1978 in Fullerton, California. Maybellene (2:19) 2007 Digital: Greatest Hits [Time Bomb Recordings 23736 1 7] ● USA, 2007 The above is the digital version for downloading (iTunes), however, the actual CD version does not include this Berry cover. SOLITUDE (Austria) Rock band from Hollabrunn, Lower Austria. Johnny B. Goode (3:43) 2001 (live) CD: Live Unplugged [Shiny Records CD-811036] ● Austria, 2001 Recorded live at Café Kino, Bisamberg. RAY SOLO (Australia) Singer, songwriter, guitarist from Toowoomba. A semi-retired professional musician. He’s into the rock’n’roll, blues, jazz and country fields. He has good help from his son William on guitar. Johnny B. Goode (2:47) 2023 Digital album: Rock-Or Else! [Self-released ] ● Australia, 2023 Released 1 May 2023. He also does a version of “Route 66” in the Stones/Berry way. SOMETHING ELSE (France) Rock’n’roll singer Ervin Travis, also released records under the name Ervin Travis & The Virginians. Heavily influenced by Gene Vincent. You Never Can Tell (2:56) 2013 CD: The Best Of ‘50s Rock‘n’Roll [King Cake Production KG SE-001 1] SONS OF THE DELTA (UK) Duo formed by South-Western UK bluesmen Mark Cole (vocals, slide guitar, harp) and Rick Edwards (guitar, vocals). Sometimes expanded to a quartet, adding bass and drums. Both Mark & Rick have a long history in the English music business. Thirteen Question Method (5:39) 2016 (live) CD: Red Hot At Peppers [SOTD self-released ] ● UK, 2016 Recorded live at Peppers Café during the Gloucester Blues Festival 2015. Released 31 July 2016. Authentic acoustic delta blues. SÖRCERESS (Colombia) Heavy rock band from Antioquia. Maybellene (A Tribute To Chuck Berry) (3:34) 2020 Digital single: Maybellene [Self-released] ● Colombia, 2020 Released 26 July 2020. I appreciate all tributes to Berry, but this is a little too fast and noisy. Although they are just covering the song It’s good that they wanted it to be a tribute to Berry and they also made a pretty nice sleeve for it. Check it out on Bandcamp. MILENA SOUKUPOVÁ Se Skupinou Pony Express (Czech Republic) Country vocalist, born 1951. You Never Can Tell [as “Serioznost Není Tvůj Styl”] (2:42) 1993 CD: Mám Skvělej Den [Duna Records DN-0208 2 311] ● Czech Republic, 1993 SPIDERS (Japan) See Volume 3, page 1527 for biographical info. Carol / Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1970 LP: Rock’n’Roll Renaissance [Philips FS-8100] ● Japan, 1970 JIMMY STALLINGS (USA) aka J.J. LIGHT From Albuquerque, New Mexico. He played bass in The Sir Douglas Quintet. Had a successful single with “Heya” in 1969 as J. J. Light. Johnny B. Goode (4:10) 2020 CD: Sings Oldies But Goodies Million Sellers [SRK Records unknow cat no] ● USA, 2020 Recorded at SRK Studios in Albuquerque, New Mexico. STEADY ROCKERS (Spain) Reggae band (sextet) from Madrid. They also have a couple of mini albums on Bandcamp for downloading. You Never Can Tell (3:28) 2020 Digital single: Self released ● Spain. 2020 Recorded in Madrid at home during lockdown. They even have a video on You Tube of this. The singer’s English is up for debate, but they at least made a good tune out of it and even a video! TED STEVENS (USA) Singer, songwriter, guitarist in the rock’n’roll/rockabilly genre from Sarasota, Florida. The band performing on the album below is: Ted Stevens (vocals, guitar), “Upright Butch” Alan (ac.bass, backing vocals), “Smokin’ Joe” Hendricks (drums, backing vocals). He played the Viva Las Vegas in 2018. He has 5 albums on Bandcamp. Carol (3:11) 2016 (live) Digital album: Hits, Misses And Close Calls [TS Music Self-released ] ● USA, 2017 Recorded 10 September 2016 at Stragglers, Sarasota, Florida. Pretty different, no piano just guitars on You Never Can Tell. JOE STILGOE (UK) Jazz pianist and singer, born 1979 in Sevenoaks, Kent. He’s released around 10 albums since 2008. He is the son of the lyricist and entertainer Sir Richard Stilgoe and opera singer Annabel Hunt. Good genes. You Never Can Tell (3:50) 2016 CD: Songs On Film [Linn Records AKD-577] ● UK, 2016 Now this is different, a little jazzy so to speak. And because of Pulp Fiction he chose this Berry classic. Well done. NIKKI SUDDEN (UK) Real name Adrian Nicholas Godfrey born 1956 in London, died 2006 in New York. Singer, songwriter, guitarist. He’s been around so to speak and done the most. Bands like Swell Maps and Jacobites are two he was involved in and he had his own backing band The Last Bandits. Also done a lot of solo works. He had several albums released throughout his career. Bye Bye Johnny [as “Johnny B. Goode”] (2:43) late ‘90s LP/CD: Fred Beethoven [Troubadour TRBLP/CD-019] ● UK, 2014 This version is okay and nothing more. However, I just can’t understand that someone actually could make this mistake of mixing the titles in 2014 ! Well they did in this case, and again if I hadn’t been able to listen to the track I would have settled for Johnny B. Goode. SUPERNATURAL FAMILY BAND (USA) Country band from Questa, New Mexico. Formed around 1970 by the family father, singer, songwriter Tommy Hancock. Johnny B. Goode (2:28) 1973 LP: In The Beginning… [Sandyland A-3001] ● USA, 1973 Here they do covers from the variety of Hank Williams, Berry to John Fogerty and Jimmy Reed. TODD TAYLOR (USA) Singer and extraordinary five string banjo player from South Carolina. So far I have found 7 albums by him. He’s played with bluegrass legends like Bill Monroe and Jim & Jesse. In 2007 he held the world record as the fastest banjo player. Johnny B. Goode [as “Todd Be Goode”] (5:14) 2001 CD: Something Different [TT (self-released) CD-97252 4 1] ● USA, 2001 If you wanna have a blast go to YouTube and watch and listen to the fantastic rendition of this classic. TEXAS MAVERICKS (USA) Shortlived rock’n’roll/country band from Austin, Texas led by Doug Sahm (vocals, guitar), John Reed (guitar), Alvin Crow (fiddle, vocals), Miller “Speedy” Sparks (bass), Mike Buck (drums). Johnny B. Goode (4:02) 1987 (live) 2-CD: Doug Sahm Presents The Texas Mavericks: Who Are These Masked Men? / The Masked Men Live In Bremen 1987 [MIG Records MIG-23370] ● USA, 2017 CD2 contains a previously unissued concert recorded 13 April 1987 at Bürgerhaus Weserterrassen in Bremen, Germany by Radio Bremen, featuring the musicians mentioned above. On CD1, which by the way was a reissue of an original 1987 album, the studio drummer was Frosty Smith. Monday, April 22. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 7
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: 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) 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. 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 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) 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 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. 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. 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. Roll Over Beethoven (2:31) 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. 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. 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 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 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 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) 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 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. Friday, April 12. 2024Peter O’Neil’s So-Called Disorder
If you’re following this Chuck Berry blog, you will certainly also know Peter O’Neil’s blog “GoHeadOn“ (https://goheadon.blogspot.com). While here we concentrate on the music of Chuck Berry, Peter has written lots of posts about his personal experiences seeing Chuck, about Chuck’s life, about other Berry fans and more.
For some years Peter has promised to publish his long and well-written articles on Chuck Berry as chapters in form of a book. And now Peter indeed published a book, though not the one we expected. Peter is not only one of the greatest Chuck Berry fans, he also is a successful product liability attorney. And, as he recently found out, Peter is autistic. According to him, his diagnosis at the age of 65 years came as a surprise but concurrently explained a lot in his life. So Peter decided to look back at his life and tell his readers about where his so-called “disorder” affected him, as seen from today’s perspective. Peter’s book “My So-Called Disorder” (available at amazon) is a kind of memoir, though from a very specific point-of-view. It’s an insider’s view at autism and thus an extremely interesting read for both other people on the autistic spectrum and for people who haven’t been diagnosed as such (yet) – and for those who simply are interested in this topic. Peter explains how autism hindered him to take part in “normal” social life, even though he managed to get married (twice) and to have children. But on the other hand he explains how his autistic ability to focus on details, to think out-of-the-box, and to notice oddities which others overlook helped him to become a successful lawyer. Due to partners and co-workers who might not have understood neurodiversity, but who understood that Peter needed a special environment to produce good work, he was able to fight huge companies on their defective products. A large part of this book explains the various trials, e.g. about exploding pick-up trucks and non-breakable scooters. For non-Americans this legalese is sometimes hard to understand – as the US legal system is as a whole. But forty years of demonstrating complex relations to juries and courts – as well as an autistic ability to explain topics clearly without getting lost in too much context – help the reader to fully understand Peter’s points. There isn’t much Chuck Berry in this book except for some reports of concerts Peter visited. But besides bird watching and astronomy, the topic of Chuck Berry is clearly shown as one of the “special interests” which people on the autistic spectrum are said to have. However, if trying to know everything about Chuck Berry is a sign of autism, then I know of other “disordered” collectors. If you are interested to learn more about autism, this book is a very good item to start with. Highly recommended! Wednesday, April 10. 2024The Chuck Berry Sound according to Atomicat
This site is about the music of Chuck Berry, i.e. his songs, his lyrics, his guitar playing, his singing, his arrangements. To define this Chuck Berry Sound is difficult because he used a multitude of styles from blues to ballads to pop and of course rock’n’roll. But you also find instrumentals, poetry, nonsense lyrics, multi-tracked harmonies, and experimental rock in Berry’s oeuvre.
Thus when Atomicat Records recently released a CD titled „The Chuck Berry Sound“, it was interesting to learn how they would define the sound that comes from Berry’s music. Well, they couldn’t concentrate either. At first they took the easy route: cover versions. Eight of the tracks are written by Berry himself and thus obviously close to his sound. However, Atomicat selected cover version you probably have never heard of before, even though all songs on this CD are from the 1950s and early 1960s. Hear you can listen to one of the earliest female singers working with Berry material: Margaret Lewis singing Roll Over Beethoven. Another very early cover version from 1956, and a funny one, is Too Much Monkey Business by The Gadabouts supported by Carl Steven’s Orchestra. Several of the cover versions are very different from Berry’s own, especially Betty Jean by Terry Gale, Brown Eyed Handsome Man by Scotty McKay, Carol by Jim Miller, and Rock'n'Roll Music by Jimmy Breedlove. Further cover versions included are Johnny B. Goode by Gootch Jackson with Herbie Layne's Orchestra and Thirty Days by Wes Reynolds, though titled Forty Days like the Ronnie Hawkins version. A second set of tracks on this CD contains recordings which sound like Chuck Berry hits. Both Brownie McGhee’s Anna Mae, Rayvon Darnell’s Don't Want You Maybellene, and Buddy Lucas’ Oh Mary Ann were recorded in late 1955 and sound very much like Berry’s then hit Maybellene. Further soundalikes are Rhythm Feet by Carroll (Wild Red) Pegues which is similar to Around And Around, School Day Blues by Johnny And The Jammers (close to Brown Eyed Handsome Man), Pony Tail Girl by Glenn Garrison (Sweet Little Sixteen), and Knockin' On Your Door by Jimmy King (School Day). Two songs use the melody and pattern of Reelin’ And Rockin’: Tiny Morrie’s Everybody Rocks and the non-twisting Mother Goose Twist by Oliver And The Twisters which by the way at 2:44 minutes is the longest of all the short songs on this album. Most people will list Berry’s guitar playing as one or as the main element of “The Chuck Berry Sound”, ignoring that Berry reused guitar playing well-known before in Blues and Jazz. Anyway Atomicat identified guitar-oriented songs from the late 1950s and early 1960s on which the guitar players do not hide that they found these riffs on Berry records. Even though Atomicat tried to find the names of these guitarists, they did not succeed with every song. Some of the probably session musicians will remain anonymous. Berry-inspired guitar solos can be found in Dee Clark’s Dance On Little Girl (guitar: Phil Upchurch) and The New Blockbusters’ Rock & Roll Guitar Part 1 (guitar: Paul Buskirk). On Ray Sharpe’s Justine, Tony Casanova’s (i.e. Jutillo Perez’) Showdown and Billy Peek’s Rock To The Top the main artists both sing and play the Berry guitar. Unknown guitarist provide Berry-like guitar playing on Buddy Howard’s Take Your Hands Off Me Baby, Jerry Hawkins’ Swing Daddy Swing, and The Jet Tones’ Henry. If you want to count Caveman by Tommy Roe and The Satins as a Berry soundalike is doubtful, though, at least to me. And to accept Eddie Clearwater’s I Was Gone here requires you to know that Edward Harrington (his real name) was not only a Berry soundalike (with many other recordings and cover versions) but also a Berry lookalike in his 1960s shows. The remaining three songs from this 30-track CD are tribute songs to Chuck Berry himself or to his best-known protagonist. The Dusters sing about a show with both Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis (Rock At The Hop, 1961). Leonard Douglas Drake under his alias Big Daddy G in 1963 recorded a tribute song called Big Berry (Boss Man Guitar) in which he combines Berry song titles. Finally Eddy Bell and the Bel-Aires from 1961 continue the Johnny B. Goode saga with Johnny Be-Goode Is In Hollywood. All in all “The Chuck Berry Sound” (Atomicat Records ACCD162) is an interesting selection of recordings which show Berry’s influence on other musicians. All these were released long before the Beat craze when all the successful bands listed Berry as one of their main influencers. The latest recording on this set is from 1963. while the earliest start close after Berry’s first chart hit. This is not a CD you will play over and over, but it’s a rare chance to listen to fairly old and hard to find Berry-inspired music. Wednesday, April 3. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 6
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: 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 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 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 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. 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 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”. 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 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 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. Saturday, March 16. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 5
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: 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. JOECEPHUS AND THE GEORGE JONESTOWN MASSACRE (USA) Rock band (quintet) from Memphis, Tennessee. They mix outlaw country and rockabilly with hardcore punk and metal. Joecephus is guitarist Joey Killingsworth. Back In The USA (2:18) 2023 2-LP: Call Me Animal - A Tribute To The MC5 [Saustex Records SEX-2306] ● USA, 2023 JUSTIN JOHNSON (USA) Slide guitarist using handmade instruments, a.o. a cigar-box guitar (!) He founded the Roots Music School in Nashville, Tennessee. Good for him and all the students who can then learn the truth. I found some 8 albums by him, the first being “Smoke & Mirrors”, a 2-CD set from 2014. Johnny B. Goode (4:14) 2017 2-CD: Drivin’ It Down [JJ CD-14541 2] ● USA, 2017 Also released as a 2-LP set. This is a drivin’ goode version, stretched out to over 4 minutes. Even though this is a self-released album set it looks like a professional issue with a booklet and all. Recorded and mixed by Chuck Turner at Cash Cabin Studio, Hendersonville, Tennessee. Down Bound Train (6:18) 2020 CD/Digital album: Rough Edges [JJ Self-released ] ● USA, 2020 When I searched the internet for this cover, Bruce Springsteen’s own song popped up as the original. However, Justin is covering the Berry song (a bit noisy though). So who can you trust? You have to search and search and try to listen if possible. It’s not easy to be a Berry cover nerd. CARVIN JONES BAND (USA) Blues singer, guitarist from Texas. His playing is pretty raw. No Particular Place To Go ( : ) 1998 CD: Unleashed - Burnin’ Up The Blues [Tee Records TR-69732] ● USA, 1998 Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2003 (live) CD: Live In Rome, Italy [Tee Records no cat no] ● USA, 2003 There’s a live performance on YouTube of Carvin from a festival in Spain doing this classic. KATMEN (UK/USA) Originally a rockabilly duo, formed in 2007, by guitar genius Darrell Higham (see Vol.4 page 1821) and drummer Slim Jim Phantom (see Stray Cats Vol.3 page 1538). In 2012 they were joined by bassist Al Gare. Too Much Monkey Business (2:42) 2022 CD: Katmen Are Back [Foot Tapping Records FT-208] ● UK, 2023 This is a cross between Elvis and Chuck. It’s rockin’ although a little more laid back than Chuck’s. JIMMY KEITH & HIS SHOCKY HORRORS (Germany) Punk band (quartet) from Duisburg, formed in 1988. Maybellene (3:03) 1995 CD: Hey Rock’n’Roll [Tug Records LC-7376] ● Germany, 1995 Cover songs from the likes of Mink DeVille, Rockin’ Sidney, Dr. Feelgood, Ben E. King a.o. ANSSI KELA (Finland) A popular singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in 1972. Has released many albums and singles since 2000. Reelin’ And Rockin’ [as “Fiilaten Ja Höyläten”] (3:43) 2017 Various CD: Anssi Kela & Isot Biisit [Warner Music Finland 50 5419 76872 2 8] ● Finland, 2017 This is again a cover of the Finnish hit version by Rauli “Badding” Somerjoki (page 1521) from 1973. But the story around this version is a little bit different. Translated, the album title means Anssi Kela And The Big Songs. It was a music entertainment program led by Anssi Kela. It started in February 2017 and in each of the 10 episodes a guest challenged Kela to cover an old Finnish hit song. It tells the story of the background of the song and introduces the song’s original performer or a special person associated with it. But according to Ari Niskanen in Finland it was more about Somerjoki not Berry. JAMIE AARON KELLEY & THE DEMPSEYS (USA) Award-winning singer, songwriter and entertainer. But most of all he’s an Elvis impersonator. However, there’s not much Elvis stuff on the album below. Maybellene ( : ) 2006 CD: The Sun Also Rises, Vol.2 – Memphis Fire [Cool K Records 08 3710 12723 2 2] ● USA, 2006 14 rock’n’roll, blues and country covers. RICKY KING (West Germany) Guitarist Hans Lingenfelder, born 1946 in Rastatt. Johnny B. Goode (2:43) 1984 (instr) LP: Ricky King’s Rock’n’Roll Party [Epic EPC-26158] ● West-Germany, 1984 Johnny B. Goode and Rock And Roll Music sound very good and solid. But Memphis is in the Lonnie Mack arrangement and therefore not in the same league. ROBERT LEE KOLB & LOCAL HEROES (USA) Singer, songwriter, guitarist. I saw an article from a Dallas magazine (Dec. 1976) where he says he’s going to be the new Elvis Presley of the 1980s. Excuse me. Why on earth would he say that in December 1976 when Elvis himself was still alive??? It makes no sense. And he sounded more rock and rhythm & blues. Maybellene [as “Mabelline”] (4:40) 1985 LP: Robert Lee Kolb & Local Heroes [Rock Eye Records 44144A] ● USA, 1985 KRAYOLAS (USA) Garage rock band (quartet) from San Antonio, Texas. They have released several singles from 1978 and albums from 1982. Run Rudolph Run (3:19) 2010 CD: Tipsy Topsy Torvy [Box Records B-63052] ● USA, 2010 Cool rock version with plenty of guitar and piano. MIKE KRÜGER (Germany) Michael Friedrich Wilhelm Krüger, born 1951. Singer, guitarist and comedian. Roll Over Beethoven [as “Schuss In Den Ofen”] (2:47) 1977 (live) LP: Auf Der Autobahn Nachts Um Halb Eins [Philips 6305 330] ● West-Germany, 1977 Mike Krüger wrote the German lyrics. DENYS LABLE (France) Singer, guitarist, born 1947 in Auxerre. He’s a studio musician and has also played live with several French singers, like France Gall and Dick Rivers a.o. Wee Wee Hours (6:22) 2003 Various CD: Autour du Blues Vol.2 [Créon Music 5928552] ● France, 2003 Pretty good and long version. LARADOS (USA) Rock and soul quintet from Dearborn, Missouri, probably? This is a little difficult, because it seems that they had a single out in 1958 and another in 1980. However, the album below is clearly of a newer date and it’s self-released. Are we talking about the same outfit? Not sure. In case they have been around for over 55 years when the album below was released. Nadine (4:51) 2013 CD: Dance Party [LaRaDos CD-08 8829 50360 0 9] ● USA, 2013 14 covers from the ‘50s and ‘60s. KIM LARSEN & KJUKKEN (Denmark) See Volume 3, page 1308 for biographical info. He died in 2018 at the age of 72. Havana Moon [as “Soloppgang Til Måneskinspriser”] (3:01) 2012 CD: Du Glade Verden [Medley Records EMI-5820505] ● Denmark, 2012 Strange, but I didn’t know that Kim had done a Danish version of this Berry classic that he first covered in its original form in 1977. LAST ONE STANDING (Mexico) Melodic hardcore / skate punk quintet from Ciudad Nezahualcóyoti, Mexico. Johnny B. Goode (2:42) 2014 CD promo: Last One Standing [Promo 2014] ● Mexico, 2014 The album track opens with the intro from Marty McFly in “Back To The Future”, It’s an oldie - Well, it’s an oldie where I come from. (!) MIKE LAWSON & FRIENDS (USA) Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist from Nashville, Tennessee. He has several albums on Bandcamp. On his site he has this to say about himself: “Musician, songwriter, author, music mag/book publisher, husband, autism dad, music edu advocate, guitar hoarder, audio engineer, no particular order”. On the album below he sings and plays various instruments, however, on the Berry track Lawson sings and plays piano plus the following friends participate: Rich Mahan (guitar), Fred Bogert (acordion), Travis Collinsworth (bass), Sam Skorik (drums), Sarah and Rachel Hambridge (background vocals). Produced by Mike Lawson at AP Studios, Fairview, Tennessee. However, there’s a fiddle in there but who’s playing? It could be Michael Cleveland who plays fiddle on another track on the album. You Never Can Tell (4:00) 2020 Digital album: More Wonders Of The Visible World [Self-released ] ● USA, 2021 Released 1 January 2021. There’s also a video to this track on Bandcamp. Pretty nice! DANIELLE LeBLANC, HALEY BIRNIE, BRIAND MELANSON (Canada) From Toronto. Danielle (lead vocals), Haley (lead vocals), Briand Melanson (guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, backing vocals), and on the Berry number Rich Trevor (electric guitar). I couldn’t find anything else by this trio. Run Rudolph Run (2:32) 2015 CD: Coast To Coast Christmas [Self-released ] ● Canada, 2015 Good Yuletide music on this album, ten covers and two originals. A little different approach. Released on Bandcamp 1 November 2015. Mixed and produced by Briand Melanson. LEG BENDERS (USA) Rock band (quartet) from Albany, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Madden Studios in Clarksville, Indiana by Clifford Madden. Daniel Hartman (vocals, guitar), Zach Coffey (guitar), Tyler Zoller (bass), Clifford Madden (drums). They also call themselves Jimmy & The Two Toned Leg Benders. Well then, who’s Jimmy? Run Rudolph Run (2:50) 2015 Digital: Run Rudolph Run: A Jimmy Christmas Cover [Self-released ] ● USA, 2015 Really heavy rockin’ version. The main reason for including this, the band will tell you themselves: MATTHIAS LENS (Belgium) Accordion player and singer born 1986 in Turnhout. You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) (2:40) 2015 CD: Samen Uit, Samen Thuis [ECV Records ECV-0187544] ● Belgium, 2015 Good rock version. RONAN LEONARD (Ireland) Singer, songwriter in the country, folk genre. Too Much Monkey Business (3:33) 2005 CD: Roomful Of Dreamers [Ronan Leonard Prod. RLPCD-001] ● Ireland, 2005 Really cool version! Dave Keary on guitar and Garvan Gallagher on bass should be complimented for their contribution. Interesting that all the other 10 songs on the album were written by Leonard. LES FORBANS (France) When they started in the late ‘70s they were a rock’n’roll sextet. However, around 1990 they became a quartet. Have released several albums since 1981. Johnny B. Goode in a Rock’n’Roll Medley (3:47) 1996 CD: Rock’n’Roll Story [Arcade 3017672] ● France, 1996 The Medley contains 8 songs. Strange that they are using the Berry song twice on the same album. ADAM LEVY (USA) Singer, songwriter and an accomplished jazz guitarist, born 1966 in Encino, California. He has recorded and toured with Norah Jones. Has also recorded with many famous people like Rosanne Cash, Tracy Chapman, Allen Toussaint, Chely Wright, The O’Jays and others. He has in addition released several albums of his own. Memphis, Tennessee (3:30) 2014 (instr) CD: Town & Country [Lost Wax Music LWR-1401] ● USA, 2014 Now this is a different approach to the tune, a little groovie, jazzy, soulful. He has also recorded a song titled “Promised Land” in 2011 but that’s not Berry’s. SON LEWIS (USA) Andrew Lewis, born 1951 in Patterson, New Jersey. Blues singer, guitarplayer. Nadine (3:38) 2016 (live) CD: From Time To Time [Silk City CD-08 0714 00203 8 3] ● USA, 2017 LEYVA (Mexico) Omar Christopher Navarrete Leyva, born in 1980. He’s a singer, musician, songwriter, promoter. Has been active since 1998 and has been very productive on album releases, and also been part of numerous groups. Carol [as “Oh Carol”] ( : ) 2012 CD: Savage Young & Wild 1957 [Blindspot Records 1957] ● Mexico, 2012 At the very end of Johnny B. they have inserted an original short comment from Alan Freed about rock’n’roll. LIVE (Sweden) Group comprising Kenneth Lundman, Mats Lundberg, Mikael Andersson, Peter Eliasson and Stefan Forsell. It was a one-off pseudo-educational project only known for one album release. Around And Around ( : ) 1986 (live) LP: Live [Caprice Records CAP-133] ● Sweden, 1986 The songs contained range from Berry and Beatles to Uriah Heep, Scott McKenzie, The Clash, John Lee Hooker, Sex Pistols, U 2, Martha & The Vandellas, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Sweet. LMT CONNECTION (Canada) Funk-rock group from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Leroy Emmanuel (vocals, guitar), John Irvine (bass, vocals), Mark Rogers (drums). They have played together for 30 years, recorded six albums and done over 6500 shows (!) which includes Europe and China. Johnny B. Goode (5:17) 1997 (live) CD: Outta Control [Impression Records IMP-2000] ● Canada, 2000 Recorded live 1997 at the Castle Rock in Niagara Falls. Released on Bandcamp 30 September 2020. LOS ALVAREZ DEL NORTE (USA) This is a family pop/folk band which plays various instruments and sings: Fred Alvarez, Maria, William, Daniel, Maggie, managed by Lauren, plus four background vocals. Brown Eyed Handsome Man (3:21) 2012 Digital album: New Mexico Snow [Self-released ] ● USA, 2013 A little bit different than others, more laid-back. You can listen to it on Bandcamp. Fred Alvarez wrote most of the 20 tracks on the album. LOS GATILLOS (Switzerland) Trio from Geneva playing modern electric blues and rhythm & blues. Down Bound Train (2:37) 2018 CD / LP: Fred Raspail-Pierre Omer-Monney B Sont [Bonfeeling Records BF-005] ● France, 2018 Except for two covers, they do original songs. The Berry cover is very similar to Berry’s own musically but Los Gatillos arranged it a little boring. LEE LYNCH (Ireland) Liam Lynch was born in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. He moved to London in 1956 and has lived in England since then. He had his first single released on Decca in 1966. He’s been singing, recording and performing up to the early ‘90s when he retired due to heart problems. Promised Land ( : ) 1979 LP: Here I Go Again [Blue Angel Records FLIP NO.1] ● UK, 1979 Monday, February 19. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 4
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: 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. 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. 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: 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 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 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: I Want To Be Your Driver (2:16) 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!!! 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. 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 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 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. 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. Monday, February 5. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 3
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: We 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. When you read about the New Berry Covers you will probably have noticed that I now often refer to a site called Bandcamp. Here thousands of musicians, artists and groups can display their music for downloading/buying. You can listen to everything in its entirely. I have used this a lot lately to find new Berry covers for the blog. Of course I have to be selective of what to include. Not everything is up to standard and some might not have the best quality to be in our survey. There’s a punk-rock band called Dogs from Michigan, USA who in 2012 recorded a tune titled “You Can’t Catch Me” (CD: Hypersensitive Detroit Records PX-1084) which is NOT the Berry song. I found a hip-hop band on Bandcamp that called themselves Johnny B. Goode. They released songs in 2015 and an album in 2016. But nothing to do with Berry’s music (!) AND there’s a band from Colombia who in 2020 called themselves Johnny B. Goode Band. But again the music has nothing to do with Berry’s. ANTHONY ARYA (USA) Rock singer, songwriter, guitarist from Santa Cruz, California. He has several albums (many live) on Bandcamp. The band on the album below featuring: Arya (vocals, guitar), Kylan DeGhetaldi (piano), Everett Moody (saxophone), Mike Meagher (bass), Ezra Hapner (drums), and Liv Johansen (guest vocals). Arya is a very popular artist in the Bay area with several concert dates during Spring 2024. He has also a physical CD store for some of his albums. Run Rudolph Run (3:25) 2019 (live) Digital: Home For The Holidays [AA Self released ] ● USA, 2020 Released November 2020. Produced and mixed by Kenny Schick. The following info is from his Bandcamp site: BLACK CATS NYC (USA) Hard rock band from New York City. Andrew Giordano (vocals, rhythm guitar), Fransesco D’Ambrosio (lead guitar, backing vocals), Stan Esposito II (bass, backing vocals), Jason Reddish (drums, percussion, backing vocals). Run Rudolph Run (3:25) 2021 Digital: Run Rudolph Run [BTB International Records BTB-5001] ● USA, 2021 Released early December 2021. This is written on their Bandcamp website: “Run Rudolph Run” is the ultimate rock n' roll Christmas song and Chuck Berry is the ultimate rock n' roll performer! This song has it all; Santa, Rudolph, electric guitars, baby dolls, sabrejets, and of course that ol' Chuck Berry smile and flair. MARC BOLAN & T. REX (UK) See Volume 4, page 1909 under T. Rex for biographical info. Sweet Little Rock And Roller (4:13) 1977 (live) CD: Need TV (Vol.4) – The Supersonic Years [Bolan Boogie TVCD-7577] ● UK, 1990 TV performance 29 March 1977. Musically nothing to brag about. All tracks digitally remastered. CANVAS (USA) Producer, DJ, musician, artist from Chicago, Illinois. He has several entries on his Bandcamp site. Run Rudolph Run (2:24) 2023 Digital: Trappy Xmas [Self released ] ● USA, 2023 Released December 2023. The reason for including this is the hip-hop arrangement, which is a rare treat for a Berry cover. CHEECK (USA) Rock trio: Clark Cothern, Erik Hanson, Emmett Kane from Chicago, Illinois. Run Rudolph Run (3:51) 2020 Digital: Run Rudolph Run [Self released ] ● USA, 2020 Released December 2020. Almost 4 minutes with Rudolph is well worth to include. And the sleigh-ride is rockin’ real goode. Recorded and produced by the three guys. COBRAS (UK) Beat group: Ian Gane (vocals, guitar), Paul Mitchell (lead guitar), Peter Relton (bass, vocals), John Williams (drums). Johnny B. Goode (2:37) 1964 (live) CD: The Striking Sound Of The Cobras [Bristol Archive Records ARC-330] ● UK, 2018 This is a compilation album probably of unissued tracks. It’s printed that “Memphis” was recorded in 1962 but that’s wrong as it is clearly based on the Lonnie Mack hit version from 1963. “(Chuck) Berried” is a tribute written by guitarist Paul Mitchell and it sounds like Berry’s Guitar Boogie. There was a Paul Mitchell who was a member of the UK band The Midnights who had one single out on Ember in the mid ‘60s. BILLIE DRE & THE POOR BOYS (Canada) Rock trio from Toronto, Ontario. William Dray, Dylan Ryan, Corey Henderson. Run Rudolph Run (2:40) 2012 Digital: Merry Christmas from… [Self released ] ● USA, 2012 Released December 2012. The guys have this to say on Bandcamp: A song about the raddest reindeer there is. With deepest respect to the original rock and roller Chuck Berry. FIVE AMERICANS (USA) Rock/pop band who resided in Dallas, Texas. They had some hits in the ‘60s especially “Western Union” which was a Top Five in 1967. Roll Over Beethoven (2:21) 1965 CD: Early Americans [BeatRocket BR-143] ● USA, 2006 Previously unissued. Compilation album. DAN FORAL And The Drifters (USA) Country singer, guitarist, raised in Columbus, Nebraska. Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1971 LP: Dan Foral And The Drifters [Rene Records R-1122] ● USA, 1971 FOUR VEGAS (Italy) They are not four but five (!). A rock’n’roll group. Looking at their site they seem to be a live band. You Never Can Tell ( : ) 2008 (live)? CD: Viva Four Vegas [Entusiasmo Prod. ENT-1001] ● Italy, 2008 A good selection of covers from the ‘50s to the ‘70s. They also do a cover of “Surfin’ USA”. FRANKIE & JIMMY (Canada) Blues-rock. Franc Adamczyk (vocals, guitar) and Jim Fitzgerald (vocals, harmonica). Or as the album cover proclaims: Frankie (slide guitar, porchboard bass, tambourine, background hollering), Jimmy (harmonica, lead hollering, whistling). Let It Rock (2:29) 2012 LP: Scream The Blues [JJ (self released) 22205 4 1] ● Canada, 2014 Album recorded in 2012 and 2013. A very noisy version, and fast with much harmonica playing by Jimmy. FRIEL BROTHERS (USA) A brother duo from Virginia, Skip and Randy Friel, who blend various style of music, folk, country, blues, gospel, rock and jazz. Run Rudolph Run [as “Run Rudolf Run”] (2:47) 2008 CD: Evergreen Christmas [New Moon Music CD-60831 2 7] ● USA, 2008 The family is probably of German origin since they used Rudolf(?) CARLINHOS BORBA GATO (Brazil) Carlos Alberto Borba. Singer, songwriter, musician, producer. You Never Can Tell (2:43) 2004 CD: Acústico Country [Atração Fonográfica ATR-11258] ● Brazil, 2004 Okay acoustic version, but his English pronunciation is not the best, unfortunately. GEORGIA PROPHETS (USA) Rock/soul/funk group from North Carolina. On the album below they are: Billy Scott, Barbara Scott, Tommy Witcher, Bruce Dees, Warren Cowers, Andy Jordan and Tony Pittman. Roll Over Beethoven (2:38) 1971 LP: Fever [Custom 8 Stereo CRC-77] ● USA, 1971 A good rockin’ version with solid guitar work and bass. GOMMARD (France) Rock quintet based in Monstreuil. Havana Moon (4:05) 2016 (live) CD: Live In MonStreuil [Self released ] ● France, 2016 Recorded live at L’Armony, music bar in Montreuil, 22 January 2016. Released in September 2016. LP: Live In MonStreuil [Mauvaise Foi Records MFR] ● France, 2016 Advance release with silk-screened sleeves, 2 series : one of 100 copies, numbered, second one of 50, numbered, otherwise identical. ANDREW GOLD (USA) Andrew Maurice Gold, singer, songwriter. Born 1951 in Burbank, California, died 2011 in Los Angeles. His first single and album came in 1975. During his lifetime he had at least 11 albums and several singles to his credit. Roll Over Beethoven (3:32) 1978 CD: The Late Show – Live 1978 [Omnivore Records OVCD-128] ● USA, 2015 Recorded live 22 april at the final show of the 1978 U.S. tour at the Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood. However, in the liner notes regarding this track it is written: Only hardcore Beatles fans reach this far back. Excuse me? GRANTS (UK) Dominic Grant (singer, actor) & Julie Forsyth (singer), members of the ‘70s group Guys ‘N’ Dolls. Formed a country duo in 1986. They have released many albums and a whole lotta singles. Julie is the daughter of actor Bruce Forsyth. Dominic died in 2020, 71 years of age. You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) (3:23) 1998 CD: Let’s Dance [Dino Music DNCD-1601) ● Netherlands, 1998 JOHNNY GREEN’S BLUES COWBOYS (Australia) Singer and guitarist. Johnny Green's Blues Cowboys performed together for 10 years before they made their first album in 1999. They do blues, rock’n’roll and rockabilly. Maybellene (2:33) 1999 CD: At Last [Angelwood Records ANG-0198 CD] ● Australia, 1999 GRINDERS (USA) Punk-rock trio from Rochester, New York. Todd Dentico (vocals, guitar), John Chajka (bass), Ed Lynd (drums). Beautiful Delilah (2:10) 2004 CD: Where The Wild Things Are [Garage Pop Records GP-21] ● USA, 2004 Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 2009 CD: A Grinder Xmas [Garage Pop Records GP-30] ● USA, 2009 Here they are supported by a guest vocalist, Kevin Wilcox. RICHARD GROSSER (Australia) Multi-talented musician from Sydney. He’s very versatile in music and has recorded many songs from various styles as you will notice if you go to his Bandcamp site. Pretty amazing. Roll Over Beethoven (3:06) 2022 (instr) Digital single: Roll Over Beethoven ● Australia, 2022 When you portrait Chuck’s original Chess label on your Bandcamp site, it’s just right that you are gonna be included here. Released March 2022. Richard on all instruments and effects, My electro instrumental version of Roll Over Beethoven. LIAM GRUNDY (UK) Rock’n’roll singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist based in London. Back In The USA (2:38) 2000s (live) CD: Houston [Hot Tomale Recordings HOTTOM-02] ● UK, 2015 Part of the album was recorded at the Sun Studio in Memphis, and the Tomale Studio in London. The Berry track was recorded live in Finland with The Avengers Big Roll Band, here Liam also plays the piano. GUITAR SLINGERS (Ireland) Psychobilly band from Dublin. You Can’t Catch Me (2:41) 2010 CD: Six String Bandit [Diablo Records no cat no] ● UK, 2010 No comments. Recorded and mixed at Diablo Studios. GUNSHOT (France) Rock’n’Roll, Rockabilly quartet, featuring singer Yannick Dimont. If you go to Bandcamp and search for Gunshot you also get albums by Yannick Dimont and Poulpe Again, featuring several Berry covers. Check them out, however, I think the “best” ones are below. Promised Land (3:55) 2002 CD: On S’en Mord … Les Dents! [Gunshot GUN-001] ● France, 2002 You get the feeling he’s listened mostly to the Elvis version, however, this runs a little slower. Maybellene (1:29) 2002 CD: Énervés Par la Colère [Gunshot GUN-002] ● France, 2002 I don’t say I like them but they are surely different. Roll Over Beethoven (2:41) 2003 CD: Je Danse … Donc Je Suis! [Gunshot GUN-003] ● France, 2003 This is quite different from most others you have heard. Give it a listen on Bandcamp. You Never Can Tell (4:21) 2004 CD: T’as Country Le Coup? [Gunshot GUN-004] ● France, 2004 Don’t know what to think? It sounds like there’s a wild wedding ceremony going on and much more throughout the song. The timing says 5:18, but after a little over 4:20 there’s only shouting and screaming. Excuse me, but who got this crazy idea? HADDRELL & HAVES BAND (UK) Featuring Bob Haddrell (keyboards, vocals), Geoff Haves (vocals, guitars), Dave Jones (upright bass), Graham Walker (drums ). It’s My Own Business (2:53) 2018 Digital: Haddrell & Haves Band [Self released ] ● UK, 2018 Released September 2018. 10 blues tracks. Both Berry covers have a boogie beat. Especially for “Wee Wee Hours” which is an unusual treat. Pretty cool arrangements. You can listen at Bandcamp. HAMILTON LOOMIS (USA) Rock/blues/soul singer and multi-instrumentalist. Born 1975 In Galveston, Texas. I have found 10 albums by him going back to 1994 and up to the one below, all out on Ham-Bone Records. Run Rudolph Run (3:58) 2019 CD: This Season [Ham-Bone Records HBR-30686 1] ● USA, 2019 Solid groovie rock version. CHARLIE HARPER (UK) David Charles Perez born 1944. Singer and harmonica player. He’s also been involved as a vocalist in the U.K. Subs. I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ ‘Bout You”] (1:57) 1981 (live) LP: Stolen Property [Flicknife Records SHARP-100] ● UK, 1981 Recorded at Club 29 Clapham, September 1981. See also U.K. Subs NICKY HARRIS (USA) Singer, songwriter. I’ve found 5 albums by him but not so much about the man himself. Memphis, Tennessee (2:36) 2015 (live) CD: Live On Stage [NH self released CD-53660 5 2] ● USA, 2015 I’m getting tired of all these Johnny Rivers’ copyists. Why cover a cover? I have never understood it. This one sounds almost like Rivers, I had to look carefully that I was not mistaken. Why bother? HEAD CAT (USA) See Volume 3, page 1239 for biographical info. However, a couple of things. According to the CD sleeve the album mentioned on that page was recorded at Sage And Sound Studios, Hollywood, California, which means that the track was not live. Back In The USA (2:32) 2004 (live) LP: Rockin’ At The Cat Club [Rock-A-Billy Records CCR-0105] ● USA, 2006 Recorded live on Tuesday 13 January 2004. The vinyl album was pressed in only 322 copies. Also released on DVD. LP & CD: Rock’n’Roll Riot On The Sunset Strip [Cleopatra CLO-0311] ● USA, 2016 Reissue of the 2006 album. Let It Rock (2:18) 2008 (live) LP: Dreamcatcher: Live At Viejas Casino [BMG Rights Management BMGCAT-706LPX] ● Worldwide, 2022 Record store day, limited edition, picture disc. CD: Dreamcatcher: Live At Viejas Casino [BMG Rights Management BMGCAT-706CD] ● Germany, 2023 Recorded live 1 February 2008 at the Viejas Casino in Alpine, California. Let It Rock (2:24) 2011 (live) LP & CD: Live In Berlin [BMG Rights Management BMGCAT-707DLP (CD)] ● Germany, 2023 Recorded live 11 October 2011 at Huxley's, Berlin, Germany. Red LP vinyl. MIKE HEFFLEY (USA) Singer, songwriter, trombonist, journalist, author, arts administrator, and much more (!) He’s released several albums in various styles and contents. No Money Down (4:24) 2022 Digital: Midlife Christmas [Self released] ● USA, 2022 It’s a very bluesy rendition with Mike and his ac.guitar. But on a Xmas album? – “When I was out walkin’ one Christmas day…” You never know where to find them, that’s for sure. You can listen to it at Bandcamp. ANITA HIRVONEN (Finland) Pop singer Anita Ritta Helena Lindgren, born 1946. She’s released many albums since 1976, however, her first single came out in 1966 on Philips. You Never Can Tell (3:18) 2008 CD: Hei Mambo [Woodoodo Tuotanto W-003] ● Finland, 2008 U.K. SUBS (UK) Punk-rock quartet from London. They started out around 1976 as The Subversives, then U.K. Subversives and becoming U.K. Subs. First album in 1979 and has released sooo many, several of them live. Many changes in the line-up during the years, so on the album below the band consisted of Charlie Harper (vocals, harmonica), Darrell Barth (guitar), Flea (bass), Matthew McCoy (drums). I’m Talking About You [as “Talking ‘Bout You”] (1:52) 1990 LP: Mad Cow Fever [Fallout Records FALL LP-048] ● UK, 1991 They also do a cover of “Route 66” which sounds like a punk variant of Berry/Stones. See also CHARLIE HARPER Monday, January 22. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 2
CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details see the bibliography section of this site.
CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID. Today: We continue with our list of new cover versions which came to our attention recently. Again a few a digital-only, but worth to be listed here. BELAIRES (USA) Blues-rock trio from Columbia, Missouri, formed in 1981. David Pruitt, Dick Pruitt and Michael Cherry. Nadine ( : ) 1991 CD: Dangerous Curves [Borrowed Records BORO CD-01] ● USA, 1991 I’ve seen a You Tube clip of the band performing this Berry classic, clocking in at (4:19). MIKE BLOCK (USA) Singer, songwriter, cellist from Boston, Massachusetts. Grammy-Award winning musician. It’s the first cellist entry we have here in this Berry Cover survey. Hail! Hail! Johnny B. Goode (2:53) 2018 Digital: Final Night At Camp [Bright Shiny Things BSTD-0125] ● USA, 2018 Recorded al Dimension Sound Studios in Jamaica Plain, MA. Released June 2018. You can listen and watch the performance at Bandcamp. The album above is a deluxe edition with three bonus tracks. Roll Over Beethoven (5:14) 2019 Digital: Walls Of Time [Self released] ● USA, 2019 Recorded at Dimension Sound Studios, Jamaica Plain, MA. Released November 2019. When a guy plays a cello and records “Roll Over Beethoven” for over 5 minutes, you are guaranteed a place in this survey. Really excellent performance. Listen to this at Bandcamp !!! CHAR-MAN (USA) Punk band (quartet) from Ojai, California, formed 2003. Roll Over Beethoven (2:53) 2005 CD: Char-Man [self released] ● USA, 2005 Released October 2005. LP: Char-Man [Music Sucks Records MSR-001] ● USA, 2016 STEPHEN R. CHENEY (Australia) Country and folk singer, guitarist. Johnny B. Goode (1:56) 2012 CD: Hound Doggin’ [self released CDGSL-30009] ● USA, 2012 20 rock’n’roll covers, several from Elvis. As I have said before, when you record a popular song that’s over 30 seconds shorter than the original, something is missing along the way. CHRISTOFF (Belgium) Christoff de Bolle. He’s regarded as a pop/schlager singer. Born 1976 in Ninove. Has released a lot of singles and albums since the early ‘90s. You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) (2:50) 2013 feat. Robby Longo CD: Christoff & Vrienden 2 [ARS 06 0253 74060 6 7] Belgium, 2013 The first and last verse are sung in Dutch and the rest in English (!) See also ROBBY LONGO COAD SISTERS (Australia) A multi-talented folk and country duo, sisters Virginia and Lynette Coad. Started out in the late ‘80s. However, they have also performed as a trio with brother Peter Coad, and being members of the Runaway Dixie group. Johnny B. Goode (3:26) 1998 CD: Talk Of The Town [Coad Sisters COA-900723] ● Australia, 1998 A slower version with the harmonica being the prominent instrument. Virginia plays keyboards, fiddle, steel guitar, lead and rhythm guitars, mandolin and piano. Lynette plays banjo, harmonica, bass and drums. In addition to doing harmony vocals together with brother Peter. And of course they both sing. Produced and arranged by the sisters. I really like this one. CORNET CHOP SUEY (USA) Jazz Band from Florissant, Missouri. Vocals by Brian Casserly. The band has been around since the late ‘90s and they usually play jazz tunes. Johnny B. Goode (4:00) 2018 (live) CD: Ten [CCS (self released) 58150 2] ● USA, 2018 “Johnny B. Goode” the Dixieland way. Interesting concept of songs, as you get tunes from the likes of Fats Waller, Louis Jordan, Duke Ellington, Elmore James a.o. BILLY COWSILL (USA/Canada) William Joseph Cowsill Jr. Singer, songwriter, guitar player. Born 1948 in Middletown, Rhode Island, USA, died 2006 in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Lead singer of the ‘60s hit group The Cowsills. He moved to Calgary Alberta in the mid ‘70s. Roll Over Beethoven (3:22) 1985 (live) LP: Live From The Crystal Ballroom, Calgary AB, July 1985 [Indelible Music Inc. NIRC-0007] ● Canada, 2004 Recorded live 5 July 1985. Cowsill and his band was warming up for k d lang in the Crystal Ballroom at the Palliser Hotel in Calgary Alberta. See also Co-Dependents on this blog and on page 1131 in Vol.3. CRAZY CRACKERS (Germany) Seven piece rock’n’roll band. In addition to the three albums below they have also released an Elvis tribute album (2002). Maybellene [as “Maybelline”] ( : ) 1996 CD: Last Walk [Foresttown Recordings ABCD-73007] ● Germany, 1997 Again a bunch of covers, 18 to be exact, from the likes of Elvis (several), Little Richard, Fats Domino, Johnny Cash, John Denver and even Bob Seger. Promised Land ( : ) 2010 CD: Lock, Stock & Barrel [CR (self released) 1000102] ● Germany, 2010 Several Elvis related songs and other rock’n’roll/country tracks. Too Much Monkey Business (2:56) 2015 CD: Twenty5 [CR (self released)] ● Germany, 2015 There are 15 tracks on the album. CHARLIE CUCCIA (USA) Singer and guitarist from New Orleans. Nadine (5:02) 2005 CD: Cuccia [Sound Of New Orleans SONO-1066] ● USA, 2005 Soul arrangement and therefore a little different. Pretty cool ! PÉ DAALEMMER & ROIE RINUS (Netherlands) Musical comedy duo from Groningen. Peter de Haan and Frank Den Hollander. Maybellene [as ”Baukelien”] (2:50) 1982 (live) LP: Op Verziede In Waskemeer! [Telstar TAR-19002] ● Netherlands, 1982 Johnny B. Goode [as ”Jelle (Gaat Lekker)”] (2:16) 1982 (live) CD: Op Verziede In Waskemeer! [Telstar TCD-10128 2] ● Netherlands, 1992 Both songs recorded live in the little village of Waskemeer. DAVINA & THE VAGABONDS (USA) Singer and pianoplayer Davina Sowers and 4 guys on trumpet, trombone, bass and drums. Formed in 2006 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Back To Memphis (3:02) 2008 (live) 2-CD: Live @ The Times [Self released ] ● USA, 2009 Recorded live at The Times Bar and Cafe 6 and 7 July 2008. Jazzy and bluesy version. Pretty different from Chuck’s. Run Rudolph Run (2:51) 2020 (live) CD: A Lovenest Holiday [Self released ] ● USA, 2020 Recorded live during “Holiday At The Hook” show 5 December 2020. BOBBY DAVIS (New Zealand) Rock’n’roll singer from Christchurch. Dear Dad (1:46) 1966 45: Zodiac Records Z45 1247 ● New Zealand, 1966 Apart from Australian band Master’s Apprentices who covered this in 1966, so the above was also an early cover version. Most of the covers came in the ‘90s and 2000s. CD: Rave Up (Zodiac Heritage Series Vol. 16) [Stebbing Recording Centre ] ● New Zealand, 2017 Have a feeling that the above CD is for downloading only. FREEK & DE JONGES (Netherlands) Frederik Jan Georg de Jonge was born in 1944. Singer, songwriter and comedian. First album in the mid ‘70s. Has released numerous since then. Come On [as “Kom Op”] ( : ) 2017 CD: Koffers [V2 Records Benelux VVNL-32032] ● Netherlands, 2017 DEMOLITION GIRL & THE STRAWBERRY BOYS (Germany) Punk quintet. Too Much Monkey Business [as “Too Much Punky Business”] ( : ) 2001 LP: Sexclusive Mastery [Rockin’ Bones RON-047] ● Italy, 2001 “16 S-M Hits For Multi Socialised Kids”. WAYNE DENTON (UK) Singer, guitarist. He’s done tribute shows to both John Denver and Neil Diamond. Johnny B. Goode (3:01) 2003 CD: More Beautiful [WDA Ltd. CD-0006T] ● UK, 2003 21 covers of well-known hits during several Decades. D. C. & THE CRUISERS (Germany) Rock and roll-rockabilly-rhtyhm & blues quartet. Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 2003 CD: Never Far From A Bar [DC Records CD-02] ● Germany, 2003 TOMMY DELL (South Africa) Country singer from Cape Town, born 1942, and is called a country music legend in South Africa. He has 11 gold albums under his belt. Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1989 LP: Forever [Select Musiek SELB-119] ● South Africa, 1989 I haven’t heard this, but there’s a live version on You tube which doesn’t catch me at all, running too fast and the standard Rivers/Mack arrangement. DOLLYROTS (USA) Pop punk band (trio) from Los Angeles. One lady and two guys. They have released many albums and singles since 2004. Arrested Youth is their own label. Run Rudolph Run (2:32) 2015 Digital single: Run Rudolph Run [Arrested Youth Records ] ● USA, 2015 The “sleeve” proclaims: Living Stereo. (RCA used that expression back in time.) CD: A Very Dollyrots Christmas [Arrested Youth Records CD-41306 2 3] ● USA, 2015 As the Master once said: Nothing new under the sun. It sounds like a punk-rock version should. PAT DONOHUE (USA) Singer, songwriter and one eminent guitar player from Minnesota. He plays, country, jazz, folk and blues. Has released some 14 albums so far. One of the albums is with Mike Dowling who’s already in the Berry covers (page 1167). Maybellene (2:15) 2016 CD: Blue Yonder [BlueSky Records 77545 2 2] ● USA, 2016 Good acoustic guitar version. JOHNNY DOUGLAS And HIS ORCHESTRA (USA) Born 1920 and died in 2003. English composer, pianist, musical director, string arranger for orchestras. He provided music for 36 films. He was also the man behind The Living Strings and Living Guitars albums. It seems he recorded over 80 albums!!! for RCA. How come I have never heard of him before? Rock And Roll Music (3:06) 1965 LP: Dance Party Discoteque [RCA Camden CAS-883] ● USA, 1965 This is a bit different version in the way that it sounds like an instrumental but half way the singing starts. The vocals are based on the Beatles’ version, in case you wondered(?) DUKES OF SEPTEMBER (USA) Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs with a band consisting of seven members and two background vocalists. You Never Can Tell (3:36) 2014 (Live) DVD & Blu-ray: Dukes Of September Live [429 Records FTN-17946] ● USA, 2014 You wonder why I have suddenly included a DVD, well it seems like a supergroup to me and it’s always interesting when famous artists/musicians pick a Berry song among so many others to chose from. And the show was transmitted on public TV. Filmed and recorded live at the Philharmonic Hall at the Lincoln Center, New York City. This version is very much like so many others with a horn section. ELECTRIC SOUL PARADE (USA) Rock trio from California. Travis Lee Stephenson (vocals, guitar), Josh McClanahan (bass) and Phillip Major-Willis (drums). Johnny B. Goode (3:52) 2023 Digital single: self-released ● USA, 2023 Recorded and mixed in North Hollywood. Yeah, I know, but recording and releasing this classic as a single in 2023 is pretty special, considering how many versions there are out there! But all credits to the guys for doing a very goode job, so they deserve to be here, I think. And pretty nice “sleeve” they made too. EXILE (USA) Country-rock group from Richmond, Kentucky. In the ‘60s they called themselves Exiles. As Exile they were very big on the country charts from 1983-1991. They had 10 #1’s 1984-1988. There’s been some changes in the line-up throughout the years but five of the original members are featured on the album below. Run Rudolph Run (3:08) 2016 CD: Wrapped Up In Your Arms For Christmas [BFD Records BFD-069] ● USA, 2016 Credited to Chuck Berry. Thank you. JOHNNY FARNHAM (Australia) See Volume 3, page 1183 for biographical info. Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1973 LP: Hits Magic & Rock’n Roll [EMI EMC-2502] ● Australia, 1973 CHARLIE FEATHERS (USA) See Volume 3, page 1184 for biographical info. Roll Over Beethoven (2:42) 1982 (unreleased demo) 45 EP: Goofin’ Records GREP-240 ● Finland, 2022 Featuring daughter Wanda Feathers. This EP was part of a release by the Finish group Hi-Fly Rangers and their 10” album tribute to Charlie Feathers titled “Go Feathers!” Goofin’ Records GRLP-61028 (2022). DOUG FERONY (USA) See Volume 3, page 1186 for biographical info. Run Rudolph Run (2:30) 2002 CD: It’s Christmas [Ferony Enterprizes CD-51005 2 6] ● USA, 2002 All I want for Christmas is a swinging saxophone... And he added a couple of new verses. FIETSEFREEM (Netherlands) Rock band (quartet) from Borgharen, Limburg, who started out in 1984. The band dispanded in 1996. You Never Can Tell [as “Trow Daan Wetste ‘T Wel”] (3:24) 1985 LP: Fietsefreem [Marlstone MARL-98517] ● Netherlands 1985 Rock And Roll Music [as “Dans de Rock en Roll Mét Miech”] (2:36) 1991 LP: Fietsemanie [Marlstone 099107 CD] ● Netherlands, 1991 This is a copy of the Beatles version (!) In 1991? FIVE STATE DRIVE (Japan) Ska Punk band from Nagoya. Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2020 Various CD: Cheap Covers [No Cigar Records NCRD-0003] ● Japan, 2020 FJELLIS (Sweden) Jan-Eric Fjellstrõm, born in 1955 and died in 1999. Studio and live guitarplayer who’s actually played with so many Swedish artists throughout the years. Most notably Bjõrn Afzelius, Mikael Wiehe, Peps Persson and Thomas Wie. He was a blues-fan to the bone. Bye Bye Johnny (3:13) 1990s (live) Various 2-CD: Till Och Från En Blå Man [Playground Music PGMCD-3] ● Sweden, 1999 Previously unissued. CD-1 is a tribute album to Fjellstrõm by people like Sven Zetterberg, Louise Hoffsten, Ulf Lundell, Mats Ronander, Peps Persson and many others. CD-2 featuring performances by Fjellis himself in the form of 16 unreleased tracks. FLOORWALKERS (USA) A rock’n’roll sextet from Columbus, Ohio. They have released several EPs and albums since 2005. Run Rudolph Run (4:38) 2019 CD EP: All These Things And More! [Hip Like a Belt Records CD-08 8829 59689 3 5] ● USA, 2019 It starts very slow with a prominent piano playing and after 30 seconds starts rockin’ with a solid beat, horn section and saxophone solo. Then at about 2:30 suddenly slows down and at 3:55 starts rockin’ again with great piano playing and keeps rockin’ until the end. A lot of energy and really different. You can also download this 6 track EP. FOGHAT (UK) See Volume 3, page 1197 for biographical info. Promised Land (3:14) 2023 CD: Sonic Mojo [Foghat Records FHR-0022] ● USA, 2023 Recorded at Boogie Motel South, Deland, Florida. They have made it a more boogie version which is unusual. LP: Sonic Mojo [Foghat Records FHR-0023] ● USA, 2023 Purple vinyl, limited edition. LOCOMOTIONS (Netherlands) “Shadows” band (quintet) from Gemert, Noord-Brabant who was active in the ‘60s, however, since the ‘90s they have reunited several times and done recordings of new material. Johnny B. Goode - in a rock’n’roll Medley (5:36) early 2000s (live) CD: Select [HCD Music Prod. HCD-505045] ● Netherlands, 2004 Thirty Days [as “Forty Days”] (2:41) 2009 CD: ‘E’Motions [Zebra Music ZE-3017302] ● Netherlands, 2009 They have also a DVD (probably 2007) were they perform a.o. Brown Eyed Handsome Man, Sweet Little Sixteen and Forty Days. ROBBY LONGO (Belgium) Country singer born 1981 at Genk. The album below seems to be his debut. You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) (2:52) 2013 CD: Country Man [ARS Ent. / Universal 3751255] ● Belgium, 2013 This sounds very much like the version he did with Christoff. Although this above is sung in plain English. See also CHRISTOFF Tuesday, January 16. 2024The Chuck Berry Vinyl Bootlegs, Vol. 3: America's Hottest Wax
A note on bootleg records first: A bootleg record is a factory-produced vinyl record released and sold without authorization by the artist or owner of the recording. Bootleg records may contain known recordings, but most often bootleg records either contain studio outtakes or live performances. The first bootleg records were seen at the end of the 1960's. During the 1970's and 1980's lots of different bootleg records were produced. In the early 1990's bootleggers changed to use CDs instead of vinyl records. I do not encourage the production and sale of bootleg records as I find that artists, composers, producers, and the rest of the recording industry deserve a financial compensation of their work.
This series of articles is going to describe the Chuck Berry vinyl bootlegs released in the 1970's and 1980's. For any record collector these items are important to know of, even though you don't necessarily need to have them. Omitted from all the usual discographies, information about these records is next to void. Given the secret nature of the bootlegger business there are no exact dates, numbers, or origins. I have tried to collect this information from various sources and mostly from my own collection of records. If you can add anything of worth to the information given here, I'd be glad to know! This is the third part of this series and it covers another typical kind of bootleg record: a record containing studio outtakes. Chuck Berry - America's Hottest Wax - Reelin' 001 [This blog post appeared here first in September 2015. Due to the 2023 release of Daniel Nooger's book "Belly of the Beast - Chess Records, the All Platinum Years" we have to add some details which also answer some of the questions the original text left open.] Besides live concert recordings, the most interesting bootlegs are those which contain studio material not to be found on legal releases. Typically these are outtakes or versions of songs not good enough to be officially published by the record companies. You may wonder how bootleggers can get access to such unreleased material. There are many ways. Sometimes the artists themselves give tapes out of hand, sometimes the housekeeper finds some tape in a paper bin. In this case we know when, how and by whom the previously unreleased tracks were found and combined. We don't know, though, how they got into the hands of bootleggers. Anyway, this record contains ten Chuck Berry recordings from the 1950's and early 1960's which had not been released before. There were two additional recordings which had been released before but only with fake audience noise. And there were two recordings released by the vocal group The Ecuadors on which Berry's contribution hadn't been known before. During the mid to end 1970s Dan Nooger worked for All Platinum Records who had bought the Chess archives in August 1975. Dan's job was to search through the old tapes to find, combine, and release new records under the Chess name. He created some interesting releases containing known and unknown recordings from the Blues and Jazz masters Chess had stored. All Platinum went bankrupt in 1979. The same owners, Sylvia and Joe Robinson, immediately formed a new label, Sugar Hill Records, taking over the Chess archives until they got in a legal dispute with their distributor MCA and lost the rights to the Chess catalogue during the mid 1980s. The only Chuck Berry record which came out of All Platinum/Sugar Hill was The Great Twenty-Eight (CH-8201, 1982), which contained just the well-known hits. But Dan Nooger had found unreleased Chuck Berry material within the archived master and session tapes. In his book, Dan tells: In the course of preparing some future releases, I went through the master book and session tapes looking for unissued tracks by Chuck. There weren’t too many, but as an example, on the December 1955 session which produced “You Can’t Catch Me”” and “No Money Down” I found on the master reel a slow blues, “I’ve Changed”, which was recorded between them. It lay forgotten, with no master number assigned and never pulled out as a filler for one of Chuck’s albums, but it was one of his finest blues performances. More good alternate takes surfaced from some of the later sessions. Berry’s first take performance of “Reelin’ & Rockin’’’ (with some different lyrics from the final version) which was on an undated session reel just labeled “C.B”, inspired Leonard to call out, “This is good just the way it is!” Chuck, ever cool, just responded, “Oh, yeah?”. There were a brace of tracks which were original versions of sides eventually released on the fake “live” album “Chuck Berry on Stage” (minus the dubbed audience noise), and even a master tape by a group called the Equadors, whose “Let Me Sleep Woman” / “Say You’ll Be Mine” featured Chuck on guitar (and although credited to “R. Butler” on the original Argo single, the songs were published by “Chuck Berry Music”). Another session tape just labeled “C.B. – 21” yielded a whole session rundown of an unissued song originally slated as “Vacation Time”; after 10 or so takes the arrangement was changed from straight up rock to a blues format. I labeled them “21” and “21 Blues”. Eventually I pulled together an album’s worth of material. This master tape Dan collected is obviously the origin of the bootleg we talk about here. It was prepared for an All Platinum release, though never produced. Three variants of this bootleg exist. One of these is not a bootleg at all. The first variant had a blank white cover onto which the record name America's Hottest Wax as well as the label name and number Reelin' 001 were rubberstamped by hand. The labels are completely blank and have a light pink color. The master number as etched into the dead wax reads CE 70/1. My copy didn't have any other information with it. Morten Reff was so kind and sent me a copy of a sheet of paper which came with his record. The sheet contains nothing more than the track listing and a few details about each song. The tracks on this record are as follows (spelling as on the sheet): Side 1
Side 2
Morten Reff dates this bootleg at appr. 1979 and variant 2 (below) at 1980. To me variant 1 looks at least some years older. Label and cover look more like an early 1970's bootleg. However, since Nooger's other Chess releases came out in 1976 onwards, 1977 to 1979 probably is the correct timeframe. Variant 2 has a fully printed cover, a printed label and liner notes. And it shows more than a dozen previously unreleased photos (also from the Chess archives?). The front cover tells artist and record name. Also it says "rare and unreleased tracks 1955-1963". The label name is now written as reelin' with a lower-case R. Next to the photos and track listing the back cover contains a quote from an interview with Keith Richards, printed in the January 1979 issue of Rock&Folk magazine in which the interviewer claims to have listened to a cassette tape containing some of the recordings included. The cassette tape mentioned originates from Dan Nooger, as he tells in his book: I copied the material onto a cassette. After I landed at Atlantic Records, I ran off a copy for one of our publicity guys, Art Collins, who was assigned to go out on the road with the Rolling Stones’ 1978 “Some Girls” tour. One day I got a frantic call from Art; he had played the tape for the Stones and he was flying back to New York next day and I was to have maybe seven copies run off for him to bring back for the Stones touring party. He flew in, handed me a “Some Girls” press kit cover autographed by all of the Stones plus Ian Stewart and Ian McLagan (which immediately went straight into a frame and up on my living room wall), and off he went. Art eventually got kicked upstairs as a vice president with Rolling Stones Records. Several months later, I was reading an interview with Keith in Rock & Folk, a French music magazine; the tail end of the story had Keith pulling the cassette from his travel bag and excitedly playing it for the interviewer (“Wait! I want to play you some Chuck Berry, I have unreleased tapes that you’ll love”). What I’d like to know is if Keith ever played it for Chuck during the production of the Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n Roll film, and what Chuck may have thought of it. Keith, if you’re reading this, get in touch… The January 1979 quote places the publication date of variant 2 to 1979 or later. This is a complete new record from a new master disk. The etching on the dead wax now reads 001-A/B. It is interesting to note that the printed track listing on the back cover differs in some details from the insert sheet of variant 1. And even more interestingly variant 1 contains the more correct information. Among the errors on variant 2 are the spelling of the Ecuadors and suppressing the previous release of the dubbed tracks. The same errors were repeated character by character when in 1983 CHESS (UK), at that time a label of PRT Ltd., released CHESS CXMP 2011. Probably due to the huge success of the bootleg, CHESS (UK) decided to release the exact same contents on an official album. The cover does not tell so. It calls the record just "Chuck Berry" as part of PRT's "CHESS masters" series. However, when you look at the record labels, you'll see the name "America's Hottest Wax" printed. One has to note that while the official CHESS (UK) release contains the exact same sequence of the tracks, they do not always sound exactly alike. Sometimes the songs on the official release fade later than on the bootleg. This might point to the fact that PRT indeed used the original CHESS tapes for mastering this album. All Platinum/Sugar Hill had good contacts with UK record companies. Phonogram had co-financed the Chess archives purchase, Charly got all their Chuck Berry material from All Platinum, PRT was the new name for Pye Records who originally released Chuck Berry in the UK. Maybe PRT had access to Nooger's original master tape while the two bootlegs result from the cassette copy - we'll never know. To read the other parts of this series on Chuck Berry vinyl bootlegs, click here: Friday, January 12. 2024Chuck Berry in Fake Stereo
As you know from the long article “Chuck Berry in Stereo” on this blog, all of Berry‘s great hits from the 1950s were recorded and released as pure Mono. No multi-track studio tapes exist nor any two-track stereo releases.
In the second half of the 1960s, with the popularity of Stereo albums and FM radio, Mono records sounded outdated and dull. Record companies trying to re-sell 1950s hits therefore used a trick to create fake stereo versions of recordings originally made and only available in Mono. The old recordings were “electronically reprocessed for stereo”. Technically the original mono signal was copied to both stereo channels. On one channel the higher tones were enhanced, on the other the lower tones. One channel was delayed a tiny fraction of a second and artificial echo and reverb were used to mask this delay. Unfortunately this distorts the original recording to an amount which makes them sound ugly when compared to the original mono mix. During the 1970s many re-issues of Berry material contained such fake stereo which is why record collectors omit them to the most part. At least some of the fake stereo releases came with a tiny warning as shown in these cover segments. If you were following the hype around the Beatles’ “new” recording “Now and Then”, you learned that nowadays computers are able to separate John Lennon’s piano playing from his singing based on a source tape where these two blend into each other. The trick is to find notes and frequencies which are typical to a male singer and to find notes and frequencies which are typical to a piano. A human listener can do so easily and tell exactly what is singing and what is piano playing. Computers are not that good. However, new computer techniques approximate the identification of a song’s parts. The trick is to have a computer analyze thousands or millions of piano recordings and to find patterns which are typical to piano playing. This is pure statistics, technically called machine learning, or for the marketing folks “artificial intelligence”. Given enough training data, you can teach the software to identify piano playing, male or female vocals, drums, guitar, saxes, and so on. There is free and commercial software available which does a pretty good job at identifying and separating instruments from a recording mix. However, such a result is never perfect. Even a human listener might get fooled, when a talented vocalist mimics a saxophone solo. Certain sounds can be created using different instruments alike such as a bass line played on the lower strings of a guitar. Especially pianos are difficult to identify as they have a very wide range of tones which can sound like a guitar or even like some drum set segments. And of course it is very hard to separate two guitars or two pianos. If you separate the musical instruments used during the original recording, you can re-use the extracted tracks to combine them with other recordings just like they did with the Beatles song. Or you can re-mix the individual elements at varying intensities and delays to two separate tracks which build the left and right channel of a stereo release. Hit Parade Records of Canada for some time already uses this re-stereofication method to create fake stereo versions of 1950s hits. A first fake stereo version of a Berry hit (“Sweet Little Sixteen”) appeared in 2020. In 2023 Hit Parade Records released the CD album “Chuck Berry Stereo: 27 Original Hits” containing 22 of such fake stereo versions. The other five songs are stereo versions originally released on the 1960s Chess albums. “Route 66” is fake stereo, even though a true stereo recording of an alternative take exists. The CD cover does not mention the artificial nature of the versions. This “fake” aspect is hidden on the last page of the booklet. So now we can listen to songs such as “Maybellene” or “Johnny B. Goode” in stereo. And just like in the 1970s, these fake stereo versions are much worse than the original releases. For the most part we hear the lead guitar at one end of the stereo range and the cymbals from the drum set at the opposite end. Everything else is more or less in the center with the vocals quite low in the mix. The marketing material shouts that “now you can hear guitar notes come to life that were previously buried in the mono mixes” but this goes with the consequence of other elements now getting buried instead. As said, given the original mixed material a separation cannot be perfect. Here we hear notes from the same guitar sometimes from the left, sometimes from the center, sometimes even from the complete other side of the room which sounds as if there were more guitars present in the studio as there really were. On the other hand it sounds as if there were only cymbals on the drum kit but no drums at all, a woolly sound on the drums altogether. And especially problematic is the piano, which sounds as if it were moved around the studio during a song’s recording take. In general there is too much echo just like it were with the 1970s fake stereo releases. One positive note, though: What they did really good was the separation of Berry’s lead vocal and the chorus on “Almost Grown”. This sounds as if the vocal group is standing to the side as it probably was originally. All in all these versions are nothing a collector would want. On the contrary: just as in the 1970s, where the original mono recordings were replaced by the fake “electronic stereo” variants, the same also applies here. As soon as streaming services or re-issuers learn of the existence of these so-called “true” stereo versions, how long will it be before the original mono versions are replaced? Morten Reff adds: “Just to compare a little. I also bought the new “Chirping Crickets” (the first LP by Buddy Holly And The Crickets from 1958) on Rollercoaster Records in “stereo”, and they did a much better job of it. Clearer and better sound and better stereo effect. Although I must admit that I still go for the original mono versions.” Thursday, January 11. 2024CBID - The Never Ending Story
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: Just three months ago we were confident to have documented all cover versions of Berry songs except for the ones newly recorded. Then came Bjørn Knudsen, a friend who’s been helping Morten a lot with Berry covers through the years, with a new list of hundreds of cover versions to include. Many of these are digital only and thus don't qualify for our list of records and CDs, but others require us to open the list again. Thank you, Bjørn! Here's a first batch. Let’s go back to page 1837 (+ page 761) and Lenny & The Thundertones (USA) with their “Big Berry (Boss Man Guitar)” 1964. It has come to my attention that the song was actually released in 1963 by Big Daddy G (Lenny Drake). BIG DADDY G (USA) The reason for this mix-up is the Lenny & The Thundertones CD I bought in ’95 (page 1837) containing this Berry tribute. Nothing was mentioned in the liner-notes that it was actually recorded as Big Daddy G. But we are still talking about the same artist, Lenny Drake, who also co-wrote the song. If you search Secondhandsongs and the title “Thirty Days” by Chuck Berry you get several versions and one by Jim Stringer & The Austin Music Band. However, It is actually the song written by Winfield Scott and recorded by Clyde McPhatter in 1957, SO it’s not Berry’s. CHRISTIAN ANDERS (Austria) Antonio Augusto Schinzel-Tenicolo, born 1945 in Bruck an der Mur. His first record came in 1965, and he’s had many since. The latest I found was from 2006. Johnny B. Goode (1:54) 1973 2-LP: Der Untergang von Taro Torsay - Aufstieg Und Fall Eines Pop Stars [Chranders 1C 188 30 185 186] ● Austria, 1973 This is way too short but it seems that the album is from some kind of musical with introduction by Anders and various speeches between songs. HASSE ANDERSSON (Sweden) Hans Olle Lennart Andersson. Country singer, songwriter born 1948 in Malmö. He’s released many albums since 1983. He usually sings in Swedish, but the album below is in English. Johnny B. Goode (2:54) 2010 CD: Hasse’s Jukebox [SlowFox FOXCD-10015] ● Sweden, 2010 “With the songs we remember”. 14 tracks. RICHIE ARNDT (Germany) Blues and rock singer, guitar player. Memphis, Tennesee (2:23) 2016 3-CD: Mississippi Songs Along The Road [Fuego Records 2606 2] ● Germany, 2016 1 CD containing songs and 2 CDs as audio-book. ATOMIC LEOPARDS (Spain) See Volume 3, page 1051, for biographical info. Beautiful Delilah (2:34) 2005 CD: In Technicolor [Foot Tapping Records FT-048] ● UK, 2006 This is already in Vol.3, however, wrong recording year and I didn’t have the timing for the song. And it’s a UK label and not Spain. Promised Land (2:46) 2009 CD: Rockin’ Fix [Raucous Records RAUCD-247] ● UK, 2010 STERLING BALL, JOHN FERRARO, JIM COX (USA) Musicians from California. Sterling Ball (bass, various guitars, bongos), Jim Cox (keyboards), John Ferraro (drums, percussion). Memphis, Tennessee (3:11) 2018 (instr) CD: The Mutual Admiration Society [Favored Nations Entertainment FNM-75432] ● Netherlands, 2018 Here they have help from an ac.bass player called Brad Hayman. They have sadly covered (like so many others) the Lonnie Mack/Johnny Rivers arrangements. Although I must admit they do a very good and solid job. BAMBI KINO (USA) Group was formed 2009 in New York. They wanted to play music of the early ‘60s to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Beatles’ concerts in Hamburg. (Well, well.) They also debuted in Hamburg during 2010 (see below). I’m Talking About You (1:58) 2010 (live) CD: Bambi Kino [Tapete Records TR-202 (mono)] ● USA, 2011 Recorded live at The Indra Club, Hamburg, 19 August 2010. BAND OF HOPE JUG BAND (New Zealand) Folk, country, bluegrass, jug music played by a sextet. They were active in the late ‘60s. Memphis, Tennessee (2:40) 1968 LP: The Band Of Hope Jug Band [Kiwi SLC-61] ● New Zealand, 1968 JIMMY BARNES (Australia) James Dixon Swan, singer, songwriter, guitarist. Born 1956 in Glasgow, Scotland, but the family moved to Australia when he was 4 years. He’s had 14 Top 40 albums as the lead singer of the rock band Cold Chisel and 12 charting albums as a solo act which gives Barnes the highest number of hit albums of any Australian artist. Not bad! Run Rudolph Run (3:21) 2022 CD: Blue Christmas [Bloodlines BLOOD-111] ● Australia, 2022 Standard rock version with piano, guitar and a horn section. BAS EDIT (Sweden) Folk and country trio, Bengt Sandblom (vocals, guitar), Torbjörn Sörensen (banjo, mandolin, slide guitar, vocals), Tony Rudberg (ac.bass, vocals), but they are expanded on the record below by fiddle, accordion and drums. Johnny B. Goode (2:16) 1999 CD: Vol. 3 [Hönö Records HRCD-08] ● Sweden, 1999 These guys were quite good. CAMILE BAUDOIN (USA) Singer, guitarist, from New Orleans, who is in the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. He played guitar for over 40 years in the New Orleans Radiators who by the way have released several albums. You Never Can Tell (3:37) 2021 CD: This Old House [Indipendent release ] ● USA, 2021 Recorded May 2021 at Rhythm Shack Studio, New Orleans. Pretty good mid tempo version with guitar (Camile) and piano (Josh Paxton), plus Jake Eckert (rhythm guitar), Reggie Scanian (bass) and Frank Bua Jr. (drums). CLIFF BEACH (USA) Black singer, songwriter and keyboardist. He’s been playing live in Los Angeles and Southern California for over 15 years. It is said that his style is a cross between soul, trad R&B, funk and neo-soul = Nu-funk as he calls it himself. Run Rudolph Run (3:03) 2021 Digital: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year [California Soul Music 01 9640 03543 8 3] ● USA, 2021 As you can see this is digital but I wanted to include it because it’s a very good soulful version and he has a good voice. Go Rudolph Go. VINNY BELL (USA) Vincent Edward Gambella, session guitar player, also a master on electric sitar, based in New York. Born 1932, died in 2019. Also known as Vinnie Bell. Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (2:19) 1964 (instr) LP: Whistle Stop [Verve Records V6-8574] ● USA, 1964 BIG BILL (Belgium) Armand Hombroeckx also known as Big Bill Krakkebaas. Born 1950 in Leuven. Blues singer and guitarist. No Particular Place To Go [as “Ene Me Hesp” (2:21) 1975 LP: Big Bill [Parsifal KLE-4000 231] ● Belgium, 1975 GARRY BLACKMORE BAND (UK) Country singer. The band: Terry Clifford (guitars), Robbie Hawks (bass, vocals), Frog Goddard (drums), with the help of Dave Hayward (steel guitar, keyboards, harmony vocals). Memphis, Tennessee (3:57) 2005 CD: Remembering [self released GB-15CD] ● UK, 2005 Covers from the likes of Bill Anderson, Don Gibson, Marty Robbins, Rick Nelson, Kris Kristofferson etc. BLUEJAYS (UK) This group is already on this blog with three entries. Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2016 CD: Rockin’ And Rollin’ With The Bluejays [Bluejays JAY-5005] ● UK, 2016 Maybellene ( : ) 2021 (live) CD: Rock And Roll Revolution – Live Tonight [Bluejays ] ● UK, 2021 Run Rudolph Run (2:55) 2021 (live) CD: The Christmas Show – Live [Bluejays ] ● UK, 2021 Recorded 18 December 2021 at Pound Arts Centre, Corsham. It seems like this is only available online. Johnny B. Goode (4:18) 2022 (live)CD: Rave On – The Rise Of Rock’n’Roll [Bluejays BP-2201] ● UK, 2022 BO GUMBOS (Japan) A rock quartet who got their name from Bo (Diddley). Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1993 (live) CD: King Of Rock’n’Roll [Bo Records BO-001 D] ● Japan, 1994 Recorded live at On Air, Shibuya (Tokyo), 2 December 1993. JONNY BOMBASTIC (Germany) Marco Majewski, born 1984. He’s looking like Johnny Restivo (if you remember him). A wrestler with muscles and a voice so and so. Johnny B. Goode [as “Johnny Be Good”] (2:39) 2011 45: 3rd Floor Music 42 6020 60423 3 4 ● Germany, 2011 This might be a song for downloading only (?) RAY BROWN Jr. (USA) Raymond Matthews Brown Jr., blues and jazz singer, pianist, drummer. He’s the adopted son of Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Brown. He was born 1949 in New York City to Fitzgerald’s half sister Frances. He’s lived in California and Oregon but now resides in Hawaii. Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (3:37) 2008 CD: Friends And Family [SRI Jazz SRI-311252] ● USA, 2008 With Dr. John and featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith. You probably have never heard the song performed like this. Very bluesy and jazzy. And again it’s interesting to notice the 16 songs on the album which are mostly jazz tunes and popular songs: “A-Tisket, A-Tasket”, “Lullabye Of Birdland”, “Laughter In The Rain”, “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” …and a Berry classic. EDDIE BUSH (USA) Born 1965 in Princeton, Indiana. Country-rock singer, songwriter, guitarplayer who has lived in Charleston, South Carolina since the early ‘70s. He has several albums for downloading on Bandcamp. Run Rudolph Run (3:03) 2011 as Eddie & The Icicles CD: Holiday Harmonies [Eddie Bush self-released ] ● USA, 2011 Real rockin’ version, maybe a little noisy but I still like it. BUSHMEN (Italy) Beat quintet. Memphis, Tennessee (2:09) 1965 45: SunStar SPS-214 ● Italy, 1965 The arrangement here is closer to Berry’s original than most others from the ‘60s. Although it’s different. CALYPSONUTS (USA) Steel drum duo from Navarre, Florida. Johnny B. Goode (4:39) 2012 CD: Down To The Wire [Red Cedar Devil CD-35409 5] ● USA, 2013 They have followed the Peter Tosh version. CANDLEWICK GREEN (UK) A 1970s five piece group from Liverpool. Had several 45s released during the ‘70s but the single "Who Do You Think You Are" was their only UK top 30 hit, peaking at #21 in 1974. Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1980 LP: Making It [Candlewick Green SRTX/80/CUS-519] ● UK, 1980 Recorded at Amazon Studios, Kirby, Liverpool. No writing credits given on the sleeve or label. Just Copyright Control. This was a self-released item sold at gigs. However, regarding the cat.no series see also HOJO. TIM CAPPELLO (USA) Timmy Cappello, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor. Born 1955 in Harrison, New York. He’s known for his saxophone work with Tina Turner in the mid ‘80s and the ‘90s. He’s also played with Carly Simon, Peter Gabriel, Ringo Starr, Garland Jeffries and more. Maybellene (3:44) 2018 CD: Blood On The Reed [self released ] ● USA, 2018 Very funky version with lots of harmonica playing. HOJO (UK) Rock trio, Howard (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass), John (lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals) & Sue (keyboards, backing vocals), plus Dave Morell (drums). Strange but there are no credits regarding the composers for any songs, neither on the sleeve or label. Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1979 LP: It’s The Music That Counts [SRT Productions STRY/79/CUS-497] ● UK, 1979 Recorded and mixed at Fairview Recording Studio. Special thanks to The Electric Light Orchestra who helped to inspire this album. Regarding the cat.no series see also CANDLEWICK GREEN. HOGSLOP STRING BAND (USA) Old-time string band music with a hint of country. Group based in Nashville. Gabriel Kelley (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Kevin Martin (vocals, fiddle), Daniel Binkley (vocals, banjo), Pickle (vocals, washtube bass, acoustic bass). Roll Over Beethoven (4:33) 2012 (live) CD: Hogslop String Band 2.5 [self-released] ● USA, 2012 Seven self written songs plus the Berry classic. Interesting! Now this is a pretty different version. Have I heard a string band version before? I don’t remember. Check them out on You Tube. MICHAEL CARPENTER (Australia) Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist. Label (Big Radio Records) and studio (Love HZ Studios) owner from Sidney, NSW. Sweet Little Sixteen (3:31) 2011 CD: Soop #3 – Songs Of Other People [Big Radio Records no cat no] ● Australia, 2011 On the front cover there’s a collage of pictures of various album covers including “One Dozen Berrys”. ROGER CERESI’S ALLSTARZ (USA) According to the album cover they are 8 people all together. There’s a lot about them on You Tube. Back To Memphis (4:13) 2011 CD: On The Right Track [Self released 08 8450 14701 4 8] ● USA, 2011 “Back To Memphis” is pretty solid and bluesy. The other Berry cover is performed good but unfortunately a little dull. EUGENE CHADBOURNE (USA) Eugene Alexander Chadbourne, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, born 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He’s mostly into free (avant-gard) and improvised jazz but also likes to jazz-up a country song or three. Also into avant-rock. He’s been playing in a lot of groups and has released many albums. Roll Over Beethoven [as “Roll Over Berlosconi”] (3:02) 2010 LP: Roll Over Berlosconi [Interbang Records IBR-001] ● USA, 2010 Here Chadbourne has written mostly his own lyrics, I guess it’s not a tribute. Roll over Berlosconi tell Mussolini the news. LALO CHEETA (France) Rock singer, guitarist from Paris. The songs below you’ll find on the Bandcamp site. I’ve Changed [as “I Have Changed”] (6:13) 2018 (live) Digital album: Live [Lalo Cheeta ] ● France 2018 Recorded live in France March 2018. The album was released 12 October 2018. Lalo Cheeta (vocals, guitar), Lucas Ltiė (guitar, vocals), Myrto Stathatou (keyboards), Stephen Cat (saxophone), Yacine Baroudi (saxophone), Holy Dan (bass, vocals), Pietro Loconte (drums, vocals) Havana Moon (4:26) 2016 Digital track: Super Bombetas [Lalo Cheeta ] ● France 2018 Recorded January 2016 at RDC Studio, Les Lilas. Released 11 October 2018. Lalo Cheeta (vocals, guitar, bass), Yacine Baroudi (saxophone), El Manicero (trumpet), Dukeul (maracas). CHER (USA) Cherilyn Sarkisian La Pierre, known to everyone just as Cher. Born 1946 in El Centro, California. Singer, actor. She started back in the mid ‘60s together with Sonny Bono (they married in 1967, divorced 1975) as Sonny & Cher and had many hits. And she has managed to stay at the top ever since. She has sold over 100 million albums and have won many Awards. Run Rudolph Run (2:53) 2023 LP: Christmas [Warner Records 093624851189] USA, 2023 Nice to finally have Cher on this survey. A good rockin’ version it is too, and she still has a strong voice. ALEKSEY FETISOV Rock & Roll Tribute Band (Russia) Rock & roll singer, bassplayer from Moscow, who really has a knack for the old stuff. Rock’n’roll classics from Russia with love (!) They are a trio but is augmented by a keyboardplayer, plus backing vocalists. Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:41) 2016 as Aleksey Fetisov’ Rock & Roll Trio Digital album: Rocks [AF Recording Service] ● Russia, 2017 Released January 2017. This sounds like the Buddy Holly version. The Little Girl From Central (2:41) 2019 Digital album: Aleksey Fetisov Rock & Roll Tribute Band Vol. 1 [AF Recording Service] ● Russia, 2020 Released January 2020. Now I just had to include this guy since we are actually talking about a NEW Berry song to be covered. He follows the Berry original. A little background: This obscure Berry track was first available to Berry fans through the UK LP “You Never Can Tell” PYE Int. NPL-28039 in late 1964, in mono. Later it was made available in stereo on the UK Marble Arch LP MALS-702 in 1967. It was not issued in the US until 1990 on the album “Missing Berries – Rarities Volume 3” Chess (MCA) CH-9318. Carol (3:02) 2021 Digital album: Aleksey Fetisov Rock & Roll Tribute Band Vol. 2 [AF Recording Service] ● Russia, 2021 Released April 2021. Again they are very similar to the original Berry arrangements. Tuesday, October 31. 2023CBID - 5639 cover versions of Chuck Berry songs
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: It's time to update the summary pages of CBID which showed the number of artists who covered a certain Chuck Berry song as well as the top list of Berry songs most often covered. As of October 2023, Morten Reff's counting results in this top list of Berry songs covered. Included are only those cover versions which have been released on Vinyl or CD to the public more than one hundred times. Other recordings such as those from live performances, TV shows, bootlegs or Berry's multiple own recordings do not count in this regard.
In comparison with page 1030 in Vol. 3 of the Chuck Berry International Directory (2012), except for #1 - #6 who are still at the top with the highest numbers of covers there are several changes to the rest of the above list. “Run Rudolph Run” especially! “Let It Rock” and “Reelin’ And Rockin’“ are new entries. “I’m Talking About You” didn’t have that many covers at the time of publishing Vol. 3 in 2012, but it was included back then as 20 song titles sounded better than 19 (!). Lesser known Chuck Berry songs, even the most obscure ones have been covered as well. Here is the complete list as of October 2023 which once again proves the importance of Chuck Berry’s lyrics and melodies to the evolution of pop and rock music throughout the decades. 'Run Rudolph Run' (Marvin Brodie-Johnny Marks), 'Too Pooped To Pop' (Billy Davis) and “Mad Lad” (Billy Davis) are included in this survey because they are Berry originals, even though they were not written by him (at least, that's what the composer credits say). Conversely, although Berry's versions of 'I Got To Find My Baby' (1960) and 'Too Late' (1975) were both credited to him, they were actually covers of originals by Little Walter and Jimmy Wakely respectively. In addition there’s a lot more cover versions of 'My Ding-A-Ling', but this is not an original song by Berry in the first place. Written by Dave Bartholomew and recorded by him in 1952, although Berry changed some of the lyrics and added new ones.
Comparing this report to the same list of covers on pages 1635 to 1675 (Vol. 4) plus the additions on pages 2074-2085 and of course all the CBID Updates on this blog, there are 9 new Berry titles added to this survey. Which mean that a total of 93 titles have been recorded by various artists and groups. A total number of 5639 versions! And if you look at page 1675 you will see that in 2013 we had just 4556 versions, which means the total number has increased by some 1100 versions. Pretty amazing! For those readers who don’t want to search the complete Volumes 3 and 4 as well as the updates in this site's blog for a specific cover version, we provide here a PDF file containing an update to the corresponding chapter in the book. It lists all the artists and recording dates which make up for the No. of Artists column in the table above. For more details about the corresponding album such as label and release date, read the books and the updates on this site's blog. As mentioned so many times before, this survey of Berry covers will never be completed in full since his catalog is always interesting for various artists without regard to musical genre. And also there will be covers that we still don’t know about.
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Main PageThis weblog is an addition to my Chuck Berry fansite called "A Collector's Guide to the Music of Chuck Berry" which describes all books and records of interest to everyone enjoying Chuck Berry's music. CategoriesWhat You MissedSome earlier but important entries:
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