A small note first: Sorry for no posts since September - I've been busy.
Most Chuck Berry discographies including Morten Reff's
The Chuck Berry International Directory are certain that there were five original singles released during Berry's stay with Mercury Records:
- Mercury 72643 - Club Nitty Gritty / Laugh and Cry
- Mercury 72680 - Back to Memphis / I Do Really Love You
- Mercury 72748 - It Hurts Me Too / Feelin' It
- Mercury 72840 - Louie to Frisco / Ma Dear
- Mercury 72963 - It's Too Dark In There / Good Lookin' Woman
I have to disagree. I know of and have copies of the first four singles. But after collecting Berry records for decades, neither I nor anyone I know has ever seen a regular release of Mercury 72963.
All one can find is a promotional copy of Mercury 72963 having a white promo label and - if you're lucky - having a white sleeve containing a note to reviewers that this is the side [sic] from the Concerto In B. Goode album YOU (the reviewers?) requested.
So yes, there is a 45rpm single containing
It's Too Dark In There / Good Lookin' Woman. And yes, the label says
Mercury 72963. But no, this was never part of Mercury's sales catalogue. And no, this was never released as a regular release other than this promotional copy.
If you disagree, please prove me wrong by sending a scan of a regular commercial label of this record.