CBID - Newly discovered Berry covers - and two non-covers

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

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

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

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

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

GEORGE BENSON (USA)

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

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

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

The subheading is Remembering Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. The LP is available in both black and yellow vinyl. “Nadine” turns out to be the best Berry cover on the album. Of course it’s interesting that a guy like Benson turns to Berry’s and Domino’s music to make an album. Although I would have wished for a more original approach. I have been listening to the album several times and it becomes a little predictable, there’s no surprises. Although I must admit that “How You’ve Changed” was an interesting and good choice which has become more of a ballad thing. Come to think of it, isn’t the song actually a ballad?

WILD BOB BURGOS And His Houserockers (UK)

See Volume 4, page 1779 for biographical info.

It’s My Own Business ( : ) 2018

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

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

SANDY FORD & FLYING SAUCERS (UK)

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

Maybellene ( : ) 2018

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

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

JERRY GARCIA BAND (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1207 for biographical info.

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

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

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

HET COCKTAIL TRIO (Netherlands)

No biographical info.

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

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

JP AND THE RAZORS (UK)

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

It Wasn’t Me (3:50) 2018

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

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

LOS DRACS (Spain)

Beat sextet.

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

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

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

SEAMUS McGARVEY BAND (UK)

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

Roll Over Beethoven (3:10) 2018

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

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

LITTLE HERBIE MAYES & The Twisters (USA)

No biographical info.

Maybellene (1:51) 1962

45: Alley AS-1064 • USA, 1962

Fast rockabilly version with a good bass line.

DUKE ROBILLARD BAND (USA)

See volume 3, page 1460 for biographical info.

Dear Dad (2:13) 2019

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

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

TOMMY ROE (USA)

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

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

LINDA RONSTADT (USA)

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

Back In The USA (2:58) 1980

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

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

ARLEN ROTH (USA)

See volume 3, pages 1481 for biographical info.

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

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

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

LUDWIG SEUSS BAND (Germany)

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

Maybellene ( : ) 2018 (live)

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

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

JIMMY (STAGGER LEE) SMITH (USA)

No biographical info.

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

45: Rexius RR-5051 • USA, 1970s

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

TONY VILAPLANA (Spain)

No biographical info.

Maybellene ( : ) 1964

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

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