CBID - Run Rudolph and more Berry covers

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

Today: 40 more Chuck Berry covers from 27 artists and groups, including several versions of Run Rudolph Run.

Hey listen, you will be amazed of how many covers of Run Rudolph Run there are on YouTube. (Many just for digital downloading.) The latest being by a Norwegian group of 14 young blues musicians called Little Steven’s Blues School 2020 provided by none other than Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen) who has taken a deep interest of blues music in Norway. We’re talking 4 girl vocals, 2 guitars, piano, organ, 2 saxophones, 2 trompets, bass and drums. Recorded at Juke Joint Studio at Notodden, Norway. Produced by Morten Omlid and Jostein Forsberg. And all captured on video by Kristian Sundsvalen. Check it out.
And on 16 December 2020 Foo Fighters performed “Run Rudolph Run” live on Amazon Music Holiday Plays special. You’ll find it on YouTube and as a digital download exclusively through Amazon Music.

BEATLES (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1064 for biographical info.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:10) 1963 (live)

LP: Live At The Liverpool Empire 7th December 1963 [Rhythm & Blues Records R&B-67] • UK, 2020

Except for the irritating screaming and noise from the audience it’s an okay version, the Beatles way. Side B feature live performances from other venues.

BLUEJAYS (UK)

Said to be the UK’s premier vintage rock’n’roll band. Main members are Oliver Seymour (lead vocals-guitar), Matt Wycliffe (keys), Chris Reid (bass-vocals), Dan Graham (drums-vocals).
“Their high-octane performance will shake, rattle and roll your event with hit after hit. The band are available as a four, five or eight piece.” This will give you an idea of what to expect.

Around And Around (2:09) 2018 (live)

CD: On The Air With The Bluejays [Bluejays] • UK, 2018

A collection of 11 live recordings from various BBC Radio sessions to promote the Rock And Roll Revolution album below. However, the Berry number above is not on the album.

Johnny B. Goode (3:00) 2018

CD: Rock And Roll Revolution [Bluejays] • UK, 2019

Featuring 21 studio recordings of their favourite songs from the touring show.

You Never Can Tell (2:44) 2019

LP: The Bluejays To The Rescue [Bluejays] • UK, 2020

Limited edition (500 copies) on 180gm vinyl and deluxe gatefold cover. 15 of the Bluejays recordings for the first time on vinyl. Including 5 previously unreleased tracks like the Berry one.

CHEAP TRICK (USA)

Rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. Consists of vocalist Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen (guitar), Tom Peterson (bass), Bun E. Carlos and later Daxx Nielsen (drums). Their biggest hits were “I Want You To Want Me” in 1979 and “The Flame” in 1988. On the Xmas album below they have a lot of additional musicians participating throughout.

Run Rudolph Run (3:59) 2017

CD: Christmas Christmas [Big Machine Records BMRCT-0275A] • USA, 2017
LP: Christmas Christmas [Big Machine Records BMRCT-0275D] • USA, 2017

Although I like the guitar here the song becomes pretty heavy and annoying.

CLARKSDALE BROS. (Switzerland)

A folk/blues group founded in 2003 in Bern. Rick Steiger (vocals-r.guitar), Jürg Heiniger (lead guitar), Marc Herrmann (doublebass). They may perform as a duo, trio or quartet, acoustic set or electric set. Named after the famous town Clarksdale in Mississippi.

You Never Can Tell [as “Never Can Tell”] (3:04) 2012

CD: Studio Live Adventures [Self-released ] • Switzerland, 2012

Acoustic versions. Unusual.

Wee Wee Hours (5:30) 2015
You Can’t Catch Me (3:40) 2015

CD: From Rags To Riches [Self-released ] • Switzerland, 2015

Acoustic versions. Very authentic.

ERIK & THE DRAGTONES (USA)

Erik Mielzarek is from Washington D.C. and it seems like he’s kept the band for some 30 years. They play neo rockabilly or in that genre.

Let It Rock (2:33) 2020

EP: Rockabilly Child [Bohemian Amigos ] • USA, 2020

7 inch EP on pink vinyl with three tracks. According to the reviewer in Blue Suede News mag, it’s Rockabilly headbanger music. After listening to the album I fully agree.

SARA EVANS (USA)

Country singer/songwriter, born 1971 in Boonville, Missouri. In 1997 she got three chart hits, but hit it big in 1998 with “No Place That Far” #1. She continued with many hits, both Top Ten and #1s up to 2016. She has a great voice and was voted Female Vocalist by ACM in 2006.

Run Rudolph Run (3:25) 2014

CD: At Christmas [RCA 88750 29722] • USA, 2014

Now this is a great rockin’ version. Evans is not considered as a rockin’ country gal. The project is more like a pop/country album and again it’s interesting to notice the choice of material. The Berry cover really differs from the rest of the tracks. His music always seems like a winner when it comes to pick a rockin’ song.

SAMANTHA FISH (USA)

Born in 1989. Singer/songwriter/guitarist originally from Kansas City, Missouri. She’s a pretty versatile musician in genres like rock, blues, country and funk. She has won several awards, especially in the blues field. Her first album “Live Bait” came in 2009 and 9 more have followed.

Run Rudolph Run (4:51) 2019

45: Rounder Records 1166100825 • USA, 2019

Now this is pretty different, slower and with a little jazz/blues effect. It’s okay but loses a bit of the rock’n’roll feeling.
250 copies pressed and available only from SamanthaFish.com. White vinyl with red splatter.

ANDREAS GABALIER (Austria)

Born near Friesach, Austria in 1984. He’s regarded as a folk singer and has received several awards in that category. His first single came in 2008, and he’s released some 11 albums since 2009, seven of them being Platinum.

Run Rudolph Run (2:40) 2020

CD: A Volks-Rock’n’Roll Christmas [Electrola 06024 ‎3520176] • Germany, 2020
CD: A Volks-Rock’n’Roll Christmas [Electrola/Universal 06024 ‎35206318] • Austria, 2020

The Austrian CD is a limited fanbox with 15 songs, including a embroidered tablecloth, printed candle and a wood star.
He usually sings in German, but this Berry cover is in English and rockin’ okay.

JOHNNY HALLYDAY (France)

See Volume 3, page 1227 for biographical info.

Carol [as ‘O Carole’] (5:08) 2016 (live)
Nadine (4:15) 2016 (live)
Promised Land [as ‘La Terre Promise’] (4:40) 2016 (live)

3-CD: Rester Vivant Tour [Warner 0190295 923631] • France, 2016

Live at Palais 12, Brussels, Belgium, 25 March 2016. 41 tracks. There’s also a 2-CD set (minus “Promised Land”) containing 28 tracks. Actually this album came out in several variants, including also DVD.

HOME FREE (USA)

Acappella quintet consisting of Austin Brown, Rob Lundquist, Adam Rupp, Tim Foust, and Adam Chance, originally formed in 2000 in Mankato, Minnesota. They released their first album ”From The Top” in 2007 on their own label, and in 2014 got a record deal with Columbia and the album “Crazy Life”. Altogether they have 12 albums out. They sound really good and leave the listeners amazed with their vocal skills.

Run Rudolph Run (3:00) 2020

CD: Warmest Winter [Home Free Records 3961] • USA, 2020

Here they use a few instruments which was a disappointment to me.

LEVI KREIS (USA)

Singer and a Tony Award winning actor from Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Born 1973. His debut album “One Of The Ones” was released in 2005. He portraited Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s “Million Dollar Quartet“ for which he received a Tony in 2010. He can look back at some 10 albums including his latest being “Bad Habit” in 2020.

Run Rudolph Run (2:38) 2018

CD: Home For The Holidays [Vision 9 Records ] • USA, 2018

A pretty standard rockin’ version.

LA SETTA (Italy)

Very authentic quartet, sounding just like the ‘60s.

Carol ( : ) 1992
Oh Baby Doll ( : ) 1992
Our Little Rendezvous ( : ) 1992

LP: 1965, Ramazzini Street [Dischi Impero/Contempo Records DI-102] • Italy, 1992

They are also covering “Don’t You Lie To Me” but since this is not a Berry song in the first place it’s not counted for.

Around And Around (2:59) 1993

LP: Hey! [Destination X Records DSX-33010] • Italy, 1993

They also do covers of “Route 66” and “Don’t You Lie To Me” (blues version).

You Can’t Catch Me (3:13) 1993

CD: Torture [Contempo Records CD-014] • 1993

LATERAL BLUE (USA)

A Nashville based string quartet, consisting of two guys, Caleb Edwards (mandolin), Kyle Lee (banjo) and two girls, Kori Caswell (bass), Laura Epling (fiddle), and it seems that they all sing.

Run Rudolph Run (3:27) 2019

CD: This Christmas [Green Hill Productions 562142] • USA, 2019

As the cover proclaims, A Progressive Bluegrass Holiday Collection. 15 mostly well known Christmas songs done in a traditional Bluegrass style. Again I find it interesting that they include this Berry classic among the other standard Yuletide songs.

SCOOTER LEE (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1312 for a cover of “You Never Can Tell” from 2005.
And!!! I beg you to excuse me for the very short and unfortunate comment on page 1312.
Line-dance queen (sounds better). She was born in 1957 and raised in the bayou’s of Lousiana, New Orleans that is. She’s been performing since 1971, so she’s been around for a while(!) And despite that her first album came as late as 1994 she has released over 20 albums. Currently, Scooter Lee lives in Atlanta, Georgia where she owns and operates her international distribution company for audio and video. She also runs a charity organization for better health through dancing for elderly people. “Dancing For The Dream, Inc.” is a non-profit charity.

Tulane (3:04) 2013

CD: Welcome To Scooterville [Scooter Lee/Superline Inc. ] • USA, 2013

Quite a good version.

EDDY MITCHELL (France)

See Volume 3, page 1367 for biographical info.

Medley: Almost Grown [C’est La Vie Mon Chéri] / No Particular Place To Go [Á Credit et en Stéreó] / I’m A Rocker [as “C’est Un Rocker”] (6:30) 2016 (live)

2-CD: Big Band - Palais des Sport 2016 [Polydor 572 315-5] • France, 2016

Recorded 2 December 2016.

I’m A Rocker [as “C’est Un Rocker”] (3:57) 2017 w/ Johnny Hallyday

CD: La Memé Tribu Vol. 1 [Universal 5788976] • France, 2017
LP: La Memé Tribu Vol. 1 [Universal 5788977] • France, 2017

No Particular Place To Go [Á Credit et en Stéreó] (2:48) 2018
Almost Grown [C’est La Vie Mon Chéri] (3:19) 2018

CD: La Memé Tribu Vol. 2 [Universal 7450542] • France, 2018
LP: La Memé Tribu Vol. 2 [Universal 7450573] • France, 2018

LEO MORACCHIOLI (Norway)

A singer and multinstrumentalist based in Oftedal. Born 1978 (Italian father). He is known for his metal covers of famous songs which have gained him over 4 million followers (!) on YouTube as Frogleapstudios. Besides arranging all the songs and playing all instruments (mostly) he also creates videos. The story goes that he has recorded over 400 covers. He also has a band called Frog Leap who did a European tour in the Spring of 2019 which resulted in an album, “Frog Leap Live In Europe”.

Johnny B. Goode (3:52) 2017

Mp3: Leo Metal Covers / Volume 13 [Frog Leap Studio] • Norway, 2017

This should not be here but thinking of how many albums he’s done I think he deserves it.

Run Rudolph Run (Metal Version) (4:03) 2019

Single mp3 [Frog Leap Studio] • Norway, 2019
Mp3: Leo Metal Covers / Volume 22 [Frog Leap Studio] • Norway, 2019

I know this should not be here either, however, I do fancy this version with great guitar work. They call it metal but to me it sounds more like rockin’ punk.

EMILY OSMENT (USA)

Actress, singer, songwriter Emily Jordan Osment was born in 1992. She has starred in numerous TV series and movies.
Nominated for several performances and has won a few. She has released two EPs (2009) and (2019) as Bluebird and one album called “Fight Or Flight” 2010. Plus some nine singles.

Run Rudolph Run (2:14) 2008

CD single: The Bicycle Music Company • USA, 1 January 2009

Recorded late 2008. There are various performances on YouTube where she sings this Berry cover.

KAT PERKINS (USA)

Kathy Joan Perkins, singer, songwriter from Scranton, North Dakota, born 1980. So far she’s released one full album “Kat Perkins” (2015) and four EPs and a few singles. She was also a part of the Voice 6th season in 2014 and reached the semifinale.

Run Rudolph Run (2:55) 2018

CD: A Kat Perkins Christmas III [Kat Perkins Music Inc. ] • USA, 2018

A rockin’ version with a horn section.
It’s interesting to notice that more and more female artists are covering this Berry classic.

ROCKPILE (UK)

See volume 3, page 1471 for biographical info.

Let It Rock / Let’s Talk About Us (6:58) 1980 (live)
Promised Land (3:40) 1980 (live)

CD: Live At Rockpalast [Repertoire REP-5325] • Germany, 2013

Previously unissued. 1 DVD and CD, same tracks. Recorded at Markthalle, Hamburg, West-Germany, 12 January 1980.
Featuring Dave Edmunds (vocals, lead guitar), Billy Bremner (guitar, vocals), Nick Lowe (bass, vocals), Terry Williams (drums).

S-CAPE (Germany)

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Sina Emmerich (born 1969) from Kloster Lehnin (near Berlin). After many years as a guitar player in various rock bands she decided to go solo in 2010 and released her first album “Imagination”. Rock & roll legends like Chuck Berry influenced her style of playing. She also uses the standard rock & roll set up, guitar, bass and drums.

Johnny B. Goode [In a Rock & Roll Medley] (4:58) 2020

CD: Raceday [RecordJet 1002 189REJ] • Germany, 2020

The medley consists of Let’s Have A Party - Blue Suede Shoes - Johnny B. Goode.

WILLIAM SHATNER (Canada)

Born in 1931. Singer and actor. He’s probably best known as Captain James T. Kirk of The USS Starship Enterprise from the science fiction TV series Star Trek and also the TV police series T. J. Hooker in the ‘80s and many others. He’s had several albums out and as late as 2020 he released one titled “The Blues” featuring a.o. Brad Paisley and Sonny Landreth.

Run Rudolph Run (3:13) 2018

CD: Shatner Claus - The Christmas Album [Cleopatra Records CLO-0959] • USA, 2018

It’s also been released as a limited LP variant (same cat.no.) in four different colours, red, green, white and splatter vinyl.
The rockin’ cover is a cross between talking and singing but he’s doing a good job of it. He was around 87 years old when he recorded this. Remarkable. And by the way, I had no idea he had recorded so many albums!

SHOWADDYWADDY (UK)

See volume 3, page 1504 for biographical info.

Bye Bye Johnny (1:05) [in medley with “Move It” (3:14)] 2002

CD: Hey Rock’n’Roll [Ovation Recordings CLAP-001] • UK, 2002

Tulane (2:35) 2006

CD: I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll [Demon Music Group DMGTV-030] • UK, 2006

SARAH SMITH (Canada)

Singer, songwriter born 1978 in Guelph, Ontario and now lives in London, Ontario. She’s a very popular rock artist who was the lead singer of the rock band The Joys but started her solo career in 2012 with the album “Stronger Now”. She’s won several awards in her homeland and play some 300 gigs a year. So far she’s released six albums, including her newest titled “Unveiling” (2019).

Run Rudolph Run (2:38) 2018

CD: A Christmas Wish [Sarah Smith Music ] • USA, 2018

This is a pretty goode hard rockin’ version and I must say doesn’t reflect the image of the CD cover. Most of the songs have a rockin’ beat to them although you get a few slower and kinder approaches.

GEORGE THOROGOOD (USA)

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

No Particular Place To Go (4:36) 1982 (live)
Reelin’ And Rockin’ (8:16) 1982 (live)

4-LP: Live In Boston, 1982–The Complete Concert [Craft (Rounder) CR00282] • USA, 2020
2-CD: Live In Boston, 1982–The Complete Concert [Craft (Rounder) CR00340] • USA, 2020

Previously unissued. Part of this concert was first out in 2010 on a single Rounder Records CD including “It Wasn’t Me” (see page 1559). So there are actually three Berry covers in the whole set, plus the Berry soundalike “House Of Blue Lights”.
This new edition is remastered and adds 12 previously unreleased tracks.