CBID - Never ending additions to the list of Chuck Berry cover versions

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: New Chuck Berry cover versions from well-known and little-known artists and groups including an astonishing number of Maybellenes.

A friend of mine called the other day and said he had a Berry cover that was not in Vol.3: Red Jenkins And The Midnight Cowboys (Sweden). It contained a version of “Promised Land” (2:14), and the album on Shannon Records SMLP-5013 was released in 1983 but recorded in 1971. It took me a while to figure this out as I was sure I had Red Jenkins somewhere. And I did find out. If you look at page 1363 you’ll find Midnight Cowboys which was the original band name when the album was released back in 1971.

CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS (USA)

Blues/R&B/soul quintet, formed in 2007. Fronted by guitarist, trumpeter and vocalist Lech Wierzynski (born in Warsaw, Poland).
Johnny Bones (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Lorenzo Loera (keyboards, melodic), Beau Bradbury (bass, percussion), Ben Malament (drums, washboard, percussion).

You Never Can Tell (4:38) 2021

CD: Covers From The Cave [Tubtone Records ] • USA, March 2021

ALEX CHILTON (USA)

Born 1950 in Memphis. He was a founding member and lead singer of the Box Tops (“The Letter” 1967). Chilton later formed the power-pop band Big Star. By the time the album below was done he was living in New Orleans. He died in 2010 of heart failure.

Maybellene ( : ) 1999 (live)

CD: Boogie Shoes - Live On Beale Street [Omnivore Records OVCD-420 ] • USA, 2021
LP: Boogie Shoes - Live On Beale Street [Omnivore Records OVLP-420 ] • USA, 2021

Previously unissued recording from 1999 at the New Daisy Theater in Memphis. Backed by the High Rhythm Section. The LP was limited to just 100 copies.

DOWNLINERS SECT (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1167 for biographical info.

Rock And Roll Music (2:07) 1964

EP 45: Brite-Lights Big City [Contrast Sound Prod. RBCSP-002] • UK, 2011

Called the lost EP. Due to various circumstances this was not released back in ’64. It was supposed to be a follow up to the “R&B At Nite In Gt. Newport” EP.

Little Queenie (3:12) 1998

CD: Dangerous Ground [Birch MB-23897] • UK, 1998

Don Craine (vocals-rhythm guitars) and Keith Grant (vocals-bass) are supported by Paul Martin on harp / sax and Alan Brooks on drums plus some additional musicians. Grant sings on “Little Queenie”.

DRONGOS (New Zealand)

According to what I have found on the net, they were a quartet from New Zealand who primarily performed in the streets of New York City from 1979-1986. They actually moved to New York in 1978. Jean McAllister (vocals-guitar), Richard Kennedy (vocals-guitar), Tony McMaster (bass), Stanley John Mitchell (drums).

Too Much Monkey Business [as “Monkey Business”] (2:53) 1984 (live)

LP: Small Miracles [Proteus Records PROT-002] • USA, 1985
MC: Small Miracles [Proteus Records M5PROTE-2] • New Zealand, 1985

It was recorded live on the streets of Manhattan, 5 September 1984. Now this is a very goode rockin’ version, rhythm, vocals and guitars.

BILLY FURY (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1205 for biographical info.

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:23) 1969 (live)

CD: Three Saturdays With Billy [Top Sounds TSSCD-009] • UK, 2021
10” LP: Three Saturdays With Billy [Top Sounds TSLP-009] • UK, 2021

Recorded live for BBC Radio 1, broadcast on Saturday Club, 18 January ’69. Previously unissued.

FOGHAT (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1197 for biographical info.

Maybellene ( : ) 2019 (live)

2-CD+DVD: 8 Days On The Road [Foghat Records (Select-O-Hits) ] • USA, 2021

A 50th anniversary celebration concert album (14 tracks) recorded live 17 November 2019 at the Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, New York. The club is owned by Daryl Hall. It features the current line-up led by founding drummer Roger Earl, plus Charlie Huhn (guitar and vocals), Bryan Bassett (guitar) and Rodney O’Quinn (bass).

LES COCHRAN’S (France)

Beat quintet.

Carol (2:18) 1966
Memphis, Tennessee (2:38) 1966

EP: Les Cochran’s [Zaphyr 6002] • France, 2000

Songs copied from an acetate, recorded in 1966. Two Berry songs, one from the Kinks, and one original. On the front cover they are four (quartet) and on the back they are on stage as 5 (quintet). It’s a strange thing that a band name themselves after a certain artist and no songs from that artist appears. It’s about the same with The Rockin’ Berries from the UK. They never recorded any Berry songs, not even a soundalike!

LOVESICK DUO (Italy)

Paolo Roberto Pianezza plays various string instruments and Francesca Alinovi plays upright bass. After six years they have released 4 albums and several singles. They are rooted in the American style of the ‘40s and ‘50s country, rock & roll and western swing. He’s a very good player and she can really slap that bass.

Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] ( : ) 2017

CD: The New Orleans Session [Lovesick Duo ] • Italy, 2017

Featuring special guest: Chloe Feoranzo

Back In The USA (2:49) 2015
No Particular Place To Go (2:51) 2015

CD: Lovesick Duo [Pianezza LOV-01] • Italy, 2015

It’s kinda amazing that two people can make so much goode sound.

MIRACULOUS MULE (UK)

Rock quartet consisting of Alex Louise Petty, Ian Burns, Michael J. Sheehy, Patrick McCarthy. The album below was their debut. They have released three more since then.

Down Bound Train (5:07) 2011

10” EP: Miraculous Mule [Stag-O-Lee STAG-O 022] • UK, 2011

6 track EP recorded in London.

JAYNIE NORTON And Her Dominators (UK)

A south London rocker who had a 45 vinyl out in 2019. On this debut album she gathered some old rockers from bands like Wild Angels, Matchbox and Rockhouse including Wild Bob Burgos (drums), Dick Callan (guitar), Dave Thorncroft (sax), Ian Sab (piano) and Bob Plumb (upright bass).

Maybellene (2:25) 2021

CD: Rev’d Up & Rockin’ [TCY Records TCY-035] • Switzerland, 2021

But guys, “Maybellene” should only be credited to Berry, not the addition of Alan Freed and Russ Fratto. That’s ancient history.

ROLLING STONES (UK)

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

There’s a new 6-CD set out on Laser Media, “The Broadcast Archives – Rolling Stones Box” LM-5608 (UK), containing 89 various live recordings with the band, from radio broadcasts, 1965-1988. A lot of Berry covers here (14 to be exact) and several soundalikes but there’s no info on the set, and I will not use time and effort to try and find out what’s new or previously released and where, what or when. The sound is also a bit irritating bad on some cuts. So why bother. Just for die-hard Rolling Stones fans, and me because I bought a copy (!)

RULLATOR BOOGIE BAND (Norway)

Blues/Rhythm & Blues sextet from Drøbak. They usually perform cover versions but also include original songs. On the 12 track CD below they have two originals.

Carol (3:19) 2019 (live)

CD: Live Fra Rommen Scene [Rullator Boogie Band, no cat.#] • Norway, 2020

Recorded live 30 October 2019 at Rommen Scene, Groruddalen, Oslo, Norway. A good rockin’ version.

TOMMY STEELE (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1532 for biographical info. However, on 10 October 2020 he was knighted so he’s now Sir Tommy Steele. It was about time.

Maybellene (3:02) 1959 (live) (previously unissued)

3-CD: Hits And Rarities [Acrobat Music ACTRCD-9108] • UK, May 2021

BBC Radio “The Tommy Steele Show” broadcast 14 November 1959. Don’t know what to say except it was a big disappointment. Apart from making up his own lyrics and shouting, he’s just singing the refrain a few times while the orchestra is blowing away! The CD set itself is interesting containing a lot of rare and unissued stuff.

KENT WENNMAN ROCKABILLY QUARTET (Sweden)

Kent Wennman (vocals-guitar), Ulf Holmberg (lead guitar), Stefan Persson (bass), Per-Åke Persson (drums), plus add Nicke Widén (steel guitar).

Maybellene (2:01) 2019

CD: Guitar Man & Other Great Rockabilly Tracks Associated With The King Vol. 2 [Kattguld CD 024] • Sweden, 2019

6 tracks. Not quite sure if I should laugh or cry? Do they really mean that “Maybellene” is associated with Elvis? They do a very decent cover though.

CD: Good Rocking Tonight And Other Louisiana Hayride Live Performances Associated With The King [Kattguld CD 025] • Sweden, 2021

9 tracks. All the tracks are songs that Elvis performed on the Louisiana Hayride one time or another. Some he did record and others he didn’t. I mean, hey, “Tweedle Dee” = Elvis? Give me a break, and the Lavern Baker classic is performed country. The guys are pretty good musicians and have the rockabilly feeling for sure. But the album titles are pretty irritating.

JERRY WILLIAMS (Sweden)

See Volume 3, page 1607 for biographical info. Except that the man died in March 2018. He was 75.

Down Bound Train (2:58) 2006
Too Much Monkey Business (2:44) 2006

CD: Waterfront Studio Sessions [Universal Music AB 050257757369] • Sweden, 2019
LP: Waterfront Studio Sessions [Universal Music AB 050257757138] • Sweden, 2019

“Down Bound Train” is actually very good, but “…Monkey Business” is a cover of the Elvis version and that was a disappointment.

Down Bound Train (3:35) 2015

CD: Ghost Rider [Universal Music AB 060254730493] • Sweden, 2015
LP: Ghost Rider [Universal Music AB 060254731847] • Sweden, 2015

Now this is strange in two ways, first too much music/noise and second the whole album is so far from what I have ever heard from Mr. Williams. The whole concept of the album is quite dark which reflects the music and arrangements.

Almost Grown (2:47) 2016 (live)
You Never Can Tell (3:43) 2016 (live)

2-CD set: Man Måste Få Lira [Universal Music AB 060255717019] • Sweden, 2017

It was recorded live at the Scalateatern, Stockholm 29 April 2016. A typical Jerry show! He has a great band, great singers, and he gives it all during almost 2 hours. He also has a habit of talking between some songs and when Jerry starts talking nothing can stop(?) him. He also had something to say about “Chucken” (as he called him) before “Almost Grown”...