CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - final part 10

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: The more you browse the Internet, the more cover versions you find. Here's another list of artists and band playing Chuck Berry's music. This is the final chapter on my search for unknown cover versions using discogs - so far ...

BLIXTERZ (Sweden)

Rock and roll quintet (2012) that became a quartet (2014).

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2014

CD: Steel Mill Elvis [Blixterz BXZ-001] ● Sweden, 2014

Self-released.

Back To Memphis ( : ) 2020

LP/CD: We’re Gonna Rock Tonight [Blixterz BLX-001] ● Sweden, 2020

Self-released album, limited edition of 250 handnumbered copies.

DIRTY HARRY And THE MAGNUM HORNS (Netherlands)

Rock band.

Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1999 (live)

CD: One For The Road – Live [Tapeless 171196] ● Netherlands, 1999

DRONGOS (New Zealand)

Already on this blog.

Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 1980 (live)

Various LP: Stars Of The Streets Encore [Cachalot Records CA-125] ● USA, 1981

It was recorded live in Bryant Park, N.Y.C. on 30 September 1980.

JASPER (UK)

Rock quintet.

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1974

LP: Front To Back [SRT Custom Pressing SRT-73327] ● UK, 1974

LES SULTANS (Canada)

Rock/beat quintet.

Carol ( : ) 1967 (live)

LP: En Personne Les Sultans À Starovan (Leur Spectacle S’Adieu) [DSP LP-16028] ● Canada, 1967

PEPA PILAŘ (Czechoslovakia)

See Volume 3, page 1418 for biographical info.
However, I knew very little about this release back in 2012-2013. So here’s a little addition (year and record info) and correction (Johnny B. instead of Memphis).

Johnny B. Goode (2:18) 1996
Roll Over Beethoven (2:27) 1996
Sweet Little Rock And Roller (2:32) 1996

CD: King Of Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Band [Polygram 533 375-2] ● Czechoslovakia, 1996

25 tracks. He also does “Route 66” and “Down The Road A Piece”, both in a Berry way I would reckon.

PINK LADY (Japan)

Disco pop duo consisting of Mitsuyo (Mie) and Keiko Kuwaki (Kei). One of the biggest disco acts in Japan from the late ‘70s. Despite disbanding in 1981, they have reunited several times.

Rock And Roll Music ( : ) 1977

LP: Bye-Bye Carnival [Victor SJX-20047] ● Japan, 1978

Recorded live at Budokan in Tokyo, 27 December 1977.

MARY KAY PLACE (USA)

American actress and singer, songwriter, born 1947 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Not so many albums but she’s recorded with Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson. That’s at least something!

Almost Grown (2:17) 1979

CD: Almost Grown [Wounded Bird Records WOU 3751] ● USA, 2011

This album was previously unissued. By the time CBS decided not to release the album, Mary Kay had pretty much had it with the music industry and chose to get back into screenwriting. Interesting to hear a female version of this male oriented song, following Berry’s arrangement. As far as I can tell she was the first woman. Fairchild (Connie) did a version in 2004 on the St. Louis Berry Tribute album, “Brown Eyed Handsome Man: St. Louis Salutes The Father Of Rock & Roll” Undertow UTCD-625 (2004).

PLATINUM PLAYERS (USA)

??? Nuff said.

Back In The USA ( : ) 1979

LP: Pure Platinum Vol. II [Pickwick SPC-3671] ● USA, 1979

According to discogs there are three albums by this “group”, Pure Platinum Vol.I – II – III. Much covers, and therefore we can assume that the Berry cover above sounds like the version from Linda Ronstadt which was a hit for her by the end of ’78.

PLEASERS (New Zealand)

Beat quartet formed in 1964 and disbanded in 1966. Roger Skinner (guitar, vocals), Bryan Layton (guitar, vocals), Kevan Walsh (bass, vocals), Max Thomson (drums).

Memphis, Tennessee (2:26) 1965

LP: Let’s Go [Red Rooster RLP-2] ● New Zealand, 1965

Let’s Go With The Pleasers and Peter Sinclair. Now, Sinclair (1938-2001) was an Australian-born television personality and radio host. On the front cover he’s pictured with the group in a TV-studio. The version is a standard mid ‘60s interpretation of this Berry classic, done in the Johnny Rivers mould, as so many others.

Beautiful Delilah ( : ) 1965

EP: The Pleasers Again [Red Rooster RPE-5] ● New Zealand, 1965

PROLETARYAT (Poland)

Heavy metal band. Sorry guys I think it’s great that you play Chuck Berry but it becomes a little too much for me.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1993 (live)
Nadine ( : ) 1993 (live)

CD: Live ’93 [Tres TC-001] ● Poland, 1994

Recorded during “Czarne Szeregi” Tour ’93.

PREACHERS (UK))

Featuring Steve Carroll, Peter Frampton, Roger Chapman, Terry Clark among others. The original group had one single out in 1965 on Columbia DB-7680, “Hole In My Soul/Too Old In The Head”, produced by Bill Wyman.

Back In The USA ( : ) 1964 (live)
I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ ‘Bout You”] ( : ) 1964 (live)
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1964 (live)
Reelin’ And Rockin’ ( : ) 1964 (live)
Sweet Little Rock And Roller ( : ) 1964 (live)?

LP: Nod-Shake & Stomp With The Preachers [Tenth Planet TP-053] ● UK, 2001

There are two previously unreleased demos from 1964, and 14 live tracks from the same year. “Don’t You Lie To Me” (performed twice) is also included and credited to Berry, which is wrong, of course (Tampa Red 1940). Only relased on vinyl, 1000 numbered copies. Liner-notes by Bill Wyman.

PRESENT HISTORY (Australia)

Darlene Zschech, singer-songwriter, born 1965 in Brisbane, Queensland. Peter Beveridge, singer, songwriter, keyboardist, producer. It’s Darlene who’s singing lead on the Berry track. Both artists have released solo albums.

Roll Over Beethoven (3:28) 1990

CD: Present History [Nightlight Records  NRCD-100-2] ● Australia, 1990

Roll Over Beethoven (5:28) 1990 Extended mix

CD single: Roll Over Beethoven [Overseas Records TEDP-8] ● Japan, 1990

Two versions, original and extended mix. Only released as single CD in Japan.

CD: Roll Over Beethoven [Overseas Records TECP-28368] ● Japan, 1990

The extended mix is a hidden track on this Japanese CD.

PROTEST (USA)

A Christian heavy rock quartet from Indianapolis, formed in 2016. Brothers Josh and Jacob Bramlett, T. J. Colwell and Adam Sadler. Rockfest is a Christian rock/metal label.

Run Rudolph Run (3:14) 2022

Various CD: A Merry Rockfest Christmas [Rockfest Records 84597 9] ● USA, 2022

A heavy punk rock version. Ten tracks by various heavy rock groups.

RHYTHMEN (Australia)

R&B quintet.

You Can’t Catch Me (3:23) 1965

Various CD: Big Beat Cellar Scene [Nickoff Records NCD-003] ● Australia, 2009

The Lost Sounds Of Adelaide 1965-70. Containing various oz bands playing “famous” songs from the ‘60s recorded at various studios. The above was recorded in 1965 at Gamba Studios, Adelaide. Typical ‘60s sound with uninspiring vocals.

ROCKAROUNDS (Sweden)

Rock’n’roll quartet. Jan Oldaeus (vocals, guitar), Micke Finell (vocals, saxophone), Tommy Cassemar (bass), Ingemar Bunker (drums). Veterans in the Swedish rock’n’roll/country envirement. Finell was one of the founding members of The Refreshments which are well documented in Vol.3 with numerous cover versions. On the album below they have a special guest: Hans Engström (keyboards). They also have help from Geraint Watkins (piano, accordion) on two tracks and Joakim Arnell [again Refreshments] (vocals, guitar) on one track. Plus Mat Davies (backing vocals) on one track. They have also backed Linda Gail Lewis, Dave Edmunds and Sven Zetterberg.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man ( : ) 2016

CD: The Rockarounds [Ball And Chain Records BACCD-2016004] ● Sweden, 2016

VIC RUGGIERO & KEPI GHOULIE (USA)

Bluesy music. Victor J. Ruggiero, guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer from New York City in the ska and punk genre.
Jeffrey Willson Alexander versatile musician born in Saint Germain, Wisconsin. He lived many years in Sacramento but is now located in Stonehouse, UK.

It Wasn’t Me ( : ) 2021

LP/CD: After The Flood…The Moldy Basement Tapes [Eccentric Pop Records EP-72] ● USA, 2021
LP/CD: After The Flood…The Moldy Basement Tapes [Stardumb Rec. SDR-95] ● Netherlands, 2021

The LP comes in blue vinyl, 700 copies. And trusting the info the CD came in only 300 copies.

MARK T. SMALL (USA)

Acoustic guitar blues performer.

Maybellene (4:23) 2008 (live)

CD: Screamin’ & Cryin’ The Blues [Whaling City Sound WCS-043] ● USA, 2008

Seven tracks (including “Maybellene”) recorded live 7 March 2008 at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, Massachusetts, as the opening act for James Cotton. Fifteen tracks on the CD which means the rest are studio recordings.

SMART PILLS (USA)

Punk rock band. Git Smart aka Will Ivy (guitar, vocals), Vince Conrad (bass, vocals), Billy Ray (drums)

Around And Around (2:22) 1979 (live)
Bye Bye Johnny (1:46) 1979 (live)

2-CD: Live In Kansas 1979 [Vince Conrads Productions 022015 ] ● USA, 2015

Self-released album of mostly previously unissued material. It has actually a 16 page booklet. Both songs played at rapid speed. “Around And Around” recorded 30 March ‘79 at Off The Wall Hall in Lawrence. “Bye Bye Johnny” recorded in 1979 at Disconnection in Topeka.

ARTO SOTAVALTA & HÄKÄPÖNTTÖ (Finland)

See page 1522. At the time I had no info regarding this release. But now things are different thanks to internet flowing all over the place with all you need to know (well almost).
Arto Arvo Juhani Sotavalta, born 1950 in Helsinki, died in 1990. He was a teen idol in the late ‘60s with success until the early ‘80s when he quit the business. He had his first single out in 1968 and his first album came in 1970.

Rock And Roll Music (2:20) 1975 (live)

LP: Täyttä Häkää [Scandia SLP-618] ● Finland, 1975

Recorded live in March 1975. Standard rock version.

ALAIN SOUCHON (France)

Alain Édouard Kienast, born 1944 in Casablanca, Morocco. Singer, author, composer active since the early ‘70s. His first album came in 1974.

Memphis, Tennessee (1:58) 2011

CD: À Cause D’Elles [Virgin 509996 799532 5] ● France, 2011

Recording this classic in 2011 running for just under two minutes seems like a waste of time, if you ask me. But I haven’t heard it, so?

SPATS (USA)

A seven piece beat/rock band from California. Released one LP and several singles, 1964-1967.

Nadine ( : ) 1965

LP: Cookin’ With The Spats [ABC-Paramount ABCS-502] ● USA, 1965

The song is credited to A. Freed on the album. If you look at page 1753 you’ll find this song mentioned as a NO Chuck.
However, according to discogs the song is actually the Berry one. By the way, the song written by Alan Freed with the same title was recorded in 1953 by The Coronets (page 1747).

HARRY DEAN STANTON with The Cheap Dates (USA)

American actor, born 1926 in West Irvine, Kentucky and died 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
The album OV-414 is featuring Harry Dean Stanton (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Jamie James (guitar, vocals), Jeff Baxter (pedal steel guitar), Tony Sales (bass, vocals), Slim Jim Phantom (drums).

Promised Land (3:53) 1993
You Never Can Tell [as “Never Can Tell”] (3:39) 1993 (live)

LP & CD: October 1993 [Omnivore Recordings OVLP(CD)-414] ● USA, 2021

The live track recorded at The Troubadour, West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Promised Land (4:33) 2013

LP & CD: Partly Fiction [Omnivore Recordings OVLP(CD)-89] ● USA, 2014

Here Stanton gets the help from Jamie James (guitar) and Don Was (bass). Recorded acoustic in Harry Dean’s living room. This was the soundtrack to the acclaimed movie Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction from 2012.

WENDELL “DUANE” STEWART And The Sunglows (Bahamas)

Calypso, reggae singer and guitarist, born 1944, died 1987. He’s had a few albums and singles out. The first LP came in 1969 as Wendel Stewart And The Downbeaters. However, the Berry cover below might be his first release overall.

Johnny B. Goode (3:04) 1964

45: Carib 1026 ● Bahamas, 1964

Not so much reggae here, more mid-tempo rock oriented.

STOP (Yugoslavia)

See page 1537 where the three songs were mentioned but with no info. So here it is:
Classic rock trio formed in 1978. Sarapa Nikola (guitar), Mostečan Mladen (vocals, bass) and Fadiga Srećko (drums).

Johnny B. Goode (2:00) 1982
Memphis, Tennessee (2:59) 1982
Roll Over Beethoven (3:00) 1982

LP: Play Rock And Roll [CBS 25383] ● Yugoslavia, 1983
CD: Play Rock And Roll [Suzy/Hit Records CD-711710] ● Croatia, 2012

Recorded in May 1982 at Jugoton Studio, Zagreb.

HUGO STRASSER (West Germany)

See Volume 3, page 1538 for biographical info. However, the entry on this page was for the 1980 reissue album. (Strasser died in 2016, he was 93.) The original album was as follows:

Memphis, Tennessee (2:08) 1965 (live)

LP: Die Tanzplatte Des Jahres [Electrola EMI SME-74 055] ● West Germany, 1965

ANGELA STREHLI (USA)

Born in Austin, Texas in 1945, now living in Marin County, California. White blues singer and songwriter. She’s been playing a lot at Antone’s in Austin, a place she helped to run with Clifford Antone. Her first album “Soul Shake” (as Angela Strehli Band) came in 1987 on the Antone’s Record label. However, she had already in 1984 been singing on a couple of singles by guitarist Denny Freeman and also released a three track EP in 1986. The album below is her first in 17 years.

You Never Can Tell (2:54) 2022

CD: Ace Of The Blues [Antone’s/New West Records ANT-2513] ● USA, 2022
LP: Ace Of The Blues [Antone’s/New West Records ANT-3509] ● USA, 2022

Pretty good straight forward version with a horn section, piano solo and all but the song differs a lot from the others on the album. Again it goes to show when it comes to Berry’s music, you never can tell (!) Recorded at Laughing Tiger Studios, San Rafael, California.

SUICIDE COMMANDOS (USA)

Punk rock trio from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1974. Members: Chris Osgood (guitar), Steve Almaas (bass), Dave Ahl (drums).

Carol [as “O Carole”] in a medley ( : ) 1978 (live)

LP: The Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert [Twin/Tone Records TTR-7906] ● USA, 1979
CD: The Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert [Garage D’or 005] ● USA, 2000 (ext. reissue)

Back In The USA ( : ) 1978 (live)

CD: The Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert [Garage D’or 005] ● USA, 2000 (ext. reissue)

Recorded live at Jay’s Longhorn Bar, Minneapolis, 24 November 1978 (their final show). The original album from 1979 had 19 tracks (limited edition 1000 copies) and didn’t feature “Back In The USA”. The extended reissue above have 32 tracks and was also a limited edition of a 1000 numbered CDs.

SUICIDE KINGS (USA)

Punk rock'n'roll group from the Los Angeles area, California, active from 1984 to 1990.

Let It Rock ( : ) 1987

LP/CD: Teenage Disaster [Sympathy For The Record Industry SFTRI-437] ● USA, 1996

Previously unissued demo.

SYMPTOMS (USA)

Blues-countryrock quintet from Springfield, Missouri. D. Clinton Thompson, Jim Wunderle, Lou Whitney, Maralie Whitney, “Rongo” Gremp. The group evolved into The Morells, The Skeletons and has also played with Bo Diddley, Dave Alvin and Jonathan Richman. Interesting that all these people are featured in the Berry Covers Songbook!

No Money Down (4:20) 1978 (live)
Too Much Monkey Business (2:51) 1978 (live)

CD: Always Heed The Symptoms – Live in ’78 [Almeron Records 1003] ● USA, 2008

Recorded live in 1978 at Mississippi Nights, St. Louis, Missouri

SYNKOPY 61 (Czech Republic)

Rock group from Brno. Formed way back in 1960 by Petr Smӗja which evolved into Synkopy in 1981, and by 2017 they were still performing.

Roll Over Beethoven (3:52) 2011 (live)

CD: Live [FT Records FT0149-2] ● Czech Republic, 2021

Pretty ordinary rock version without any highlights.

ALAN TAYLOR (UK)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, born 1945 in Brighton. Has released many albums since 1971.

Nadine (5:00) 2000

2-CD: Collector’s Set: Colour To The Moon/Behind The Mix [Stockfisch Records SFR-333.9001.2-1/2] ● Germany, 2000
CD: Behind The Mix [Stockfisch Records SFR 357.9001.2] ● Germany, 2017

According to Taylor himself the album “Behind The Mix” began as a bonus CD to accompany the “Colour To The Moon” special wooden box set edition. By popular demand the bonus CD was finally reissued in 2017. Very good acoustic version recorded live in the studio, where he even addresses Chuck Berry in the opening riffs. Featuring Chris Jones on twelve string guitar and Grischka Zepf on bass.

TEXAS CHAINSAW BAND (USA)

Back In The USA (4:43) early 1980s (live)

Various LP: Town House “Live” [Rail records Rail-103] ● USA, 1984

Live recording from the Town House Club in Emeryville, Northern California (East Bay).

GEORGE THOROGOOD (USA)

See volume 3, page 1558-1561 for biographical info and a lot of other Berry covers.

Sweet Little Rock And Roller ( 3:43) 2011

2-LP: 2120 South Michigan Ave. [Capitol 50999029338-18] ● USA, 2011

Sorry, but this slipt my mind when the album came out. Nobody told me the LPset had a bonus track, namely the Berry one above. AND we can now add even another Berry cover to the Thorogood Sings Chuck Berry series. 16 songs altogether. You can find live clips of him on You Tube doing this song both in 2011 and 2012.

BILLY THORPE & THE AZTECS (Australia)

Rock/beat quintet. Many changes throughout the first years but Billy Thorpe was the sole leader. They developed into the ‘70s as a popular hard rock band, however, in 1975 it was all over. Though Thorpe continued as a solo act and released several records. He moved to the USA in 1976 but returned in the mid ‘90s.

I’m Talking About You (2:24) 1965

LP: Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs [Parlophone PMCO-7525] ● Australia, 1965
LP: 20 Greatest Hits ’64 – ‘75 [Axis AX.701374] ● Australia, 1988

ROGER THWAITES (Australia)

Country singer, songwriter. His first album, “North By North West”, came in 1970.

Memphis, Tennessee (2:16) 1981

LP: Bound For Glory [Aussi-Tal AT-01] ● Australia, 1981

TIN MEN (USA)

They call themselves Americas premier sousaphone, washboard and guitar trio, from New Orleans. Formed in 2002.
Washboard Chaz (vocals, percussions), Alex McMurray (vocals, guitar), Matt Perrine (sousaphone).

Maybellene (2:39) 2013

CD: Avocado Woo Woo [Threadhead Records 93381] ● USA, 2013

Interesting to hear this rocker performed this way. It goes to show that you don’t need many people to make it swing. Check it out on You Tube.

LESLIE TOM (USA)

Pure country singer/songwriter, born and bred in the heart of Texas, now based in Denver, Colorado. She grew up listening to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Bob Wills.

You Never Can Tell (C'est La Vie) (3:21) 2012

CD EP: The Second Act [3L&D Productions 64602 8 ] ● USA, 2012

6 tracks. Pretty ordinary straight forward country version, but she sings good and you get the lyrics crystal clear.

GREG TOPPER (USA)

Singer, producer, pianist. I’ve seen a clip of him on You Tube and he sounds like Jerry Lee.

Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1978

LP: Breaking Out [Mad Dog Records MDR-001] ● USA, 1978

TRIP DADDYS (USA)

See volume 3, page 1574 for biographical info, plus there are already two entries on this blog.

Carol (3:35) 2007

CD: Too Much, Too Fast [Trip Daddys] ● USA, 2007

TRUST (Switzerland)

Ruedi Lehmann (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Larry Schmuki (vocals, lead guitar), Bruno Hõltschi (bass), and Speedy Bösch (drums). They also released an album in 1994 titled “Rhythm ‘N’ Blues”. No Berry though.

Carol ( : ) 1991

CD: Trust [Trust Music 29390-602-OGA] ● Switzerland, 1991

Of the eleven tracks there are 2 covers, the Berry one and “Dust My Blues” by Elmore James. The rest were written by Lehmann/Schmuki.
On page 1575 (Vol.3) there is a French heavy rock band called the same, but there is no connection.

TÛZKERÉK (Hungary)

Rock band founded in 1970 by guitarist Radics Béla. But cultural problems were ahead and they disbanded in 1971. Radics revived the band around 1975. He had other projects in the years to come with different line-ups. He died in 1982.

Johnny B. Goode (4:39) 1978 (live)

CD: Tûzkerék ’78 Koncertfelvétel Iváncsa [Grund Records GR-027] ● Hungary, 2014

Recorded live in Ivãncsa 25 june 1978. Previously unissued. He’s also doing a title called “Guitar Boogie” which turns out to be Shadoogie from The Shadows.

Johnny B. Goode (1:45) 1978 (instr) (live)

Recorded live in Budapest, March 1978.

Johnny B. Goode (5:00) 1979 (live)

Recorded live in Gyôr, May 1979.

CD: Zôld Csillag [Radics Béla RB Emjéktársaság RBCD-011 003] ● Hungary, 2004

UFO (UK)

Heavy metal band formed in 1969. Their first album came out in 1970 “UFO 1”. As far as I can tell the line-up on the live recording below were: Phil Mogg (vocals), Larry Wallis (guitar), Paul Chapman (guitar), Pete Way (bass) and Andy Parker (drums). Mogg and Parket were still members of UFO in 2019.

Back In The USA ( : ) 1972 (live)
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1972 (live)

4-CD: Live Sightings [Cleopatra CLP-2345] ● UK, 2015 (limited edition)

This CD set includes a bonus LP containing previously unissued live tracks. The above was done at The Marquee, London 31 May, 1972.

UNDER THE STREETLAMP (USA)

4 piece acappella group consisting of Eric Gutman, David Larsen, Brandon Wardell and Shonn Wiley.

Run Rudolph Run (2:11) 2018

CD: Hip To The Holidays [RetroRecords UTSCD-018] ● USA, 2018

David is singing lead on this Berry classic. It’s rockin’ but goes a little too fast and becomes a bit annoying.

JOHN VERITY BAND (UK)

Already on this blog.

Run Rudolph Run (1:52) 2014

CD EP: Got The Blues For Xmas [Vavoom Records VVJVX] ● USA, 2014

I like this, very Berrysh with the rhythm and guitar.

VIENNA TANZORCHESTER (Austria)

Memphis, Tennessee (2:14) 1989

45: Gloria VS 2001 ● Austria, 1989 (PS)

”Europameisterschaft der Rock'n'Roll Akrobatik der Amateure 1989 Wiener Stadthalle 11. XI 1989”. This is what’s printed in German on the label. Instead of translating I think you understand the message. The flip side was titled “Dr. Rock”.

VOX (Finland)

See Volume 3, page 1591 for biographical info.
The cover below is actually mentioned on this page but at the time I had no info available.

Run Rudolph Run (2:22) 1979

Various LP: Pokorock 1979 [Poko Records POKOLO 1] ● Finland, 1979

To add a little to the entry in the book on page 1591. The timing for “Little Queenie” is (3:31) and the cover was also released on a 45: Love Records LRS-2187 (1977).

RICH WAMIL And COPPERPENNY (Canada)

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist from Kitchener, Ontario. Co-founder of the group Copperpenny, formed in 1965.

Run Rudolph Run (2:20) 1975

45: Capitol Records 72765 ● Canada, 1975

Ok version and very ‘70s rock’n’roll.

CHRIS WATSON (Belgium)

Rock’n’Roll and boogie-woogie pianist, singer, songwriter, born in Liege. Very influenced by Jerry Lee Lewis (of course).

Little Queenie (3:31) 2012
Promised Land (2:56) 2012
Too Much Monkey Business (2:26) 2012

CD: Authentic [L.D.R. LDR-00005] Belgium, 2012

JOHN WETTON & RICHARD PALMER-JAMES (UK)

John Wetton born in 1949, died 2017. Singer, guitarplayer, bass and keyboards. He’s played in various bands throughout the years like Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash and more.
Richard Palmer-James, guitarist and songwriter, born 1947. Has also played in various bands and was the founding member of Supertramp in 1969.

Too Much Monkey Business ( 2:29) ?

CD: Monkey Business 1972-1997 [Blueprint BP-295-CD] ● UK, 1998

Recorded at various studios in England. But nothing is mentioned on the cover where or when this particular Berry cover was recorded.

WHISKEY RIVER (UK)

Cajun and zydeco styles of music. Eight people are listed under musicians, there are two different bass players and two different on drums. The album below was produced by Dave Wood and Martin Blake who are both in the line-up. I have only found this album by the group, so maybe this was just a studio project?

You Never Can Tell [as “C’est La Vie”] (4:06) 2003

CD: Tales From The Swamp [Pump Row Records PRC-208] ● UK, 2003

Tracks recorded at Broad Oak Studios, Herefordshire in 2003, except three recorded in 2001.

WHITEHORSE (Canada)

Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland from Toronto, active since 2011. Reading a little of what music they are playing you get some of the following: Ethereal folk, space cowboy twang, psychedelic western, intergalactic blues grooves, pop noir. It makes me a little confused to be honest. They have released 8 albums so far, 2011-2021, and many singles.

Nadine (5:37) 2016

CD: The Northern South Vol. 1 [Six Shooter Records SIX-098] ● Canada, 2016

Distributed by Universal Records. This is very slow almost a little heavy techno performance. Unusual and quite different but for some strange reason I like it (!) Seems like they are playing several instruments, and both take turns to sing the verses and do harmony on the refrain. You can see them on you tube both in the studio and live doing “Nadine”.

WIDESPREAD PANIC (USA)

Southern rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1986. On the album below the band consisted of: John Bell (vocals, guitar), Michael Houser (guitar, vocals), John Hermann (keyboards, vocals), David Schools (bass, vocals),Domingo S. Ortiz (percussion), Todd Nance (drums).

Let It Rock (7:09) 2001 (live)

3-CD: Oak Mountain 2001 #1 [Widespread Records WR-0122] ● USA, 2013

“Widespread Panic Archives – Release #8-1”. Recorded live at Oak Mountain Amphtitheatre, Pelham, Alabama, 27 July 2001. I’ve seen this on You Tube and the sound is so and so and the musical result is not much better.

A. FRANK WILLIS (Canada)

Singer, songwriter from Newfoundland.

Nadine (3:08) 1976

LP: Any Kinda Music! [Periwinkle Records PER-7335] ● Canada, 1976

WINNERS (Sweden)

See page 1610 in Vol.3, however, at the time I had no info regarding these two covers. But here they are:
Five-piece dance-band, Bertil Stenkilsson, Carl-Axel Hanson, Claes Olofsson, Kaj Fromark and Per Svensson. I’ve found three albums from the years 1968-1976.

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) (part of rock medley) 1968

LP: Winners [Hendrix Music Production NSLP-55] ● Sweden, 1968

Roll Over Beethoven (2:05) 1976

LP: Vinnande Nummer [EMI 4E 062-35294] ● Sweden, 1976

EDGAR WINTER (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1610 for biographical info, and 1610-1611 for Johnny Winter.

Johnny B. Goode (3:24) 2021

CD: Brother Johnny [Quarto Valley Records QVR-0149] ● USA, 2022

Featuring Joe Walsh (vocals), David Grissom (guitars), Edgar Winter (piano, saxophone, vocals) Bob Glaub (bass), Gregg Bissonette (drums). This is Edgar’s tribute album to his brother Johnny, who died in 2014.

AL “PORKY” WITHEROW (USA)

Born 1935 in York, Pennsylvania. Died in 2004. Traditional country singer who had five singles out from the late ‘60s and up and five albums on Arctic Records in the ‘80s, as far as I can tell. There is absolutely no info on release year on any of his albums. How come?

Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:01) 1983

LP: Everybody’s Favorites [Arctic Records CLPS-1001] ● USA, 1983

Album recorded at Atwell Studios, Lafayette, Tennessee. Produced by Al Witherow. Arctic Records = A division of Al Witherow Productions. Then you have full control(!)

CAROLYN WONDERLAND & GUY FORSYTH (USA)

Carolyn Bradford is an Austin, Texas based blues singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally from Houston, Texas where she was born in 1972. She has won several Texas Awards since 1996, starting with Best Blues Band – 1996 Public News Music Awards.
Guy Forsyth is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonicaplayer, born in Denver, Colorado in 1968 but now based in Austin, Texas.

Run Rudolph Run (4:05) 2010 (live)

CD: Fireside Songs For The Soul [Bismeaux Records BR1-306] ● USA, 2010

Now what a very good rockin’ bluesy rendition by the two. They are also both singing verses, and here the girl gets an amplifier instead of a doll.

TOM WU (Germany)

Thomas Wuhr from Munich. New wave and synth pop drummer.

Memphis, Tennessee (3:06) 2018

LP/CD: All You Want [Cut Surface CS-013 / Echokammer EK-082] ● Germany, 2018

Very electronic version, featuring Dizzy Errol aka Erol Dizdar on vocals and guitar.

ZIPPY KID (Ukraine)

Real name: Rusian Troknyuk. Born 1981. Electronic music. It seems like he’s produced and recorded songs since around 2005.

Memphis, Tennessee (2:13) 2015

File, AAC, single: MARS label (self released) ● 2015 (PS)

Yes, I know, perhaps it shouldn’t be here since it’s not an ordinary commercial release, but he’s from Ukraine and has actually a whole bunch of similar releases (and I mean many) and being from Ukraine in these troubled times (Spring 2022) I think he’s in for the treat. However, this is very electronic and his voice is pretty low in the mix so I don’t know exactly what to say.

ZITHER-MANÄ (Germany)

German folk-rock band using a zither, sort of a harpe, and electronic guitars. It was founded in 1980 by Manfred Zick.

You Never Can Tell [as “Lago di Bonzo”] (4:51) 1984

LP: Zither Manä 2 – Rock Blues Boogie [Bogner Records LP-190885] ● Germany, 1985
CD: Zither Manä 2 – Rock Blues Boogie [Bogner Records CD-3519] ● Germany, 1993

It seems the Berry cover must have been a favourite as the sticker on the CD says incl. Lago de Bonzo.

MIKE ZITO (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist from St. Louis, Missouri, now based in Nederland, Texas.
See also the album “Rock’n’Roll – A Tribute To Chuck Berry” from 2019 on this blog.

Johnny B. Goode (4:20) 2021 (live)

2-CD: Blues For The Southside [Gulf Coast Records 661558942725] ● USA, 2022

Seventeen tracks, recorded live on 26 November, 2021 at the Old Rock House in St. Louis and produced by Mike Zito.