CBID - Maybellene versions and other 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: Among this list of newly found Chuck Berry hit covers are some notable "Maybellene"s.

An American singer, songwriter, guitarist Michael Krassner recorded in 1999 a song titled «Maybellene» which is NOT the Berry classic but something he wrote himself. But I guess he liked the name!

APOSTLES (USA)

1960s rock group from Andover, Massachusetts, consisting of 8 members. Probably a high school band.

Nadine (2:25) 1964
Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 1964

LP: On Crusade [TA Self released MG-79909/10] ● USA, 1964

“Nadine” must be a very early cover version of this to become a Berry classic de luxe. They got the beat and the feeling. However, they mess up Beethoven completely. But the album cover looks very professionally made, especially the back cover. They also made an album in 1965.

ART 314 (France)

Blues-rock band (quintet), later becoming a quartet, from Bordeaux.

Maybellene (2:18) 1986

LP: Art 314 [Black Bird Records DKF-3900] ● France, 1986

Well, this version sounds like rockabilly. However, on the album they also have a song titled “Chuck And Bo” written by one of the band members, bassplayer Jean-Claude Desseignet, which is a tribute to the two legends. Although I can’t understand a word.

BAD SIGN (Finland)

See Volume 3, page 1055 for biographical info.

It’s My Own Business (3:03) 1986 (live)

10” LP: Sherwood [Talsti Records EDLP-2433] ● Finland, 2024
CD: Sherwood [Talsti Records EDCD-2433] ● Finland, 2024

Recorded live at Kestihovi, Kerava 21 November 1986, previously unissued.

LOREN BECKER With Orchestra (USA)

He was the lead singer of several big bands, like Glen Miller, Enoch Light and the Dorsey Brothers. Many albums released with covers of popular hits at the time. He was featured on several albums on Waldorf Music Hall Records which was one of the labels associated with Enoch Light.

Maybellene (2:05) 1955

78: His Masters Voice E.A.51015 ● Australia, 1955

I have tried to find this release on a US 78 but no luck.
However, If you look at page 1169 (CBID 3) you will notice Jerry Duane with Enoch Light Orchestra doing «School Day» in 1957 on a Top Hits EP and a Waldorf EP. And I have also spotted Vincent Lopez doing «Maybellene» on a 6 track 78rpm 8 Top Hits. On the latter Loren Becker is also included with «Over The Rainbow». And finally on another LP on Waldorf «Maybellene» by Loren Becker is featured with Vincent Lopez Orchestra(?) Still confused? Well maybe too much monkey business…

BILLY BREMNER’S ROCKFILES (UK/Sweden)

Already on this blog.

Oh What A Thrill (3:56) 2019 (live) as The Rockfiles

CD: Live At Musikkhuset Gävle 15/4-2019 [Ball And Chain Records BACCD-0052019]
● Sweden, 2020

Here the Rockfiles are: Billy Bremner (guitar, vocals), Mikael Finell (bass, vocals), Peder Sundahl (drums, vocals), supported by Bonne Löfman on guitar and vocals.

Let It Rock (2:54) 2024

CD: I Fought The Law [Ball And Chain Records BACCD-0042024] ● Sweden, 2024

17 tracks. Album recorded at various studios in Sweden and England. Billy Bremner (guitar, vocals), Mikael Finell (bass, vocals, guitars), Ingemar Rogefeldt (guitars, vocals) and Peder Sundahl (drums, vocals). However, there are a lot of additional musicians featured, like Robert Wells (Sweden), Janne Lucas (Sweden), Graham Parker, Albert Lee, Geraint Watkins etc. but no specific information.

DAVE EDMUNDS (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1184 for biographical info.
On the album below he’s supported by: Mickey Gee (guitar), Geraint Watkins (keyboards-accordion-vocals), John David (bass-vocals) and Dave Charles (drums).

Dear Dad (2:20) 1982 (live)
It’s My Own Business (3:54) 1982 (live)
Let It Rock (2:41) 1982 (live)
Sweet Little Rock And Roller (2:38) 1982 (live)

2 LP: Live At The Capitol Theater May 15, 1982 [Renaissance Records RDEG-LP-845] ● USA, 2023
CD: Live At The Capitol Theater May 15, 1982 [Renaissance Records RMED-845] ● USA, 2023

Concert in Passaic, New Jersey. 22 tracks.
Previously unissued.

See also Rockpile on this blog

EIGHTBALL BOPPERS (Netherlands)

Rockabilly quartet. Bert Damink (lead guitar), Willy Cornelissen (guitar, vocals), Henk Honing (bass, vocals), Martijn Willems (drums, vocals). They have five albums out, the first from 2005.

Jaguar And The Thunderbird (1:57) 2013

CD: Let The Engines Roll! [8BB Records 8BB-003] ● Netherlands, 2013

Pretty dull version, unfortunately.

ELECTRIC AMISH (USA)

Parody rock band (trio) from Indiana. They do rock standards and recast them into a heavily Amish perspective. They are Dean Metcalf (vocals, guitar), brothers Barclay Grayson (vocals, bass), Kyle Grayson (vocals, drums), however, they are using fictional names like Graeber Goodman, Carl Goodman, and Barry Goodman respectively.

Johnny B. Goode (as “Graeber Be Good”] (2:59) 1996

CD: Milkin’ It [Donkey Monkey Corp EA2-1996] ● USA, 1996

Of course this is Johnny B. with updated lyrics the Amish way.

Johnny B. Goode (as “Graeber Be Good”] (7:33) 1999 (live) with Jonny Lang

CD: A Hard Day's Work [Donkey Monkey Corp EA3-1999] ● USA, 1999

This is more hard rockin’.

JUMPERS (Belgium)

See page 1281 for this entry. I didn’t have much info at the time, except that it was included on a various artists CD “Collectors Items From Belgium” in 1994. Below is more info about the original release in 1965 not ‘64.

Almost Grown (2:05) 1965

45: Week End WE-18.032 ● Belgium, 1965 (PS)

As I have said so many times before the ‘60s music usually didn’t have a clue about rock’n’roll. This almost sounds like a joke.

PAUL LAMB & ROOSEVELT HOUSEROCKERS (UK/Austria)

Paul Lamb is an English blues harmonica player and singer from Blyth, Northumberland, born 1955. Roosevelt Houserockers is a Chicago blues based trio from Austria.

Wee Wee Hours (8:07) 2019 (live) featuring Chad Strentz on guitar

CD: Keep On Walking Live 2019 [Plan 9 Trash Records P)C-190] ● Austria, 2020

Recorded live 25 May 2019 in Zašová, Czechoslovakia. A very slow and solid version. Great performance.

See also Volume 4, page 1834 (Soundalikes) for more info on Paul Lamb.

LES MISTRALS (France)

Rock quartet from Reims area. However, when their EP “Watch Your Step” came out in November 1964 they were a quintet.

Nadine (2:47) 1965

EP: Les Souvenirs Resteront [Diapason JH-170] ● France, July 1965

Discogs says that their genre was rock/pop and their style was rockabilly/surf. Sorry but that’s nonsense. Four music genres which are pretty different if you ask me.

MATT LUCAS (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1335-1336 for biographical info.

Nadine ( : ) 1972

LP: I’ve Paid My Dues! [Kanata KAN-9] ● Canada, 1972

It’s not on You Tube, so sorry no information. However, according to Wikipedia, a Canadian composer and editor of Down Beat had started a new record label, Kanata, and offered Lucas a record deal to cut a blues album. It was recorded at Sound Canada Studios. It produced a single “I’m Movin’ On/”The Old Man” which became a double sided hit in Canada.

MIDNITE BLUES (USA)

Blues-rock band consisting of Jimmy Peyton (lead vocals, guitar), Ted Peyton (lead guitar, vocals), John Consoli* (sax), Al Simmons** (sax), Bill Tarsha* (harmonica), Brian Trimmer** (harmonica), Thom Morgan (bass, vocals), Roger Rotoli* (drums), Jimmy Litwin** (drums).

It’s My Own Business (2:51) 1980 *

LP: In The Middle Of The Nite [Big 12 Records BIG 12-602] ● USA, 1980

Havana Moon (4:47) 1982 **

LP: Let’s Do It [Big 12 Records 603] ● USA, 1982

Special guest Hans Olson plays harmonica on this one.

Also see Buddy Reed & The Rocket 88s on this blog for more on Bill Tarsha.

PHILOSOPHERS (Ireland)

Pop group (sextet) led by pianist Dermot 'Der' Ward. I have found 12 singles by them, but no albums.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ ( : ) 1970 (live)

EP 45: Live Rock [Honey Records COMB.7] ● Ireland, 1970

No info on where, when or what. And nothing on You Tube!

RHYTHM BOMBS (Belgium)

Blues rock quintet.

Jaguar And The Thunderbird (5:07) 2008 (live)

CD: Better Be Ready [Naked Productions NP-015] ● Belgium, 2008

Now these guys really made the most out of the song, turning it into a rockin’ blues number. There is also a live clip on You Tube from 2009 where the guys are doing an almost 6 minutes version.

ROACHES (USA)

According to discogs this a mid ‘60s novelty rock act. A quintet to be exact. They have three singles listed by them.

Almost Grown (2:30) 1964

45: Guyden Records 2109 ● USA, 1964

TOM SHARPLIN (New Zealand)

Rock’n’roll and country singer from Auckland.

Almost Grown (2:18) 1978

LP: Rock Around The Clock [Music World EMS-1044] ● New Zealand, 1978
LP: Rock’n’Roll [Music World MALPS-503] ● New Zealand, 1978

Strange that the same company released the album with two different covers, catalog numbers and in the same year. The song itself is pretty ordinary. A little confessin’ as I have never been too thrilled about the vocal group on the original and it doesn’t help on any covers either.

Nadine (3:06) 1989 with The Cadillacs

LP: Rockulator [RCA VPL1 0833] ● Australasia, 1989
CD: Rockulator [RCA VPCD 0833] ● Australasia, 1991

SIR ALBERT DOUGLAS (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1167 for biographical info.

Remember him with the Tribute album to Chuck in 1976 titled “10 Succes de Chuck Berry” (France) and “Strings, Licks And Things” (West Germany), same album but different titles, labels and covers. Now another variation of the album has turned up titled

LP: “Les Folles Années Du Rock“ [Vygson VYG-10260] ● France, 1979 (reissue)

Now they have even a picture of Douglas on the front cover.
As told there are 9 Berry covers plus “Blue Suede Shoes” from Mr. Carl Perkins.

LOUIS EDWARD SMITH (USA)

Haven’t the slightest idea. Probably a country singer.

Nadine (3:10) late 1960s

45: World 2273 ● USA, late 1960s

Produced by Jimmy Busby. Record label and distribution out of Memphis, Tennessee. The ‘60s are just because the label looks from that period of time. The flip side has a cover of a Roger Miller tune which was on an album from 1965.

TARQUIN (UK)

Rock trio who consisted of Tim Chatfield, Ralph Worman and Geoff Farndell. No more info available.

Nadine (3:17) 1980s

45: Dude DUD-7 ● UK, 1980s

Pretty ordinary. The flip is the instrumental “Nivram”. I have said 1980s because of the sound as it does not feel ‘60s or ‘70s(?) The members above I got from the video on You Tube.

HANK THUNANDER (USA)

From Michigan, moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Accordion and polka bandleader, owner of HT Records. Has released several albums and singles since 1976. For his contributions to music, Hank has been honored by the Ironwood Hall of Fame, the Michigan Polka Music Hall of Fame, and the Minnesota Accordion Club. He received the Lifetime Award from the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame.

School Day (2:50) (as “School Days”) 1980s (?)

LP: Reminiscing…With Hank Thunander [HT Records HT-1005] ● USA, 1980s (?)
CD: Reminiscing…With Hank Thunander [HT Records HT-1005] ● USA, 2002

Not sure about when this was originally released. And the LP cover looks very late 70s , early ‘80s. The CD has 2002 printed on both label and cover However, does it really matter?

TRIPWIRES (USA)

This is already on the blog with a cover of “Tulane” of which I was not too favourable.

Almost Grown (2:39) 2023

CD: Are Knife, Fork, Spoon and Plate, In Good Party Tape [Folc Records FOLC-195] ● Spain, 2023

This is better and follows a traditional arrangement like most other versions.

J. WUNDERLE (USA)

Jim Wunderle, singer, songwriter from Springfield, Missouri. Front man of several punk-rock bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Did production work for record and video labels. He died 18 October 2012 at the age of 59.

Almost Grown ( : ) 1979

EP 45: Ayatollah Records PSHA 001 ● USA, 1979 (PS)

“Dedicated to Chuck Berry (let him out soon)” printed on the back of the sleeve.