I got it!
Morten Reff's new book on Chuck Berry is finally out! Yesterday I received my copy from Morten, signed and with a personal dedication. Thank you, Morten!
I spent all night reading but had to stop at around page 150. And I still wasn't through the US releases chapter alone. Could you imagine you can write so much about the releases of a single artist in a single country? And Morten even omitted most of the Various Artists records and - by intention - many of the cheap CD re-issues.
The Chuck Berry International Directory, Volume 1, or
CBID, Vol.1 for short, lists and explains all official Chuck Berry records ever released in the US, in the UK, and in many other countries. Every record has a complete song listing and some explanation including comments on the versions included, the sound quality, and variants. For many records Morten shows cover or label, often comparing certain versions such as promos or re-issues.
There is a ton of information never published anywhere else. So if you are collecting Chuck Berry records, this is THE SOURCE.
Get it! Now!
I will write a more detailed review within the next few weeks when I find time to do so. And I am already waiting to see Volume 2 which will cover the more obscure records such as bootlegs, radio shows, soundtracks and more.
I encourage you to review Morten's descriptions and lists. If you find some omission or correction, send it to me and I will both forward it to Morten and publish it here. According to Morten, especially the listings for countries with smaller record sales might need some rework. Although the International Directory already is the best description of Chuck Berry's records ever published, help to make it even better and in the end hopefully complete!