Sunday, March 1. 2009
You Never Can Tell - Review
A few days ago I first talked about the new Chuck Berry Box-Set from Geffen Records/Hip-O-Select. Fred then presented the box from his personal view as part of the production team. I got my copy in the meantime and here's the translation of a review I just wrote for German Rock'n'Roll Musikmagazin:
Above is my review for the magazine which is targeted to all Rock'n'Roll fans. Pure Berry collectors such as those reading this blog may want to get some more insight details:
Just like the 1950s box this new CD set is a must-have, no question. Simply a chronological collection would have been fine, but this is much more. It is beautiful and it contains true rarities. Even if you have the CD re-issues from BGO and MCA published over the last ten years, you will have only 90 percent of what's in this box. The live recordings from Detroit are interesting, though it's a pity we only get a selection of the best tracks. Maybe Andy McKaie can release an unfiltered version of the four concerts sometime in the future so we don't always have to listen to these Toronto or Roxy tracks again and again. The new 1965 session is a true surprise. Even though the songs are not necessarily highest Berry standard, you should have them. The same holds for the previously unreleased alt takes of Go Go Go and His Daughter Caroline as well as the previously unreleased songs Spending Chrsitmas and I'm In The Danger Zone. You must note, however, that this is not the recording of same name previously known from the ARC promotional CD and subsequent bootlegs. In the ARC song Berry sings "I'm in the twilight zone" and this is an original Chess master tape. On this new CD Berry sings "I'm in the danger zone" and this is a new mix created from the original multi-track tapes. Even though the two songs are very similar, they are different recordings and as such should have been include here both. Many other songs are included here multiple times if there were different mixes. Two examples for this are Brown Eyed Handsome Man and My Mustang Ford. Both have been known as an original 1960s mix and an 1980s stereo remix from the Rarities records. Here both come with a third mix omitting the vocal track but including another lead guitar track. This is interesting to listen to but nothing more than a warm-up probably. What really makes this set highly recommended is the Detroit concert, the 1965 session and the four unreleased takes. Get it before it's sold out!
Since I have got several questions from readers about purchasing the new 4-CD set from Europe, here's what I was able to find out: Right now you can get the box only directly from the label site (click here). In contrast to last year, the label will ship internationally, though only through UPS. This means that shipping to Europe will cost you another $50. And, since UPS will do all the tax processing for you, you will have to pay your local import tax (some 20%) and maybe an UPS handling fee. The box will become available in retail stores (in the U.S.) on March 31st. Then you should be able to order the set from amazon or your local record dealer.
Last year we reviewed the four-CD box Johnny B. Goode - His Complete 50's Recordings made by Geffen Records/Hip-O-Select. It contains all recordings made by Chuck Berry for the Chicago-based Chess label between 1955 and 1960. Now the manager of the Chess archives Andy McKaie and UK Chuck Berry expert and author Fred Rothwell have put another log on the fire.
You Never Can Tell is again a four-CD box, packed with everything Berry recorded for Chess between 1960 and 1966. Just like the first box it is basically complete and extensively featured. This includes a detailed booklet containing rare photos and complete session details as well as reproductions of classic album covers. Each CD looks like a Chess label from that time. Pretty!
While Berry had a lot of hits during the 1950s, the 1960s did not start to his taste. In March 1960 Berry was in court for the first time because of a story with an underage prostitute. The trials lasted until early 1962.
During this time, Chess was unable to overplay the bad press with good records. Even though the sessions in 1960 and 1961 produced some interesting material, today we know those only through the Rolling Stones: Bye Bye Johnny, I'm Talking About You or Come On are just examples. In addition to such goodies many fillers were recorded which were then put on the Rockin' At The Hops and New Juke Box Hits albums.
Between February 1962 and October 1963 Berry sat behind bars. While in England the Beatles, the Stones and many other Beat groups recycled Berry material, there was nothing new from the master himself. The Chess brothers looked through the tapes in there archives and created from the remaining bits an album called On Stage enhanced with fake applause. Because of this there is next to none unreleased material from that period. Just an alternate take of Go Go Go and an instrumental version of Brown Eyed Handsome Man can be heard for the first time in this set.
Completely unknown however was what follows next in chronological order: Immediately when released from prison, Berry entered stage again. In October 1963 four shows performed in Detroit were recorded for Chess. Because of the fake live album released just a few months before and presumably because of some sound problems these recordings remained in the vault, though. From these tapes McKaie and Rothwell collected the highlights and show us how an early 1960s Berry concert must have sounded like. Along with a very good backing band Berry runs through his greatest hits. The audience is in full swing and sings along all the lyrics even though the originals must have been oldies already even then. Unfortunately Berry's voice is hoarse and probably in Leonard Chess's view not good enough for release. Not necessarily Rock'n'Roll but interestingly from a historical view are Berry's comedy inserts where he entertains the audience telling jokes, similar to many other entertainers of that time.
Back in the studio, Berry produced hit after hit: Within four months he records the classics Nadine, You Never Can Tell, The Promised Land, No Particular Place To Go. Leonard and Phil Chess kept every note Berry played. This includes two lengthy jam sessions with Bo Diddley released on a Checker album Two Great Guitars.
Early 1965 Berry tours England and while there he records several songs with his tour band "The Five Dimensions" including a fantastical cover version of the St. Louis Blues. All these recordings have been published contemporary, though some only in the UK, not in the U.S. The only segment unknown was the ending of an instrumental called O Rangutang which we all knew in shortened form only until it accidentally surfaced on a British re-issue in 1998.
To our surprise this CD set presents three songs from a completely unknown session of July 1965: Shake Rattle & Roll, Honey Hush and an instrumental version of Wee Wee Hours can be heard here for the first time. The same holds for an alternate take of His Daughter Caroline from the last session in April 1966. Because there have been no mixed tapes from these songs, Andy McKaie and Pete Doell mixed new masters from the session multi-tracks making them sound like classic Chess mixes. Well done!
In June 1966 Berry left the Chess label after having worked with them for eleven years. After some years with Mercury Records he returned to Chess in 1969. As also the Mercury tapes and the later Chess recordings are today owned by Universal, we already look forward for a third box, maybe in 2010. Until then I recommend to every Rock'n'Roll fan to use this set to learn about a lesser known side of Chuck Berry: many Blues numbers, lots of standards, but also many originals we usually know from cover versions today.
You Never Can Tell is again a four-CD box, packed with everything Berry recorded for Chess between 1960 and 1966. Just like the first box it is basically complete and extensively featured. This includes a detailed booklet containing rare photos and complete session details as well as reproductions of classic album covers. Each CD looks like a Chess label from that time. Pretty!
While Berry had a lot of hits during the 1950s, the 1960s did not start to his taste. In March 1960 Berry was in court for the first time because of a story with an underage prostitute. The trials lasted until early 1962.
During this time, Chess was unable to overplay the bad press with good records. Even though the sessions in 1960 and 1961 produced some interesting material, today we know those only through the Rolling Stones: Bye Bye Johnny, I'm Talking About You or Come On are just examples. In addition to such goodies many fillers were recorded which were then put on the Rockin' At The Hops and New Juke Box Hits albums.
Between February 1962 and October 1963 Berry sat behind bars. While in England the Beatles, the Stones and many other Beat groups recycled Berry material, there was nothing new from the master himself. The Chess brothers looked through the tapes in there archives and created from the remaining bits an album called On Stage enhanced with fake applause. Because of this there is next to none unreleased material from that period. Just an alternate take of Go Go Go and an instrumental version of Brown Eyed Handsome Man can be heard for the first time in this set.
Completely unknown however was what follows next in chronological order: Immediately when released from prison, Berry entered stage again. In October 1963 four shows performed in Detroit were recorded for Chess. Because of the fake live album released just a few months before and presumably because of some sound problems these recordings remained in the vault, though. From these tapes McKaie and Rothwell collected the highlights and show us how an early 1960s Berry concert must have sounded like. Along with a very good backing band Berry runs through his greatest hits. The audience is in full swing and sings along all the lyrics even though the originals must have been oldies already even then. Unfortunately Berry's voice is hoarse and probably in Leonard Chess's view not good enough for release. Not necessarily Rock'n'Roll but interestingly from a historical view are Berry's comedy inserts where he entertains the audience telling jokes, similar to many other entertainers of that time.
Back in the studio, Berry produced hit after hit: Within four months he records the classics Nadine, You Never Can Tell, The Promised Land, No Particular Place To Go. Leonard and Phil Chess kept every note Berry played. This includes two lengthy jam sessions with Bo Diddley released on a Checker album Two Great Guitars.
Early 1965 Berry tours England and while there he records several songs with his tour band "The Five Dimensions" including a fantastical cover version of the St. Louis Blues. All these recordings have been published contemporary, though some only in the UK, not in the U.S. The only segment unknown was the ending of an instrumental called O Rangutang which we all knew in shortened form only until it accidentally surfaced on a British re-issue in 1998.
To our surprise this CD set presents three songs from a completely unknown session of July 1965: Shake Rattle & Roll, Honey Hush and an instrumental version of Wee Wee Hours can be heard here for the first time. The same holds for an alternate take of His Daughter Caroline from the last session in April 1966. Because there have been no mixed tapes from these songs, Andy McKaie and Pete Doell mixed new masters from the session multi-tracks making them sound like classic Chess mixes. Well done!
In June 1966 Berry left the Chess label after having worked with them for eleven years. After some years with Mercury Records he returned to Chess in 1969. As also the Mercury tapes and the later Chess recordings are today owned by Universal, we already look forward for a third box, maybe in 2010. Until then I recommend to every Rock'n'Roll fan to use this set to learn about a lesser known side of Chuck Berry: many Blues numbers, lots of standards, but also many originals we usually know from cover versions today.
Above is my review for the magazine which is targeted to all Rock'n'Roll fans. Pure Berry collectors such as those reading this blog may want to get some more insight details:
Just like the 1950s box this new CD set is a must-have, no question. Simply a chronological collection would have been fine, but this is much more. It is beautiful and it contains true rarities. Even if you have the CD re-issues from BGO and MCA published over the last ten years, you will have only 90 percent of what's in this box. The live recordings from Detroit are interesting, though it's a pity we only get a selection of the best tracks. Maybe Andy McKaie can release an unfiltered version of the four concerts sometime in the future so we don't always have to listen to these Toronto or Roxy tracks again and again. The new 1965 session is a true surprise. Even though the songs are not necessarily highest Berry standard, you should have them. The same holds for the previously unreleased alt takes of Go Go Go and His Daughter Caroline as well as the previously unreleased songs Spending Chrsitmas and I'm In The Danger Zone. You must note, however, that this is not the recording of same name previously known from the ARC promotional CD and subsequent bootlegs. In the ARC song Berry sings "I'm in the twilight zone" and this is an original Chess master tape. On this new CD Berry sings "I'm in the danger zone" and this is a new mix created from the original multi-track tapes. Even though the two songs are very similar, they are different recordings and as such should have been include here both. Many other songs are included here multiple times if there were different mixes. Two examples for this are Brown Eyed Handsome Man and My Mustang Ford. Both have been known as an original 1960s mix and an 1980s stereo remix from the Rarities records. Here both come with a third mix omitting the vocal track but including another lead guitar track. This is interesting to listen to but nothing more than a warm-up probably. What really makes this set highly recommended is the Detroit concert, the 1965 session and the four unreleased takes. Get it before it's sold out!
Since I have got several questions from readers about purchasing the new 4-CD set from Europe, here's what I was able to find out: Right now you can get the box only directly from the label site (click here). In contrast to last year, the label will ship internationally, though only through UPS. This means that shipping to Europe will cost you another $50. And, since UPS will do all the tax processing for you, you will have to pay your local import tax (some 20%) and maybe an UPS handling fee. The box will become available in retail stores (in the U.S.) on March 31st. Then you should be able to order the set from amazon or your local record dealer.
Tuesday, February 24. 2009
Rockin' at the Phil - The Scorpions
I got a comment on my page on Chuck Berry cover versions last week. John Barber wrote:
I was in a 60s band called "The Scorpions". We recorded two singles at Abbey Road. The second single was a cover of Chuck Berry's "Rockin' At The Phil" (Rock At The Philharmonic). Recently a colleague suggested that our recording might be the first UK cover of a Chuck Berry number. We recorded a demo in December 1960, the EMI release was in May 1961 on Parlophone R4768 Rockin' At The Phil b/w Scorpio. Do you have any info that might confirm whether we were the first band to cover a Chuck Berry tune?Interesting question, John. I don't have information about all the cover versions of Berry songs, but I know someone who does. So here's Morten Reff's reply to my question:
What a nice surprise. This cover version from the UK Scorpions in 1961 is just fantastic, also because it's very different from Berry's original, very fast and very rockin'. A US group called "The Legends" recorded a very similar version in 1961 but it was not released at the time. However, The Scorpions did a much better job technically! And by the way, there are no other covers of this Berry tune, as far as I know. Unfortunately, there were some Berry covers from the UK before the Scorpions. However, they were at least the very first group ever to cover this Berry instrumental and get it released on record, if that helps.If you want to read more about the 1960s Scorpions (not the German band of Wind of Change fame), look at the band's website here.
Fred Rothwell on Berry's 1960s recordings
[Editor's comment: Fred is a co-author of this blog. He has written the definitive guide to Chuck Berry's recordings "Long Distance Information". Along with Andy McKaie of Universal Music Fred created the new Berry box-set and wrote the liner notes. Here's his summary.]
Dear readers,
you'll be as pleased as I am to know that the second volume of Chuck Berry's Chess recordings has finally escaped from the Chess vaults somewhere beneath the Universal Records building in sunny California. This time it's called 'You Never Can Tell – Chuck Berry - His Complete Chess Recordings 1960 – 1966' ; 4 CDs containing 108 tracks.
Disc one alone contains 33 sides including a lot of great bluesy tracks on which Chuck is joined by Matt 'Guitar' Murphy (later of Blues Brothers fame) to play not only those lovely slow blues but also some tremendous rockers such as 'Don't Lie To Me' and my favourite 'Bye Bye Johnny' which comes in mono and a stereo remix. Other favourites include 'Down The Road Apiece' (mono & stereo) and 'I'm Talking About You'. There is only one previously unissued (commercially) track, a flimsy ballad 'Adulteen', however disc two makes up for this.
Disc two kicks off with an absolute belter, the unissued fast version of 'Go Go Go'. Whatever this track lacks in high fidelity is more than compensated for by the sheer energy emitted. Listen to the joy in Chuck's voice as the track ends. Just after his release from prison, Chuck recorded a live set which was supposed to get a Chess release but never happened. Well, right here you can hear what we've been missing for over forty years and it's just great. Recorded in Detroit and backed by Motown musicians (unfortunately their names are unknown as the tape cuts out just as the MC is introducing them) this is one hell of a gig. Chuck, the band and the audience are all in high spirits as he rips through his hits and even tells a joke or two. These live tracks are the best of four sets recorded over two nights and Andy McKaie has done a sterling job with his digital splicing knife. The disc ends with another new song, a blues titled 'I'm In The Danger Zone'.
Disc three contains some of my favourite Berry: 'Promised Land', 'No Particular Place To Go' and that under two minutes tour de force 'Dear Dad' on which Chuck is backed by the Jules Blatner band. Rarities include the unfaded version of 'O Rangutang' and the sad little ballad 'Spending Christmas' which sees light of day here for the first time.
Disc Four has a number of tracks recorded in London including the absolutely storming version of 'St Louis Blues'. Also from this session is 'You Came A Long Way From St Louis' with backing vocals from a bunch of Berry fans including my mate, the noted photographer, Brian Smith. Now there's a claim to fame – singing on a Chuck Berry recording! There is also a three song unissued session which sounds like a demo run-through but is nontheless a spirited set including the Big Joe Turner perennials 'Shake Rattle And Roll' and 'Honey Hush'. There is also a fine instrumental version of 'My Mustang Ford' with Johnnie Johnson rattling the keys for all his worth while Chuck 'chomps' along on his metallic sounding Gibson. The disc closes with two fast updated versions of 'Lonely School Days' and 'His Daughter Caroline', the latter being yet another unissued track.
The package comes with an updated sessionography and some previously unseen photos (by me anyway). If the box-set sells well, Andy has already promised a third volume of Chess recordings. This will complete the project and include a lot more unreleased tracks including a fabulous blues called 'Annie Lou'. So don't let the credit crunch cramp your style, dig deep guys and make sure it happens.
Dear readers,
you'll be as pleased as I am to know that the second volume of Chuck Berry's Chess recordings has finally escaped from the Chess vaults somewhere beneath the Universal Records building in sunny California. This time it's called 'You Never Can Tell – Chuck Berry - His Complete Chess Recordings 1960 – 1966' ; 4 CDs containing 108 tracks.
Disc one alone contains 33 sides including a lot of great bluesy tracks on which Chuck is joined by Matt 'Guitar' Murphy (later of Blues Brothers fame) to play not only those lovely slow blues but also some tremendous rockers such as 'Don't Lie To Me' and my favourite 'Bye Bye Johnny' which comes in mono and a stereo remix. Other favourites include 'Down The Road Apiece' (mono & stereo) and 'I'm Talking About You'. There is only one previously unissued (commercially) track, a flimsy ballad 'Adulteen', however disc two makes up for this.
Disc two kicks off with an absolute belter, the unissued fast version of 'Go Go Go'. Whatever this track lacks in high fidelity is more than compensated for by the sheer energy emitted. Listen to the joy in Chuck's voice as the track ends. Just after his release from prison, Chuck recorded a live set which was supposed to get a Chess release but never happened. Well, right here you can hear what we've been missing for over forty years and it's just great. Recorded in Detroit and backed by Motown musicians (unfortunately their names are unknown as the tape cuts out just as the MC is introducing them) this is one hell of a gig. Chuck, the band and the audience are all in high spirits as he rips through his hits and even tells a joke or two. These live tracks are the best of four sets recorded over two nights and Andy McKaie has done a sterling job with his digital splicing knife. The disc ends with another new song, a blues titled 'I'm In The Danger Zone'.
Disc three contains some of my favourite Berry: 'Promised Land', 'No Particular Place To Go' and that under two minutes tour de force 'Dear Dad' on which Chuck is backed by the Jules Blatner band. Rarities include the unfaded version of 'O Rangutang' and the sad little ballad 'Spending Christmas' which sees light of day here for the first time.
Disc Four has a number of tracks recorded in London including the absolutely storming version of 'St Louis Blues'. Also from this session is 'You Came A Long Way From St Louis' with backing vocals from a bunch of Berry fans including my mate, the noted photographer, Brian Smith. Now there's a claim to fame – singing on a Chuck Berry recording! There is also a three song unissued session which sounds like a demo run-through but is nontheless a spirited set including the Big Joe Turner perennials 'Shake Rattle And Roll' and 'Honey Hush'. There is also a fine instrumental version of 'My Mustang Ford' with Johnnie Johnson rattling the keys for all his worth while Chuck 'chomps' along on his metallic sounding Gibson. The disc closes with two fast updated versions of 'Lonely School Days' and 'His Daughter Caroline', the latter being yet another unissued track.
The package comes with an updated sessionography and some previously unseen photos (by me anyway). If the box-set sells well, Andy has already promised a third volume of Chess recordings. This will complete the project and include a lot more unreleased tracks including a fabulous blues called 'Annie Lou'. So don't let the credit crunch cramp your style, dig deep guys and make sure it happens.
Friday, February 20. 2009
Chuck Berry: Complete early 60's recordings - pre-sale
Beginning of last year Universal Music enlighted us with the release of Johnny B. Goode - His Complete 50's Recordings. At sufficient demand Andy McKaie of Universal promised a follow-up.
Well, there must have been sufficient demand as Universal's Hip-O-Select label just started pre-sale of a new four-CD box set called You Never Can Tell. 108 tracks presenting Berry's work for Chess records from 1960 to his leave for Mercury in 1966. According to Hip-O-Select, the box contains
Right now you can pre-order the set only at Hip-O-Select. It is not listed anywhere else. Shipping date will be February 24th. For more details read the label site here.
According to Universal, the box set will be available only at their web store initially. We have seen with the first set that it takes several weeks until it will be listed at amazon or ebay. This is an interesting way to get higher profits by keeping the dealer margins to yourself for the first wave of buyers. But that's fine if it helps financing the release of recording which would have kept in the vault otherwise.
You will read more about the box set, especially about those parts of interest for us collectors, as soon as I got a copy.
Well, there must have been sufficient demand as Universal's Hip-O-Select label just started pre-sale of a new four-CD box set called You Never Can Tell. 108 tracks presenting Berry's work for Chess records from 1960 to his leave for Mercury in 1966. According to Hip-O-Select, the box contains
18 Previously Unreleased Tracks Including A 45-Minute Live Concert From 1963 & Instrumental Versions Of Berry Classics "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" and "My Mustang Ford"
Right now you can pre-order the set only at Hip-O-Select. It is not listed anywhere else. Shipping date will be February 24th. For more details read the label site here.
According to Universal, the box set will be available only at their web store initially. We have seen with the first set that it takes several weeks until it will be listed at amazon or ebay. This is an interesting way to get higher profits by keeping the dealer margins to yourself for the first wave of buyers. But that's fine if it helps financing the release of recording which would have kept in the vault otherwise.
You will read more about the box set, especially about those parts of interest for us collectors, as soon as I got a copy.
Sunday, February 8. 2009
eBay watch: Dietmar's offers, records, memorabilia
Friends,
I removed some duplicates and promotional material from my collection. Here are some Berry/Diddley/Little Richard/Elvis/Haley/Domino items you may be interested in. Everything is offered very cheap!
I removed some duplicates and promotional material from my collection. Here are some Berry/Diddley/Little Richard/Elvis/Haley/Domino items you may be interested in. Everything is offered very cheap!
- Chuck Berry: The Best of ... EP UK
- Bo Diddley: UK single containing a cover version of Berry's Memphis, Tennessee
- Little Richard: Press Kit for 1997 European tour including portrait photo and slide
- Elvis Presley: Rare large poster from German 1970s magazine
- Bill Haley: Promotional material for 1981 Bear Family Box Set
- Fats Domino: Photo Still from Jamboree movie
- Nat King Cole, Pat Boone, Shadows and many others: Rare German book-club-only 5-LP box set for detailes track listing see here
Wednesday, January 14. 2009
The Lost Concert - Addition
Interestingly the article on Chuck Berry's appearance at German Beat-Club TV 1972 resulted in a large number of emails. Among these was one by Dirk saying
Also included was Chuck Berry with "Roll Over Beethoven" as seen below.
The announcers also talked about why there are such unseen performances. They explained that when bands or singers took the time to travel to Bremen, they would not want to do this for three minutes of play. So they performed for half an hour or more and Mike Leckebusch (Beat-Club director) let the cameras run.
I also had some time to re-check the old Beat-Club broadcasts. These differ from the Lost Concert broadcast a bit in that both "Johnny B. Goode" and "Let It Rock" had a color feedback of the camera input projected on the blue-screen behind Berry and the band. The latter also has an insert listing the artist names Snow, Kinsley, Harrison, Campbell, and Berry.
About one and a half years ago there was a Rarities issue of the Vinyl TV series in which they broadcast another previously unseen part of this show.I checked and yes: On July 1st, 2007 German TV station EinsFestival broadcast a Beat-Club Rarities show including unseen performances by Ike and Tina Turner, the Kinks, the Doors (less Jim Morrison), the Grateful Dead, and an interview with a drunk Steve Miller.
Also included was Chuck Berry with "Roll Over Beethoven" as seen below.
The announcers also talked about why there are such unseen performances. They explained that when bands or singers took the time to travel to Bremen, they would not want to do this for three minutes of play. So they performed for half an hour or more and Mike Leckebusch (Beat-Club director) let the cameras run.I also had some time to re-check the old Beat-Club broadcasts. These differ from the Lost Concert broadcast a bit in that both "Johnny B. Goode" and "Let It Rock" had a color feedback of the camera input projected on the blue-screen behind Berry and the band. The latter also has an insert listing the artist names Snow, Kinsley, Harrison, Campbell, and Berry.
Thursday, December 18. 2008
All About Chuck Berry - by Morten Reff
Six weeks ago I told you about the release of the second volume of Morten Reff's Chuck Berry International Directory. I promised to tell more as soon as I read it.
It took a bit more than expected to fulfill this promise. First it took some days for the book to get to my mailbox (Thanks, Morten!), then it took a long time to read through it. Why did it take that long? Not because the contents is boring, it's because there is so much contents in it.
Volume 1 already had some 500 pages full of descriptions of Chuck Berry's official records published in the U.S.A., in England, and everywhere else. Now Volume 2 adds another 500 pages, this time containing much more text and much more detailed information about everything else beside the commercial records.
Let's run through the chapters to see what you are missing if not buying this book:
Maybe half of this book's contents you could find somewhere else if you look hard enough and spend many months searching. The other half I have seen here for the first time. Great job!
Everything Morten writes is well researched and easy to read. I tried hard to spot errors and omissions, but failed to find any other than a few minor things. Along with Volume 1 this is and will be the definitive guide to Chuck Berry's commercial output for many years from now.
Highly recommended. Get your copy immediately! You'll find it in these Internet shops or maybe at your local book store.
And once you have it, you will find that you bought three books in one. Besides all the Chuck Berry contents listed above, there are two additional chapters on pianist Johnnie Johnson and guitarist Eddy Clearwater respectively. Each is again a complete discography of records, videos and movies. Also included is a complete sessionography each, i.e. a list of all recording sessions with personnel, location, and songs. Such a sessionography is omitted from the Chuck Berry part of this book as Fred Rothwell already wrote it in a separate book called Long Distance Information. These two chapters could have been individual books of a hundred pages each. So by buying the Chuck Berry book, you get two additional books for free.
It took a bit more than expected to fulfill this promise. First it took some days for the book to get to my mailbox (Thanks, Morten!), then it took a long time to read through it. Why did it take that long? Not because the contents is boring, it's because there is so much contents in it.
Volume 1 already had some 500 pages full of descriptions of Chuck Berry's official records published in the U.S.A., in England, and everywhere else. Now Volume 2 adds another 500 pages, this time containing much more text and much more detailed information about everything else beside the commercial records.
Let's run through the chapters to see what you are missing if not buying this book:
- Chuck Berry bootlegs:
Morten describes (and often shows) all known bootlegs either completely dedicated to Chuck Berry or containing rare, usually otherwise unavailable performances. Even if you have read all of the contents of this site, you will certainly find items you don't about. - Chuck Berry in the movies:
You probably know the films Berry appeared in, or maybe not. But here you not only get a complete listing but also learn about video cassettes and DVD releases, promotional records and much more. Also included is a description of non-Berry movies containing his songs in the soundtrack. - Chuck Berry on TV:
During the last 50 years, Berry appeared on TV all over the world. Appearances range from concert footage over playback to interviews. Trying to get a complete list of all this appearances is probably an impossible task, but Morten found out about some 150 of them, all described in detail here. - Chuck Berry on the radio:
Despite this chapter's title, Morten does not list all radio shows Berry music ever appeared on. This would be ridiculous. Instead this chapter lists records and CDs produced exclusively for radio stations. You'll find most of the contents in the chapter on Radio and Promotional Records on this site as well, but not all of it, of course. As with all other records listed, Morten Reff additionally analyzes every record and critically comments each. - Chuck Berry on Video and DVD:
As with the records, here's a complete annotated list of all known video and DVD releases covering Chuck Berry. - Chuck Berry's international tours:
This chapter could have been omitted in my opinion, but if you want a reference when and where it was that you saw Chuck Berry, here it is - with date, exact location and backing musicians (if available). Missing are Berry's concerts in North America, though. - Chuck Berry achievements and awards:
Chuck Berry Number 1 in Billboard in 1972. Ok, you can read this in many places. But here you get Berry's chart positions worldwide, from Brisbane Radio to a Belgian magazine. And then there's the Golden Records, his songwriter awards and all other honors. - Chuck Berry in print:
Books about Chuck Berry, books with larger chapters on Chuck Berry, songbooks, magazine articles - 70 pages alone not only with bibliographical data but also comments, recommendations and warnings. - plus much more:
Band names derived from Chuck Berry - song lyrics which mention Chuck Berry - all his recordings in alphabetical order - tribute songs, albums, and quotes - songs Berry covered - fan clubs - websites (thanks for mentioning this one here) - and, and, and ...
Maybe half of this book's contents you could find somewhere else if you look hard enough and spend many months searching. The other half I have seen here for the first time. Great job!
Everything Morten writes is well researched and easy to read. I tried hard to spot errors and omissions, but failed to find any other than a few minor things. Along with Volume 1 this is and will be the definitive guide to Chuck Berry's commercial output for many years from now.
Highly recommended. Get your copy immediately! You'll find it in these Internet shops or maybe at your local book store.
And once you have it, you will find that you bought three books in one. Besides all the Chuck Berry contents listed above, there are two additional chapters on pianist Johnnie Johnson and guitarist Eddy Clearwater respectively. Each is again a complete discography of records, videos and movies. Also included is a complete sessionography each, i.e. a list of all recording sessions with personnel, location, and songs. Such a sessionography is omitted from the Chuck Berry part of this book as Fred Rothwell already wrote it in a separate book called Long Distance Information. These two chapters could have been individual books of a hundred pages each. So by buying the Chuck Berry book, you get two additional books for free.
Monday, December 15. 2008
Very Rare Berries for sale or exchange - exclusively here!
Friends,
I have to get rid of some records to make space available for new ones
Therefore I decided to sell some of the duplicates. These offers will be placed on ebay some time in the near future. But if you read this, you're a true Berry collector. Therefore you get a first chance to buy these very rare Berries at whatever price you find reasonable and without fear of being overbid.
If you are interested in one of the following items, send a comment or a private email soon. Comments will not be published, so please include the item name, the price you're willing to pay, and the location you want me the item to send to, that's for postage calculation and payment options. If you have some interesting item in exchange, I would prefer that! If your offer is high enough in my eyes, or if you placed the highest offer during a reasonable period of time, I will let you know.
When an item is sold, I will add a comment to this blog article. Click on Comments below to see the comments if not already visible. Unless there are comments listed, the items are still for sale.
Now here's the list:
Interested? Send me an offer by using the Add Comment feature below. You might click on Comments below to see the Add Comment feature.
Finally a legal comment: The two records listed above had not been licensed by the artist or the copyright holders. When produced in the 1970s the creators and dealers of this records did not pay a single cent to the artists. I do not indorse the creation and sale of these kind of records. However, today these records are collector's items. I sell or exchange these privately from collector to collector only for the sole purpose of documenting Chuck Berry's record output.
I have to get rid of some records to make space available for new ones
Therefore I decided to sell some of the duplicates. These offers will be placed on ebay some time in the near future. But if you read this, you're a true Berry collector. Therefore you get a first chance to buy these very rare Berries at whatever price you find reasonable and without fear of being overbid.
If you are interested in one of the following items, send a comment or a private email soon. Comments will not be published, so please include the item name, the price you're willing to pay, and the location you want me the item to send to, that's for postage calculation and payment options. If you have some interesting item in exchange, I would prefer that! If your offer is high enough in my eyes, or if you placed the highest offer during a reasonable period of time, I will let you know.
When an item is sold, I will add a comment to this blog article. Click on Comments below to see the comments if not already visible. Unless there are comments listed, the items are still for sale.
Now here's the list:
- Chuck Berry - Rare Berries - 12" LP - Kozmik Records KZ-501
one of the rarest Berry albums of all times - and a must for every Berry collector
for details see here: Collector's Guide Description
this is the second variant of this record, the one with the red-top label
the disk is very nice without any scratches, the label unmarked
the blank white cover has turned brown due to aging, corners have been bent
the letter-size inserts (Berry image and track listing/discographical details) have been glued onto the front and back sides of the cover using both glue and Scotch tape
- Chuck Berry - America's Hottest Wax - 12" LP - reelin' 001
again a very rare Berry album - and likewise a must for every Berry collector
for details see here: Collector's Guide Description
as before, this is the second variant of this record, the one with the blue picture cover and the top sound quality
the disk looks as unplayed, there ist a date written on one of the labels
the blue cover has some very nice Berry pictures and shows very little wear, within the track listing on the back cover someone corrected one of the recording dates
- Chuck Berry - Die Autobiographie - Hardcover book - Verlag Arthur Moewig
this is the original first German printing of Berry's autobiography
cover image and subtitle refer to the Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll! movie
for details see here: Collector's Guide Description
the book is still sealed, i.e. book and paper jacket are in perfect condition
Interested? Send me an offer by using the Add Comment feature below. You might click on Comments below to see the Add Comment feature.
Finally a legal comment: The two records listed above had not been licensed by the artist or the copyright holders. When produced in the 1970s the creators and dealers of this records did not pay a single cent to the artists. I do not indorse the creation and sale of these kind of records. However, today these records are collector's items. I sell or exchange these privately from collector to collector only for the sole purpose of documenting Chuck Berry's record output.
Thursday, December 4. 2008
A Christmas Wish
This morning my radio clock woke me up with one of the more or less ubiquitous christmas songs. I did not listen until the song faded out with the singer reading from his wishlist:
Hey, that guy is one of us, I thought. So I queried the radio stations website to find out singer and title. It's "Christmas All Over Again" written and sung by Tom Petty. Next I checked Morten Reff's new Chuck Berry International Directory, Volume 2: Chapter 13 lists Songs with lyrics that mention Chuck Berry. Unfortunately Petty is not listed there, probably because this is some kind of rare song. As far as a quick search turned out, the song has only been published on a charity album called "A Very Special Christmas 2" in 1992.
Now let's see, I want:
a new Rickenbacker guitar
two Fender bassmans
a Chuck Berry songbook, ...
Hey, that guy is one of us, I thought. So I queried the radio stations website to find out singer and title. It's "Christmas All Over Again" written and sung by Tom Petty. Next I checked Morten Reff's new Chuck Berry International Directory, Volume 2: Chapter 13 lists Songs with lyrics that mention Chuck Berry. Unfortunately Petty is not listed there, probably because this is some kind of rare song. As far as a quick search turned out, the song has only been published on a charity album called "A Very Special Christmas 2" in 1992.
Tuesday, December 2. 2008
Chuck Berry - The Lost TV Concert
Two weeks ago German digital TV channel EinsFestival broadcast a half-hour show titled "Vinyl: The Lost Concerts - Chuck Berry". A fellow collector was so kind to send me a copy on DVD. Thanks!
It turned out that this lost concert has been used in part for various broadcasts, but also contained some unknown and interesting footage.
The "show" was recorded in Radio Bremen's TV studio on March 24th, 1972. Berry was touring England from 22nd to 29th March backed by Rockin' Horse. The band consisted of Mike Snow on piano, Jimmy Campbell on guitar, Billy Kinsley on bass and Dave Harrison on drums. On the 24th they flew over to the town of Bremen to record some songs for German TV station Radio Bremen. (I'm guessing here as the recording can also have happened in some studio in England.) They returned to perform in Liverpool the next day and ended the tour at the BBC studios in London to perform in front of TV cameras again, this time for BBC's Sound For Saturday show. This London show is best known for the Vinyl bootlegs called "Six Two Five" containing most parts of the excellent show.
In Bremen, Berry and the four-piece band performed in front of a blue screen and without audience. The Lost Concerts contained recordings of the following songs:
Missing from the new broadcast is an interview conducted with Berry while he was in Bremen. This interview has been used in a later Radio Bremen radio show. Read here the details about the CD set containing this interview.
Note: Torsten Schmitt's book "Beat-Club: Alle Sendungen. Alle Stars. Alle Songs" claims that the full set of songs has been broadcast on December 31st, 1972 as part of the show "Das ist Rock 'n' Roll". I have not read or heard this anywhere else. If it were, there would surely exist some bootleg tape or video of this, none I have seen so far. As Schmitt is also incorrect with the backing band here, we leave this open to further research.
It turned out that this lost concert has been used in part for various broadcasts, but also contained some unknown and interesting footage.
The "show" was recorded in Radio Bremen's TV studio on March 24th, 1972. Berry was touring England from 22nd to 29th March backed by Rockin' Horse. The band consisted of Mike Snow on piano, Jimmy Campbell on guitar, Billy Kinsley on bass and Dave Harrison on drums. On the 24th they flew over to the town of Bremen to record some songs for German TV station Radio Bremen. (I'm guessing here as the recording can also have happened in some studio in England.) They returned to perform in Liverpool the next day and ended the tour at the BBC studios in London to perform in front of TV cameras again, this time for BBC's Sound For Saturday show. This London show is best known for the Vinyl bootlegs called "Six Two Five" containing most parts of the excellent show.
In Bremen, Berry and the four-piece band performed in front of a blue screen and without audience. The Lost Concerts contained recordings of the following songs:
- Memphis, Tennessee
a previously unseen performance - Let It Rock
this cut was first broadcast in show #78 of the famous German Beat-Club show on May 27th, 1972, two months after the recording. You can watch this segment on a brand-new DVD set "The Story of Beat-Club, Vol. 3" - Carol incorrectly titled Oh Carol
has a false start and therefore remained unseen so far. A second reason might be that the cameramen were unaware of the duckwalk and could not follow Berry dancing along the studio stage. - Wee Wee Hours titled with an extra In the
this song features a short introduction by Berry and some fine blues playing by the band. It has some distorted black and white copy of the camera input projected onto the blue screen. This recording was used in the Beat-Club show of May 27th, 1972 and is likewise available on the DVD set noted above. - School Day incorrectly titled Ring Ring Goes The Bell
here the blue screen shows a moving image of the then current London Sessions album. This clip was not used in the Beat-Club show, but in another Radio Bremen broadcast called "Musikladen" on December 13th, 1972. You can get this clip on the DVD "Best of Musikladen, Vol. 13" - You Never Can Tell obviously mislabeled as well: C'est La Vie
probably the best song recorded here, but unseen until now. Berry jokes around with the band, modifies the text at will, and inserts some nice guitar solo. Indeed a lost gem. Note: One of the first Beat-Club broadcasts already had a clip of You Never Can Tell, though just audio with Go-Go girls dancing and Berry record covers in the background. - Johnny B. Goode
performed nicely including duckwalk, piano solo and all. This segment was used in the Beat-Club broadcast of May 27th and is included both in the full "The Story of Beat-Club, Vol. 3" DVD set as well as in a cheaper single DVD called "Beat-Club Best of '72"
Missing from the new broadcast is an interview conducted with Berry while he was in Bremen. This interview has been used in a later Radio Bremen radio show. Read here the details about the CD set containing this interview.
Note: Torsten Schmitt's book "Beat-Club: Alle Sendungen. Alle Stars. Alle Songs" claims that the full set of songs has been broadcast on December 31st, 1972 as part of the show "Das ist Rock 'n' Roll". I have not read or heard this anywhere else. If it were, there would surely exist some bootleg tape or video of this, none I have seen so far. As Schmitt is also incorrect with the backing band here, we leave this open to further research.
Tuesday, November 25. 2008
eBay Watch: CHARLY 9-CD CHESS BOX
If you ever see it, get it! That's what I wrote about the famous 9-CD box issued by Charly Records in 1991 containing a next-to-complete compilation of Berry's work for CHESS. Now here's a chance to get one:
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Saturday, November 15. 2008
New Chuck Berry Session - 25 October 1985
A CD released this month requires us to add yet another session to Fred Rothwell's sessionography as it contains tracks available on record (CD or vinyl) for the first time.
Here are the details for this session to be placed between sessions 85 and 86:
The concert this CD is taken from was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Rock'n'Roll - well, at least the 30th anniversary of Bo Diddley's and Chuck Berry's first hits. Recorded for TV broadcast, the concert was shown on HBO in late 1985. In 1989 parts of the concert were published on video tape, less the Berry tracks, though. Since 1999 the show is available on DVD. And since November 2008 the same concert can be found on an audio CD. As this site is concentrating on audio releases, we note this as a new release, then.
In this case it makes a lot of sense to watch the DVD in addition to listening to the CD. Just have a look on Ron Wood's face when Berry selects My Ding-A-Ling as his first song. Having top names and top musicians in one of the best backup bands in his whole career, Berry performs the silliest and musically simplest of all his songs. Sigh! On the DVD Chuck's segment is introduced by Carl Wilson saying "Chuck Berry is the reason I play guitar!" He can not have meant Berry's intro to the second song here, Bio, which is just one thing: BAD! After this botched start, the song runs fine, though. If you listen to the CD only, be aware that the nice guitar solo near the song's end is not Chuck but Ron Wood playing. And lets not talk about Rock And Roll Music, the show's finale. Berry does not even sing his own lyrics. Look at the DVD to see Ron Wood chasing Berry trying to give him his guitar to play. The audience is complaining loud as Berry refuses to touch it.
As you see, this audio CD is one you don't want to have, unless you're a completionist such as I am. The audio CD is available here, one version of the DVD can be ordered here.
Here are the details for this session to be placed between sessions 85 and 86:
| Date: | 25 October 1985 |
| Location: | Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, USA |
| Personnel: | Chuck Berry (vcl, gtr on My Ding-A-Ling and Bio) Ron Wood, The Rolling Stones (gtr) Carl Wilson, The Beach Boys (gtr) John Paul Hammond (gtr, harm on Bio) Carmine Grillo (gtr) Kenny Jones, The Who (perc, dms on Rock And Roll Music) Mick Fleetwood, Fleetwood Mac (dms) Carmine Appice, Vanilla Fudge (perc, backgroud vcl) Bill Champlin, Chicago (organ) John Mayall, Bluesbreakers (kbd, harm on Rock And Roll Music) John Lodge, The Moody Blues (perc, background vcl) Phil Chen, Rod Steward Band (bs) Rudy Sarzo, Quiet Riot (bs) Chuck Norman, Three Dog Nite (vcl on Rock And Roll Music) Barbara Paine (perc, background vcl) Aniyah Shockley (perc, background vcl) Bobby Keys (horns) Phil Kenzie (horns) Mike Chicowitz (horns) Lee Thornberg (horns) Jimmy Zavala (sax) Jim Ladd (announcer) |
| Songs: | My Ding-A-Ling Bio (incorrectly titled Destination) Rock And Roll Music |
| First published: | Pepper Cake 2042-2 |
The concert this CD is taken from was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Rock'n'Roll - well, at least the 30th anniversary of Bo Diddley's and Chuck Berry's first hits. Recorded for TV broadcast, the concert was shown on HBO in late 1985. In 1989 parts of the concert were published on video tape, less the Berry tracks, though. Since 1999 the show is available on DVD. And since November 2008 the same concert can be found on an audio CD. As this site is concentrating on audio releases, we note this as a new release, then.
In this case it makes a lot of sense to watch the DVD in addition to listening to the CD. Just have a look on Ron Wood's face when Berry selects My Ding-A-Ling as his first song. Having top names and top musicians in one of the best backup bands in his whole career, Berry performs the silliest and musically simplest of all his songs. Sigh! On the DVD Chuck's segment is introduced by Carl Wilson saying "Chuck Berry is the reason I play guitar!" He can not have meant Berry's intro to the second song here, Bio, which is just one thing: BAD! After this botched start, the song runs fine, though. If you listen to the CD only, be aware that the nice guitar solo near the song's end is not Chuck but Ron Wood playing. And lets not talk about Rock And Roll Music, the show's finale. Berry does not even sing his own lyrics. Look at the DVD to see Ron Wood chasing Berry trying to give him his guitar to play. The audience is complaining loud as Berry refuses to touch it.
As you see, this audio CD is one you don't want to have, unless you're a completionist such as I am. The audio CD is available here, one version of the DVD can be ordered here.
eBay Watch: Picture Sleeves and a rare interview
Again here are some items currently offered on eBay which you might be interested in. Currently on sale are some nice picture sleeves offered very seldom. And you can get one of the rare radio station interviews never released anywhere else:
- Picture Sleeve CHESS 1898 No Particular Place to Go
- Picture Sleeve CHESS 1906 You Never Can Tell
- Picture Sleeve CHESS 1912 Little Marie
- Picture Sleeve CHESS 1916 Promised Land
- Picture Sleeve Funckler 45.088 Memphis, Tennessee
- Picture Sleeve Funckler 45.096 I Got to Find My Baby
- Picture Sleeve Funckler 45.097 Jaguar And Thunderbird
- Picture Sleeve Funckler 45.098 Maybelline
- Picture Sleeve Funckler 45.111 Nadine
- and finally a Chuck Berry recording never released on any commercial album: This Unistar Radio Station record containing A Chuck Berry Birthday Bash to be broadcast on Oct. 18th, 1988 contains some interview segments exclusively recorded for Unistar
Monday, November 10. 2008
Chuck Berry European Tour started
[Updated 11.11.2008]
Despite all the rumors and discussions happening in various online forums Chuck Berry's European Tour started today. Here is the schedule as officially published:
Despite all the rumors and discussions happening in various online forums Chuck Berry's European Tour started today. Here is the schedule as officially published:
- 10.11. - Hallenstadion, Zürich (CH)
- 11.11. - Cirque Royal, Brussels (B)
- 13.11. - Club Ludre, Nancy (F)
- 14.11. - Le Zenith, Paris (F)
- 15.11. - Le Zenith D' Amiens, Amiens (F)
- 16.11. - Muziekcentrum Schaaf, Leeuwarden (NL)
- 17.11. - Jazz Cafe, London (GB)
- 18.11. - Jazz Cafe, London (GB)
- 19.11. - Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam (NL)
- 20.11. - Grugahalle, Essen (D)
- 21.11. - Olympiahalle, Innsbruck (A)
- 22.11. - SAP-Arena, Mannheim (D)
Sunday, November 9. 2008
Robert Christgau on Chuck Berry
While shopping in second hand record or book shops I tend to buy items related to 1950s music in general or Chuck Berry in detail, as long as they are cheap.
So a 1973 paperback called "Any Old Way You Way You Choose It" grabbed my attention. I had read Robert Christgau before, but not this specific book with its Berry-related title. There's also a newer, expanded edition of this book available.
The book contains a reprint of Christgau's October 1972 Newsday article on Chuck Berry which is very fine contemporary reading covering Berry receiving the Golden Record for My Ding-A-Ling. In his writings, Christgau praises Berry as "the greatest rock lyricist this side of Bob Dylan". And since it is Christgau who wrote "the standard text of sorts, the Berry entry in The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll", his word should be trusted.
Christgau is famous for his often hard critical reviews of recent records. Him praising a musician means a lot. But all in all, you should not expect him to write purely positive on Berry. Quite the contrary! Just read this review of Bio, the album: "Willie Mays was the greatest baseball player who ever lived, but he just can't cut it anymore. He reminds me more of Chuck Berry every time out." Ouch!
If you are interested in Christgau's writing about Berry (and others), you will be astonished to learn that his personal web site www.robertchristgau.com contains many if not all of his writings!
Here are the most interesting things he wrote about Chuck Berry:
So a 1973 paperback called "Any Old Way You Way You Choose It" grabbed my attention. I had read Robert Christgau before, but not this specific book with its Berry-related title. There's also a newer, expanded edition of this book available.
The book contains a reprint of Christgau's October 1972 Newsday article on Chuck Berry which is very fine contemporary reading covering Berry receiving the Golden Record for My Ding-A-Ling. In his writings, Christgau praises Berry as "the greatest rock lyricist this side of Bob Dylan". And since it is Christgau who wrote "the standard text of sorts, the Berry entry in The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll", his word should be trusted.
Christgau is famous for his often hard critical reviews of recent records. Him praising a musician means a lot. But all in all, you should not expect him to write purely positive on Berry. Quite the contrary! Just read this review of Bio, the album: "Willie Mays was the greatest baseball player who ever lived, but he just can't cut it anymore. He reminds me more of Chuck Berry every time out." Ouch!
If you are interested in Christgau's writing about Berry (and others), you will be astonished to learn that his personal web site www.robertchristgau.com contains many if not all of his writings!
Here are the most interesting things he wrote about Chuck Berry:
- Newsday article "Chuck Berry: Eternal Rock and Roller": http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-aow/berry.php
- Rolling Stone History of Rock & Roll 1976 article "Chuck Berry": http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/berry-76.php
- Reviews of Berry's 1970s and 1980s albums: http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=2421&name=Chuck+Berry
- Review of Berry's "Autobiography" for Village Voice 1987: http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bkrev/berry-87.php
Main Page
This weblog is an addition to my Chuck Berry fansite called "A Collector's Guide to the Music of Chuck Berry" which describes all books and records of interest to everyone enjoying Chuck Berry's music.
Categories
What You Missed
Some earlier but important entries:
- Unanswered questions about the recording of Memphis, Tennessee
- Sweet Little Eight Variants of Sweet Little Sixteen
- The Johnny B. Goode Session
- Chuck Berry in Stereo
- Chuck Berry's Recording Session for Volkswagen
- Chuck Berry's Recording Session for Dr Pepper
- Tim McFarlin Introduces the Berry-Johnson Test into American Copyright Law
- Chuck Berry's Early Recording Locations
- Run! Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – and the copyright mystery
- Chuck Berry live in New York 1956
- The very first Chuck Berry LP album
- The Chuck Berry On Stage (Chess LP-1480) confusion continues
- The Chuck Berry Vinyl Bootlegs, Vol. 1: Rare Berries
- Rocksmuk album - bootleg or not?
- 6034 cover versions of Chuck Berry songs
- Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits (Chess LP-1485) variants
Recent Entries
- CHUCK100 Tribute EP Series
- Thursday, January 16 2025
- CBID - Corrections, Additions, New Covers
- Friday, January 10 2025
- Rhythm and Rhyme - Chuck Berry’s poetic heartbeat
- Sunday, December 22 2024
- CBID - 6034 and counting ...
- Friday, November 1 2024
- CBID - 6034 cover versions of Chuck Berry songs
- Friday, July 5 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 9
- Monday, June 10 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 8
- Tuesday, June 4 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 7
- Monday, April 22 2024
- Peter O’Neil’s So-Called Disorder
- Friday, April 12 2024
- The Chuck Berry Sound according to Atomicat
- Wednesday, April 10 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 6
- Wednesday, April 3 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 5
- Saturday, March 16 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 4
- Monday, February 19 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 3
- Monday, February 5 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story - pt. 2
- Monday, January 22 2024
- The Chuck Berry Vinyl Bootlegs, Vol. 3: America's Hottest Wax
- Tuesday, January 16 2024
- Chuck Berry in Fake Stereo
- Friday, January 12 2024
- CBID - The Never Ending Story
- Thursday, January 11 2024
- CBID - 5639 cover versions of Chuck Berry songs
- Tuesday, October 31 2023
- CBID - Covers, Chart Listings, and Not-Covers
- Monday, August 28 2023
- CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - final part 10
- Monday, March 27 2023
- Little Queenie overdubs
- Monday, March 13 2023
- CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 9
- Saturday, March 4 2023
- Lonely School Days - the variants explained
- Tuesday, January 31 2023
- An Interview with Johnnie Johnson - 1987
- Sunday, January 29 2023
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Copyright and Disclaimer
The complete contents of this weblog is
© Dietmar Rudolph
No part of this document may be used or published without written consent by the author.
Impressum/Haftungsausschluss/Datenschutz/Disclaimer
To contact the authors, email to cbguide@crlf.de.
© Dietmar Rudolph
No part of this document may be used or published without written consent by the author.
Impressum/Haftungsausschluss/Datenschutz/Disclaimer
To contact the authors, email to cbguide@crlf.de.