Tuesday, August 9. 2022
CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 4
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. [continued]
As mentioned before, more and more cover versions are now available as download only, and you’ll find most of them on You Tube.
Here are a few new interesting ones:
RICARDO RIBEIRO (Spain) – Louie To Frisco (6:35) 2021
ROE JULES (Spain) – My Mustang Ford (2:50) 2020
2 versions, one in English and one in Spanish, the latter being the best. The second time someone has covered this obscure Berry rocker. In 1980 a group from Canada called The Shakers did a cover of the song and you’ll find info on this blog.
NUVOLE BIANCHE (Spain) – Go Bobby Soxer (3:01) 2020
(is it a little peculiar that these three above are all from Spain?)
SATB CHOIR (USA) – Run Rudolph Run (2:35) 2017
ALEX CHILTON (USA)
See more info on this blog.
Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (3:11) 1977 (live)
2-LP: Ocean Club ’77 [Norton Records ED-400] ● USA, 2015
CD: Ocean Club ’77 [Norton Records CED-400] ● USA, 2015
Recorded at the Lower Manhattan Ocean Club in ‘77. Previously unissued.
CONRADS (Germany)
Blues trio led by singer, songwriter, guitarist Stefan George, plus Jay Trapp (bass) and Will Clipman (drums).
No Money Down (4:48) 1998
CD: Way Back Home [Line Music 9.01369] ● Germany, 2000
Recorded by Jim Pavett at Allusion Studios, Tucson, Arizona.
COPS LTD. (USA)
Rock quintet of law enforcement musicians from Yakima, Washington. Joe Smith (guitar, vocals), John Caiman (guitar, vocals), Mike Schreimer (keyboards, vocals), Bob Broyles (bass, vocals), Terry Roseberry (drums, vocals).
Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1975
LP: Play Old New [Tell International Records 27152] ● USA, 1975
Recorded at R.P.M. Studios, Yakima, Washington, in September ‘75.
COPS ’N ROBBERS (UK)
1960s beat/R&B group, formed in Watford, Hertfordshire. They had one single on Decca (1964) and two on PYE (1965),and one EP in France (1965). It’s not easy, they are pictured as a quartet, quintet and sextet. Members: Dane Stephens (vocals), Brian “Smudger” Smith (vocals, guitar), Duff Jackson (vocals, guitar), Colin Strange (guitar), Brian “Chuck” Rainer (guitar), Terry Fox (keyboards), Keith Canandine (harmonica), Steve Smith (bass), Alan Whitehead (drums), Henry Harrison (drums).
Take your pick.
Betty Jean (2:24) 1964
Let It Rock (2:30) 1964
CD: The Cops ’N Robbers [Distortions Records DR-1036] ● USA, 1997
Both songs copied from acetates, previously unissued.
JEFF CURTIS & THE FLAMES (UK)
Beat band formed in 1961. However, on the tracks below the band was as follows: Jeff Curtis [real name David Myers, born 1940] (lead vocals), Louis McKelvey (lead guitar), Keith Gardiner (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Malcolm Randall (saxophone), Dave Wigginton (bass), Malcolm Tomlinson (drums, backing vocals). Jeff Curtis really had a career in pop music during the ‘60s, check out garagehangover.com/jeff-curtis-and-the-flames
Bye Bye Johnny (2:17) 1963 (demo)
It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes (2:31) 1963 (demo)
4-CD set: Something Inside Of Me [Wienerworld Presentation WNRCD-5114] ● UK, 2021
“Unreleased Masters & Demos from the British Blues Years 1963-1976”. They also did “Route 66” which I am sure is in the Berry/Stones way.
DAVOLI (Croatia)
Pop band from Split, active from 1983. They were playing a mix of ‘50s and ‘60s rock’n’roll, rockabilly and Mediterranean pop.
Memphis, Tennessee (3:32) 1998
CD: Space Twist [Dallas Records CD-2415] ● Croatia, 1998
Recorded summer/autumn 1998 at Studio Garaža, Rijeka.
Memphis, Tennessee (2:20) 2016 (live)
2-CD: Studio M & Kulušić Live [Croatia Records 2CD-6074389] ● Croatia, 2016
JERRY DEEWOOD (Belgium)
Pop singer, born 1943 in Bruges.
Promised Land (2:45) 1980
LP: From Ballad To Rock & Roll [International Bestseller Co. 1A 058-63714] ● Belgium, 1980
This album is a tribute to Elvis in some way, so I would assume it sounds like Presley’s version.
Back In The USA (3:00) 1982
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:30) 1982
LP: Souvenirs [Sounds Superb (EMI) 4M 036 64748] ● Belgium, 1982
“Back In The USA” is based on the Linda Ronstadt version, at least for the tempo and the piano.
DELFINI (Italy)
Delfini was a beat/rock quartet from Padua, founded in 1961. They actually released a lot of singles and two albums during their heydays 1964-1968.
Memphis, Tennessee (3:29) 1966 (live)
LP: Una Serata Al Piper [Arc SA-9] ● Italy, 1966 (Piper Club Series)
CD: Una Serata Al Piper [On Sale Music 64 SOM-104] ● Italy, 2015
DIVIN’ DUCKS (Norway)
Rock quartet from Oslo.
Roll Over Beethoven (3:01) 1998 (live)
CD: Brewed And Bottled – Alive! [Clean Cut Records CCR-01] ● Norway, 1998
DONNEZ (Sweden)
They are a Swedish danceband from Perstorp in Skåne (the very south area), formed in 2000. Donald “Donne” Laitila is the leader on vocals, keyboards and accordion. They sing both in English and Swedish.
Run Rudolph Run (3:12) 2014
CD: Vem Tänker På Tomten? [Neptun NEP-1406] ● Sweden, 2014
Pretty goode rockin’ version, actually.
DREAMBOATS (Canada)
An old fashion rock’n’roll quartet from Mississauga, comprised of Sir Ritchie Hummins (vocals, guitar), Matt Best (lead guitar, vocals), Bryan Lewis (vocals, bass), Johnn G. Wiz (drums, vocals).
I’m Talking About You (1:53) 2021
CD: Back To The Start [Dreamboats no cat no] ● Canada, 2021
I am a little uncertain if there’s actually a proper CD or is it just for downloading? But this version is so good it needs to be here. Yes, I can make an exception. And there is also a video on You Tube from 2015 where they play a speed-up version of “Maybellene”.
T. O. EARNHEART (USA)
Thomas O. Earnheart, singer, guitarist in the rock’n’roll genre.
Around And Around (3:05) 1970s
Back In The USA (2:51) 1970s
LP: Big Rockin’ Daddy [Audio Dimension AD-077] ● USA, 1970s
Recorded at Audio Dimension, Memphis, Tennessee. Again these kind of record labels had trouble of getting any year printed.
DAVE EDWARDS (Canada)
Real name: Gaston Fortier, singer, songwriter, guitarist from Québec
Johnny B. Goode / Rock And Roll Music (in a R&R medley) (7:20) 1982
45: Unidisc UN-158 ● Canada, 1982
This is a shorter version at (4:19).
LP: Everybody Likes Rock And Roll [Unidisc UNI-1084] ● Canada, 1982
The rock’n’roll medley is titled “Everybody Likes Rock And Roll” containing in addition to the two Berry ones the following songs: Rock Around The Clock, Blue Suede Shoes, Good Golly Miss Molly and Long Tall Sally.
ETHICAL DEBATING SOCIETY (USA)
Kris Martin (el.guitar, vocals), Tegan Christmas (el.guitar, vocals), Eli Caballero (drums).
Run Rudolph Run (2:02) 2015
Various CD: Riot Grrrl Christmas [Cleopatra CLO-0092] ● USA, 2015
Various LP: Riot Grrrl Christmas [Cleopatra CLO-0092] ● USA, 2020
What the f… and what a noisy version, guitars all over the place (!) You get completely mad after 20 seconds.
FATHER Featuring RICKI YORKE (Canada)
Ricki (Ricky) Yorke is a vocalist from Toronto. In the ‘70s she was one of the singers for session work at Art Snider’s Sound Canada Recording Centre studio and releases on his Periwinkle Records label, and also on Ed LaBuick’s Cachet Records. Members on the album below: Ricki Yorke (lead vocals, tambourine), Dave Konvalinka (lead guitar, backing vocals), Rick Santagato (keyboards), Peter Simpson (tenor sax), Bruce Flynn (tenor and baritone sax), Brian Lucrow (trumpet), Bill Short (bass), Leigh “Leroy” Robinson (drums).
Chuck Berry Medley: Roll Over Beethoven-Rock And Roll Music-Sweet Little Sixteen-(Can’t Turn You Loose) (5:32) 1974
LP: Father [Periwinkle Records PER-7319] ● USA, 1974
Don’t know what the last title is all about, as there is no Berry song with that title, and I haven’t heard the medley so I can’t comment.
FATHER DOLAN (USA)
Singer, guitarist. He’s a minister according to the picture. Songs on the album varies from Oh, Rock My Soul, Universal Soldier, Cotton Fields to Blowin’ In The Wind and Mansion Over The Hilltop. Therefore interesting that he included Memphis. I assume he liked the fabulous lyrics.
Memphis, Tennessee (2:27) 1965
LP: Guitar In Hand [T N’ R Records (Guildcraft Productions) 803V-1001] ● USA, 1965
Guitar supplement: Dwight Pacific. Record label out of Hammond, Indiana. Recorded for Guildcraft Productions by RCA Custom Records.
DANNY FISHER (Belgium)
Singer, songwriter, guitarist. Real name Edmond Vermeylen, born in 1940, died in 1980. Had his first single out in 1961 and he had many after that, and a few albums.
Memphis, Tennessee (2:19) 1972
No Particular Place To Go (1:43) 1972
Rock And Roll Music (2:26) 1972
Roll Over Beethoven (2:35) 1972
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:50) 1972
LP: Rock & Roll [Diábolo LS-27007] ● Spain, 1972
HALINA FRĄCKOWIAK (Poland)
Pop singer, songwriter, born 1947 in Poznań. She must be a popular performer as she’s had a lot of singles and albums out since 1970.
Rock And Roll Music [Polish lyrics](1:56) 1986 (?)
CD: Napisz Proszę… [Polskie Nagrania Muz PNCD-204] ● Poland, 1992
This is a compilation album which means some of the tracks have been out before. I haven’t been able to find the Berry cover on other releases so I will assume that it’s previously unissued. Two songs on the album, including the Berry one, have PRiTV written behind them so maybe it’s taken from a TV show? You can check a clip of her on You Tube doing it from a 1986 TV performance.
FRANK OG FYRENE (Denmark)
Six piece dance-band of elderly musicians, based in Nordsjælland. To be quite honest, they call themselves a ‘60s band playing music from that Decade. So far they have released three albums.
You Never Can Tell (4:00) 2020
CD: Alle Gode Gange 3 [Eldorado (BMG) unknown cat no] ● Denmark, 2021
Pretty ordinary and a little boring, but I am sure it’s a good dance tune for the people.
GABBY HAZE (USA)
Good time music played by a band consisting of Dan Layman (vocals, autoharp), Dave Magnone (Guitar, vocals), Carl Bailey (Sax, flute, keyboard, vocals), Bill Yetzer (harmonica, percussion), Jerry Fretwell (double bass, vocals), Paul Cline (drums).
Maybellene (2:49) 2011 (live)
CD: Live At The Mockingbird [Gabby Haze 49213] ● USA, 2012
Recorded live at The Mockingbird in Staunton, Virginia, July 2011. Album released in March 2012. Goode and a little unusual version.
GAMSI (Slovenia)
Folk-rock band consisting of three brothers Marko Omahna (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Tone Omahna (accordion, keyboards, vocals) and Janko Omahna (bass). They also have a drummer and other guest musicians when necessary.
Roll Over Beethoven [as “Zarolajmo Na Slaka”] (2:20) 1998
CD: Jodl Korl-Hit [Helidon 6740919] ● Slovenia, 1998
ANTHONY GERACI (USA)
Blues and jazz keyboard player and composer. Born 1954 in New Haven, Connecticut.
Promised Land (4:21) 2018 (live)
Various 2-CD: Lucerne Blues Festival 2018 [Lucerne Blues Festival no cat no] ● Switzerland, 2018
The 24th Annual Lucerne Blues Festival. This was released by the help of many sponsors.
TONY HADLEY (UK)
Anthony Patrick Hadley from London, born 1960. He was a member and lead singer of the 1980s new wave band Spandau Ballet. And started on his solo career in 1990 after the band split up. You’ll find a lot of records by him, singles, CDs, videos from 1992 and up.
Run Rudolph Run (2:33) 2015
CD: The Christmas Album [Universal Music 0602 547 627025] ● UK, 2015
Standard rock version with guitar and a good piano solo.
Monday, June 27. 2022
Chuck Berry - Live from Blueberry Hill - explained
Since 1996 Berry had played regular shows at Joe Edwards "Blueberry Hill" in St. Louis, more than 200 of them. In contrast to the huge concert halls typically used for Berry concerts, the 300-seat "Duck Room" brought back the club atmosphere from the 1950 when Berry started to perform in St. Louis.
Also in contrast to his other concerts world-wide, the Blueberry Hill shows always had the same line-up for almost twenty years. The "Blueberry Hill Band" consisted of Berry's children Charles, Jr. and Ingrid, his band leader and bass player for 40+ years Jim Marsala, plus Robert Lohr on piano and Keith Robinson on drums.
As we already know from Dualtone Music, "Live from Blueberry Hill" is sold in many different ways: on CD, as a digital download, and in various Vinyl variants. The music is always the same, and this is what this site is about.
The liner notes to the CD tell a bit about the shows, but very little about the music. There's not even a recording date given, just "All songs recorded live at Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO from July 2005 - January 2006". I therefore contacted Bob Lohr, who played piano on all tracks, to find out more about how the recordings were created. Here's what I learned.
Bob Lohr (to the right) and the band (Jim Marsala, Charles, Ingrid, and Chuck Berry) live at the Blueberry Hill 2009
photos courtesy of Doug Spaur, many thanks, Doug! Click to enlarge.
Bob, do you remember when you started playing with Chuck at the Blueberry Hill or at other venues?
1996…on Chuck’s 70th birthday. The first three shows were in a different club room at Blueberry Hill called the Elvis Room…could probably fit 100 people maximum…about the size of a basement recreation room w/ Elvis memorabilia in glass cases on the walls. Joe Edwards later built the Duck Room in 1997 after he took over an adjoining restaurant (Cicero’s) which moved up the street. Cicero’s had a music club in the basement which was very small…had a lot of local acts plus well known national acts occasionally (I played there in local blues bands…also saw the Doors’ Ray Manzarek live w/ poet Michael McClure once!). Joe Edwards expanded Cicero’s club space, including digging out the floor a couple of feet deeper…and the Duck Room was born!
Please tell our readers a bit about your musical work. How often did you perform with Chuck, with whom did you share stages?
With Chuck I played almost all the shows at Blueberry Hill (over 200) and at least 100 on the road/private gigs/local gigs outside of Blueberry Hill…an estimate would be some 350 shows in total.
Onstage, I’ve gigged w/ Willie “Big Eyes” Smith & Calvin “Fuzz” Jones (Muddy Waters rhythm section), Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Rogers, Sam Lay, Roy Gaines, Snooky Pryor, Hubert Sumlin, Albert Collins, Big Jack Johnson, Sam Carr, Mud Morganfield, Cyril Neville’s Royal Southern Brotherhood & many others. Lots of well-known blues artists over the years.
Here’s a partial discography on me: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-lohr-mn0000057405
Thinking back at the Blueberry Hill shows, what made them special in comparison to playing at large halls?
It was a 300-seat venue which made it a more intimate experience for the fans…the St. Louis version of Liverpool’s Cavern Club. Chuck always had a lot of interaction with audiences wherever he played…check out various YouTube clips. People flew in from all over the world to see Chuck at Blueberry Hill. After tickets became obtainable online, people would come up to me after the show from all over the world. Oftentimes I would take them to downtown St. Louis to either BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups or Beale on Broadway to hear some serious blues/r&b. A lot of these tourists were traveling through what I call “Blues/Rock Ground Zero”, or hitting all the music cities within a 300-mile radius of St. Louis: Chicago, Memphis/Clarksdale, Nashville etc…
The new CD presents a short show of just 30 minutes. Was this the standard length of the Blueberry Hill performances?
No, Chuck’s standard show was 1 hour wherever we played.
30 minutes seem to become the new standard for albums. Given that many people listen to music using digital streaming, 30 minutes seems to be "long enough" for the labels and for the listener's attention span.
As for the song selection, we only hear Chuck's greatest hits plus Walter Jacobs' "Mean Old World". Was this a typical tracklist?
No, we did at least two or three blues numbers per gig. “Wee Wee Hours” of course…also “It Hurts Me Too” and “Key To The Highway”, “Every Day I Have The Blues”, “Worried Life Blues”, “Beer Drinkin’ Woman” etc.
Do you remember Chuck playing more obscure and rare songs from his huge repertoire? On the CHUCK album for instance there's a Blueberry Hill recording of Tony White's "Enchiladas".
Not really…would usually play the well known songs.
What do you think is missing from new CD? Is there any special song you remember from Blueberry Hill which you wished to hear again?
We used to do “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” and “Promised Land” on an occasional basis…also, “Worried Life Blues”…
Ingrid is heard only on two tracks, "Mean Old Word" and "Let It Rock". Was it typical that she only joined small segments of the show? Or has she been with you only sometimes and was absent when the other tracks were recorded?
She was at every show in St. Louis onstage. She did not go on every road trip.
The two songs Ingrid plays harmonica on as well as "Roll Over Beethoven" are also the only three songs on this album we hear you soloing. Have you been allowed to solo during the shows? Or was it just Chuck and the rhythm he needed?
As you can hear on the latest live CD, Chuck would throw us solos on almost every song…very generous in that regard.
A reviewer wrote that to his ears Charles Jr. is playing the lead of "Johnny B. Goode" on the new CD. Did father and son share and distribute the lead guitar solos?
No, that’s clearly Chuck on Johnny B. Goode here. Chuck did almost all the lead guitar on stage and threw Charles Jr. some solos during the set. Charles Jr. does a solo at approximately 1:57 of Roll Over Beethoven right after mine. Charles Jr.’s rhythm guitar can be heard throughout this CD on the left channel.
Chuck was close to eighty years when these recordings were made. We almost cannot notice when he sings and plays.
You cannot notice in these 2005 shows, but as his later show recordings sadly indicated, Chuck’s hearing was seriously degraded. He had some expensive hearing aids but he didn’t like wearing them onstage…one actually fell out on the stage and could not be found later!
Bob, what is your favorite recollection from Blueberry Hill?
One of the coolest things I remember about the Blueberry Hill shows was hearing and watching Chuck warm up with his guitar backstage before the show. Chuck would warm up with his guitar while not plugged into an amplifier. It was amazing to hear…all the classic Chuck Berry licks played perfectly by the man himself…often did some amazing things which I never heard him do onstage. It was like all the years and age were stripped away and he was back again playing in the 50’s…I’m so sorry that I never asked Chuck whether he would allow me to record him on my iPhone…absolutely amazing. You could also hear him warming up when he was changing clothes in the bathroom. Once he opened the door and I watched him playing guitar in the mirror…Chuck told me he liked playing in the bathroom because the reverb reminded him of the Chess studio!
Many thanks for your explanations, Bob! We appreciate to hear from "the sources".
Monday, June 20. 2022
CBID - Eight additions to the Tributes list
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: Chapter 14 lists musical tributes to Chuck Berry. This includes tribute albums on which his music represents a large part, and it includes tribute songs in which title, lyrics or story refer to the man's life or music. This time you’ll get 8 new entries in the Tributes section: a couple of albums and 6 variations of songs.
DON ADAMS (Scotland)
Hector Reay MacKay was a blues and soul singer, born 1942 in Glasgow, and died in 1995. He was mostly active in Germany. He toured in the late ‘60s with the German Ensemble of Hair. He was also a member of the Les Humphries Singers (see page 1259). He had a few solo albums and singles released.
Reelin’ And Rockin’ / Too Much Monkey Business / Nadine / (Rock’n’Roll Fieber) / Wee Wee Hours / Sweet Little Sixteen / (Rock And Coke) / Memphis, Tennessee / Bye Bye Johnny / Roll Over Beethoven / (Rock On The Rocks) / Rock And Roll Music / No Money Down / (Rock Store)
MC: Rock It Over Again [Polyband CS-233 (12 31127-4)] ● Germany, 1973
This came as a big surprise to me when I found it on discogs. Hey, the album title don’t give any clue that it is almost a Chuck Berry Tribute album, except for the four strange titles, two written by one called Erec and two by Kienemann. When this was released is a little doubtful as there is no year printed (again), but checking other cat numbers on the same label I came to the conclusion of 1973.
ANA CÃNAS (Brazil)
Singer, songwriter, actress, born 1981 in São Paulo. So far she’s released six albums.
Chuck Berry Fields Forever [Gilberto Gil] (3:40) 2009
CD: Hein? [Sony Music 88697556392] ● Brazil, 2009
Featuring Gilberto Gil on guitar. This has no Berry arrangement, more disco oriented. But it’s still a tribute. Refering to the entry by Gilberto Gil on page 1815 (Vol. 4).
ADAM CARTER (USA?)
There’s a country singer/guitarist whose name is Adam Carter but this is surely not him. Probably studio musicians.
Rock And Roll Music / Maybellene / Johnny B. Goode / Sweet Little Sixteen / Memphis, Tennessee / School Day / Bye Bye Johnny / Roll Over Beethoven / Too Much Monkey Business / You Never Can Tell
CD: A Tribute To Chuck Berry [Kives Records kv-5107] ● Brazil, 1996
I don’t think that “the artist” is from Brazil. There’s a lot of similar tribute albums to various artists like Donna Summer, Stevie Wonder, A-Ha, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton and a whole lotta more. There’s no picture of others than the actual tribute artist/group. Discogs have listed 25 various tributes in this series on the Kives label.
HEART OF MARY (Norway)
A rockband from Kongsvinger who operated from 1986-1989. Denis (Decay) Kamphaug (vocals, guitar), Anders Bøhnsdalen (guitar), Levi Henriksen (bass) and Kai O. Tønnessen (drums). They reunited in 2015 and came to an end in late 2018 when Denis Kamphaug died.
Mozart Never Did The Duckwalk [Heart Of Mary] (3:18) 1988
CD: Greetings From Stuckville [A Rose for Emily Records Flooral-2200] ● Norway, 1989
Recorded 1988-89 at Loud Level Studio, Hjellum. Well, the title should be a sure winner for a tribute, and Chuck Berry is mentioned in the lyrics also Too Much Monkey Business. Mozart never did the Duckwalk and he never let his baby guitar talk... All of the lyrics themselves are not really about Berry, however, the guitar solo is straight Berry with all the necessary riffs.
The album was reissued in 2021 on Norske Albumklassikere series (Norwegian Albumclassics), NACD-043.
LOS REBELDES (Spain)
See Volume 3, page 1333 for biographical info, and also on this blog.
Rockabilly/rock’n’roll quartet formed in Barcelona in 1979. Originally they were a trio Carlos Segarra (vocals, guitar), Aurelio Morata (bass) and Moisés Sorolla (drums), later extended to a quartet. On the album below they are a actually a quintet: Carlos Segarra (vocals, guitar), Santiago Campillo (guitar, pedal-steel guitar), Quino Lucas (piano, accordion), Aurelio Morata (bass) and Wichi Garcia de Maya (drums).
Chuck Berry [Los Rebeldes] (2:18) 2016
CD: A Flor De Piel [Altafonte MM-0013] ● Spain, 2016
LP: A Flor De Piel [Altafonte MM-0014] ● Spain, 2016
It’s a mid-tempo rockin’ tribute sung in Spanish. You can watch it on You Tube, both the studio version and live.
RAS KASS (USA)
Real name John R. Austin IV, born in 1973, Carson, California. He was an original founding member of Patchwerk Records in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s released a lot of albums since 1994.
Chuck Berry [John Austin] (2:49) 2020
LP/CD: I’m Not Clearing Shxt [Blackhouse Records BH-999 130] ● USA, 2020
I don’t understand anything (almost) of what he’s saying but Berry’s name is mentioned several times. It all starts with the intro of “Jailhouse Rock” ! and I’m trying to figure out why. Maybe because it was a white song? You know, Berry has always been a big star amongst the hip-hoppers and rappers because he was black and proud and didn’t take any shxt from anyone during his lifetime.
There are other rap songs that mention Berry in the lyrics; to sum it up: Chuck Berry made it, but the credit went to Elvis.
WERNER SCHMIDBAUER (Germany)
TV host, singer, songwriter and musician, born 1961 in Munich.
Chuck Berry (3:03) [Werner Schmidbauer] 2017 (live)
CD: Bei Mir – Solo & Live [F.A.M.E. (Sony) 787420] ● Germany, 2018
Recorded live in October 2017. Guitar and harmonica, that’s all. This is a story about Schmidbauer meeting Chuck Berry while shopping and Berry complaining about how hard it is for old rockers to find work. So they go to a public place in Munich where they play for 5 hours so that Berry has enough money for the flight back home to the States. I’m so glad I’m livin’ in the USA… Schmidbauer is singing in Bavarian dialect which is not easy to understand, so thanks to Dietmar and his wife for the efforts of listening closely to the lyrics here.
ERIC WESTPHAL (USA)
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, producer. He has worked on numerous albums over the years as a band member, session musician and fronted one of Northern California’s most celebrated power-pop bands, James Blonde. So far he’s recorded two solo albums, “Alice Street Sessions” from 2001 and the latest being “Kobold Moon” below.
Chuck Berry [Eric Westphal] (3:50) 2021
CD: Kobold Moon [IAC Records 1202 1011] ● USA, 2021
Slow and soulful big band tribute. Album recorded at 25th Street Recording, Oakland, California.
Monday, May 30. 2022
CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 3
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. [continued]
The following new entries to the Berry Covers really include several obscure Berry songs, and even a couple that have not been covered before, like “Ma Dear” and “Stop And Listen”. Enjoy.
Two more in the NO Chuck section:
Gene Latter (UK) - Sweet Little Rock And Roller (Yellowstone-Danova-Howdar) 1974
Phase III (USA) - Back In The USA (Dave Hassinger) 1969
NOTE: This is actually featured on page 1417 as a Berry cover, but it’s NOT. Sorry.
And a UK punk trio, Super Adventure Club, had an album out in 2010 called “Chalk Horror!” with a track titled In The Wee Wee Hours. Even though they thank Chuck Berry on the album this is NOT Berry’s “Wee Wee Hours”.
A & M TWO GENERATIONS (West Germany)
Alfred Fäth (bass, harmonica), Manfred Fäth (guitar, vocals, harmonica, drums) from Aschaffenburg, Bayern.
Let It Rock (2:40) 1975
Louie To Frisco (3:30) 1975
LP: Hemo [Sound Record PA-4/75] ● West Germany, 1975
Nice to find another cover of this obscure Berry track “Louie To Frisco”. See also George Thorogood, page 1559.
A-BONES (USA)
Garage rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 1984. The group originally disbanded in 1994 but reunited in 2004 and again in 2009.
Tulane (3:33) 2014 (live)
LP/CD: Ears Wide Shut [Norton Records ED/CED-93] ● USA. 2014
Recorded live at the rehearsal room on Super Bowl, 2 February 2014.
WOLFGANG BERNREUTHER, THOMAS FEINER, LEO “BUD” WELCH (Germany, Sweden, USA)
Blues musicians. Wolfgang Bernreuther [from Neumarkt, Oberpfalz, Germany] (vocals, guitar) & Leo “Bud” Welch [born 1932 in Sabougla, Mississippi; died in December 2017] (vocals, guitar), Thomas Feiner [born 1968 outside Gothenburg, Sweden] (vocals, harmonica), Tommy Gedon (guitar), Jimbo Mathus (piano), Starling Browning (guitar, vocals), Beata Kossowska (maracas), Harry Hirschmann (bass), Bronson Tew (drums)
Wee Wee Hours (4:57) 2017 (live)
LP: Don’t Let The Devil Ride [Grooveland GL-114] ● Germany, 2019
CD: Don’t Let The Devil Ride [Fenn Music FMS-2109] ● Germany, 2019
Album recorded live at Dial Back Sound, Water Valley, Mississippi, 7 & 8 June, 2017.
BOGGIE LEG (Sweden)
Johan Wigge, singer, songwriter, guitarist. He also plays harmonica. He’s joined by Anders Krusell (bass) and Stefan Wållberg (drums, vocals).
Oh What A Thrill (4:02) 2003
CD: Cut To The Bone [Blue Wig Productions WIGCD-0301] ● Sweden, 2004
BILLY BREMNER’S ROCKFILES (UK/Sweden)
Singer and guitarist Billy Bremner (see Rockpile page 1471) and Geraint Watkins (piano), in collaboration with Swedish musicians like Bonnie Löfman (guitar, vocals), Mikael Finell (bass, vocals)= The Refreshments (see page 1444), and Peder Sundahl (drums). Produced by Mikael Finell and Peder Sundahl.
Oh What A Thrill (3:58) 2018
CD: Cover It Well - A Tribute To Rockpile [Ball And Chain Records BACCD-0052018] ● Sweden, 2018
Album recorded at Studio Rock Around The Clock, Skutskär and Musikhuset, Gävle, both in Sweden.
CD: A Tribute To Rockpile - Billy Bremner For President [Kool Cat Musik PURR-2142] ● USA, 2020
Let’s Make Rockfiles Great Again. This is the same album as above but has 13 tracks instead of 12 as the Swedish one.
Released 2019 both in Spain (Folc Records FOLC-119) and Japan (Target Earth Records TE-037).
DUKES OF HAMBURG (Germany)
Beat band from Bielefeld in Germany led by singer, guitarist Thilo Pieper. Pieper was also a member of an American variant of the band in the ‘90s.
Beautiful Delilah (2:29) 1998
LP: Star-Club Show 1 [Dionysus Records ID-123346] ● USA, 1998
They have used the same album art work as the old ‘60s Twist Im Star-Club LPs as a gimmick.
Oh Baby Doll (1:42) 1999
LP: Bad Side Of July [Dionysus Records ID-123377] ● USA, 1999
Recorded at Pin Up Studios, Hayward, California, USA. The song is wrongly credited to one Petry, but it’s the Berry song all right. On this album the group was billed as The Dukes Of Hamburg III.
I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ ‘Bout You”] (1:54) 2016
LP: Germany’s Newest Hitmakers [Moonshake Records SHAKE-8. TFA-38] ● Germany, 2017
EXCITEMENTS (Spain)
Seven piece R&B band based in Barcelona, formed 2010. Their first single came in 2010. and so far they have 4 albums out, 2011-2021.
Back To Memphis (3:04) 2016
LP/CD: Breaking The Rule [Penniman Records PENN-006] ● Spain, 2016
A good soulful rendition with lead singer Koko Jean Davis in full blast.
SIGGI FASSL (Austria)
Blues and country singer, songwriter, guitarist. Born 1966 in Vienna. He’s also been a member of the Mojo Blues Band, a band itself also represented in the Berry covers survey.
Thirteen Question Method (2:50) 2006 (live)
CD: I Did The Same Mistake Again [Styx Records STYX CD-1037] ● Austria, 2009
Recorded live at Reigen in Vienna, 3 April 2006. This is an acoustic set with just Siggi and his guitar.
FLAMIN’ GROOVIES (USA)
See Volume 3, page 1190 for biographical info.
Around And Around (3:24) 1979 (live)
Let It Rock (3:46) 1979 (live)
LP: Vaillancourt Fountain - Justin Herman Plaza - San Francisco, CA - September 19, 1979 [Rockbeat ROC-3423] ● USA, 2018
Almost Grown (2:07) 1987 (live)CD: Live At The Festival Of The Sun [AIM CD-1051] ● Australia, 1994
CD: Live In Barcelona 1987 [Music Sessions MS-028] ● Spain, 2007
Recorded live at the La Merce Festival in Barcelona, Spain, 4 October 1987.
GRAFITTI SINGERS (France)
Probably studio musicians, however, may have something to do with the rock’n’roll trio Joint De Culasse, or not?
Roll Over Beethoven (2:56) 1975
2-LP: Roll Over Beethoven [Carrere 67.054] ● France, 1975
Bye Bye Johnny (3:24) 1979
Carol (3:23) 1979
Johnny B. Goode (2:32) 1979
Memphis, Tennessee (2:29) 1979
Promised Land (2:15) 1979
Reelin’ And Rockin’ (2:55) 1979
Rock And Roll Music (2:20) 1979
Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 1979
School Day (3:02) 1979
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:50) 1979
2-LP: Rock And Roll Story [Carrere 67.326] ● France, 1979
24 songs, but except for the Berry ones there are “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Tutti Frutti”, “Twilight Time”, and “Stagger Lee”. The rest looks like originals. With 10 Berry covers on a two-album set, it could almost be considered as a tribute.
See also under Joint Du Calasse
HENTCHMEN (USA)
See Volume 3, page 1242 for biographical info.
Oh Baby Doll (2:00) 1994
7” EP: Girl From Jackson [A Front Porch Record FPR-3] ● USA, 1994
Recorded in Northville, Michigan.
It Don’t Take But a Few Minutes (2:12) 1995
7” EP: Gravel-Bite [1+2 Records EP-099] ● Japan, 1995
Recorded 7 April ‘95 at Nomad Studios, Michigan.
BRUCE HORNSBY (USA)
Bruce Randall Hornsby was born 1954 in Williamsburg, Virginia. He’s a singer, songwriter and pianist.
Too Much Monkey Business (4:01) 2021
CD: Flicted [Zappo Productions/Thirty Tigers] ● USA, 2022
According to press release, this is the first ever cover song to appear on a Hornsby studio release. That should tell you somethin’. And would you believe that this is a rap version, pretty unusual, but gets a little boring in the long run.
HOT PANTS (France)
Rock’n’roll/punk/latin quartet. Formed in 1984.
Ma Dear (2:14) 1986
CD: Loco-Mosquito [All Or Nothing Records AN-CD-02] ● France, 1986
CD: Loco-Mosquito [Virgin Records 7243 8 49860 2] ● France, 2000
Recorded and mixed at Studio Do in Bordeaux, May 1986. Now this is the second cover version of this obscure Berry Mercury track from 1968. (See also Joint De Culasse below.)
JOINT DE CULASSE (France)
Rock’n’roll trio: Manu Chao (vocals, guitar), Jean-Marc Despeignes (bass), Santiago Casariego (drums).
Carol [as “Ho Carol”] (2:30) 1982
Ma Dear [as “My Dear My Dear”] (3:04) 1982
Memphis, Tennessee (2:35) 1982
Roll Over Beethoven (2:32) 1982
LP: Super Boum Rock’n’Roll [Force Records (Carrere) 67950] ● France, 1982
Fourteen rock’n’roll covers recorded at Studio Damiens in Boulogne, France. Hail! Hail! Another new Berry song that I didn’t know had been covered. “Ma Dear”, which Berry recorded 1 July 1968 and released on Mercury single 72840 coupled with “Louie To Frisco” (July ’68) and album “From St. Louie To Frisco” Mercury SR-61176 (October ’68). It’s okay and has a staccato funky beat and don’t sound like a Chuck Berry song. The original didn’t either, so… You can listen to it on You Tube.
HOWEVER, this album also came out in 1983 under the “band” name Graffiti Singers, released on Carrere LP-63072 containing sixteen tracks. Too much monkey business if you ask me.
See also Graffiti Singers.
See also Hot Pants for another cover of “Ma Dear”.
LA CLINIC DU DR. SCHULTZ (France)
Rock band formed in 2000 by guitarist Roger Fritsch-Schultz (died in 2104) and drummer Denis Baudrillart.
Roll Over Beethoven (2:20) 2004
CD: Rock ‘N’ Roll De Proximité [Patate Records PRP-022] ● France, 2004
10” LP: Vol. 1 [Red Head Man RHM-008] ● France, 2005
Reelin’ And Rockin’ (2:42) 2009
Rock At The Philharmonic (2:36) 2009 (instr)
CD: Rythmes Et Mélodies Du Vingtième Siècle [La Clinic Du Dr. Schultz self-released] ● France, 2009
Now this is the forth cover version of this Berry instrumental, so far. However, more rock than jazz feeling.
LES BLUE SHADES (France)
Beat/rock quartet.
How You’ve Changed (3:11) 1965
LP: Les Blue Shades [Cameleon Records CAME-43] ● France, 2016
Previously unissued (?) I haven’t found any releases by this group except the album above which contains 12 tracks. 300 copies on colored vinyl. And I would assume that this cover is based on the version by The Animals. And by the way, if you search for this Berry song on discogs you’ll find more entries by The Animals than Chuck !!!
MICKEY & LUDELLA (UK)
Michael Hampshire and Sarah J. Crouch (Ludella Black). Michael has been a member (guitarist, vocals) of The Milkshakes. And Sarah has been vocalist in groups like The Mighty Ceasars (backing vocals), Sexton Ming (vocals) and Delmonas (vocals).
Stop And Listen (2:16) 1995
LP/CD: Bedlam A’ Go-Go [Vinyl Japan ASKLP/ASKCD-52] ● UK, 1995
Surprise!!! Here’s another Berry title to add to the long list already. This blues ballad has never been covered before as far as I know (you can listen to it on You Tube). And I like it, as it doesn’t drag so much as Berry’s own. Originally recorded by Berry in February 1960 and included on the Chess album New Juke Box Hits LP-1456 released in March 1961.
MOONLIGHTERS (Belgium)
Blues-rock band. Filip De Fleurquin (vocals), Marnix Vernieuwe (guitar), Jozef Leféve (keyboards), Gust Vernieuwe (bass), Fernand Buyls (drums).
Dear Dad (1:47) 1989
It’s My Own Business [as “My Own Business”] (3:31) 1989
You Never Can Tell (3:23) 1989
LP: Pains Of 17 [Blue Sting STING-013] ● Belgium, 1989
Good to see two Berry songs that have not been covered too much, strange as it is.
N.R.B.Q. (USA)
See Volume 3, page 1393 for biographical info.
It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes (2:40) 1977
CD: Kick Me Hard – The Deluxe Edition [Rounder Records CD-3030] ● USA, 1989
Previously unissued. Only available on the Deluxe Edition. Recorded 13 October ’77.
ZOOGS RIFT (USA)
Robert Pawlikowski. Punk, rock, avantgarde (?) Not quite sure. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, wrestling personality, born 1953 in Paterson, New Jersey. Have had 19 albums out since 1985, plus a couple of compilations. Died in 2011.
It’s My Own Business (5:19) 1999
CD: School Of The Criminally Insane [Miss Anne Thrope Music/Zoogs Rift no cat no] ● USA, 1999
Recorded April 1999 at Lotek Studio, Marina Del Rey, California. Self-released. Another cover of this obscure Berry rocker.
RISKY BLUES (Belgium)
Blues band. Filip De Fleurquin (vocals), Marnix Vernieuwe (guitar), Jef Lefeve (piano), Chris De Brakeleer (drums). Rik Wolf is playing double bass on the Berry cover.
Thirteen Question Method (2:56) 1995
CD: Doggin’ Around [Paradiso PA-6512] ● Belgium, 1995
So far there are now seven cover versions of this unusual Berry song.
SLICKEE BOYS (USA)
Psychedelic garage-rock band from the Washington D.C. area. First single release in 1976 and the first album came a year later which was the one below.
No Money Down (4:04) 1977 (live)
LP: Separated Vegetables [Dacoit LP-1001] ● USA, 1977
Only a 100 copies were pressed of this. The album was reissued in 1980 on Limp Records 1003. The track itself is a very typical white blues version if you get my drift.
V.I.P.s (UK)
Rock quintet from Carlisle, 1965-67. Original members: Mike Harrison (vocals), Jimmy Henshaw (guitar), Frank Kenyon (guitar), Greg Ridley (bass) and Walter Johnstone (drums). They had several singles and EPs out from 1964-1967.
Wee Wee Hours [“Late Night Blues”] (5:37) 1966
EP: Stagger Lee [Fontana 460 219 ME] ● France, 1967
LP: I Wanna Be Free [Beat Club International Ltd 200 005] ● France, 1987
2 CD: The Complete V.I.P.s [Repertoire REPUK-1088] ● UK, 2007
The song is actually called Late Night Blues (Wee Wee Hours), written by Berry and arranged by Greg Ridley and Mike Harrison. However, on the French EP the song is credited to Harrison/Ridley. (You’ll find it on You Tube.)
YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS (USA)
Rock/beat quartet formed early 1980s in Seattle, Washington..They have released quite a bit of singles and albums since 1984.
I Want To Be Your Driver (2:13) 1991
CD: Gleich Jetzt [1+2 Records Barn Homes CD-028] ● Japan, 1993
Recorded at EGG studio, Seattle, Washington. Berry song previously unissued. Compilation album of 16 tracks whereas 6 have been out before. The rest were unreleased.
Monday, May 9. 2022
CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 2
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 version you find. Here's another list of artists and band playing Chuck Berry's music. [continued]
An Australian group called John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong had a single out in 1986 titled “Run Rudolph Run” which is not the Berry number strangely enough. It’s a self written song where they use the title between the verses. It sounds like a leftover from the Beach Boys in the ‘60s. Again it’s always a chance to take if you haven’t heard the song, and this is a very good example.
An American guitar player called Lightnin’ Red had an album out in 1972 called “The Super Guitar Of …” (Stereo Gold Award MER-351) featuring “Guitar Boogie” credited to Chuck Berry, but that’s the Arthur Smith’s version he’s playing.
ALARM CLOCKS (USA)
Originally a garage rock trio from Parma, Ohio, formed in 1965. Bruce Boehm (guitar), Mike Pierce (vocals, bass), and Bill Schwark (drums). They recorded a single in ’66 released on their own Awake label. Nothing happened and the band disbanded in 1967. The single though became later on popular among collectors and in 1996 turned up on a compilation album “Back From The Grave”. Various old songs made up an album “Yeah!” on Norton Records in 2000. The group reformed in 2006 and added a fourth member, guitar player Tom Fallon, and they had a new album out on Norton. Busy guys.
Carol ( : ) 2009 (live)
LP: Live Nov.7, 2009 [My Mind’s Eye Records NME-003] ● USA, 2010
Recorded live at the Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, Ohio. Limited Edition of 300 copies. Record has a white cover with artwork pasted on and insert with song titles, and the labels have handwritten song titles.
ARA VA DE BO (Spain)
Nuri* (lead vocals), Ricard Casals** (lead vocals), Joaquin "Max" Sunyer (guitar), Josep "Kitflus" Mas (keyboards), Primitiu Sancho (bass), Jordi Colomer (drums).
Carol** (2:59) 1977 (Spanish lyrics)
Rock And Roll Music* (3:46) 1977 (Spanish lyrics)
LP: Ara Va De Rock [Pardal 709 L.P.] ● Spain, 1977
CD: Ara Va De Rock [Actual Records 80 2008/14] ● Spain, 1998 (reissue)
Seems like this is an educational album for children.
See also Max Sunyer
AUTOMATICS (UK)
Punk-rock quartet. They had a single out in 1978 and later a few in the 2000s, and seven albums from 2000 to 2009.
You Can’t Catch Me (3:49) 2000
LP: The Missing Album [Destroy Records BURN-001] ● UK, 2000
BARBARA STANN (Spain)
Rock quintet, all men despite the band name. Hector Fernandez (vocals, ac.guitar), Jorge Garcia (el.guitar, vocals), Pedro Pasamontes (guitars), José Antonio Danta (bass, vocals), and Sergio Ramos (drums, vocals). Add. musician: Lluis Vidal (piano).
Carol (2:31) 1992
Carol (2:31) 1992 (Spanish version)
CD: Another Girl [3 Cipreses CR-9C-0910] ● Spain, 1992
LP: Another Girl [3 Cipreses 4C-0910] ● Spain, 1992*
Okay rockin’ version but the Spanish one sounds best. The CD has 15 tracks, but the LP* only features 11 tracks, which means the Spanish version is not included.
BASICS (Australia)
Rock trio, formed 2002 in Melbourne. Michael Hubbard (lead guitar, vocals) replaced by Tim Heath in 2005, Kris Schroeder (bass, vocals), Wally De Backer (drums, vocals). Most of their songs are originals, often written by Kris Schroeder, so it’s interesting to see they selected a Berry tune to cover, where they, by the way, are enhanced by a horn section.
You Never Can Tell (3:05) 2019
LP: B.A.S.I.C. [The Three Basics 3B0170562] ● Australia, 2019
CD: B.A.S.I.C. [The Three Basics 3B0170579] ● Australia, 2019
But a pretty ordinary version.
CARROLL BATEMAN And The UNTOUCHABLES (USA)
Singer and guitarist together with Ted LeMire (saxophone), Tom Vanyo (bass, vocals), Richie Pommer (drums).
No Particular Place To Go (2:50) 1966 (live)?
LP: Songs From Last Night [Smigar Records M-101] ● USA, 1966
I have a feeling this is very local. Record label out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
BETTERDAYS (UK)
Rhythm & blues quintet from Plymouth. Mike “Shane” Hayne (lead vocals). Richard Broczek (guitars), Bob Pitcher (keyboards, vocals), Mike Weston (bass, vocals), Frank Tyler (drums). Formed in 1960 as a rock’n’roll group but who more and more added rhythm & blues to their repertoire. They released an EP on the Oak label in the early ‘60s and a single in 1965 on Polydor, but promotion and sales were poor so they disbanded in 1966.
Too Much Monkey Business (2:10) 1994
CD: No Concessions [Aftermath NAFT-1001] ● UK, 1994
2-LP: Backlash [N.T.B. Records 1003] ● UK, 2017
This re-issue in 2017 contains more songs than the 1994 version. The album has both early unreleased songs and newer recordings from the reunion of the band in 1994.
BLACK CAT JOE & MISS CORINA (France)
Black Cat Joe (vocals, guitar, harmonica, bass drum & cymbal), Miss Corina (washtub bass, maracas, tambourine). I have found two albums and two EPs by them. They play folk blues and primitive rock’n’roll. You can find several You Tube clips where they a.o. perform both “Carol” and “Roll Over Beethoven”.
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2013
You Never Can Tell ( : ) 2013
CD: A Thousand Miles From Nowhere [Kerozen, no cat number] ● France, 2013
BLACK LIPS (USA)
Flower-punk band from Atlanta, Georgia formed in 1999. They have released over 12 albums and a LOT of singles and EPs since 2002.
Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 2004 (live)
7” 33 1/3 EP: Live At The Jam Club [Shake Your Ass Records SYA-009] ● Italy, 2004
Recorded live on a two-track at Jam Club in Mestre, Italy (near Venice). Limited numbered edition.
BLACK KNIGHTS 2005 (UK)
Back in the ‘60s, really 1965, they had a single out on Columbia “I Gotta Woman” produced by George Martin. This reunion band consisted of Mal Jefferson (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Frank Hopley (piano, vocals), Ritchie Ballard (bass), Allan Schroeder (drums, vocals), the latter was a founding member of the original group.
Johnny B. Goode (3:20) 2005
Nadine (3:29) 2005
No Particular Place To Go (2:30) 2005
CD: Back In Black [Mastersound MS CD.570] ● UK, 2005
LYNDA CARTER (USA)
Lynda Jean Cordova Carter from Phoenix, Arizona, born in 1951. She’s an actress and singer. Won Miss World USA in 1972. Played the role of “Wonder Woman” for three seasons in the ‘70s TV series. So far she has released four studio albums, from 1978-2018.
You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie …) (3:21) 2011
CD: Crazy Little Things [Potomac Records PP-4003] ● USA, 2011
Pretty good pop version.
CASH (USA)
Rock quintet. Kathy Turner (vocals), Howard “Bunk” Beenken (guitar), Isaac Josef Anthony (organ), Tim James (bass), Hank Laake (drums)
Johnny B. Goode / Roll Over Beethoven [in a rock’n’roll medley] (10:10) 1972 (live)
LP: Caught Live At The Golden Hawk [Catch Records LAM-128] ● USA, 1972
Recorded live at the Golden Hawk on 9 September 1972 in Des Moines, Iowa. In addition to the Berry covers the medley consists of: Long Tall Sally, Great Balls Of Fire, Shake Rattle And Roll and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.
It’s not easy to find on line tracks from obscure albums, so I can’t comment here.
CHANTAL (Germany)
German classical group or instrumental-ensemble with ten to fourteen musicians gathered.
Roll Over Beethoven (4:54) 2003 (live) (instr)
CD: Live At The Cavern [Zounds Music 27000 60022] ● Germany 2003
Recorded live at The Cavern Club in Liverpool 22 February, 2003. This is in a series titled Audiophile Edition – Volume 4.
Again, I wonder why they include Beethoven, except that Beatles recorded it and had a hit with it, but still ? The Beatles wrote plenty of their own. As a matter of fact of the 14 tracks on the album, 13 are from the pens of Lennon-McCartney.
CO-DEPENDENTS (Canada)
Rock’n’roll-country quartet from Calgary, Alberta, consisting of Billy Cowsill (lead vocals, ac. guitar), Steve Pineo (el. guitar, vocals), Tim Leacock (bass, vocals), Ross Watson (drums). They existed from 1998 to 2004.
You Never Can Tell (3:02) 2001 (live)
CD: Live At The Mecca Café – Volume 2 [Indelible Music NIRC-0009] ● Canada, 2006
Album recorded live at the Mecca Café in Calgary, 27, 29, 30 June 2001. Here we have 18 mostly covers of rock’n’roll, soul, R&B songs from various well known artists and groups.
CORMAN (France)
Alias Marc Simon, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter. In the ‘90s he performed and recorded with Claude Saut as Corman & Tuscadu. He’s also recorded a lot as Marc Simon. To be quite honest I am not sure where he’s from, France or Italy? Most of the albums by him are from France. It’s not easy when you have songs recorded in French, English, Italian and German.
Carol (4:09) 1997
CD: Anatomia [Baracca & Burattini 489171 2] ● Italy, 1997
I have only found one release of this album from Italy. And this is also the only release as Corman.
CRAZY ROCKERS (Netherlands)
Four piece indo-rock band. See Volume 3, page 1146 for biographical info.
However, there were some missing links in there. I didn’t have the exact year for the first two Berry covers and I missed the timing. And the CD “Story Of The Crazy Rockers” was also missing. Now their Berry covers collection is complete and correct, so far.
Bye Bye Johnny (2:32) 1964
Rock And Roll Music (2:18) 1964
LP: Drivin’ With The Crazy Rockers [Delta DL-502] ● Netherlands, 1964
CD: Story Of The Crazy Rockers [Sam Sam Music CDHL-1006] ● Netherlands, 1992
Reelin’ And Rockin’ (2:13) 1964
45: Delta DS-1116 ● Netherlands, 1964 (PS)
CD: Story Of The Crazy Rockers [Sam Sam Music CDHL-1006] ● Netherlands, 1992
You Never Can Tell (3:21) 1998
CD: In Session [KoKo Records 98201] ● Netherlands, 1998
Vocals by Sugar Lee Hooper.
CREOLE STRING BEANS (USA)
Six piece Swamp pop/R&B group from New Orleans, Louisiana.
You Never Can Tell ( : ) 2009
CD: Creole String Beans [String Bean Music SM-001] ● USA, 2009
Recorded at Word Of Mouth Studio, New Orleans. There are a couple of live performances by the band of this song on You Tube.
CROSSTONES (USA)
A rock band led by guitarist Bobby Emmons.
Run Rudolph Run (2:46) 1980
LP: It’s Christmas Time [Clifton Records CL-2001] ● USA, 1980
This runs too fast in a country rock way, enhanced by a horn section which makes it a little nagging. Record label out of Clifton, New Jersey.
KIKKI DANIELSSON (Sweden)
See Volume 3, page 1153 for biographical info.
Run Rudolph Run (2:42) 2016
CD: Christmas Card From a Painted Lady [Universal Music UNI-0602557-24198] ● Sweden, 2016
Slower and pretty dull version, unfortunately.
DELILAH DeWYLDE And The Lost Boys (USA)
Delilah DeWylde (vocals, upright bass), Lee Harvey (guitar), and DJ McCoy (drums). Delilah hails from Western Michigan and started with her high octane rockabilly back in 2004. She’s released three albums and two EPs from 2008-2012.
Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 2012
45: Merry Christmas From Delilah DeWylde… [Girl Friday Records GFR-003] ● USA, 2012
Released in limited quantities; 100 copies on green vinyl, and then re-issued in 2013 on red vinyl with 130 copies.
DOLLHOUSE (Sweden)
Garage rock band from Enköping, Sweden. They were active from 2000 to 2011. Unfortunately no info when the Berry number below was recorded.
Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 2010 (?)
45: Ghost Highway Recordings GHR-130 ● Spain, 2016
Interesting release with Dollhouse on one side with the Berry number and Jake Starr And The Delicious Fullness on the other with a Bo Diddley cover “Gunslinger”. There are two picture sleeves (color drawings), the Berry side has a “Dollhouse” leaning on a jukebox like on Berry’s LP “New Juke Box Hits”. The Diddley sleeve is showing “Jake Starr” in disguise as Bo as on his Checker LP “Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger”. Limited editions of a 100 hand numbered copies each on black, green and blue vinyl.
MAX SUNYER (Spain)
Real name Joaquin Antoni Sunyer Llop. Jazz-rock guitarist, born in La Pobla de Massaluca, Terra Alta in 1947. He’s been active since the mid ‘60s. He studied classical guitar playing from the late ‘60s during four years. Musicians on the album below are: Jordi Querol (vocals), Max Sunyer (guitar, harmonica), Pepe (bass), J. M. Vilaseca (drums).
Carol (2:53) 1972
Rock And Roll Music (2:51) 1972
Roll Over Beethoven (2:45) 1972
CD: 1972 [PDI S.A. F-80.3325] ● Spain, 1994 (reissue)
I can’t seem to find the original album, so maybe this is something that never came out originally(?) It’s a straight rock’n’roll album with ten tracks and again Berry’s music is represented the most.
See also Ara Va De Bo
Saturday, May 7. 2022
Run! Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – and the copyright mystery
It's Christmas time and while listening to the radio, from time to time you'll hear one of the various cover versions of Berry's Run Rudolph Run. Berry's???
While everyone will tell you that this is a typical Chuck Berry song with a typical Berry melody (later re-used at the same session for Little Queenie) and typical Berry lyrics (Said Santa to a boy child, "What have you been longing for?" — "All I want for Christmas is a Rock and Roll electric guitar!"), all over the Internet you will read that this song was written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Broadie! And this includes Wikipedia …
With the help of three fellow Berry experts, biographer Bruce Pegg, discographer Morten Reff, and sessionographer Fred Rothwell, I've tried to sort out a few facts from the rumors.
In 1939 Robert L. May wrote the story of Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, first for his daughter Barbara, later as a giveaway booklet for his employer, the Montgomery Ward Company. Ward's was the first owner of the Rudolph copyright. In 1946 the copyright was transferred back to May and today belongs to The Rudolph Company, L.P., that means May's heirs.
In 1949 Johnny Marks, husband of May's sister Margaret and both a songwriter and radio producer, took the tale and created the famous Christmas song Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The singing cowboy Gene Autry seems to be the first who recorded the song (though some sources name Harry Brannon) and made it a huge hit. Copyright to the 1949 Rudolph song is owned by Marks own publishing company called St. Nicholas Music, Inc.
In 1958, Chuck Berry recorded his version of a Christmas story named Run Rudolph Run. The original Chess release 1714 came with this authors line:
(C. Berry Music — M. Brodie) / ARC BMI
Chuck Berry Music, Inc., Berry's company, is listed here as the author as it is on most Chess singles starting with Beautiful Delilah up to Ramona Say Yes. For some reasons, probably financial, it seems to have made sense to use a company name here instead of an individual's name. As the melody is pure Chuck Berry, it's no wonder that Chuck Berry Music, Inc. claimed authorship and that ARC, the Chess/Goodman publishing company, claimed copyright.
But, mystery #1:
Who is "M. Brodie"? Chuck Berry using a co-writer? A person named M. Brodie does not exist on the Internet. Not as a songwriter nor in any relation to a record company. So if M. Brodie was a songwriter, Run Rudolph Run is his or her only published work. But M. Brodie might also have been someone Berry or the Chess Brothers wanted to give a favor (money/fame) – as they did with Alan Freed on the original Maybellene record. Or M. Brodie might be just a pen name such as "E. Anderson" on Let It Rock who was Berry in disguise.
In the ASCAP authors database, the co-writer of Run Rudolph Run named M. Brodie is identified as member number 268788988. While it's strange that Run Rudolph Run even exists in the ASCAP database because the original single clearly refers to the rival songwriter organization BMI, it becomes even more strange:
Member number 268788988 has additional entries for songs he wrote or co-wrote. All these additional songs stem from albums recorded by a late 1990s group called the Soultans of which a Marvin Lee Broadie was lead singer. And Marvin Lee Broadie indeed wrote some Soultans songs such as Cross My Heart on their Love, Sweat and Tears album. But if you look at Broadie's photo on his concert management site, I strongly doubt he was even born when Berry's Rudolph hit the record stores. Or, as Bruce Pegg puts it:
So unless this songwriter wrote one song in 1958, then had 40 years of writers block only to surface again as a writer for a German pop band at the end of the 90s, this Mr. Broadie is not our man.And don't overlook the different spelling of M. Brodie and Marvin Broadie.
So let's go to mystery #2:
Up to today on all Chess records or re-releases Berry's recording is always credited to Berry/Brodie or just Berry, this includes the latest HIP-O-Select boxes. In contrast, the ASCAP database and almost all cover versions name the songwriters as Johnny Marks and Marvin Broadie. Marvin Broadie aside, what has Johnny Marks to do with the Berry song?
Wikipedia claims that Marks indeed wrote the song, though Wikipedia fails to give a source for this claim. Is it likely that Marks wrote the Berry tune? Not if you compare Run Rudolph Run to Autry's hit record. But if you knew that in 1958 Marks wrote Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, that story might not be too far away. Our mysterious M. Brodie could be an alias for Johnny Marks, which allowed him (an ASCAP songwriter) to team up with Berry (a BMI songwriter). However, while this is possible, I don't believe it.
More likely is a different, more logical link to Marks. His publishing company St. Nicholas Music, Inc. is very strict about copyrights. And in fact the company was created by Marks just because of the Rudolph song and to cash on its success. As such it has "exploited the name and likeness of Rudolph via trademarks in connection with a wide variety of products and services, such as musical performances, audio recordings, sheet music and other music publications" (quoted from court papers). So Marks may have forced Arc Music/Chess Records to register the song with ASCAP and under the Marks/Brodie name. St. Nicholas Music, Inc. along with Character Arts, LLC (which owns the rights to the Rudolph 1964 TV special) successfully forbids Rudolph to appear in movies unless you pay for a license. And they certainly forbid Rudolph to appear in songs as well.
I'm really glad that my rights to the Rudolph name are older than theirs. Otherwise I might have feared their lawyers for using it.
The mysteries remain. I am 100 per cent sure that the mysterious M. Brodie never heard himself called Marvin. This dual use of the 268788988 member number in the ASCAP database is certainly an error introduced by trying to remove variant spellings for the same writer. This is where M. Brodie was mixed up with Marvin Lee Broadie. Johnny Marks' entry to the game was most certainly due to legal reasons. I strongly doubt Marks' contribution to the song, but if you can put some light into this darkness, let me know.
[Addition 31-01-2022:]
Someone sent me a copy of a Facebook post by Daryl Davis, who played piano behind Chuck Berry in later years. Unfortunately I don't have a link or date to share.
Daryl reports on a discussion between him and Berry in preparation for a New Year's Eve show at B.B.King's in NYC:
I asked him about why Run Run Rudolph a/k/a Run Rudolph Run was often credited to Johnny Marks and somebody named Brodie. He said that he wrote the song himself but the name "Rudolph" had been trademarked and the publishing company publishing his songs had been sued for his using it. He was perturbed that the publishing company didn't fight the suit more vigorously, because Johnny Marks had nothing to do with his song and now he had to share the copyright. He also said that Brodie did not exist and it was a scheme to make more money for Marks and his publisher. He regretted not pursing it more at the time. But he still continued to make a lot of money from the song, just not as much as he was entitled to make. It was a bittersweet song for him.
[Addition 07-05-2022:]
In today's news there was some reporting about limitations to fair use of fictional characters in local copyright laws, in this case German Urheberrecht. A very well-known song in Europe is the title song to the 1969 TV series Pippi Longstocking. The original Swedish lyrics were written by Astrid Lindgren herself (melody by Jan Johansson). The German lyrics were written by Wolfgang Franke. 60 years after Lindgren's initial complaints about not getting compensation for use of her fictional character in Franke's text, copyright court rulings and a final settlement between the heirs explained that at least following these local laws you're not free to use the name and properties of a fictional character without sharing the income. Following this, at least here in Germany Robert May was entitled to shared copyright on the Rudolph lyrics.
Friday, April 29. 2022
CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 1
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 version you find. Here's another list of artists and band playing Chuck Berry's music.
Regarding all the new covers of “Run Rudolph Run” several of them are titled "Run Run Rudolph" but I have not used that on any of the entries.
MINDI ABAIR & THE BONESHAKERS (USA)
Blues, rock, funk. Mindi Abair, Randy Jacobs, Rodney Lee and Third Richardson, with the help from Derek Frank and Blanca Garza. Mindi is a saxophone player and vocalist, she was born 1969 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Run Rudolph Run (2:37) 2018
CD: All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues [Pretty Good For A Girl Records PGCD-02] ● USA, 2018
Now this a funky version, very unusual.
RANDY BACHMAN (Canada)
Guitarist, singer, songwriter, born 1943 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Member of the pop/rock group Guess Who, and later Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Run Rudolph Run (3:39) 2008
CD: Takin’ Care Of Christmas [Avalon Music 41516] ● Canada, 2008
CD: Takin’ Care Of Christmas [12 Hit Wonder 41516] ● Canada, 2014 (reissue)
A midtempo rockin’ version, with a children choir.
See also Bachman & Cummings
FRANKIE BALLARD (USA)
Joseph Vincent Camilleri, born 1948, is a Maltese-born Australian singer, songwriter and saxophonist. The family moved to Australia when he was two. Apart from recording as a solo artist he’s been a member of well-known bands like Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons and The Black Sorrows, both of which are featured in the Berry Covers songbook.
Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 1995
CD single: All Saints Hotel [Head Records D-1248] ● Australia, 1995
See also Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons, and The Black Sorrows
Actually, to add a little to the Run Rudolph Run entry by Jo Jo Zep on page 1277 (Vol.3). The song was recorded and released in 1975. In addition to the mentioned Various LP and CD it was also released on single in 1975, Mushroom K-6194, as Jo Jo Zep And His Little Helpers. And the song was credited to Chuck Berry.
CAPTAIN RAT AND THE BLIND RIVETS (USA)
Captain Rat is Fred Wisniewski on drums and vocals. The Blind Rivets are Tim Vear (guitar, vocals), Todd Modern (keyboards, vocals), Richard Cabal (saxophone, vocals), Mark Rubel (bass, vocals).
Run Rudolph Run (3:12) 1982
33 1/3 EP: Run Rudolph Run [Pogo Records PEP-001] ● USA, 1982
Recorded at Faithful Sound Studios, Urbana, Illinois. Record label out of Champaign, Illinois.
CHESTERFIELD KINGS (USA)
Very popular garage rock quintet from Rochester, New York. I have found 11 albums released by the band, and 17 singles. Band members have been changing throughout the years since they started back in 1980. The members on the Berry cover below are: Greg Prevost (vocals), Ted Okolowicz (lead guitar), Jeff Okolowicz (rhythm guitar), Andy Babluk (bass) and Mike Boise (drums). I found a live clip on You Tube and they are a solid rock band that sounds like the Rolling Stones.
Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 1998
CD single: Living Eve Records LSD-98FC ● USA, 1998
This single didn’t sell anything(?) as it was a limited edition Christmas release for the Fan Club.
In 1981 they had a single out titled “You Can’t Catch Me” which was an original song and not Berry.
CLOVERS (USA)
The group itself goes way back to 1946 and Washington D.C. and had hits in the ‘50s with songs like “Blue Velvet”, “Devil Or Angel”, “Love Potion No. 9” and more. However, the album below is a compilation of Christmas tracks recorded by various old vocal groups like The Orioles, The Rainbows, The Jewels, The Velons and the Clovers. I won’t mention any names here as I don’t know how many (if any) of the original band members were left.
Run Rudolph Run ( 2:31) 1989
Various LP: A Capital Christmas [BJM Records BJM-002] ● USA, 1989
This is a modern rockin’ version, enhanced by a horn section, shoo-be-doah, shoo-be doah …
PASCAL COMELADE (France)
Pascal Paul Vincent Comelade, born 1955 in Montpellier. He uses very unusual and different instruments like singing saw, toy piano but also guitars, accordion, piano and drums. His first album came in 1980, and he’s recorded so many… However, since I don’t have any of his releases it is a little difficult to find out how many versions there are of “Sixteen”. One has Pascal playing Toy piano and one has Mark Cunningham, both at 2:34 length. There is also an earlier version featured on a self released album compilation from 2010 titled ”Galletto Présente Enregistrements PC- 75-90” featuring recordings from 1975-1984, and the song runs for 4:33.
Sweet Little Sixteen (1:26) 1987 (instr)
LP: El Primitivismo [Les Disques Du Soleil Et De L’Acier DSA-54011] ● France, 1987
Here Pascal plays toy piano and drums, plus has Damned Pat on distant vocals (!)
EP: Rock Del Veneno [Les Disques Du Soleil Et De L’Acier DSA-54012] ● France, 1988
EP released as a limited and numbered edition of 100 copies. The song here is a remixed version of the LP track above.
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:33) 1991 (instr) (live)
CD: Stranger In Paradigm [Vand’Oeuvre 0630] ● France, 2006
This was recorded live in Barcelona in 1991. VERY unusual electronic pop version which is hard to recognise. The album itself is a compilation of songs from the ‘90s and 2000s. Limited numbered edition of a 1000 copies.
CROSS-SCHACK-OSTERMANN (Denmark)
Rock/blues trio. Billy Cross, singer, guitarist (born William Schwartz in 1946 on Manhattan, New York) has been living in Denmark since 1980. Mik Schack (aka Michael Hans Greve Schack who is Jazz musician and journalist), and Flemming Ostermann (rock/jazz guitarist and vocalist, Co-founder of the famous Danish band Savage Rose).
Nadine (4:08) 2006
No Money Down (4:25) 2006
Run Rudolph Run (4:16) 2006
Thirty Days (3:21) 2006
CD: Trio From Hell [Kick Music KICKCD-270] ● Denmark, 2006
Nine tracks on the album, and as you can see they are pretty long ones, from 3 and a half to 6 and a half minutes.
See also Billy Cross
GANG (Netherlands)
Sweet Little Sixteen (3:09) 1979
Various LP: Lift 4 [Universe Productions OP-4] ● Netherlands, 1979
This album has songs by five different white blues bands. It is in an album series from Lift 1 to Lift 5.
HOLLYWOOD BRATS (UK)
A rock band from London formed in 1971 and disbanded in 1974. Original members were: Andrew Matheson (vocals), Casino Steel (keyboards), Eunan Brady (guitar), Wayne Manor (bass), Lou Sparks (drums).
Sweet Little Sixteen (3:29) 1973 (live)
2-CD: Sick On You [Cherry Red CDBRED-676] ● UK, 2016
Previously unissued track. The CD set also contains their debut “lost” album first released in 1980, and everything is remastered by Norwegian Casino Steel and enhanced by previously unissued outtakes, rarities and live tracks. Produced in collaboration with original singer Andrew Matheson.
HOTT ROXX (Canada)
A rock’n’roll band (sextet) active in the late ‘70s consisting of Jim Tovey (vocals), John King (guitar, vocals), David Harrison (guitar), George Bland (keyboards, harp), Scott Shelson (bass, vocals), Tony Ciaccia (drums). They had one single, “Here We Go Again” FOX-1005) and one album, “Rock’n’Rolls Gone Hollywood” FO-7002, out in 1978. So the single below must have been some sort of promotion for the band, but the album doesn’t include a version of “Little Queenie”. The title track of their album is a typical Berry soundalike, it even mentions Johnny B. Goode …
Little Queenie (4:22) 1977 (live)
45: Force 1 Records FO-1003 ● Canada, 1977
Pre-U.S. Release Canada Radio Exclusive. Recorded in Toronto March 1977. A record to get your “Hott Roxx” off.
This is what’s written on the label.
Please see page 1650 Mystery Cover Version (Vol. 4) for more info regarding this release.
However, at that time I didn’t know anything about it. Later on I thought it could be the Canadian band April Wine because they released an album recorded live in Toronto March 1977 (which didn’t include “Little Queenie”). But it seems it was not.
So what was the purpose for the release of this promo single by the Hott Roxx?
Anyway, now at last we are hopefully at the end of this question mark. No Rolling Stones and no April Wine.
(Thanks to Discogs)
IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC (Sweden)
THard rock quartet, Nicke Andersson (vocals, guitar), Tobias Egge (guitar, vocals), Dolf DeBorst (bass, vocals), Tomas Eriksson (drums, vocals). They have seven albums out on Psychout Records from 2010-2018 and many singles.
Sweet Little Sixteen (3:01) 2010
10” LP: In Concert! [Psychout Records PSYCH-011 LP] ● Sweden, 2010
Noisy rendition. 6 tracks. Produced by Nicke Andersson. In concert? It sounds studio to me.
ANDREAS JONSSON & The Pink Cadillac Band (Sweden)
Born 1986. From Värmland. Singer, songwriter, guitarist who’s made a name for himself as a musician, producer, arranger and has collaborated with people like Ingvar Karlsson (Sven-Ingvars), Louise Hoffsten, Linda Gail Lewis. His band Pink Cadillac is known for playing the real stuff from the ‘50s.
Carol ( : ) 2014
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2014
Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 2014
LP & CD: Well That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll [Andreas Jonsson AJMP-02] ● Sweden, 2014
Again it is interesting to notice that Berry has three covers on the album, plus one from the Beatles and Bruce Springsteen, a couple from Jerry Lee, and one from Little Richard and Carl Perkins a.o.
Little Queenie (3:27) 2018
No Particular Place To Go (2:48) 2018
LP & CD: We’re Ready [Andreas Jonsson Self released] ● Sweden, 2018
This was re-released in February 2021 in connection with their We’re Ready Tour.
KOOL RAY And The Polaroidz (USA)
Doug Johnson (guitar), John Parkhurst (guitar), Dee Person (bass), Denny Propst (drums). Maybe they are all doing the vocals?
I’m Talking About You (1:58) 1980
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:52) 1980
LP: Introducing [Stuff Records SR-80-001] ● USA, 1980
Recorded at Creative Audio, Urbana, Illinois. A cool(!) and straight rock’n’roll album with songs from Berry, Cochran, Beatles, Richard and Orbison. 13 tracks including two original songs.
TERRY MANNING And The WILD ONES (USA)
Terry Don Manning from El Paso, Texas. He’s played with Bobby Fuller and fronted The Wild Ones. He’s worked at Stax Studios in Memphis, and also done a lot of engineering and producing. Apart from the album below, he’s released three albums, among others a tribute to Bobby Fuller in 2013.
Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1963
LP: Border Town Rock ‘N Roll 1963 [Norton Records ED-374] ● USA, 2012
CD: Border Town Rock ‘N Roll 1963 [Norton Records CED-374] ● USA, 2012
Recorded 12 October 1963 at the TCA Clubhouse, El Paso, Texas. Previously unissued. This album (Volume 7) is in a series titled El Paso Rock.
98 DEGREES (USA)
Andrew Lachey, Jeffrey Timmons, Justin Jeffre and Nick Lachey. A Grammy–nominated boy band. They have seven albums out including two Xmas concepts. All members are from Ohio. They have sold over 10 million albums and have had several Top 40 single hits.
Run Rudolph Run (3:23) 2017
LP: Let It Snow [UMe B-0027412-01] ● USA, 2017
CD: Let It Snow [UMe B-0027310-02] ● USA, 2017
A good pop version with a horn section, although the short guitar solo makes it a little rockin’.
ROCK MACHINE (France)
Studio musicians.
Around And Around ( : ) 1978
Carol ( : ) 1978
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1978
Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1978
LP: A Stone Collection [Carabine 26 519] ● France, 1978
Also featuring a few soundalikes like “Route 66”. The front cover proclaims: A Non Stop Dancing Record...
But what does Johnny B. and Sixteen have to do with the Stones, except that they have played them live?
SHORTY AND THE HEARTBEATS (Ireland)
Brian “Shorty” O’Kane (bass, vocals, guitars), Iggy Ward (guitars), Rosey Hunter (vocals, tambourine), Gary Hunter (drums).
For some strange reason there are seven additional vocalists (!) on the album.
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:50) 1986
LP: Sweet Little Sixteen [Homestead Records SRT6KL-1060] ● UK, 1986
Recorded at Homestead Studios, Randalstown, which is a small town in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Tuesday, March 29. 2022
CBID - More Berry Covers - part 2
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: Spending more time on discogs and 45cat found me some more previously unknown cover versions.
YOSHITAKA MINAMI (Japan)
Singer, songwriter and producer. born 1950 in Tokyo. A popular man in Japan with a lot of singles and albums released from the early ‘70s.
You Never Can Tell (3:24) 2002
CD: Blue Nude [JVC VICJ-60908] ● Japan, 2002
WILLY MONTI (Chile)
Pop singer who had several singles out from 1965.
No Particular Place To Go (as “No Tenia Nada Que Hacer”) (2:22) 1965
45: Demon SD-087 ● Chile, 1965
Now this is actually a pretty nice version and the musicians featured are pretty good.
GÜNTER NORIS und die Big Band der Bundeswehr (West Germany)
Real name Günter Maier. Born 1935 in Bad Kissingen, died 2007. Bandleader, pianist, composer and arranger. He’s released so many albums…
Memphis, Tennesse (2:43) 1972 (instr)
LP: LP: Rock & Pop Party – Welthits Im Happy Sound 2 [CBS S-65493] ● West Germany, 1972
Quite goode big band version with a solid beat.
JAY ORLANDO (USA)
A jazzy saxophone player who had at least 3 albums out in the ‘70s. On his Jay & B album from 1972 “Horn Aplenty” (which didn’t feature “Memphis”) he’s labeled as "The Sexiest Sax In Showbiz" (!)
Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:30) 1972 (instr)
45: Jay & B Records JB-45001 ● USA, 1972
Record label out of Las Vegas, Nevada.
LE POING Mark Robson (France)
Rock quartet led by Mark Robson.
Sweet Little Sixteen (1:35) 1971 (live)
LP: Hard Rock’n’Roll Live [Carabine 26 222] ● France, 1972
It seems this album was first released in 1971 on a none label issue. So the album above was a re-release which also came out both in Italy and Spain.
See also MARK ROBSON
REFLOTRON (Switzerland)
You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) ( : ) 1987
45: MSM MSM-1020 ● Switzerland, 1987 (picture sleeve)
MARK ROBSON (France)
He’s known in France as a rock’n’roll performer doing rock standards. He began in the group “Le Poing Mark Robson” around 1970 which was a rock-quartet and gradually became his vehicle.
Rock And Roll Music ( : ) 1976
EP: Rockotek [Ultra Nova UN-1000] ● France, 1976
See also LE POING
JERRY RUDOLPH & His Orchestra (Australia)
See PAUL BEAN
HIDEKI SAIJO (Japan)
Male Singer/actor born 1955, died 2018 at the age of 63. He released his first single and album in 1972. He’s had so many records out I stopped counting. He has also received several Awards, both as a vocalist and record sales. A very popular artist.
Johnny B. Goode (2:39) 1976 (live)
Roll Over Beethoven (2:41) 1976 (live)
LP: Rock On Stage [RCA RVL-7005] ● Japan, 1976
RENÉ SIMARD (Canada)
Pop artist born 1961 in Chicoutimi now Ville Saguenay. Very popular and he’s had so many singles (EPs) and albums I lost count.
Memphis, Tennessee (3:07) 1987
45: Les Disques No 1 DJ-NOX-137 ● Canada, 1987
Not quite sure but I think this single was to promote the album below.
Various LP: Escale À... Memphis [Les Disques No 1 NO-1851] ● Canada, 1987
This is a tribute album to Elvis with a picture of Simard on the cover in front of Graceland. Four tracks by Simard.. The album even features Carl Perkins with “Blue Suede Shoes”, plus Richard Anthony, Jason D. Williams, Tony Roman, Renée Martell and Nanette.
SOMBRAS DE FRAC (Spain)
New wave - rock sextet.
Memphis, Tennessee (as “El Tren De La Felicidad”) (2:38) 1982
45: Citola CI-82010 SG ● Spain, 1982 (picture sleeve)
LP: Nuevos Románticos [Citola CI-82012] ● Spain, 1982
STRIKES (Japan)
Rock’n’roll/beat quartet.
Little Queenie (2:39) 1986 (live)
2-CD: The Man With The Golden Ramrod [Vivid Sound VSCD-7601] ● Japan, 2009
The original single album was released in 1987. The above is a reissue with 25 bonus live tracks.
I’m Talking About You ( : ) late ‘80s
2-CD: A Shot Of The Strikes [Mint Sound Records MSR-CD-8-9] ● Japan, 2007
Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) late ‘80s
2-CD: A Shot Of The Strikes [Mint Sound Records MSR-CD-8-9] ● Japan, 2007
CD: Thirteen Stompey Hits [Vivid Sound VSCD-7602] ● Japan, 2012
“Little Queenie” is also on this compilation. However, I don’t know if they are previously unissued or whatever, live or studio.
SUZANNE And Piano Killer (Austria)
Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 1986
45: Piano Killer Rocks On [no label 119 477] ● Austria, 1986
Coupled with “Good Night Irene” which don’t have the name Suzanne on the label, just Piano Killer Rocks On. So who’s the Piano Killer? There’s a clip on You Tube showing a PianoKiller & Friends doing a rocked up version of “Good Night Irene” live in Vienna 2015, but he sounds American(?)
TERRY THOMPSON (USA)
Terry Jene Thompson born 1943 in McCallsburg, Iowa. In 1977 he moved to Hanford, California. Apart from having his own band and playing throughout Iowa, as far as I can tell he only recorded just one record (below) coupled with “Shadow In The Window”. He died in 2020, at the age of 76.
Johnny B. Goode (2:29) 1973
45: Ven-Jence No. 7 ● USA, 1973
Record label out of Carlisle, Iowa.
JACK WESTLEY & The Country Bandits (USA)
Maybellene (as “Maybelline”) (2:15) 1975
45: Guinn Records #1028 ● USA, 1975
Record label out of Kansas City, Missouri.
AL “PORKY” WITHEROW (USA)
Born 1935 in York, Pennsylvania. Died in 2004. Tradional 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(!)
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 ( : ) 2021 (live)
2-CD: Blues For The Southside [Gulf Coast Records 661558942725] ● USA, 2022
17 tracks, recorded live on 26 November, 2021 at the Old Rock House in St. Louis and produced by Mike Zito.
Monday, March 21. 2022
CBID - More Berry Covers - part 1
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: Spending more time on discogs and 45cat found me some more previously unknown cover versions.
ALFA (Finland)
Pure Finnish rock band from Tornio. Active from 1975–1979, released one single in 1978, see below.
Beautiful Delilah (2:33) 1978
45: Poko Rekords PIS-015 ● Finland, 1978 (picture sleeve)
The A-side was a probably original song called “Hey Hey Hey”, written by one Jarmo Voutilainen.
PAUL BEAN And The Four Angels (Australia)
Seems like both Paul Bean and The Four Angels were a part of Jerry Rudolph And His Orchestra.
Maybellene (1:38) 1957
EP: Rock, Rock, Rock [Prestige Records PEP-1018] ● Australia, 1957
Featuring Jerry Rudolph And His Orchestra. The other tracks are: House Of Blue Lights, Razzle Dazzle, Ko Ko Mo.
GINNY BIRON And The G Notes (USA)
Virginia Rachel “Ginny” Avery Biron Lefebvre (1937-2001) from Alton, New Hampshire.
Johnny B. Goode (2:38) 1970
45: NCS 811122 ● USA, 1970
Recorded at North Country Sounds, Auburn, New Hampshire. Produced by Roland Lefebvre. A-side was the Buck Owens title “Don’t Ever Tell Me Goodbye”.
COMMAND (France)
Rock’n’roll sextet, five guys and one girl.
Maybellene ( : ) 1981
45: Command no cat no (self released)● France, 1981 (picture sleeve)
It’s an interesting fact that even though you don’t have a record label you decide to release a single (in 1981) and pick two old classic rock’n’roll songs, “Love Potion No.9” is the other. Hail, Hail. And they actually managed to get the correct spelling.
CTMF featuring The Dear Watson Sound (UK)
Billy Childish = Steven John Hamper, born 1959 in Chatham, Kent. Now here is a guy with several aliases and a lot of record releases. You’ll find many under Billy Childish, Wild Billy Childish, CTMF, The Chatham Singers, The Guy Hamper Trio, and The Dear Watson Sound which was Billy Childish, Julie Hamper and Wolf Howard. CTMF is short for Chatham Forts.
Too Much Monkey Busisness (2:38) 2017
45: Damaged Goods DAMGOOD-468 ● UK, 2017 (art sleeve)
The Billy Childish 45 Club series – BCSC-6, limited edition. This Berry cover is garage rock, sounds almost like it was recorded back in the ‘60s. Maybe that was the intention?
FEDERALS (UK)
Beat sextet from Watford. They had 7 single releases in England from 1963-1965. Tony Bolton (vocals), Brian Hawkwinds (guitar), Tony Selvidge (keyboards), Frank Milne (trumpet, vocals), Micheal Bush (bass), Guy Shepard (drums). It seems the records from Romania were exclusive as I can’t find any release from UK for the single and LP. The album was re-released in Romania at least three times, in 1970, 1971 and 1974.
Rock And Roll Music (2:27) 1965
45: Electrecord C.S. 133 ● Romania, 1967
LP: The Federals [Electrecord ED.0202] ● Romania, 1965
Memphis, Tennessee (2:31) 1965
LP: The Federals [Electrecord ED.0202] ● Romania, 1965
BOBBY HACHEY (Canada)
Singer and an eminent guitarist, born in Atholville, New Brunswick in 1932, died 2006. Besides having a band with his brothers, Terry and Curly in the ‘50s and ‘60s, he’s played with famous Canadian singers. He has also released many albums throughout his career. Check out his “Guitar Boogie” (Arthur Smith) on You Tube. Pretty amazing. You’ll also find a later clip with him doing “Johnny B. Goode” live on stage somewhere.
Johnny B. Goode (2:25) early 1980s
LP: Hello Marylou [Contact CO-518] ● Canada, early 1980s
FATS HAGEN & BAND (West Germany)
A rock’n’roll band (sextet) in the style of Fats Domino from Bavaria (München). Founded in the early ‘70s. However, in the late ‘90s the band broke up, and later on Fats Hagen has performed as a one-man band.
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:27) 1982
45: Ariola 105 096 ● Germany, 1982
LP: Big F. H. Is In Town [Ariola 205 095] ● Germany, 1982
KIRK HELDRETH (USA)
Probably a country singer.
Johnny B. Goode ( 2:36) 1978
45: MH Records MH-201 ● USA, 1978
Although it doesn’t say anything on this label there’s another single on MH Records from 1978 by The Overtons which says record label out of Nashville, Tennessee.
JOHN HENRY III and The Country Blues (USA)
I don’t know, but except for the fact that he’s a country singer, he’s had several singles out in the ‘70s on various labels like Monument and Goldband. In 1970 he had a single out titled “Mathilda” on the Country Blues label credited to John Henry III and His Niece Dolly Parton (!)
Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:29) 1971
45: Country Blues Records C.B. 813 ● USA, 1971
Record label out of Nashville, Tennessee.
Johnny B. Goode (2:31) 1972
EP: Sings Country Blues [Earl Dixon’s Hillbilly Heaven H.H. 45-1972] ● USA, 1972
Record label out of Lorton, Virginia. Sounds a bit like Buck Owens but without the feeling and it also has a noisy saxophone solo.
CLAUDE JOBIN (Canada)
Shown on the LP as Claude Jobin Et Ses New Country Generation.
Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:01) 1971
45: Guitare GT-110 ● Canada, 1971
LP: Dans La Nuit Prés De Toi [Guitare GTL-1909] ● Canada, 1971
French lyrics. A terrible version by all means.
Maybellene (2:53) 1971
LP: Dans La Nuit Prés De Toi [Guitare GTL-1909] ● Canada, 1971
French lyrics. This is actually a little better with a good walking bass line.
LOS BONYS (Mexico)
Memphis, Tennessee (as “El Dinosauro Miope”) ( : ) 1964
45: Philips 45/0331 ● Mexico, 1964
HAROLD LUTHER (USA)
Real name Harold Luther Smith. Can’t find much but it seems he was the producer of a couple of local singles in the late ‘70s.
Little Queenie (as “Queenie”) (2:58) 1974
45: Herald Recording Studio 7404 ● USA, 1974
Record label out of Brookhaven, Mississippi. The single is coupled with his own song “Forbidden Love”, which was the A-side by the way.
MARSHA LYN (USA)
Male Country singer. The single below is the only stuff I’ve found on him. However, there’s another (maybe the same) Marsha Lyn who had some singles and an album out on King’s Universal Records in the mid ‘80s.
Johnny B. Goode (2:40) late 1970s
45: Alibi Records V-2711 ● USA; late 1970s
Recorded at Valtron Recording Studio, Helena, Montana. Good walking bass but that’s about all.
Monday, January 31. 2022
CBID - Some old but missing Berry releases popped up
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: CBID lists and shows Chuck Berry Vinyl and CD releases from all over the world. While our list is pretty complete, from time to time some rare releases pop up from which I hadn't heard before - such as these:
UK
BIO / CHUCK BERRY ‘75
Beat Goes On BGOCD-1459 ● 2021
It says Digitally Remastered but I don’t know as I haven’t heard it. Anyway, it’s the two original LPs which follows the series on BGO that started back in the mid ‘90s. See page 211 and pages 215-217. Plus page 1984.
INDIA
78rpm
Rock And Roll Music / Blue Feeling (instr)
London HL-M. 8531 ● 1957
IRELAND
78rpm
School Day / Deep Feeling (instr)
Columbia DB(I) 3951 ● Ireland, 1957
Black label, white print.
Photo thanks to Thierry Chanu.
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ITALY
LP
CHUCK BERRY’s GOLDEN DECADE
Cadet (Durium) D.30-152 ● 1967
Maybellene / Johnny B. Goode / Nadine / Roll Over Beethoven / Thirty days / No Particular Place To Go /Memphis, Tennessee / School Day / Too Much Monkey Business / Bye Bye Johnny / Sweet Little Sixteen / Anthony Boy / Back In The USA
As you can see this is a single record. The front cover is the same as the first issue of the US Golden Decade album, gold record with no titles printed. Everything is in el.stereo, very bad sound. The label colour is the dark blue/white one.
It’s printed 1967 on the labels and on the proof pressing shown which means that what I heard way back that there were no Berry albums released in Italy in the ‘60s is wrong. Later 1970s pressings have a slightly different label listing the local copyright control association SIAE instead of the multi-national BIEM.
Which also means that the “Back Home” album on page 2003 is from 1970.
JAPAN
LP
CHUCK BERRY’s GREATEST HITS
Globe (Chess) JET-7198 ● 1964
No Particular Place To Go / You Never Can Tell / Maybellene / Nadine / Brenda Lee / You Two / Memphis, Tennessee / Sweet Little Sixteen / Roll Over Beethoven / Rock And Roll Music / Johnny B. Goode / Brown Eyed Handsome Man (1961 version)
Refering to page 374. The tracks are of course not the same as the US release Chess LP-1485, as you can easily see. I didn’t have this album back then and unfortunately I messed it up when writing. Anyway, it really says The Best of Chuck Berry on the back cover and on the label. As far as I can see this was the very first Berry LP issued in Japan. Including “No Particular Place To Go” and “You Never Can Tell” were wise, however, “You Two” and “Brenda Lee” were not, even though they were B-sides of the first two tracks. The front cover is the same as the US LP-1485 with the yellow sticker.
For some strange reason they included the 1961 version of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” (from the On Stage album with the audience noise).
This particular album was also issued in Taiwan in two different disguises, see pages 475-476, and also this blog.
SOUTH AFRICA
LP
LIVE AT THE FILLMORE AUDITORIUM
Fontana STL-201 ● April 1968
The whole cover looks like it was copied from the issue in Netherlands (Fontana Int. 858 047 FPY) and not USA. Nothing is mentioned on the cover or label that this is from South Africa, but IT IS.
This is mentioned on page 2019 in Vol. 4 but I didn’t have the album at the time but here it is:
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SOUTH KOREA
LP
CHUCK BERRY’S GREATEST HITS
Seill SL-137 (Tae Do Record Co.) ● mid 1960s
This looks very much like the ones from Taiwan. Thin paper jacket, however, it has an open folio sleeve with an art work for a George Jones album on the opposite side. Same tracks as the original US Chess LP.
There are still records out there that we have never seen or heard of. It’s a strange world.
Sunday, January 30. 2022
CBID - Surfin' the Net for Berry 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: Spending days on discogs and 45cat resulted in a large list of cover versions to be added. Some of the following entries are additions or corrections to the corresponding descriptions in the book or in previous blog posts.
Many new entries this time. It’s amazing that Berry’s music has received such a status among all kinds of artists and groups. As you will notice there are a lot of mixed musical styles among the over 60 new covers. Both discogs and 45cat are places I have found many of them. It’s a whole new world out there when it comes to searching for singles and albums.
The Dutch heavy rock group Bintangs was featured in Vol. 3 of CBID with three cover versions. Now it goes to show they have recorded a lot more. We can add 6 more covers. They have even included a cover version in their new CD titled “These Hands” that came out in September 2021.
The group The Yellow Dogs from Japan have also recorded a lot of Berry tunes. I found one single and when searching discogs I happen to find several more. How did I miss that back in the days of cover searching? Actually that goes for Bintangs too. However, the internet is a completely different thing today than it was yesterday.
I would like to make your attention to a girl trio called Skeleton Dolls on You Tube were they talk about Chuck Berry regarding his 90th birthday and they also do a live version of “Thirty Days”. It’s interesting to listen to young people, and especially girls, talking about Chuck’s legacy to the world of music, with passion and enthusiasm. It gives people like me satisfaction that there is actually a hope for the future.
LEE AARON (Canada)
Real name Karen Lynn Greening. Heavy rock singer, born in Belleville, Ontario in 1962. Known as Metal Queen, but she’s also released jazz oriented albums. In the 1980s and early ‘90s she had several hits on the Canadian charts.
Run Rudolph Run (2:32) 2020
CD: Almost Christmas [Big Sister Records ] ● Canada, 2020
This album is only available through her website.
ANDREW SIXTY (Italy)
Three guys who’s into techno, mixes and you name it. We’ll leave it at that.
Johnny B. Goode (3:38) 1994
CD: Andrew Sixty [House Records Rap HR-001-1] ● Brazil, 1994
Vocals: Andrea Alberghi.
Johnny B. Goode (5:21) 1994 (dance mix)
12” 45: Jukebox Records JBR-001 ● Italy, 1994
Vocals: Andrea Alberghi. This 12” was actually released in many various countries, like Mexico, Australia/New Zealand and Spain.
BILL BERRY (Belgium)
Johnny B. Goode (as “Johnny Be Good”) ( : ) 1970
45: Monopole S. 103 ● Belgium, 1970 (picture sleeve)
Haven’t got a clue, except that on both sides of the label his name is Bill Derry (!) On the sleeve it clearly shows Johnny B. as the A-side but on the label it’s the B-side. It’s also printed on the front sleeve: The American Rock Racket!
Still a little confused?
BINTANGS (Netherlands)
See Volume 3, page 1075 for biographical info.
Bye Bye Johnny (4:43) 1996 (live)
Soul Rockin’ (3:40) 1996 (live)
Run Rudolph Run (2:48) 1996 (live) Bonus track
2-CD: Dynamite Night [Bananas Records 48397 2] ● Netherlands, 1996
Recorded live at Paradiso, Amsterdam on 27 January 1996. It contained a bonus CD with 4 tracks including “Run Rudolph Run”.
It Wasn’t Me (3:14) 2002
CD: La Femme Sans Tête [AG Music AGM-1267] ● Netherlands, 2002
It Wasn’t Me (2:54) 2018 (live)
CD: It’s A Nightmare [Miller Records MILLCD-001] ● Netherlands, 2018
LP: It’s A Nightmare [Miller Records MILLCD-009] ● Netherlands, 2018
Back To Memphis (3:41) 2021
CD: These Hands [Miller Records MILLCD-002] ● Netherlands, 2021
Good to see that they picked a more obscure Berry track for this new album that came out in September 2021.
There’s also a bootleg out titled “Live At The Dorpshuis, Ruinerworld”, Netherlands, recorded 3 March 1979, featuring four Berry covers: Run Rudolph Run, I’m A Rocker, Soul Rockin’, Bye Bye Johnny. The sound quality is okay if you’re a fan.
BOMB SQUADRON (USA)
Heavy metal rock band from Reading, Pennsylvania, formed in 1994.
Run Rudolph Run (2:47) 1997 Noise!
EP: More Bad News [Final Vinyl Records 006] ● Germany, 1997
Recorded 3. August 1997 at Snugfit Studio, Richboro, Pennsylvania. A limited edition of 300 copies on pink vinyl.
CD: Another Generation Found 1994-1998 [Doppelganger Records DGR-003] ● USA, 2005
This is their entire studio history.
BREAKAWAYS (New Zealand)
Beat, R&B, rock quartet from Wellington.
Johnny B. Goode (2:22) 1965
45: W&G S-2349 ● New Zealand, 1965
Recorded in Australia.
Guitar Boogie (1:55) 1966 (instr)
I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ About You”] (2:38) 1966
Little Queenie (2:27) 1966
LP: Let’s Take A Sea Cruise! [His Masters Voice MCLP-6221] ● New Zealand, 1966
CD: Let’s Take A Sea Cruise! / Album Two [EMI 7243 8 21714] ● New Zealand, 1997
Regarding Guitar Boogie, they have almost followed Berry’s arrangement to the point but the good beat is not there.
GUST BROUX (Belgium)
Memphis, Tennessee (as “De Pisbak”) (2:07) 1982
45: A.B. Records AB-601 ● Belgium, 1982 (picture sleeve)
Strange sound with minimal beat and flat singing, almost country style.
BURNING (Spain)
Popular hard rock band from Madrid founded in 1974.
Johnny B. Goode (2:52) 1974
45: Movieplay SN-20.940 ● Spain, 1974 (picture sleeve)
Their English pronunciation is so terrible I actually first thought they were singing in Spanish !!! But they are enthusiastic.
ALAN BURTON (USA)
He’s probably a rock singer regarding the A-side below which is on You Tube.
Rock And Roll Music ( : ) 1973
45: Crimson no cat no ● USA, 1973
Recorded at Paul Greys House of Hits, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The A-side is titled “Sunshine, You’ll Love It” written by Burton and Ron Bradley.
CAROL (Japan)
Rock’n’roll quartet.
Johnny B. Goode (3:09) 1975
45: Philips FS-1522 ● Japan, 1975 (picture sleeve)
Strange name for a male band.
CASEY AND THE PRESSURE GROUP (Netherlands)
Rock, soul, funk quartet.
Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1972
45: Polydor 2050 229 ● Netherlands, 1972 (picture sleeve)
LP: Memphis Revisited [Polydor 2925 010] ● Netherlands, 1972
The album recorded 27 & 28 June 1972, at Sound Push Studio's in Blaricum.
CHANDLER & The CHASERS (Spain)
Not sure about Spain.
Promised Land (as “Promise Land”) (2:49) 2012
Various EP: We Want To Be Black Vol.1 [Fole Records FOLC. 012] ● Spain, 2012
The other artists on the EP are: Lord Rochester, The Clams, Guadalupe Plata. The sleeve has pictures of Bo Diddley and Otis Redding.
CHAPLIN BAND (Netherlands)
Five guys all dressed up and looking like Charlie Chaplin (excuse me) ! At least on the single in question (below). A side is titled “Don’t You Wanna Be My Girl”, written by the band. This pop/disco group from Maastricht have had several singles and three albums out . They were formed in 1976 by brothers Jo and John Bartels.
Memphis, Tennessee (3:12) 1976
45: EMI Holland 5C006-25377 ● Netherlands, 1976 (picture sleeve)
Sorry to say but you don’t wanna hear this.
CLASSIC ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND (Czechoslovakia)
Rock’n’roll revival group, formed in late 1970s by Josef Pilař in Prague.
Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 1984
EP: Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Band [Panton 8133 0166] ● Czechoslovakia, 1984
Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1991
LP: Classic Rock ‘n’ Band [Globus International 21 0056-1 311] ● Czechoslovakia, 1991
They also do a cover of “Route 66” which is probably in the Berry/Stones way.
COPLEY, JEFFRIES & REID (USA)
See TRIANGLES.
GERARD COX (Netherlands)
Now here is a singer who’s been around for awhile. His first record I found was from 1962, and he’s had records out in the next four decades.
No Particular Place To Go (as “Fijn D’r Vandoor In M’n Automobiel”) (2:30) 1990
45: EMI 12 7527 7 ● Netherlands, 1990 (picture sleeve)
CD: Favorieten Expres [Universal Music 080 861-7] ● Netherlands, 2020
CZERWONO CZARNI (Poland)
This is a rock-beat band formed in 1960 and is one of the pioneers of Polish popular music. The band lasted until 1976, but played at their 50th Anniversary in 2010. On the CD cover below six guys are pictured, but I have also seen the band as a quintet...
Sweet Little Sixteen (3:27) 1961
EP: Elevator Rock [Pronit N-0169] ● Poland, 1961
2-CD: 40 Przebojów [Polskie Nagrania Muza PNCD-1297 A/B] ● Poland, 2010
Interesting to see that they covered a Berry song as early as 1961 and at 3 minutes and 27 seconds. But the result just sounds funny, however, to give the guys a little credit, the piano player is pretty good. On the 2010 release the Berry track is a bonus cut on CD 2.
DOCTOR EXPLOSION (Spain)
Garage rock trio from Gijón formed in 1989. Jorge Muñoz-Cobo (guitar, vocals), Angel Kaplan (bass), Pablo Gonzalez (drums). They have had many singles and albums out since 1990.
Let It Rock (as "Déjalo Sacudirse") (1:43) 1992 (live)
EP: Thunderpussy TH-002 ● Spain, 1992
They tried to do it their way and pretty much made it. The EP came out in three different colours on the cover, one is red, then blue and finally purple.
Beautiful Delilah (2:12) 2004
EP: The Chesterfield Childish Club [Soundflat Records SFR-45-013] ● Spain, 2009
DREADFUL SNAKES (Canada)
Not sure about who this is. This is probably a rock band since the other side of the 45 is “A Fool In Love” written by Ike Turner. (Just so it’s mentioned, there’s a bluegrass group, The Dreadful Snakes, who had an album out in 1995 titled “Snakes Alive”.)
Carol (as “Oh Carol”) (2:35) 1978
45: Snake Records SR 1 / SR 2 ● Canada, 1978
Recorded at Comfort Sound in Toronto, Ontario, October 1978. Produced by T. C. Wilkins.
EL COBRAS (USA)
The two songs are described as surf-rock. This seems to be their only output(?)
Guitar Boogie (2:18) 1964 (instr)
45: Essar Records E-714 ● USA, 1964
This version lacks everything, no feeling, no beat and no drive and even has an organ. The B-side, also an instrumental, is titled “Oh Yeah”.
CONNY & DANNY FABRY (Belgium)
Husband and wife who had a lot of records out in the ‘80s and ‘90s, both as a duo and by themselves. Conny (real name Christine Truyens) born 1952, Danny (real name Robert Esseldeurs) born 1948. They divorced in the early ‘90s.
You Never Can Tell (as “Zo Is Het Leven” [C’est La Vie]) (3:22) 1985
45: Limbo Records 5317 ● Belgium, 1985 (picture sleeve)
They have followed the Emmylou Harris arrangement.
FREE WILL (USA)
Rock quintet. Joe Whiting (vocals, tenor saxophone), Mark Doyle ( lead guitar, vocals, piano), Bill Irvin (rhythm guitar, vocals), John DeMaso (bass), Tom Glaister (drums).
Chuck Berry Medley (10:20) 1969
2-LP set: Cold Cold Morning [Grail Records Production GRL-301/2] ● USA, 2017
Songs are: Rock And Roll Music / Around And Around / Nadine / School Day / Thirty Days. Between each song they repeat “Rock And Roll Music” in shorter snippets. Recorded in New York , November 1969. I like this one!
FUTURE DREAM (Austria)
Quintet.
Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1974
45: Koch Records (self released) ● Austria, 1974
3 tracks.
GANGBANGS (Netherlands) ?
Searching for this band online is pretty hopeless. There is other stuff that pops up, I tell you. (However, on discogs another variation (alias) turns up, CPC Gangbangs which hails from Canada and have 8 singles and 1 album out from 2006 – 2009.)
Beautiful Delilah ( : ) 2002
45: High School Refuse Records HSR-014 ● Netherlands, 2002 (picture sleeve)
GROOVIE GHOULIES (USA)
See Volume 3, page 1223 for biographical info.
Refering to what I wrote about this track, it has come to my attention that it was actually released on a 3 track vinyl single back in 1997.
Trick Or Treat (1:32) 1997
45: Lookout! Records LK-186 ● USA, 1997 (picture sleeve)
3 tracks on orange vinyl, coupled with “Graveyard Girlfriend” and “Devil Town”. It says it was recorded at Sonic Iguana, Lafayette, Indiana.
GIBASDRA (Sweden)
It seems like they are a dance band type of thing, however, they look like a rock band.
You Never Can Tell (as “Monsieur Pierre”) ( : ) 1971
45: California C-5061 (PS) ● Sweden, 1971
Mari-Anne Sjöberg is doing the vocals here. I haven’t heard this but the Swedish title is identical to the one by the Streaplers from 1970.
HIGHWAY (Netherlands)
Sounds and looks like a dance band.
Thirty Days (as “Oh, Jenny Girl”) (2:23) 1981
45: Menopole S. 1900 ● Belgium, 1981 (picture sleeve)
LP: Holland Rock En Rolland 1 [CNR 541 697] ● Netherlands, 1984
This is the same version as the one by John Lamers & The Skyliners back in 1963 but then titled “Kom Terug”.
See also JOHN LAMERS
I.O.W. CHEROKEES (UK)
I.O.W. stands for Isle Of Wight. Beat group.
Anthony Boy ( : ) 1966
45: 69 Club 69-EP-001 ● UK, 1966
Recorded at Olympic Sound Studios 17 April 1966.
RUSS JEFFERS & BECKY (USA)
Husband and wife bluegrass duo. Russ Jeffers (vocals. Guitar), Becky Jeffers (ac.bass), James McKInney (banjo), Craig Duncan (fiddle). They have released six albums.
Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:29) 1975 (live)
EP: Lee-Ann Records L-1001 ● USA, 1975
LP: Russ & Becky Jeffers At Opryland [Lee-Ann Records (NR-6062)] ● USA, 1975
A little confusing info here. The EP above has only Russ Jeffers, but all the songs on the EP are on the LP. The LP says only Russ Jeffers on the front cover and labels. On the back cover it says Russ and Becky with pictures of them both. There’s no cat.no. The NR-number refered to is the mastering number from Nashville Record Productions.
KEENS (Italy)
Garage rock quartet, Luca Burranca (vocals, harmonica, maracas), Andrea Caruso (guitar), Adriano Izzo (bass), Efisio Pistis (drums).
Beautiful Delilah (1:58) 2006
45: Psych-Out Records PO-45018 ● Italy, 2007 (picture sleeve)
3 tracks, recorded at Dream Studios, Turin, on 24 June 2006.
KING AUTOMATIC (France)
He was the drummer in a French punk band called Thundercrack, now he’s a one-man band playing garage rock. But I have been unable to find his real name.
You Never Can Tell (2:28) 2015
EP: Havin’ A Whole Lot Of Fun [Futuropolis 250043] ● France, 2015
2 songs by King Automatic and 2 songs by Johnny Jano. Recorded March 2015 at Studios Duroc in Nancy.
KOFFERS (Netherlands)
Rock quartet.
Rock And Roll Music (as “Rock ‘N Roll Music”) (2:53) 1989
45: D & K DK-89001 ● Netherlands, 1989 (picture sleeve)
The song has a goode drive and they perform and sing well.
JOHN LAMERS And The Skyliners (Netherlands)
He’s had a lot of singles out during the years, starting in 1960 up to the early ‘80s. And also a few albums.
Thirty Days (as “Kom Terug”) (2:27) 1963
45: CNR UH-9630 ● Netherlands, 1963
LP: Crazy Love With John Lamers [CNR GA-5050] ● Netherlands, 1964
See also HIGHWAY
LES JERRYS (France)
Beat quintet
Bye Bye Johnny ( : ) 1966
Nadine (3:11) 1966
EP: Les Jerrys [Camelon Records CAME-17] ● France, 2015
Original test pressing from May 1966, previously unissued. Good grief !!! This should have stayed in the can.
LES SHAZAMS (France)
Instrumental quartet.
Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:23) 1966
EP: Memphis [DMF 26 445] ● France, 1966
This sounds very sweet and reminded me of the Swedish instrumental group The Spotnicks.
LOS EXOTICOS (Spain)
See Volume 3, page 1037 for biographical info.
And yes, that’s Dave Allen & The Exotics. The EP below is the same as the one on page 1037, but released as a special publicity record where at least the Berry cover runs a little too fast, see timing. And take notice that Dave Allen in question was the American singer/guitarist.
Sweet Little Rock And Roller (2:09) 1966
EP: El Ritmo Liverpool [Disco Sorpresa Fundador 10.127] ● Spain, 1967 (picture sleeve)
LOS MAGNATES (Denmark)
See Volume 3, page 1348 for biographical info.
Now here again is a strange one, as this is actually the Danish group Matadorerne released in Spain in disguise of being a Spanish group, which they are NOT. And if you add the two other names for this group you have four to collect, The Matadors or Bobby Winson & The Matadors.
Memphis, Tennessee (2:09) 1965
45: Belter 51.499 ● Spain, 1965
I haven’t heard this version but I reckon they are singing in English and this is the same as the one mentioned on page 1348.
LOS SIREX (Spain)
I’m Talking About You (as “Si, Lo Hago Por Ti”) (1:48) 1966
45: Vergara 45.143 ● Spain, 1966
The guys do a pretty good job of it. Recorded in stereo.
GREGG MARTINEZ (USA)
From Lafayette, Louisiana. He’s been performing for nearly five decades and released some 13 albums.
You Never Can Tell (3:28) 2011
CD: South Of The Parish Line [Magnolia/Massacre Records MR-1101] ● USA, 2011
Run Rudolph Run (3:27) 2021
CD: A MacDaddy Christmas [MacDaddy Productions, LLC ] ● USA, 2021
EDDIE MEDUZA (Sweden)
See Volume 3, page 1359 for biographical info. See also Soundalikes, pages 1850-1851.
Roll Over Beethoven (demo) (1:42) 1979
10” EP: The Lost Tape [Atenzia Records ATZEP-04] ● Sweden, 2016
CD: The Lost Tape [Atenzia Records ATZEP-07] ● Sweden, 2016
This EP contains 6 tracks, all demos from 1979. This is exactly how Eddie wanted to sound.
DAVE MILLER And The Byrds (New Zealand)
Beat quintet. three singles and one EP, all in 1965.
How You’ve Changed (3:12) 1965
45: Zodiac Z45-1220 ● New Zealand, 1965
This I am sure they picked up from the Animals, but interesting nevertheless. And a pretty good version it is.
This makes it the third cover version of this obscure Berry blues ballad; The Animals in 1965 and George Benson in 2019.
EDDY MITCHELL (France)
See Volume 3, page 1367 for biographical info.
You Never Can Tell (as “C’est la Vie, Fais la Belle”) (3:06) 2021
CD: Country Rock [Polydor Universal Music 366 776 9] ● France, 2021
LP: Country Rock [Polydor Universal Music 366 776 3]* ● France, 2021
LP: Country Rock [Polydor Universal Music 366 777 3]** ● France, 2021
You can listen to this on YouTube. Besides the CD the album is out as an ordinary LP (*) and limited edition (**).
PEARL JAM (USA)
Rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Present members: Eddie Vedder (lead vocals-guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Jeff Ament (bass), Matt Cameron (drums).
Has sold millions of albums and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Around And Around (3:09) 2017
45: Ten Club TC-2016 ● USA, 2017 (picture sleeve)
2016 Annual single available for Pearl Jam Ten Club analog members. Recorded 30 March 2017, a rehearsal for the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. The A-side was titled ”Alive” from the sound-check on 7 April 2017 for the induction ceremony. Interesting choice since Pearl Jam’s never been in the Berry cover versions before. Again it goes to show…The Berry cover side of the label has a silhouette image of a Berry walking Chuck. Nice. The songs were recorded by Music Mix Mobile and mastered at Resonant Mastering. This is no bootleg. Don’t know if it was for sale in stores, but you’ll find several on eBay.
PONNYS (Switzerland)
Four guys from Frenkendorf, near Basel. Beat instrumental group.
Guitar Boogie ( : ) 1979 (instr)
45: Studiotechnik A.Gysin & Co 4687/4688 AG ● Switzerland, 1979 (picture sleeve)
Now this is a self released little single featuring a cover of the Berry instrumental on one side (B), and “Amapola” on the other side ( A). Always nice to see when bands are covering this Berry boogie, a title it should have had in the first place.
RAMBLERS (West Germany)
There’s been a lot of bands around calling themselves The Ramblers. This seems to be a punk/powerpop band formed early 1977 in Hagen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
Around And Around (4:00) 1980
45: BB Records 1010 31 ● Switzerland, 1980 (picture sleeve)
The A-side of the single was titled “No Sensation”.
JOHN RUSSELL (Netherlands)
Black singer who had his first single out in 1962 on Philips as John Russels And The Junior Rockers. The single below was his second. He’s released a lot of records throughout the years way up into the ‘90s. Also know as John “Kingsize” Russell and Big John Russell.
Maybellene (as “Mabelline”) (2:45) 1964
45: Fontana 278 075 YF ● Netherlands, 1964 (picture sleeve)
Favorieten Express series.
SAN BERNADINO (Ireland)
Seems like they are/were everything from showband to country to heavy metal. They started in 1975 and have had 6 singles out from 1977-1982.
Tulane ( : ) 1982
45: Evergreen EVS-102 ● Ireland, 1982 (picture sleeve)
In 1981 they released a single titled “I’m A Headbanger” coupled with “Route 66”. The latter being credited to Chuck Berry, would you believe, instead of Bobby Troup.
JOHNNY SEVEN & THE KILOWATTS /USA)
Probably a Texas blues-rock band. This is the only record I have found. The EP below has four tracks including three written by Johnny Seven.
School Day ( : ) 1983
EP: School Days [Black Snake Productions BSP-1002] ● USA, 1983
SIT N’ SPIN (USA)
Four gals from California playing garage rock with a rock’n’roll twist. Heidi Lieb (guitar, vocals), Monica Vargo (guitar, vocals), Meredith Ochs (bass), Maria McKenna (drums). They have several singles and three albums to their credit.
Thirty Days (2:25) 1996
45: Solamente Records XCR-05 ● USA, 1996
JO JO SIWA (USA)
Real name Joelle Joanie Siwa. Born 2003. She’s a dancer, actress, singer and YouTube personality. I have seen a DVD for sale by her. She’s also made a video of the Berry track below, aimed at younger girls. They could download the song through Amazon. And it seems a 1000 copies were made of the actual CD for sale in selected stores.
Run Rudolph Run (2:13) 2020
CD EP: JoJo’s Rockin’ Christmas [Nickelodeon 50 5452 69612 0 3] ● USA, 2020
SLADE (UK)
See Volume 3, page 1511 for biographical info.
Run Rudolph Run (3:31) 2002
CD: Come On Let’s Party! [EMI 5802 382] ● UK, 2002
SMUGGLERS (USA)
Garage punk quintet.
I’m Talking About You (as “Talkin’ ‘Bout You”) ( : ) 1994
45: Pin Up Records 95036 ● Germany, 1995
Recorded 27 April 1994 at Audio Recording, Seattle, Washington. Released on white vinyl (300 copies), red (300) and black (400).
STRYPES (Ireland)
Four young guys with ‘60s long hair, Josh McClorey, Stuart Hardle, Pete O’Hanlon, Evan Walsh. Garage rock.
Beautiful Delilah (1:57) 2012
EP: What A Shame [Virgin EMI 374 9900] ● UK, 2012
3-track CD single: Virgin ASHAMECJ-1 ● UK, 2012
CD: Snapshot [Virgin EMI 375 0949] ● UK, 2013 (deluxe edition)
Speeded up version to the extreme.
You can find more Berry covers with these guys on YouTube, like live versions of “Little Queenie” and “Run Rudolph Run”.
DIANE TARAZ (USA)
Born in the Berkshire hills of Western Massachusetts, she is now living in the Boston area. Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. So far she’s released some 21 albums including various topics, political, history and Christmas.
Johnny B. Goode (3:15) (medley with “Wonderful World” & “Cupid”) (6:25) 2017
CD: Let’s Misbehave! [Raisin Pie Music 41578 2 3] ● USA, 2017
Recorded and mastered at Wellspring Sound in Acton, Massachusetts. Produced by Taraz. It’s a little unusual to combine two Sam Cooke songs with the Berry classic. They really don’t mix well, but she’s doing a goode job of it.
TRIANGLES (USA)
Rock band. Gary Copley (guitar, vocals), Tommy Lee Reid (bass, vocals), Dick Jeffries (drums, vocals) On the single the band is known as Triangles, however, on the album they are known as Copley, Jeffries & Reid. They were a popular trio who performed in the central Ohio and throughout the mid west.
“The Chuck Berry Collection” medley (4:25) 1975
45: Kare Records KS-108 ● USA, 1975
LP: Triangle [Kare Records LPS-330] ● USA, 1975
Songs: Carol / Too Much Monkey Business / Little Queenie / Johnny B. Goode / Nadine / Reelin’ And Rockin’
TRIFFITS (Netherlands)
See volume 3, page 1573 for biographical info. I would add that they were probably a garage rock band who were still learning. But I am sure they had fun.
On this page I referred to the entry as being previously unissued according to the album liner notes. But a 45 turned up and it was actually released as a single in 1966.
Too Much Monkey Business (as “Monkey Business”) (2:35) 1966
45: Delta DS-1175 ● Netherlands, 1966
The Berry track which was the A-side is wrongly credited to one Ruud Tegenhart.
REX TURNER (Australia)
In the ‘50s he was on some 10 singles and EPs, mostly cover versions of American hits. He looks like a crooner although I haven’t heard the actual song so I can’t tell for sure.
School Day ( : ) 1957
78/45: W & G WG-SPN-429 ● Australia, 1957
B-side was “Honky Tonk Song”. Label colour was light green for the 45, and darker red for the 78.
YUYA UCHIDA (Japan)
See Volume 3, page 1580 for biographical info.
Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1964
45: Toshiba Records TR-1097 ● Japan, 1964 (picture sleeve)
VIKA AND LINDA (Australia)
Sisters Vika Susan and Linda Rose Bull from Melbourne. Blues and sou/gospel duo who started out back in 1984 as backing vocalists in the group The Black Sorrows (see page 1079-80 in Vol.3). In 1994 they went solo and released their first album, “Vika And Linda”, which went into the Top Ten. So far they have released 7 studio albums, 4 live albums and some 20 singles.
Run Rudolph Run (4:14) 2001
Various CD: The Spirit Of Christmas [Myer Grace Bros MGB-07CD] ● Australia, 2001
It says on the back cover that All profits from the proceeds of this CD will be donated to the Salvation Army of Australia.
Down Bound Train (2:48) 2020
CD: Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso) [Bloodlines BLOOD-78] ● Australia, 2020
LP: Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso) [Bloodlines BLOODLP-78] ● Australia, 2020
Fine version where the girls are singing in harmony to good effect. Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly sent the ladies 175 songs several years ago to choose from regarding plans for a gospel album. After some painstaking listening they decided on 12 songs plus an original. The album reached #2 on the Australian album charts, and at the AIR Awards of 2021 it won Best Independent Blues and Roots album. An interesting note is that English music director Cameron Bruce played piano from his home in New South Wales and sent the tracks to Melbourne.
TONY WORSLEY (Australia)
Born Anthony Asheen Worsley in Hastings, England in 1944 and emigrated with his family to Brisbane, Australia when he was 15. He had 3 albums out in 1965-1966, and a whole lotta singles from 1964-1967.
I’m Talking About You (as “Talking about you”) (1:58) 1965
45: Sunshine (Festival) QK-983 ● Australia, 1965
2-CD: Ready, Steady, Let’s Go [Festival Records D-46071] ● Australia, 1999
And The Fabulous Blue Jays. The CD set contains the complete Sunshine recordings. 37 tracks with The Blue Jays and 10 tracks by the Blue Jays themselves.
In 1992 he was part of concert dates called “Living Legends Live Benefit Concert” where he a.o. did a great version of “Johnny B. Goode” with a fabulous band (see YouTube). As far as I can tell it’s only available on VHS and DVD, no CD (?)
YELLOW DOGS (Japan)
Four guys, Julie (guitar), Nanny (guitar), Ikari (bass), Takao (drums). A revival surf/rockabilly/beat group. Not easy to find info on these guys online. The CDs show five guys but singles show 4 (?)
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:30) 1999
45: Tinstar Records SR-TIN-012 ● Japan, 1999 (picture sleeve)
CD: The Yellow Dogs Jacaranda 20 Hits! [Tinstar Records MSR-TIN-030] ● Japan, 2000
The main problem is the “English” pronunciation. But they are good musicians.
Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 2000
45: Tinstar Records MSR-TIN-026 ● Japan, 2000 (picture sleeve)
CD: The Yellow Dogs Jacaranda 20 Hits! [Tinstar records MSR-TIN-030] ● Japan, 2000
Carol ( : ) 2002
CD: My Girl Is Red Hot [Tinstar Records MSR-TIN-049] ● Japan, 2002
They also do a cover of “I Got To Find My Baby” probably credited to Berry, but it’s not counted for as it is not a Berry original.
I’m Talking About You ( : ) 2003
Little Queenie ( : ) 2003
CD: Yellow Dogs Is Gonna Get You [Tinstar Records TIN-056] ● Japan, 2003
Tuesday, January 25. 2022
CBID - Mikka Grytviken and the Differents honor Chuck
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: Chapter 14 in Volume 2 describes songs which tribute Chuck Berry in title or lyrics as well as albums dedicated to honor Chuck. Here's one of each.
DIFFERENTS (USA)
Rock trio, Lou Hallwas (vocals, guitar, piano), Gary Stier (vocals, bass), Dan Garrity (drums). They have two albums out, one in 1997 and one in 2018.
Chuck Berry (2:35) (Dan Garrity) 2018
45: Stars/No Stars 007668-8 ● USA, 2018
Recorded at Gravel Road, Chicago, Illinois. Gary Stier does the lead vocals on this tribute which is a little different (yes) as it has not so much Berry beat or guitar but is still rockin’ good.
MIKKA GRYTVIKEN (France)
This French guy, born 1971, (with Scandinavian roots, sounds Norwegian to me) has released a digital tribute album to Chuck for streaming or downloading. 12 tracks:
Carol / Maybellene / Route 66 (!) / Oh What A Thrill / Darlin’ / You Never Can Tell / Sweet Little Sixteen / It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes / Little Queenie / Johnny B. Goode / School Day
It was released 23 September 2021. He says that it is his favourite songs. It’s very interesting to notice that he has picked a song, “Darlin’”, from Chuck’s very last studio album, “Chuck” 2017. Mikka is doing the vocals and playing all the instruments, guitars, bass and drums. According to himself he’s a pop, rock, blues, jazz and soul music singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer. His English pronunceation is not perfect but he has a goode feeling for the music.
(Thanks to Ari Niskanen of Finland who sent me the link: https://mikkagrytviken.net/)
Saturday, January 15. 2022
CBID - Chuck Berry in Radio and Movies
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: Chapter 5 in Volume 2 presents not-for-sale vinyl and CD albums produced by radio stations for broadcast, chapter 7 in Volume 2 looks at movies containing Chuck Berry in person or Chuck Berry music in their soundtrack. Here are additions to each:
CHUCK BERRY ON THE RADIO
Concept Albums
SOUNDS OF SOLID GOLD (VOLUME 3) - Going Back In Time
LP: United States Marine Corps, Programs 10/11 ● USA, 1970s
Rock And Roll Music
Four tracks on each side. Side One (program 10) focuses on the year 1957, with music by Bill Justis (“Raunchy”), Pat Boone (“April Love”), Berry, and Jimmie Rodgers (“Honeycomb”). Side Two (Program 11) covers 1966 and includes The Toys (“Attack”), The Association (“Cherish”), The Temptations (“Get Ready”), and Neil Diamond (“Solitary Man”). Interesting selection with combining Justis, Boone, Rodgers and Berry.
CHUCK BERRY IN THE MOVIES
Soundtracks featuring Chuck Berry recordings
FUGUEUSES
[English title: RUNAWAYS]
AFCL Productions (Colour 95 min.) ● France, 1995
Starring Marie Trintignant, Irene Jacob, Nicole Garcia. Directed by Nadine Trintignant
Berry’s “No Particular Place To Go” is played in the movie. Actually, half of the song including guitar solo is heard very clearly.
Friday, January 14. 2022
CBID - Additions to the Eddy Clearwater Discography
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: Besides covering Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson, CBID also has chapter 19 containing a session discography as well as record releases by the Berry-inspired US artist Eddy Clearwater. Two releases need to be added thereto:
SESSION WORK and GUEST APPEARANCES
Shoji Naito
NEW COOL OLD SCHOOL
CD: Ogden Records ORCD-380 ● USA, 2016
Eddy Clearwater tracks: Big Boss Man w/Gerry Hundt / I’ll Change My Style w/Ariyo / Last Night / Walking By Myself w/Ariyo
Album also featuring Willie Buck, Billy Flynn, Lee Kanehira, Mark Fornek, Katherine Davis, Erwin Heller, Milwaukee Slim, Grant Kessler, Marty Binder.
14 tracks recorded in Chicago June/July 2015, produced by Shoji Naito. Shoji was born in Toyota, Japan and moved to Chicago in 1996. Harmonica and guitar player. Co-produced Eddy Clearwater’s “Soul Funky” CD from 2014.
Shoji Naito
WESTMONT TO CHICAGO – Tribute To Eddy Clearwater
CD: Ogden Records ORCD-382 ● USA, 2020
Sen Sa Shun (instr) – Eddy Clearwater Band / I Need You Baby – Eddy Clearwater / Like The Creeper (instr) – Shoji Naito / Stranded – Eddy Clearwater / A Minor Cha-Cha (instr) – Eddy Clearwater Band / Reconsider Baby – Eddy Clearwater / Eddy’s Midnight Dream (instr) – Lee Kanehira / Find Yourself – Win Noll / Deep Blue Sea Blues – Willie Buck / Don’t Go No Further – Willie Buck / Greyhound Harmonica Jam (instr) – Shoji Naito / You Don’t Have To Go – Eddy Clearwater / Women Be Wise – Ginny Morin / Crossover – Tom Crivellone / Ogden Avenue (instr) – Shoji Naito
Finally we have a tribute album to Eddy Clearwater which is a little unusual since we also get four previously unissued tracks by Eddy himself, recorded back in the Summer of 2015 (see CD “New Cool Old School” above). 15 tracks all staged by guitar and harp player Shoji Naito who also produced the album. The musicians featured are people from Eddy’s original band plus musical friends. (Eddy died 1 June 2018, he was 83.)
Thursday, December 23. 2021
CBID - The Night Chuck Berry Died
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: Berry's influence to modern rock music is not only seen through the vast number of artists covering his compositions. You also find artists who refer to Berry in song names, album titles, or lyrics. Chapter 14 in Volume 2 describes all these tribute songs and albums.
BINTANGS (Netherlands)
See Volume 3, page 1075 for biographical info.
Good Luck Chuck (3:09) 2006
CD: DOC [Who’s Next Records WNR-2006002] ● Netherlands, 2006
Written by Frank Kraaijeveld. He’s the bassplayer and only original member from the line-up back in 1961. As always, Bintangs does a great job of bringing Berry’s feel into their performance. It rocks in a goode way ...
BULDOŽER (Yougoslavia)
Buldožer was a Yugoslav-Slovenian progressive rock band from the 1970s and 1980s.
I Remember Chuck Berry (0:53) 1979 (instr)
LP: Živi Bili Pa Vidjeli [Helidon FLP-05-017] ● Yugoslavia, 1979
Berry guitar riffs all the way in almost 1 minute.
JOSHUA COOK & The Key Of Now (USA)
Joshua Cook from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a singer and guitarist who plays roots music in the form of rock’n’roll, electric blues and rhythm & blues. The two musicians who’s backing him is Tommy Folen on bass and Nick Fishman on drums. Both doing backing vocals.
CD: The Night Chuck Berry Died [Black Dog ] ● USA, 2017 (live)
The album is dedicated to Charles Edward Anderson Berry (Let It Rock). Recorded live at the Peppermint, Reno, Nevada, very probably on 18 March 2017, when Berry died. There are no Berry covers or tribute on this, but there are a couple of soundalikes. The album was released on 30 May, 2017.
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
- 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
- Chuck Berry: An American Life - by RJ Smith
- Thursday, January 12 2023
- CBID - And they play Chuck Berry music - part 8
- Wednesday, January 11 2023
- CBID - Sounding like Chuck Berry
- Tuesday, January 10 2023
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© Dietmar Rudolph
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