CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details
see the bibliography section of this site.CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.
Today: Hereâs a new batch of Berry covers I have collected lately to be added to the chapter on Chuck Berry covers in Volume 3. It never stops!
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY (USA)
A swing revival 7 piece band from Southern California (Ventura) very influenced by the music of the â40s and â50s. Leader Scotty Morris (vocals and guitar) formed the band in 1989 and they have released over 10 albums since then.
Run Rudolph Run (3:58) 2013
CD: It Feels Like Christmas Time [Savoy Jazz SVY-17921] ? USA, 2013
Yes, it is a swing version which is actually the first one I have heard of this Xmas ditty in that genre. Itâs always interesting to find new unusual versions of a Berry song.
DION (USA)
See Volume 3, page 1161 for biographical info.
Too Much Monkey Business (4:36 ) 1971 (live)
CD: Recorded Live At Bitter End, August 1971 [Ace CDCHJ-1433] ? UK, 2015
Recorded live at the renowned New York folk venue the Bitter End. I have always loved Dion and his way of performing a song, making it different and this is no exception. Itâs not rockânâroll but more like â70s folk country blues. And Dion is actually a mighty fine guitar player too.
KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS with JOHNNIE JOHNSON (USA)
See Volume 4, page 1627, and Volume 3, page1276 (Johnnie Johnson) for biographical infos.
Little Queenie (3:32) 2003
CD: Meet Me In Bluesland [Alligator ALCD-4965] ? USA, 2015
The song has a very solid beat but itâs Johnnie whoâs the real hero on this one. Excellent piano throughout and especially on the solo. The album feature Johnnie on all 11 tracks. Recorded 26-28 January 2003 at Barrick Recordings Studio, Glasgow, Kentucky.
EDIE LENORE (USA)
Search on the net discovered that Edie was a Hee Haw Country music star during the time of recording the single below.
Johnny B. Goode (2:48) 1973
45: JEM Records J-528 ? USA, 1973
Record label out of Nashville, Tennessee.
LINCOLNS (Australia)
Four piece rockabilly band from Adelaide, Australia.
You Never Can Tell (2:43) 2015
CD: Teddy Boy RockânâRoll [Raucous RAUCD-274] ? UK, 2015
Good, tradional version featuring a solid beat and an effective guitar solo (instead of piano). I know it might sound crazy but I got the Buddy Holly feeling in this.
LO-LITES (Finland)
Rock band from Helsinki. Three piece playing loud and raucous music called rockânâroll but maybe a little over the top.
You Canât Catch Me ( : ) 2015
CD: Canât Saddle Me ! [B-Top BTOP-005] ? Finland, 2015
MIMES (Austria)
Rock quartet of whom I have seen 3 single releases altogether.
Carol [Oh Carol] (2:52) 1968 (live)
45: Amadeo AVRS-21519 ? Austria, 1968 (picture sleeve)
ORCHESTER BERT LANDERS (West Germany)
Another orchestra leader in the line of James LastâŚ
Memphis, Tennessee (1:26) 1964 (instr)
LP: Schlager Derby 1964 [Tip 63-3025] ? West Germany, 1964
LP: Schlager Runde Folge 2 [Tip 63-3027] ? West Germany, 1964
JOHNNY SPENCE & DOCTORâS ORDERS (UK/Finland)
See Volume 3, page 1526 for biographical info.
Let It Rock (2:10) 2015
CD: Kickstart Your Mojo [Goofinâ GRCD-6183] ? Finland, 2015
Played in the style of the latter-day Pirates..
STATUS QUO (UK)
See Volume 3, page 1531 for biographical info.
Bye Bye Johnny (6:09) 2014 (live)
2 CD: The Frantic Fourâs Final Fling [Ear Music 0209552 ERE] ? UK, 2014
Live in Ireland at the Dublin 02 Arena 12 April 2014, featuring Rossi and Parfitt with original founding members Alan Lancaster (bass) and John Coghlan (drums).
SWEET GEORGIA BOYS (UK)
This is piano player Jim Hammond and drummer Bill Crittenden. The Kingbeats is a link here. The album below is NOT a Christmas release. There are no other Yuletide songs except Berryâs. The album is in the boogie woogie rockânâroll style.
Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 2014
CD: Jump For Joy [Foot Tapping FT-152] ? 2014
HANS THEESSINK (Netherlands) & TERRY EVANS (USA)
See Hans Theessink volume 3, page 1557 for biographical info.
Maybellene (6:06) 2015 (live)
CD: True & Blue â Live [Blue Groove BG-2520] ? Austria, 2015
Recorded live in Vienna. At such a length it must be the longest cover version of this classic. A real acoustic beauty with an extended instrumental break.
CONWAY TWITTY (USA)
See Volume 3, pages 1578-79 for biographical info.
Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1964 (live)
2-CD: Rocks At the Castaway [Bear Family BCD-17413] ? Germany, 2015
Recorded live at the Castaway Geneva-on-the-Lake nightspot 3-9 August 1964.
VIKINGS (Norway)
Tore Andersen,Ă
ge Haugan, Bjørn Schandy, Jan Erik Gustavsen and Børre Nilsen. A combination of dance band and country group.
Let It Rock (3:08) 1985
MC: T.R.A.C.K.S [WC85 1001] ? Norway, 1985
Credited to C. Berry and not E. Anderson, but the arrangement is based on the cover version (âLet It Rollâ) by Mel McDaniel from 1985. Although they didnât succeed in getting the song to roll.
WHITNEY WOLANIN (USA)
Sheâs a pop singer/songwriter, born 1990 in Albany, New York, growing up in Florida. Released her debut album âFunkology XIIIâ in 2005.
Run Rudolph Run (3:01) 2013
CD EP: Run, Run Rudolph [Top Notch Records, unk. cat no] ? USA, 2013
5 song EP. Now this a better version which has some rock & roll feeling and beat to it. On this special EP it comes in three different mixes, Up-Tech, Sing Along and Country. The song reached #2 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, December 2013. Whitney and her sister Victoria operates the Top Notch Record label. âI was especially drawn to the song because of how lively it is â itâs one of those songs that make people danceâ. âI love Chuck Berryâs version, I really do but I wanted to modernise it a little but keeping the essence of his guitar riffs.â
BILL WYMANâS RHYTHM KINGS (UK)
See Volume 3, page 1615 for biographical info.
Johnny B. Goode (7:05) 2008 (live)
CD: Live Communication [Repertoire REP-5170] ? Germany, 2011
From their sell out 2008 UK tour.