CBID - 6034 and counting ...

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: In July I finished listing my stack of additional Chuck Berry cover versions and came up with a total of 6034 recordings. But still new covers turn up, this time even from famous names such as the Dire Straits, Jim Reeves, or the Police.

GILDAS ARZEL (France)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, born 1961. Has released several singles and albums since 1991.

You Never Can Tell (C’est la Vie) (3:32) 2015

CD: Greneville [self-released GA1961/1/1] ● France, 2015

I haven’t heard the actual recording but seen a live performance from 2017 on You Tube. And I must say it was pretty amazing. Tight rockin’ band too.

BABY BÁTIZ (Mexico)

See Volume 3, page 1061, for biographical info. However, I had very little info back then so here’s an update and also adding "Rock And Roll Music" to the list.
Real name Maria Esther Medina Núñez, born 1949 in Tijuana, Baja California. Blues, soul and rock’n’roll singer. She has released several singles and albums since her start in the mid ‘60s. She even had an Anthology CD out in 2008. She’s the sister of Javier Bátiz (see page 1061).

Johnny B. Goode (2:40) 2003
Rock And Roll Music [as “Musica De Rock”] (2:21) 2003

CD: De Veras Me Atrapaste [Discos Y Cintas Denver CD-DSD-6274] ● Mexico, 2003

The lady has a great voice on these two Berry covers and the music is straight rock(’n’roll).

BIG BAG Of BLUES (Sweden)

Blues band from Halmstad.

Back To Memphis (as “Going Back To Memphis”) (4:18) 2011

CD: “III” [BBB 90 0879 87932 5 9] ● Sweden, 2011

Probably self-released. But it’s a good version and I reckon it was taken from The Tottas Blues Band repertory since they have used the same misspelling of the title.

BLUESAHOLICS (Switzerland)

Blues-rock band consisting of four musicians, Benno Riis (guitar, blues harp), Levi Bo (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Willi Basler (bass), Marcus Keller (drums), and two vocalists Monika Schär and Rene Zobrist. The band had a maxi single out in 1993 and 8 albums since 1995, the first 5 on the Phonag label. They tour as an acoustic version and as an electric version.

Oh What A Thrill (3:52) 2021

CD: Closed Doors [Bluesaholics self-released] ● Switzerland, 2021

This is arranged a little slower than Berry’s.

KEL-ANNE BRANDT (Australia)

Country singer, songwriter from Umina Beach, New South Wales. Nicknamed “The Little Dynamo”. She has released five albums and three EPs since her start in 1998. Has received music Awards and has had National hit singles. In 2020 she had a Top Five hit with the title song from the album below.

Back In The USA (3:05) 2019

CD: Let The Music Give You Wings [KAB self-released] ● Australia, 2019

I am sure she’s been listening to the Linda Ronstadt version from 1978. But still good work.

CAJUN ROOSTERS (Germany etc.)

Etc. means that the band is a mixture of musicians from different countries like France, Germany, Belgium, Scotland and England. But both albums below were recorded in Germany and released in Germany.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:37) 2016

CD: Hell Yeah [Whoopee WR-61527] ● Germany, 2016

A good uptempo cajun version. Unfortunately with a little Buddy Holly twist.

Promised Land (3:42) 2006

CD: Crank It Up [Whoopee WR-61493] ● Germany, 2006

Ordinary cajun version.

JUNE CARTER with Jim Reeves (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1116 for biographical info.

Thirty Days (2:46) 1959 (live)

DVD: The Jim Reeves Anthology [H&H Music HHDVD-815 ] ● UK, 2014

Yes I know, but this is so special that I wanted to have it in here. Recorded live at the Ozark Jubilee TV-show 15 August 1959. 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition. Reissue and remastered in Stereo,  The original release of the DVD came in 2009, but this is a better version. It includes the very last concert of Jim Reeves performed in Oslo, Norway, 1964. The timing above also includes the introduction of June by Jim and the outro. The song itself lasts a little under 2 minutes, and Jim is only singing in harmony with June on the Thirty Days title. I thought that the 1960 performance from Louisiana Hayride 4 June 1960 was unusual, but this is even more special as it includes Jim Reeves, finally getting him in the Chuck Berry Cover survey.
I am saying unusual and special which has nothing to do with the performance itself which is neither.

NANCY CARTWRIGHT (USA)

See Simpsons page 1507 CBID Vol. 3.

I am mentioning it since this lady’s name pops up on secondhandsongs under “School Day”. She is the vocalist but performed under Simpsons.

TONY CASPAR (UK)

Pop singer, songwriter from Oxford.

Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] (2:48) 1981

LP: Take It Easy [Ellie Jay Records EJSP-9573] ● UK, 1981

Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1978

LP: Bed Of Roses [Ellie Jay Records EJSP-8628] ● UK, 1978

COPPSUS JURIS (Norway)

Big band that in 1976 celebrated their 13th Anniversary. So they released an album with 5 songs from the actual concert and the rest of the tracks were recorded at Arne Bendiksen Studio in Oslo, including the medley below.

Johnny B. Goode (1:10) 1976 (medley) as Crossnash, Stillby, Hermansen & Tom

LP: Vi Spiller Opp [Coppsus Jupis CJ-110177] ● Norway, 1977

The “medley” (recorded October/November 1976) consists of ”Oh Lonesome Me”, “Johnny B.” and “Burning Love”. It’s printed medley on the cover, however, they are separate recordings actually. Performed by Sverre Lunde (vocals, banjo), Odd Rustad-Nilssen (vocals, piano), Tom Danielson (vocals, bass) and Svein Hermansen (drums). It’s Sverre who sings on the Berry cover.

DIRE STRAITS (UK)

As told before on this blog. Dire Straits sometimes performed “Nadine” on stage, but so far no legally released version has appeared. But finally in November 2023 a box-set came out including a cover of this Berry classic.
Mark Knopfler is Dire Straits, singer, songwriter and eminent guitarist. One of the most popular British rock bands of all time. Formed in 1977. Mark Knopfler, David Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers. They split up in 1988, reunited in 1991 and disbanded in 1995. Songs like “Sultans Of Swing” (1978), “Money For Nothing” (1985), “Walk Of Life” (1985) are just three of their greatest hits.

Nadine (3:47) 1979 (live) feat. Phil Lynott and Tony De Meur

8-CD box: Live 1978-1992 [Mercury/Vertigo (Universal) 5553922] ● Europe, 2023

Live at The Rainbow 21 December ’79. The sound is not good, the vocals are almost drowned in the music.
Also released as a 12-LP box-set (180 gram), Mercury/Vertigo (Universal) 5540596.

MASON EMBRY TRIO (USA)

He’s a jazz pianist based in Nashville.

Run Rudolph Run (3:30) 2015 (instr)

CD: Martinis & Mistletoe – Christmas Jazz [Green Hill GHD-6070] ● USA, 2015

Swingin’ piano music with not a rockin’ beat in sight. You will have to listen carefully to find the Berry melody in this one. Very unusual indeed.

FLAMES (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1190 for biographical info.

Tulane (3:15) 1990

45 EP: Twang FL-002 ● UK, 1990

Pretty good cover of this which features the original line-up from 1988.

CD: The Versatile Flames [Lone Rider Records LLR Flames 022] ● UK, 2010

Contains 29 released and unreleased tracks. Only Tulane is from Berry.

GADABOUTS (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1206 for biographical info.

Too Much Monkey Business (1:47) 1956

78rpm: Mercury 70978 ● USA, 1956

It came to my attention that the 78 version of this differed from the 45 regarding the monkey sounds which are missing on the 78.

BARRY HAY & JB MEIJERS (Netherlands)

Barry Hay, musician and singer who was born in India in 1948. He was the lead singer of the Dutch rock band Golden Earring from 1967-2021. Jan-Bart Meijers is a multi instrumentalist, singer, songwriter born 1972. He currently resides in Bonaire (Dutch island near Venezuela) where he operates a studio. Besides work with his band and solo work he has played with a lot of famous Dutch bands.

You Never Can Tell (3:18) 2022

CD: Fiesta De La Vida [Zip Records ZIP-293] ● Netherlands (Europe), 2022

The song is performed pretty ordinary, a little dull actually which is kinda strange considering the backgrounds of the two. To be quite honest it sounds like a dance band version (!) but with organ and guitar instead of the saxophone.

HOU-LOPS (Canada)

1960s pop quintet from Québec. Also known as Les Hou-Lops.

Nadine (3:03) 1966

LP: Off [Apex ALF-71591] ● Canada, 1966

Sorry guys, but this is awful in all due respect. But still a very early cover though.

INSENSIBLE EGGS (Italy)

Garage punk quartet from Cagliari. Again, they come up with some strange band names!

Around And Around (2:32) 1993

EP 45: Psych-Out Records PO-45008 ● Italy, 2000

500 hand-numbered copies. Also available on a one-sided 6-track self-released cassette in 1993 titled “Here Are The Insensible Eggs”. Pretty wild version.

KA-NIVES (USA)

Garage rock trio from Houston, Texas: Will Adams (guitar, vocals), Tony Hall (bass, vocals), Matt Murillo (drums, vocals). Apart from the single below they also have an album out (LP & CD) on Lance Rock titled “Get Duped!” but the two songs mentioned below are not on it.

Dear Dad ( : ) 2009

45: Lance Rock Records LRR-037 ● Canada, 2009

The Berry cover is the B-side. The A-side is titled “Weasel”.

KIT KATS (USA)

This group is already on the blog with a version of “Sweet Little Rock And Roller”.

Little Queenie (3:30) 1969 (live)

LP: The Kit Kats Do Their Thing Live [Jamie LPS-3032] ● USA, 1969

To me the ‘60s music, especially after ’65 was kind of rubbish. What became of the beat, the beat, the beat?

LATCHES (Netherlands)

Six piece rock’n’roll group. Formed in 1963 as The Blue Rhythms but was changed to The Latches in ‘65.

Johnny B. Goode (3:00) 1973 (live)
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:26) 1973 (live)

LP: Long Tall Sally [Northern-Productions PDO-0173 SJ] ● Netherlands, 1973

Okay versions, unpolished and raw but still having that rock’n’roll beat.

LES BOURGEOIS DE CALAIS (France)

Beat/pop/instrumental quintet, later became Les Fleurs De Pavot.

I’m Talking About You (as “Je Veux Parler De Toi”) (2:02) 1964

CD: French ‘60s EP Collection [Magic Records 522702] ● France, 1995

16 tracks plus 8 bonus. I don’t know but can’t find this Berry cover on any of their records so this might be a previously unissued cut. It was included as a bonus track on the above CD together with 7 others.

LES ENNUIS COMMENCENT (France)

Rockabilly/rock’n’Roll/surf quartet from Decazeville, en Aveyron.  Formed 1995.

Come On (2:25) 2010

CD: Superfriends [Buzz Buzz Records BBR-120 609] ● France, 2010
10” LP: Superfriends [Buzz Buzz Records BBR-160 877] ● France, 2010

GÖSTA LINDERHOLM & The Trad Brothers (Sweden)

Singer, songwriter, born 1941 in Stockholm, died 2020. He played clarinet in a Dixieland band in 1958 and up to 1973-74 sang and played in various jazz bands until he went solo. Has released a lot of albums.

Run Rudolph Run [as “Spring, Rudolf Spring”] (2:56) 2002

CD: Nu Är Det Jazz Jul Igjen! [Blå Ton BT CD-210] ● Sweden, 2002

Not much jazz here on this one, this is a rockin’ little tune with Swedish lyrics following Berry’s.

LOS DRACS (Spain)

Beat sextet already on this blog.

Carol (2:34) 1965

EP: En Tus Brazos [Alma 4008-XC] ● Spain, 1965

Sung in Spanish. Pretty ordinary beat version but they probably did their best.

TONY MAC (USA)

This is already on the blog but correction and additional info regarding time and year and a little extra comment at the end.

Johnny B. Goode (2:26) 1966

45: Jewel Records 806J-0928 ● USA, 1966

Record label out of MT Healthy, Ohio. Strange version in a country way, sounds unfinished.

MACH KUNG-FU (Japan)

Rock’n’Roll trio. Also known as The Fabulous Mach Kung-Fu.

Come On (2:17) 2001

CD: Teach A Chick To Dance! [Telstar Records TR-039] ● USA, 2001

Okay version with a solid bass work; more in the Berry way than most others.

NEY MATOGROSSO (Brazil)

Real name Ney de Sousa Pereira, born 1941 in Bela Vista. Singer known for his uncommon soprano or countertenor voice as Wikipedia puts it. Not quite sure what it means but he was ranked by Rollin’ Stone as the third greatest Latin American singer of all time. Has released a ton of albums since the mid ‘70s.

Johnny B. Goode [as “Jonny Pirou”] (3:32) 1982

LP: Mato Grosso [Ariola 201 648] ● Brazil, 1982

Strange version but still different from others.

EDDY MITCHELL (France)

See Volume 3, page 1367 for biographical info.

I’m A Rocker [as “C’est Un Rocker”] (4:24) 2019 (live) w/ Johnny Hallyday & Jaquez Dutronc

2-CD: as Les Vieilles Canailles - Le Live [Sony Music 0190295380618] ● France, 2019
3-LP: as Les Vieilles Canailles – L’Album Live [Sony Music 0190295382063] ● France, 2019

This is not one of the best versions by Eddy, maybe because there are three singers who fight for attention (?) But the French musicians know how to play rock! You can also buy it with a DVD, and a DeLuxe numbered Edition in a box-set with 2-CDs, 3-LPs, DVD and Bluray.

MYSTIC EYES (Germany)

This group is already on the blog with Memphis, Tennessee.
Beat band from Regensburg; active in the late ‘60s but reunited in 1997.

Around And Around ( : ) 1998 (live)

CD: Back To The ‘60s [GVR Records CD-005] ● Germany, 1998

Album recorded live at The Star Club in Hamburg.

CD: Flashback [GVR Records CD-006] ● Germany, 2001

TRACY NELSON (USA)

Singer, songwriter, born December 1944 in Madison, Wisconsin. She sings blues, r&b and country. She fronted the US rock band Mother Earth from 1967 to mid ‘70s. She’s recorded around 20 solo albums since her start in 1965.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man (2:25) 2023

CD: Life Don’t Miss Nobody [BMG – 538870092] ● USA, 2023

A little slower, laid back good version. Featuring Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas, Reba Russell, and Dianne Davidson.
The album also features people like Willie “I sing with everybody” Nelson and Charlie Musselwhite. Voted Best Tradional Blues Album 2023. This is Tracy’s own Great American Songbook. Featuring songs from the likes of Hank Williams, Willie Dixon, Allen Toussaint, Doc Pomus, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Stephen Foster, Berry… The title song is a brand-new own composition.
Tracy: I haven’t made a record in over 10 years. I’ve been wanting to do every one of these songs for a really long time.

DOUG PARKINSON (Australia)

Douglas John Parkinson, born 1946, died 2021. Pop and rock singer, songwriter. Besides being a solo performer he has also been involved in several bands since the mid ‘60s. He had a powerful voice.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ ( : ) 2010
Sweet Little Sixteen (as “Sweet Little 16”] ( : ) 2010

CD: Not Fade Away – ‘50s Rock [Roy Boy Records RBR-4000] ● Australia, 2010

PETER ROSS OLIVER (Three’s Company) (UK)

Don’t know much, there’s three guys, Peter, Ross and Oliver who got together around 1966. It seems like Peter is a singer and guitarist (maybe bass?), Ross is also a singer and guitar player and Oliver plays the drums. They have at least three albums out, two in 1968 and one in 1969, and one EP in 1968.

Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1968

LP: A Portrait Of Peter, Ross & Oliver [P.R.O. Records PRO-103] ● UK, 1968

POLICE (UK)

Very famous pop/rock band from London, active between 1977 to 1984 and back again from 2007-2008. Led by bassplayer and singer, songwriter Gordon Sumner aka Sting, who by the way has its own career.

Rock And Roll Music (1:55) 1983

4-CD: Synchronicity [A&M Records 554 192-1] ● UK, 2024

This is a reissue of a single album which came out originally in 1983. Very special slow version where the music is focused on the bass playing. Previously unissued. Not sure exactly about 1983, it could well be 1982 or 1984. Don’t have the actual album set.

PROF. WASHBOARD & DR. HARMONICA (USA)

Prof. Washboard = Scott Alexander from Arkansas. Dr. Harmonica = Lance Wakely from Chicago.

Maybellene (2:38) in a medley with “Shake Rattle And Roll” (4:18) late 1970s (live)

LP: Prof. Washboard & Dr. Harmonica [Sartory 1] ● USA, late 1970s

Recorded live at Venice Beach, Los Angeles. There’s a 30 seconds introduction to the medley were he speaks of Berry’s influence on American music both musically and as a poet. And I bet you’ve never heard an acoustic version were the two solos are harmonica and washboard respectively.

RAAM (Ecuador)

Heavy metal/hard rock band (quintet) from Cuenca, Azuay, founded in 2012.

Johnny B. Goode (2:39) 2012-2015

MC/Flac: The Raam Rock’n’Roll Blues Tribute Vol.1 [Steel Hammer Records self-released)] ● Ecuador, 2016

“The Garage Rehearsals 2012-2015”. 5 tracks. Available on Bandcamp 20 June 2016.

School Day (2:27) 2012-2015

MC/Flac: The Raam Rock’n’Roll Blues Tribute Vol.2 [Steel Hammer Records self-released] ● Ecuador, 2016

“The Garage Rehearsals 2012-2015”. 5 tracks. Available on Bandcamp 27 November 2016.

JIM REEVES (USA)

See June Carter.

STEVE RIGO (USA)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist from Ilion, a village in Herkimer County, New York, located in the Mohawk Valley region.

Carol ( : ) 2023

CD: Surf And Turf [Steve Rigo self released] ● USA, 2024

ROCK HOTEL (Estonia)

Rock quintet formed in 1978.

Anthony Boy (as “Mängudemaa”) (2:50) 1987

LP: Ansambel “Rock Hotel” [Melodija C60 24421 009] ● Estonia,1987

Pretty good rockin’ version, and there aren’t many. This is actually (so far) the third cover version found.

MICHAEL SCHENKER (West Germany)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, born 1955 in Sarstedt. He’s been a member of the Scorpions in the early ‘70s, and UFO later on in the ‘70s. In the ‘80s and up have had his own group The Michael Schenker Group (MSG). But has been in and out of UFO several times. Trivia: the album below was a product of recording by Father Schenker and administration by Mother Schenker, a solid Schenker family product.

Bye Bye Johnny (2:56) 1966 (live)
Oh Baby Doll [as “Baby Doll”] (1:46) 1966 (live)

CD: “Live” At Age 11 With The Enervates [Positive Energy Records POS-148CD2] ● USA, 1996

Recorded live 13 September, 1966 at Beat Club Elze. The Enervates were Norbert, Rolf, Achim and Michael. They all do turns in singing, Michael on Bye Bye Johnny and Norbert on Oh Baby Doll. I haven’t been able to listen to this so can’t comment. However, there are source comments to each song, and in 1966 they got Bye Bye Johnny from The Rattles and Oh Baby Doll from The Pretty Things who both had done covers at the time of these Berry songs.

SUGAR TRADITION (USA)

Psychedelic blues/rock quartet from Detroit, Michigan formed in 2017.

Come On (1:54) 2023

12” 45: More Sugar [Feel It Records FEEL IT-115] ● USA, 2023

They have followed the Stones version but with much more noise. 6 tracks.

SUNDOWNERS (USA)

Garage/beat quintet from Lake George, New York. In the ‘60s they had 6 singles out, 4 on Decca. Also one album on Decca in 1969.

Around And Around (2:13) 1965

45: Coed CO-603 ● USA, 1965

Think about it. This just happened to turn up on 24 September 2024 when searching the net. We are talking almost 60 years and I didn’t know about this, and nobody told me either. So how does it sounds? Well like most of the ‘60s beat versions, a little messy and the guitar player was no rock’n’roller.

MASAYOSHI TAKANAKA (Japan)

Rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. Collaborated with various bands in the early ‘70s and also worked as a studio musician. He released his first solo album ”Seychelles” in 1976. Has recorded many albums since then. Is also known for his flashy guitars. Lagoon Records is/was his own label.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 2013

CD: Takanaka Sings [Lagoon Records LAG-0014] ● Japan, 2013