Sunday, January 30. 2022CBID - Surfin' the Net for Berry covers![]()
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: 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! BINTANGS (Netherlands) See Volume 3, page 1075 for biographical info. Bye Bye Johnny (4:43) 1996 (live) 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 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) LP: Let’s Take A Sea Cruise! [His Masters Voice MCLP-6221] ● New Zealand, 1966 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) 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) 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 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. 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) This is the same version as the one by John Lamers & The Skyliners back in 1963 but then titled “Kom Terug”. 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 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 See also HIGHWAY LES JERRYS (France) Beat quintet Bye Bye Johnny ( : ) 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. 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. 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 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. 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 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). 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 Speeded up version to the extreme. 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 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. 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 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 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. 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) 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) 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 CD: Yellow Dogs Is Gonna Get You [Tinstar Records TIN-056] ● Japan, 2003 Tuesday, January 25. 2022CBID - Mikka Grytviken and the Differents honor Chuck![]()
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: 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. Saturday, January 15. 2022CBID - Chuck Berry in Radio and Movies![]()
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: 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 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 FUGUEUSES 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. 2022CBID - Additions to the Eddy Clearwater Discography![]()
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: 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. 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. 2021CBID - The Night Chuck Berry Died![]()
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: 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. Thursday, December 16. 2021CBID - It's Run Rudolph Run Time again![]()
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: It's Christmas time again and so we see new covers of Run Rudolph Run and more. BLACK SORROWS (Australia) See Volume 3, pages 1079-1080 for biographical info. Promised Land (2:31) 1996 (live) 3 CD: Radio Waves [Head Records/Mushroom HEAD-106] ● Australia, 1996 MARCEL BONTEMPI (Germany) Real name Marcel Sala-Keikel from Kassel. Has been around since the mid ‘90s and in the 2000s released several singles on various labels. In 2015 a CD was released containing many various recordings and demos. Down Bound Train (3:15) 2020 45: Twi-Lite TL-006 ● 2020, Germany Very good cover here, and Bontempi plays all the instruments himself. Great picture sleeve front and back, and it even contains a booklet where the lyrics are illustrated by Bontempi. Pretty versatile this guy. FOO FIGHTERS (USA) Run Rudolph Run (2:33) 2021 This fast rockin’ studio version was officially released in December 2021 on various streaming platforms. I know I have never done this before but times are changing and this, I’m afraid, will often be the new way of making songs available to the people. Last year in December they did perform it live as part of a special Christmas show for Amazon. Check it out on You Tube. GEORGIA SATELLITES (USA) See Volume 3, page 1210 for biographical info. Run Rudolph Run (3:49) 1988 (live) Various artists CD: Southern Rock Christmas [Cleopatra CLO-0093] ● 2015, USA NORAH JONES (USA) She was born in 1979 as Geetali Norah Shankar, in Manhattan, New York and was raised in Dallas, Texas. Known as a jazz- styled singer/pianist. Daughter of legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar. You won’t find much on the Billboard charts, but that doesn’t hide the fact that she received 2 Grammys in 2003 for Song and Record of the Year with “Don’t Know Why”. And again Record of the Year in 2005 with Ray Charles for “Here We Go Again”. Run Rudolph Run (3:10) 2021 CD: I Dream Of Christmas [Blue Note ] ● USA, 2021 Hey, talk about laidback. Only the lyrics are left. No beat, no riffs, nothing … Jazz/pop arrangement. Pretty amazing that she actually chose to record this rockin’ tune. She probably liked the lyrics. Goode for a Berry. LADO LESKOVAR (Yugoslavia) As you might notice on page 1315 I was wondering if he was singing in Serbo-Croat and it turns out he was. The title for this cover was “Memfis Tenesi” (!) BERNIE MARSDEN (UK) Bernard John Marsden, British rock guitarist and songwriter, born in 1951. He’s been a professional musician since the early ‘70s. Famous for being a member of Whitesnake, 1978-1982; the song “Here I Go Again” from ’82 has become the bands anthem. Back In The USA (2:30) 2021 CD: Chess [Conquest Music CD-18092] ● UK, 2021 This is the second issue of Marsden’s Inspirations Series. The first was for the three Kings, Albert, B.B. and Freddie. BILL STAMPER (USA) Let It Rock (1:50) 1965 45: Loy BS-100 ● USA, 1965 (PS) Don’t know much here, except that he’s probably a country singer. It doesn’t say anything about where, when or what, but the record pressing plant was called Rite Record Productions Inc. and was located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The version itself is nothing to write home about and sounds pretty boring. TY TENDER (Austria) Real name is Fritz Weller. Born in 1943. Rock’n’Roll singer whose been active since the ‘70s. Known as an Elvis impersonator. Little Queenie (2:58) 1993 CD: My Rockin’ Way [PG Records (Sounddesign)10 158] ● Germany, 1993 For some strange reason this album has passed me completely by. 17 tracks and six are Berry covers on one CD is pretty unusual. Well, except for “Promised Land” which is done the Presley way and “Memphis” the Rivers way, the rest are pretty ordinary. Good rockin versions although very predictable. He sings well and has a tight band. Run Rudolph Run (3:49) 2012 w/The Continentals CD: Rockin’ Christmas [Foxrocks (Mcdp International) FOXCD- ? ] ● Austria, 2012 THREE SOULS IN MY MIND (Mexico) This rock group was formed in 1968 by Alejandro Lora (lead vocals-bass), Ernesto de Leon (lead guitar) and Carlos Hauptvogel (drums). They were enhanced on some albums by Arturo Labastida (saxophone) and Carlos Martinez (trumpet). They have had many albums released on the Raff label, 13 to be exact, and several “Greatest Hits” and “Best Of…” compilations on various labels. Betty Jean (3:20) 1978 LP: La Devaluación [Raff RF-9044] ● Mexico, 1978 Reelin’ And Rockin’/ Sweet Little Rock And Roller / Johnny B. Goode / Bye Bye Johnny LP: Viejas Rolas De Rock [Raff RF-9108] ● Mexico, 1982 The lyrics of “Reelin’ And Rockin’” are following the 1973 Berry version. They were surely influenced by Berry. Take a listen to their “Oue Viva El Rock And Roll” from 1974. The song itself is not Berry but wait for the guitar solo !!! It was released on single (Raff RF-5039) and album in 1975 (Raff RF-9019). STEFAN ULBRICHT (Germany) Promised Land (2:23) 2020 (instr) CD: Addicted To Boogie [Piano Reloaded Music] ● Germany, 2020 LUCINDA WILLIAMS (USA) Born in 1953, Lake Charles, Louisiana. A rock, folk and country music singer/songwriter, who had her commercial breakthrough in 1998 with the Gold album “Car Wheels On A Gravel Road”. Has received several Grammy Awards and has released a string of albums. Run Rudolph Run (3:41) 2020 LP/CD: Lu’s Jukebox Vol.5 – Have Yourself A Rockin’ Little Christmas [Highway 20 Records H-2011] ● USA, 2021 Lu's Jukebox is a six-volume series of performances recorded live at Ray Kennedy's Room & Board Studio in Nashville, starting in late 2020. Note quite sure if this is really live with an audience or just played live in the studio. ZACH WILLIAMS (USA) Christian/gospel rock artist from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Born in 1981. Run Rudolph Run (2:44) 2021 CD: I Don’t Want Christmas To End [Provident /Sony Music SMV CD7761627] ● USA, 2021 Ten tracks recorded at the Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Tuesday, July 6. 2021CBID - Never ending additions to the list of Chuck Berry cover versions![]()
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: New Chuck Berry cover versions from well-known and little-known artists and groups including an astonishing number of Maybellenes. A friend of mine called the other day and said he had a Berry cover that was not in Vol.3: Red Jenkins And The Midnight Cowboys (Sweden). It contained a version of “Promised Land” (2:14), and the album on Shannon Records SMLP-5013 was released in 1983 but recorded in 1971. It took me a while to figure this out as I was sure I had Red Jenkins somewhere. And I did find out. If you look at page 1363 you’ll find Midnight Cowboys which was the original band name when the album was released back in 1971. CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS (USA) Blues/R&B/soul quintet, formed in 2007. Fronted by guitarist, trumpeter and vocalist Lech Wierzynski (born in Warsaw, Poland). You Never Can Tell (4:38) 2021 CD: Covers From The Cave [Tubtone Records ] • USA, March 2021 ALEX CHILTON (USA) Born 1950 in Memphis. He was a founding member and lead singer of the Box Tops (“The Letter” 1967). Chilton later formed the power-pop band Big Star. By the time the album below was done he was living in New Orleans. He died in 2010 of heart failure. Maybellene ( : ) 1999 (live) CD: Boogie Shoes - Live On Beale Street [Omnivore Records OVCD-420 ] • USA, 2021 Previously unissued recording from 1999 at the New Daisy Theater in Memphis. Backed by the High Rhythm Section. The LP was limited to just 100 copies. DOWNLINERS SECT (UK) See Volume 3, page 1167 for biographical info. Rock And Roll Music (2:07) 1964 EP 45: Brite-Lights Big City [Contrast Sound Prod. RBCSP-002] • UK, 2011 Called the lost EP. Due to various circumstances this was not released back in ’64. It was supposed to be a follow up to the “R&B At Nite In Gt. Newport” EP. Little Queenie (3:12) 1998 CD: Dangerous Ground [Birch MB-23897] • UK, 1998 Don Craine (vocals-rhythm guitars) and Keith Grant (vocals-bass) are supported by Paul Martin on harp / sax and Alan Brooks on drums plus some additional musicians. Grant sings on “Little Queenie”. DRONGOS (New Zealand) According to what I have found on the net, they were a quartet from New Zealand who primarily performed in the streets of New York City from 1979-1986. They actually moved to New York in 1978. Jean McAllister (vocals-guitar), Richard Kennedy (vocals-guitar), Tony McMaster (bass), Stanley John Mitchell (drums). Too Much Monkey Business [as “Monkey Business”] (2:53) 1984 (live) LP: Small Miracles [Proteus Records PROT-002] • USA, 1985 It was recorded live on the streets of Manhattan, 5 September 1984. Now this is a very goode rockin’ version, rhythm, vocals and guitars. BILLY FURY (UK) See Volume 3, page 1205 for biographical info. Sweet Little Sixteen (2:23) 1969 (live) CD: Three Saturdays With Billy [Top Sounds TSSCD-009] • UK, 2021 Recorded live for BBC Radio 1, broadcast on Saturday Club, 18 January ’69. Previously unissued. FOGHAT (UK) See Volume 3, page 1197 for biographical info. Maybellene ( : ) 2019 (live) 2-CD+DVD: 8 Days On The Road [Foghat Records (Select-O-Hits) ] • USA, 2021 A 50th anniversary celebration concert album (14 tracks) recorded live 17 November 2019 at the Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, New York. The club is owned by Daryl Hall. It features the current line-up led by founding drummer Roger Earl, plus Charlie Huhn (guitar and vocals), Bryan Bassett (guitar) and Rodney O’Quinn (bass). LES COCHRAN’S (France) Beat quintet. Carol (2:18) 1966 EP: Les Cochran’s [Zaphyr 6002] • France, 2000 Songs copied from an acetate, recorded in 1966. Two Berry songs, one from the Kinks, and one original. On the front cover they are four (quartet) and on the back they are on stage as 5 (quintet). It’s a strange thing that a band name themselves after a certain artist and no songs from that artist appears. It’s about the same with The Rockin’ Berries from the UK. They never recorded any Berry songs, not even a soundalike! LOVESICK DUO (Italy) Paolo Roberto Pianezza plays various string instruments and Francesca Alinovi plays upright bass. After six years they have released 4 albums and several singles. They are rooted in the American style of the ‘40s and ‘50s country, rock & roll and western swing. He’s a very good player and she can really slap that bass. Memphis, Tennessee [as “Memphis”] ( : ) 2017 CD: The New Orleans Session [Lovesick Duo ] • Italy, 2017 Featuring special guest: Chloe Feoranzo Back In The USA (2:49) 2015 CD: Lovesick Duo [Pianezza LOV-01] • Italy, 2015 It’s kinda amazing that two people can make so much goode sound. MIRACULOUS MULE (UK) Rock quartet consisting of Alex Louise Petty, Ian Burns, Michael J. Sheehy, Patrick McCarthy. The album below was their debut. They have released three more since then. Down Bound Train (5:07) 2011 10” EP: Miraculous Mule [Stag-O-Lee STAG-O 022] • UK, 2011 6 track EP recorded in London. JAYNIE NORTON And Her Dominators (UK) A south London rocker who had a 45 vinyl out in 2019. On this debut album she gathered some old rockers from bands like Wild Angels, Matchbox and Rockhouse including Wild Bob Burgos (drums), Dick Callan (guitar), Dave Thorncroft (sax), Ian Sab (piano) and Bob Plumb (upright bass). Maybellene (2:25) 2021 CD: Rev’d Up & Rockin’ [TCY Records TCY-035] • Switzerland, 2021 But guys, “Maybellene” should only be credited to Berry, not the addition of Alan Freed and Russ Fratto. That’s ancient history. ROLLING STONES (UK) See volume 3, pages 1475-1477 for biographical info. There’s a new 6-CD set out on Laser Media, “The Broadcast Archives – Rolling Stones Box” LM-5608 (UK), containing 89 various live recordings with the band, from radio broadcasts, 1965-1988. A lot of Berry covers here (14 to be exact) and several soundalikes but there’s no info on the set, and I will not use time and effort to try and find out what’s new or previously released and where, what or when. The sound is also a bit irritating bad on some cuts. So why bother. Just for die-hard Rolling Stones fans, and me because I bought a copy (!) RULLATOR BOOGIE BAND (Norway) Blues/Rhythm & Blues sextet from Drøbak. They usually perform cover versions but also include original songs. On the 12 track CD below they have two originals. Carol (3:19) 2019 (live) CD: Live Fra Rommen Scene [Rullator Boogie Band, no cat.#] • Norway, 2020 Recorded live 30 October 2019 at Rommen Scene, Groruddalen, Oslo, Norway. A good rockin’ version. TOMMY STEELE (UK) See Volume 3, page 1532 for biographical info. However, on 10 October 2020 he was knighted so he’s now Sir Tommy Steele. It was about time. Maybellene (3:02) 1959 (live) (previously unissued) 3-CD: Hits And Rarities [Acrobat Music ACTRCD-9108] • UK, May 2021 BBC Radio “The Tommy Steele Show” broadcast 14 November 1959. Don’t know what to say except it was a big disappointment. Apart from making up his own lyrics and shouting, he’s just singing the refrain a few times while the orchestra is blowing away! The CD set itself is interesting containing a lot of rare and unissued stuff. KENT WENNMAN ROCKABILLY QUARTET (Sweden) Kent Wennman (vocals-guitar), Ulf Holmberg (lead guitar), Stefan Persson (bass), Per-Åke Persson (drums), plus add Nicke Widén (steel guitar). Maybellene (2:01) 2019 CD: Guitar Man & Other Great Rockabilly Tracks Associated With The King Vol. 2 [Kattguld CD 024] • Sweden, 2019 6 tracks. Not quite sure if I should laugh or cry? Do they really mean that “Maybellene” is associated with Elvis? They do a very decent cover though. CD: Good Rocking Tonight And Other Louisiana Hayride Live Performances Associated With The King [Kattguld CD 025] • Sweden, 2021 9 tracks. All the tracks are songs that Elvis performed on the Louisiana Hayride one time or another. Some he did record and others he didn’t. I mean, hey, “Tweedle Dee” = Elvis? Give me a break, and the Lavern Baker classic is performed country. The guys are pretty good musicians and have the rockabilly feeling for sure. But the album titles are pretty irritating. JERRY WILLIAMS (Sweden) See Volume 3, page 1607 for biographical info. Except that the man died in March 2018. He was 75. Down Bound Train (2:58) 2006 CD: Waterfront Studio Sessions [Universal Music AB 050257757369] • Sweden, 2019 “Down Bound Train” is actually very good, but “…Monkey Business” is a cover of the Elvis version and that was a disappointment. Down Bound Train (3:35) 2015 CD: Ghost Rider [Universal Music AB 060254730493] • Sweden, 2015 Now this is strange in two ways, first too much music/noise and second the whole album is so far from what I have ever heard from Mr. Williams. The whole concept of the album is quite dark which reflects the music and arrangements. Almost Grown (2:47) 2016 (live) 2-CD set: Man Måste Få Lira [Universal Music AB 060255717019] • Sweden, 2017 It was recorded live at the Scalateatern, Stockholm 29 April 2016. A typical Jerry show! He has a great band, great singers, and he gives it all during almost 2 hours. He also has a habit of talking between some songs and when Jerry starts talking nothing can stop(?) him. He also had something to say about “Chucken” (as he called him) before “Almost Grown”... Sunday, January 17. 2021CBID - Run Rudolph and more Berry covers![]()
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: 40 more Chuck Berry covers from 27 artists and groups, including several versions of Run Rudolph Run. Hey listen, you will be amazed of how many covers of Run Rudolph Run there are on YouTube. (Many just for digital downloading.) The latest being by a Norwegian group of 14 young blues musicians called Little Steven’s Blues School 2020 provided by none other than Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen) who has taken a deep interest of blues music in Norway. We’re talking 4 girl vocals, 2 guitars, piano, organ, 2 saxophones, 2 trompets, bass and drums. Recorded at Juke Joint Studio at Notodden, Norway. Produced by Morten Omlid and Jostein Forsberg. And all captured on video by Kristian Sundsvalen. Check it out. BEATLES (UK) See Volume 3, page 1064 for biographical info. Roll Over Beethoven (2:10) 1963 (live) LP: Live At The Liverpool Empire 7th December 1963 [Rhythm & Blues Records R&B-67] • UK, 2020 Except for the irritating screaming and noise from the audience it’s an okay version, the Beatles way. Side B feature live performances from other venues. BLUEJAYS (UK) Said to be the UK’s premier vintage rock’n’roll band. Main members are Oliver Seymour (lead vocals-guitar), Matt Wycliffe (keys), Chris Reid (bass-vocals), Dan Graham (drums-vocals). Around And Around (2:09) 2018 (live) CD: On The Air With The Bluejays [Bluejays] • UK, 2018 A collection of 11 live recordings from various BBC Radio sessions to promote the Rock And Roll Revolution album below. However, the Berry number above is not on the album. Johnny B. Goode (3:00) 2018 CD: Rock And Roll Revolution [Bluejays] • UK, 2019 Featuring 21 studio recordings of their favourite songs from the touring show. You Never Can Tell (2:44) 2019 LP: The Bluejays To The Rescue [Bluejays] • UK, 2020 Limited edition (500 copies) on 180gm vinyl and deluxe gatefold cover. 15 of the Bluejays recordings for the first time on vinyl. Including 5 previously unreleased tracks like the Berry one. CHEAP TRICK (USA) Rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. Consists of vocalist Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen (guitar), Tom Peterson (bass), Bun E. Carlos and later Daxx Nielsen (drums). Their biggest hits were “I Want You To Want Me” in 1979 and “The Flame” in 1988. On the Xmas album below they have a lot of additional musicians participating throughout. Run Rudolph Run (3:59) 2017 CD: Christmas Christmas [Big Machine Records BMRCT-0275A] • USA, 2017 Although I like the guitar here the song becomes pretty heavy and annoying. CLARKSDALE BROS. (Switzerland) A folk/blues group founded in 2003 in Bern. Rick Steiger (vocals-r.guitar), Jürg Heiniger (lead guitar), Marc Herrmann (doublebass). They may perform as a duo, trio or quartet, acoustic set or electric set. Named after the famous town Clarksdale in Mississippi. You Never Can Tell [as “Never Can Tell”] (3:04) 2012 CD: Studio Live Adventures [Self-released ] • Switzerland, 2012 Wee Wee Hours (5:30) 2015 CD: From Rags To Riches [Self-released ] • Switzerland, 2015 Acoustic versions. Very authentic. ERIK & THE DRAGTONES (USA) Erik Mielzarek is from Washington D.C. and it seems like he’s kept the band for some 30 years. They play neo rockabilly or in that genre. Let It Rock (2:33) 2020 EP: Rockabilly Child [Bohemian Amigos ] • USA, 2020 7 inch EP on pink vinyl with three tracks. According to the reviewer in Blue Suede News mag, it’s Rockabilly headbanger music. After listening to the album I fully agree. SARA EVANS (USA) Country singer/songwriter, born 1971 in Boonville, Missouri. In 1997 she got three chart hits, but hit it big in 1998 with “No Place That Far” #1. She continued with many hits, both Top Ten and #1s up to 2016. She has a great voice and was voted Female Vocalist by ACM in 2006. Run Rudolph Run (3:25) 2014 CD: At Christmas [RCA 88750 29722] • USA, 2014 Now this is a great rockin’ version. Evans is not considered as a rockin’ country gal. The project is more like a pop/country album and again it’s interesting to notice the choice of material. The Berry cover really differs from the rest of the tracks. His music always seems like a winner when it comes to pick a rockin’ song. SAMANTHA FISH (USA) Born in 1989. Singer/songwriter/guitarist originally from Kansas City, Missouri. She’s a pretty versatile musician in genres like rock, blues, country and funk. She has won several awards, especially in the blues field. Her first album “Live Bait” came in 2009 and 9 more have followed. Run Rudolph Run (4:51) 2019 45: Rounder Records 1166100825 • USA, 2019 Now this is pretty different, slower and with a little jazz/blues effect. It’s okay but loses a bit of the rock’n’roll feeling. ANDREAS GABALIER (Austria) Born near Friesach, Austria in 1984. He’s regarded as a folk singer and has received several awards in that category. His first single came in 2008, and he’s released some 11 albums since 2009, seven of them being Platinum. Run Rudolph Run (2:40) 2020 CD: A Volks-Rock’n’Roll Christmas [Electrola 06024 3520176] • Germany, 2020 The Austrian CD is a limited fanbox with 15 songs, including a embroidered tablecloth, printed candle and a wood star. JOHNNY HALLYDAY (France) See Volume 3, page 1227 for biographical info. Carol [as ‘O Carole’] (5:08) 2016 (live) 3-CD: Rester Vivant Tour [Warner 0190295 923631] • France, 2016 Live at Palais 12, Brussels, Belgium, 25 March 2016. 41 tracks. There’s also a 2-CD set (minus “Promised Land”) containing 28 tracks. Actually this album came out in several variants, including also DVD. HOME FREE (USA) Acappella quintet consisting of Austin Brown, Rob Lundquist, Adam Rupp, Tim Foust, and Adam Chance, originally formed in 2000 in Mankato, Minnesota. They released their first album ”From The Top” in 2007 on their own label, and in 2014 got a record deal with Columbia and the album “Crazy Life”. Altogether they have 12 albums out. They sound really good and leave the listeners amazed with their vocal skills. Run Rudolph Run (3:00) 2020 CD: Warmest Winter [Home Free Records 3961] • USA, 2020 Here they use a few instruments which was a disappointment to me. LEVI KREIS (USA) Singer and a Tony Award winning actor from Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Born 1973. His debut album “One Of The Ones” was released in 2005. He portraited Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s “Million Dollar Quartet“ for which he received a Tony in 2010. He can look back at some 10 albums including his latest being “Bad Habit” in 2020. Run Rudolph Run (2:38) 2018 CD: Home For The Holidays [Vision 9 Records ] • USA, 2018 A pretty standard rockin’ version. LA SETTA (Italy) Very authentic quartet, sounding just like the ‘60s. Carol ( : ) 1992 LP: 1965, Ramazzini Street [Dischi Impero/Contempo Records DI-102] • Italy, 1992 They are also covering “Don’t You Lie To Me” but since this is not a Berry song in the first place it’s not counted for. Around And Around (2:59) 1993 LP: Hey! [Destination X Records DSX-33010] • Italy, 1993 They also do covers of “Route 66” and “Don’t You Lie To Me” (blues version). You Can’t Catch Me (3:13) 1993 CD: Torture [Contempo Records CD-014] • 1993 LATERAL BLUE (USA) A Nashville based string quartet, consisting of two guys, Caleb Edwards (mandolin), Kyle Lee (banjo) and two girls, Kori Caswell (bass), Laura Epling (fiddle), and it seems that they all sing. Run Rudolph Run (3:27) 2019 CD: This Christmas [Green Hill Productions 562142] • USA, 2019 As the cover proclaims, A Progressive Bluegrass Holiday Collection. 15 mostly well known Christmas songs done in a traditional Bluegrass style. Again I find it interesting that they include this Berry classic among the other standard Yuletide songs. SCOOTER LEE (USA) See Volume 3, page 1312 for a cover of “You Never Can Tell” from 2005. Tulane (3:04) 2013 CD: Welcome To Scooterville [Scooter Lee/Superline Inc. ] • USA, 2013 Quite a good version. EDDY MITCHELL (France) See Volume 3, page 1367 for biographical info. Medley: Almost Grown [C’est La Vie Mon Chéri] / No Particular Place To Go [Á Credit et en Stéreó] / I’m A Rocker [as “C’est Un Rocker”] (6:30) 2016 (live) 2-CD: Big Band - Palais des Sport 2016 [Polydor 572 315-5] • France, 2016 Recorded 2 December 2016. I’m A Rocker [as “C’est Un Rocker”] (3:57) 2017 w/ Johnny Hallyday CD: La Memé Tribu Vol. 1 [Universal 5788976] • France, 2017 No Particular Place To Go [Á Credit et en Stéreó] (2:48) 2018 CD: La Memé Tribu Vol. 2 [Universal 7450542] • France, 2018 LEO MORACCHIOLI (Norway) A singer and multinstrumentalist based in Oftedal. Born 1978 (Italian father). He is known for his metal covers of famous songs which have gained him over 4 million followers (!) on YouTube as Frogleapstudios. Besides arranging all the songs and playing all instruments (mostly) he also creates videos. The story goes that he has recorded over 400 covers. He also has a band called Frog Leap who did a European tour in the Spring of 2019 which resulted in an album, “Frog Leap Live In Europe”. Johnny B. Goode (3:52) 2017 Mp3: Leo Metal Covers / Volume 13 [Frog Leap Studio] • Norway, 2017 This should not be here but thinking of how many albums he’s done I think he deserves it. Run Rudolph Run (Metal Version) (4:03) 2019 Single mp3 [Frog Leap Studio] • Norway, 2019 I know this should not be here either, however, I do fancy this version with great guitar work. They call it metal but to me it sounds more like rockin’ punk. EMILY OSMENT (USA) Actress, singer, songwriter Emily Jordan Osment was born in 1992. She has starred in numerous TV series and movies. Run Rudolph Run (2:14) 2008 CD single: The Bicycle Music Company • USA, 1 January 2009 Recorded late 2008. There are various performances on YouTube where she sings this Berry cover. KAT PERKINS (USA) Kathy Joan Perkins, singer, songwriter from Scranton, North Dakota, born 1980. So far she’s released one full album “Kat Perkins” (2015) and four EPs and a few singles. She was also a part of the Voice 6th season in 2014 and reached the semifinale. Run Rudolph Run (2:55) 2018 CD: A Kat Perkins Christmas III [Kat Perkins Music Inc. ] • USA, 2018 A rockin’ version with a horn section. ROCKPILE (UK) See volume 3, page 1471 for biographical info. Let It Rock / Let’s Talk About Us (6:58) 1980 (live) CD: Live At Rockpalast [Repertoire REP-5325] • Germany, 2013 Previously unissued. 1 DVD and CD, same tracks. Recorded at Markthalle, Hamburg, West-Germany, 12 January 1980. S-CAPE (Germany) Singer/songwriter/guitarist Sina Emmerich (born 1969) from Kloster Lehnin (near Berlin). After many years as a guitar player in various rock bands she decided to go solo in 2010 and released her first album “Imagination”. Rock & roll legends like Chuck Berry influenced her style of playing. She also uses the standard rock & roll set up, guitar, bass and drums. Johnny B. Goode [In a Rock & Roll Medley] (4:58) 2020 CD: Raceday [RecordJet 1002 189REJ] • Germany, 2020 The medley consists of Let’s Have A Party - Blue Suede Shoes - Johnny B. Goode. WILLIAM SHATNER (Canada) Born in 1931. Singer and actor. He’s probably best known as Captain James T. Kirk of The USS Starship Enterprise from the science fiction TV series Star Trek and also the TV police series T. J. Hooker in the ‘80s and many others. He’s had several albums out and as late as 2020 he released one titled “The Blues” featuring a.o. Brad Paisley and Sonny Landreth. Run Rudolph Run (3:13) 2018 CD: Shatner Claus - The Christmas Album [Cleopatra Records CLO-0959] • USA, 2018 It’s also been released as a limited LP variant (same cat.no.) in four different colours, red, green, white and splatter vinyl. SHOWADDYWADDY (UK) See volume 3, page 1504 for biographical info. Bye Bye Johnny (1:05) [in medley with “Move It” (3:14)] 2002 CD: Hey Rock’n’Roll [Ovation Recordings CLAP-001] • UK, 2002 Tulane (2:35) 2006 CD: I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll [Demon Music Group DMGTV-030] • UK, 2006 SARAH SMITH (Canada) Singer, songwriter born 1978 in Guelph, Ontario and now lives in London, Ontario. She’s a very popular rock artist who was the lead singer of the rock band The Joys but started her solo career in 2012 with the album “Stronger Now”. She’s won several awards in her homeland and play some 300 gigs a year. So far she’s released six albums, including her newest titled “Unveiling” (2019). Run Rudolph Run (2:38) 2018 CD: A Christmas Wish [Sarah Smith Music ] • USA, 2018 This is a pretty goode hard rockin’ version and I must say doesn’t reflect the image of the CD cover. Most of the songs have a rockin’ beat to them although you get a few slower and kinder approaches. GEORGE THOROGOOD (USA) See volume 3, page 1558 for biographical info, and a lot of other Berry covers. No Particular Place To Go (4:36) 1982 (live) 4-LP: Live In Boston, 1982–The Complete Concert [Craft (Rounder) CR00282] • USA, 2020 Previously unissued. Part of this concert was first out in 2010 on a single Rounder Records CD including “It Wasn’t Me” (see page 1559). So there are actually three Berry covers in the whole set, plus the Berry soundalike “House Of Blue Lights”. Tuesday, October 27. 2020CBID - Cover versions on DVD![]()
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: You can add this release to both the DVD and the Cover Versions sections of CBID. DVD BROWN EYED HANDSOME MAN Carol – Chuck Berry, “Hail, Hail Rock & Roll” movie 1986 / Maybellene – Chuck Berry, Chess 1955 / Wee Wee Hours – Chuck Berry, Chess 1955 / You Can’t Catch Me – Chuck Berry, “Rock, Rock, Rock” movie 1956 / Around And Around – The Rolling Stones, “The T.A.M.I Show” (“Gather No Moss” UK) 1964 / Roll Over Beethoven – The Beatles, Washington Coliseum concert 1964 / Johnny B. Goode – Jimi Hendrix, “Jimi Plays Berkeley” 1971 / Back In The USA – Linda Ronstadt, “Hail, Hail Rock & Roll” movie 1986 / Nadine – Chuck Berry, “Hail, Hail Rock & Roll” movie 1986 / Sweet Little Sixteen – Chuck Berry, BBC TV show “Sounds For Saturday” 1972 / (Johnny B. Goode – Paul Shaffer & His Band, “Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame” induction 1986) see below / Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry & Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, “Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame” Grand Opening concert 1995 / Roll Over Beethoven – Jeff Lynn & Electric Light Orchestra, “Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame” induction 2017 / Carol – Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, “Soundstage” 2003 / Brown Eyed Handsome Man – Paul McCartney, “Live at the Cavern Club” 1999 / Let It Rock – Chuck Berry, BBC TV show “Sounds For Saturday” 1972 / Memphis, Tennessee - Chuck Berry, BBC TV show “Sounds For Saturday” 1972 Bonus: 26 minute interview with Chuck from the German TV show “Beat Club, 24 March 1972. (See page 2037 “The Lost Broadcasts” in Vol. 4.) This could be a bootleg but who cares(?) Good picture and sound quality. This documentary has been transmitted on various TV stations but so far very few have seen it, therefore this DVD is a welcome addition. The best performance is by all means Tom Petty’s version of “Carol” !!! What a drive and what a band. This documentary is more like a musical tribute to Berry than the other documentaries coming out lately. All performances are complete with no interruptions. Note: The Paul Shaffer performance from the induction in 1986 is not featured although it’s printed on the back cover. I have tried to find it on You Tube but it’s not there either. When Jeff Lynne starts off with “Roll Over Beethoven” there’s a big screen behind showing a picture of Chuck Berry. This song was ELO’s first hit in the USA in 1973. Also he was inducteed in 2017 not 2016 as printed on the back cover. I have searched for Liberation Hall (printed on the back cover) to see what turned up and they actually have a website and there seems to be some other releases like The Blasters, The Flamin’ Groovies, Commander Cody and more according to discogs. So maybe it’s not a bootleg after all (?) Saturday, October 17. 2020CBID - A first Chuck Berry release from China![]()
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: CBID lists and shows Chuck Berry Vinyl and CD releases from all over the world. Recently I came across a release from a country not listed so far. CHINA CLASSIC CHUCK BERRY - The Universal Masters Collection Same 20 tracks with some electronic stereo cuts as the 1999 UK (EU) issue MCA (Universal) 112 172-2 (page 216). However, since this is from China there are some differences involved, a separate lyric booklet in Chinese for one and much other Chinese printings. And it also has a cardboard wrapper. Considering what I wrote about this release in ’99, the only interesting thing is that it was actually released in China (Made in China both on cover and label). We’ve never had anything from China before. It says in small printing For Distribution in Mainland China only. Also Shanghai Tendery Music Production Co., LTD. Thursday, July 16. 2020CBID - Cover versions: Hard Rock and Jerry Lee![]()
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: a wild mixture from blues to hard rock — and some more Jerry Lee. CARBURETORS (Norway) Hard rock quintet from Oslo who had their first single out in 2002 titled “Burning Rubber”. Edwing Pinilla Gustoff (vocals), Kai Kristiansen (guitar), Stian Krogh (guitar), Gunnar Lund Wang (bass) and Cristopher Lindahl (drums). Let It Rock (2:31) 2016 45: Steamhammer SPV-269886 • Germany, 2016 (picture sleeve) Hard rockin’ version. A-side is “Lords Of Thunder” written by the band. Sweet Little Rock And Roller (2:41) 2018 45: FFR (3) FFR-006 • Norway, 2018 (picture sleeve) This was a limited edition. Really noisy hard rockin’ version. A-side titled “Hurricane” written by the band. BOBBY CRAFFORD And The Pacers (USA) See Volume 3, page 1145 for biographical info. Wee Wee Hours (2:44) 1961 45: Vaden 45-303 • USA, 1961 Now this is a rare one. 45cat doesn’t have it and neither do Rockin’ Records but you’ll find it mentioned on the Rockin’ Country Style site . Anyway, it’s a lightweight white blues rendition, but still interesting that someone covered it in 1961 and released it as an A-side. The Fabulous Silver Tones had it as a B-side in 1960 (see page 1180). JERRY LEE LEWIS (USA) See Volume 3, page 1317 for biographical info. Johnny B. Goode / Carol (6:17) 1974 LP: The Knox Phillips Sessions [Saguaro Road Records 30847-Z] • USA, 2014 Previously unissued. It says in the booklet that this was recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Service in Memphis in late ‘70s, however, on-line it says 1973 or ’74 and also 1979. Take your pick, I did. Again it’s annoying that one can’t print when the damn thing was recorded. There must have been a tape-box or something. In 73-74 he was with Mercury. Anyway, the medley is again typical Jerry Lee but the sound is a bit woolen. What’s the matter with the guys mastering sound these days? Promised Land (2:55) 2014 LP: Rock & Roll Time [Vanguard 78334-1 ] • USA, 2014 The sound here is also a little woolen (don’t like the mastering) but the song itself is okay in typical Jerry Lee style. Another Berry cover to fill in on the very long list of Jerry Lee Lewis Sings Chuck Berry. You can also add “Carol” on the Ace CD above. SWEET SOUL (USA) California band who plays something described like pop-punk. Come On (1:45) 2020 EP: Noises Drown [New Morality Zine ] • USA, 2020 Rather a cover of the 1963 Rolling Stones version. TONY VILAPLANA (Spain) We still have no biographical info for this artist who was already listed in our July 2019 CBID Update. Carol ( : ) 1965 EP: Tony [Vergara 299 XC] • Spain, 1965 I haven’t heard this one either. It never stops regarding Berry covers. This one was spotted on eBay on 1 July 2020. Think of all the ones we still don’t know about??? Thursday, June 4. 2020CBID - Cover versions: a big surprise![]()
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: a few additions, two corrections, and a big surprise. A new one to place in the NO CHUCK section. BOOKER T. JONES (USA) Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr. was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1944. He’s an multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and arranger. Booker T & The MG’s should be a well known name for lots of people, soul music from the ‘60s. They were the unnamed house band for Stax Records. Along with Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn he did all the Stax hits from Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and so on. “Green Onions” is a classic instrumental hit from 1962 with a really good groove. His first solo album came in 1974. Havana Moon (4:26) 2019 CD: Note By Note [Edith Street 51182] • USA, 2019 This album is released together with an autobiography titled “Time Is Tight – My Life, Note By Note”. He was on a national tour of concert and book reading events which started in November 2019 and went on through February 2020. On the album he has help from several people both on vocals and various instruments. Booker T. himself is handling the vocals on this Berry number and gets help from his son Teddy on guitar. This is not so different from several other versions and is performed in an okay latin way, all considered. CONNECTION (USA) Rock quartet from Rochester, New Hampshire, consisting of Brad Marino (vocals-guitar), Geoff Palmer (lead guitar-vocals), Bobby Davis (bass) and Zack Sprague (drums), plus additional musicians like Kris Rodgers (piano-organ). Again interesting that of 14 tracks 12 are written by Marino and Palmer, one cover by the Rolling Stones “Connection” and the Berry cover, which of course was also covered by the Stones. Let It Rock (2:12) 2013 CD: Let It Rock [Collectors Club CCR-12] • USA, 2013 A good rockin’ version with elements of the Stones (naturally). JERRY GARCIA BAND (USA) See Volume 3, page 1207 for biographical info. Let It Rock (8:59) 1989 (live) 2-CD: GarciaLive Volume 13: September 16th, 1989 Poplar Creek Music Theatre [Round Records 40152] • USA, 2020 The 13th installment of an ongoing series of archival concert albums from the Jerry Garcia Band was released on Friday 24 April, featuring a previously unreleased performance the late Grateful Dead frontman's side group gave outside of Chicago that featured a guest appearance by late E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons. HATTERFOX (USA) School Day [School Days] (2:11) 1970s 45: Med-Fly Records MFR-001 • USA, 1970s This was spotted on eBay March 2020 and the seller wanted over 200 dollars for it so I passed. I wonder, old records aren’t gold anymore but some sellers still think so. BIBER HERRMANN (Germany) Acoustic folk/blues singer, songwriter. His first two albums (in 1993 & 1999) he released himself. The one below is his third and he also has four more CDs and a couple of guitar workshop DVDs. You Can’t Catch Me (3:45) 2007 CD: Rainbow Walker [Wonderland Records WR-9043] • Germany, 2007 Pretty unusual acoustic guitar version with nice and easy drums put on to good effect. SKIP JENSEN (Canada) Real name Serge Gendron, born in 1967 and raised in Lachine, Montreal. Singer, songwriter, cartoonist. While also performing solo he’s been in various rock bands like Scat Rag Boosters (1996-2004), Stack-O’Lees, The Wrong Doers and Demon’s Claws. Promised Land (3:56) 2002 EP: Skip Jensen & His Shakin’ Feet [Yakisakana Records SAZAE-010] • France, 2003 3 tracks. Issued with an insert quoting: Recorded at home in my room and bathroom at the end of 2001 and beginning of 2002. Skip Jensen sings, plays guitar, harmonica and his feet do the rest. If you read my comments on the below you’ll get an idea, although this sounds more simple in structure, interesting but pretty boring, sorry to say. Promised Land (3:57) 2005 CD: Abscond [Delta Pop Music DPM-005] • USA, 2005 Strange mid tempo folky version with harmonica (Dylan type). Actually he’s trying to sound a bit like Dylan in his singing too. The beauty of Berry’s original is almost gone. KAISERS (UK) See Volume 3, page 1283 for biographical info. Nadine (2:20) 2018 CD: Ruff ‘N’ Rare [Sound Flat Records SFR-10-005] • Germany, 2018 LIVIN’ BLUES (Netherlands) Rock/blues band who’s been around since 1967 in various formations. So far they have released some 12 albums, the first coming out in 1969, titled “Hell’s Session”. Also a lot of compilation albums throughout the years. It seems like they are being very popular. Havana Moon (3:50) 1987 LP: Now [Bounce Records BR-8701] • Netherlands, 1987 Less caribbean and more bluesy version with harmonica. BRAD MARINO (USA) Rock singer/songwriter from Rochester, New Hampshire. Founding member of the rock group The Connection who had an album released in 2013 titled “Let It Rock”. Bye Bye Johnny (2:30) 2019 CD: Extra Credit [RUM BAR Records RUM-042] • USA, 2019 The LP was a limited edition with only 500 copies pressed. MORRIS FONTANE (USA) Maybellene [as “Maybelline”] ( : ) 1955 45 EP: EP Records EP 4 Hits EPR-11 • USA, 1955 Various artists performing then current hit records. Budget label out of Brooklyn, New York. Morris Fontane was better known as Morris Fontain who recorded “Juicin’ And Goofin’ ” on Savoy 1139 in 1954. The other two artists featured are The Echoes (2 songs) and Emmet Hobson. PANIKS (Spain) Punk/garage rock quartet consisting of José Ramón Rioja (vocals, guitar), Ainoa Astiazaran (guitar), Maribel Ortiz De Urbina (standup bass), Patxi López Monasterio (drums). At least that was the band when they recorded the album below. Stop And Listen (2:55) 2007 CD: Panik Piknik [Bi Batean Diskak BBD-004] • Spain, 2008 There’s an extra track on the LP at the end of side B. POPA CHUBBY (USA) See Volume 3, page 1422 for biographical info. No Money Down (9:59) 2002 (live) 2-CD: Live At FIP [Dixie Frog DFGCD-8550 ] • France, 2003 This is what happens when you don’t have the actual album in hand. The track was recorded live at Radio France (Studio 105), Paris, 12 February 2002. He also does Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox” and the country classic “Jackson” a.o. And it was a 2-CD set and album released in France. TOMMY C & THE BLACK WIDOW GREASE BAND (USA) Tommy C has been rocking crowds since 1979. Singer, saxophone player. He’s played on stage with many of the rockn’roll legends and also had a 10 year stretch as a musical director for Chubby Checker. Tommy C is a Detroit native and has been influenced by musical styles from Motown to rock ’n’ roll. A revival band with a Detroit sound from Santa Clarita (California). Bye Bye Johnny ( : ) 2019 CD: Hidden Treasures [TCI 0968] • USA, 2019 A Tribute to the Finest Era of American Rock And Roll, so the add tells us. And he and the band are doing concert dates throughout the US during 2020, also Canada. Sunday, March 29. 2020CBID - Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits also released in South Korea![]()
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: A South Korean record from the 1960s we hadn't seen before. SOUTH KOREA CHUCK BERRY’S GREATEST HITS 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. Wednesday, February 19. 2020Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits (Chess LP-1485)![]()
[This is a re-do of an article Morten first published here in September 2015. It had been updated in February 2016, but now an additional comment by reader Jack requires Morten and me to add more details to the album history.]
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: After we have seen that there were three different versions of the cover of Chess LP-1480 Chuck Berry On Stage it is time to explain that the same variants (initial print, sticker, and final print) can also be found with Chess LP-1485 Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits. And while we're at it, we also have a deeper look at the multiple labels found with this album. USA CHUCK BERRY'S GREATEST HITS Chess LP-1485 • April 1964 + reissues This is another of those Berry LPs that has come out with countless number of label variants and three different front covers, six if you count the el.stereo ones numbered LPS-1485. It’s been reissued so many times, Morten has 8 different copies of this album, cover and label, and we have been made aware that even more variants exist through readers of this site. This text should help collectors to understand the various releases of a record published for more than a decade using the same catalog number and a basically unchanged cover.
Here are the three covers of Chess LP-1485. As with all images on this site you can enlarge them by clicking. Again as with the On Stage album, the first records sent out to disk jockeys at radio stations were produced using the then new (and expensive) multi-color label with the golden Chessknight logo (sometimes referred to as the 'crest' logo). Our good friend and expert on US album releases, Thierry Chanu, whom we unfortunately lost a few weeks ago (bless his soul), provided this image of a DJ Copy label: The same label template and print was also used for commercial records, though less the DJ COPY print: When reading about LP-1485, records with the multi-color label are often called a second or later pressing. This does not make sense if the initial very first records produced, the DJ copies, already had this label. Such saying stems from a misunderstanding about how the recording industry worked during the mid-Sixties. The label of a record was maybe a marketing instrument when giving a record to the press or to a disk jockey. It did not matter at all for the records sold to the public, though. What mattered to Chess was to produce as many records as needed, fast and cheap. Where cheap also meant with little transport costs. Due to this Chess records weren't all produced by the Chess-owned "Midwest Record Pressing" plant in Chicago but with the help of local pressing plants distributed all over the country. The partner companies simply received the master disks from Chess along with paperwork telling them what was to be read on the record labels. In the case of LP-1485, the engineers at the Chess-owned "Ter-Mar Recording Studios" had combined the old master tapes from Berry's hit singles to form two new master tapes numbered 12989 for side 1 and 12990 for side 2. From master tape 12989 a one-sided master disk ('lacquer', 'nickel', or 'matrix') was cut. Within the dead-wax area of the master disk you find the etchings 'LP1485', 'Side 1', '12989', and 'TM0840'. The unknown engineer also left his personal logo which looks like the Greek letter Ω in a circle. If a reader can identify the engineer from this logo, let us know. Likewise the side 2 master tape 12990 was converted into a second one-sided master disk etched 'LP1485', 'Side 2', '12990', and 'TM0841'. Copies of these master disks were sent to the pressing plants which then used them in their production processes. The corresponding paperwork told the pressing plants that the artist name was to be written as CHUCK BERRY and the record name was to be CHUCK BERRY'S GREATEST HITS. The label had to contain the publisher note "Published by Arc Music Corp. - BMI", the master tape number, and the composer note "All Songs Written By Chuck Berry Music Inc." (not "by Chuck Berry"). Nowadays a company would specify exactly the font size, type style, spacing and position of each character on the label. In the Sixties this wasn't important at all. Local printers at the pressing plants or nearby laid out the text in whatever style they found appropriate and printed the needed quantity onto label templates. Label templates were blank labels pre-printed with the record company logo on the correctly colored paper. Label templates were the same for all records the pressing plant would produce for this client (the record company), thus were in stock in large quantities. When LP-1485 went into production, most early pressings were produced using the former label template having CHESS and HIGH-FIDELITY printed vertically to the left. And as each pressing plant had their own printer to layout the labels, we find multiple variants of how the record and song names were distributed on the label template. Here are four different layouts of the text printed on the same label template: By looking at the layout of the label text and by looking at other details such as the size of the stamper which holds the label on place during pressing, experts are often able to recognize a specific pressing plant. Without access to accounting data from Chess or their suppliers, one cannot tell which plant pressed which record in which quantity or how many pressing runs there were. We also cannot tell when the records were pressed and if there was some kind of 'first' or 'second'. One thing we can tell is that records with the first label variant above have been produced by the Monarch pressing plant in Los Angeles. This is because at Monarch all the customers' master disks were additionally stamped with the Monarch order number. Thus these records have an additional etching '△6595' in the dead-wax area. We hope to have made clear that therefore it does not make sense to speak about a first, second, third pressing. If you want a sequential order, you have to look at the cover where there clearly is a first, second and third variant. Because we don't know how fast Chess had changed the cover — probably soon, but not without having used the printed stock — it's not clear if all or which labels were used in which cover. However, we do know that a second pressing exists. All the mechanical elements used to create a vinyl record wear off. The stampers have to be replaced after a certain number of pressings, the mother can only be used to create a certain number of stampers, and also the master disks cannot be duplicated too many times until the sound quality becomes unacceptable. So the engineers at Ter-Mar had to replace master disks TM0840 and TM0841. They created new master disks from the master tapes and etched them 'TM0840-1' and 'TM0841-1-'. Those were sent out as replacements to the pressing plants including new paperwork for the labels. How can we tell about new paperwork? Simply because someone made an error when specifying the text for the side 2 label. Side 2 contains six songs: Nadine, Maybelline, Memphis, Sweet Little Sixteen, Thirty Days, and Brown Eyed Handsome Man (spellings as on cover). All labels printed for the first pressings (TM0841) correctly list all these. However, all labels printed for the second pressings (TM0841-1-) list only five songs. They miss Sweet Little Sixteen. When Morten did the Chuck Berry International Directory books 2008-2013 he didn’t have any of the actual misprints, however, he did get a copy a few years back without even noticing the fact our reader Jack recently told us about. So far we have found the misprint with these label variants: As you can see, the multi-color label was used for both vinyl variants. The blue one with the Chessknight is only known with the second set of matrices. The light-blue one is used here and in a couple of later versions. Since the error has not been corrected one can assume that these three labels were used more or less concurrently — or that no-one ever noticed. The light-blue label template has been in use at Chess from the mid 1960s until the company was sold to GRT in 1969. During these three or four years more variants of LP-1485 were created. At some time in the late 1960s Chess decided to no longer worry about keeping old records in stock, producing them over and over again as long as they were being sold, and having to keep up with all the effort such as renewing master disks from time to time. So they outsourced the whole process to a company called "Columbia Custom Pressings" (part of Columbia Records). The first thing Columbia did was to create new master disks. The new master disks were etched 'XCTV121409-1B' and 'LP 1485-A-' on side 1 and 'XCTV121410-1A' and 'LP 1485B' on side 2. The label looked very much like the one from 'TM0840-1'/'TM0841-1-'. But Sweet Little Sixteen was back again! Not long after this, the labels changed slightly, now also telling the Columbia master number XCTV 121409/121410. And since also Columbia master disks have to be redone from time to time, we find yet another vinyl variant now carrying the master disk numbers XCTV 121856/121857. The etching reads 'XCTV-121856-1A TII' and 'XCTV-121857-1A TII', and the numbers are also shown on the labels. This label introduced another spelling error: Maybellene got its E back, but now misses the Y. This record is probably the last variant of the Mono version. By the mid-Sixties demand began to rise for Stereo records. In 1968 the sale of Mono records discontinued because no record dealer was willing to stock Mono records any more.ü> The Greatest Hits sampled on LP-1485 of course were all recorded in Mono. Therefore the only way to do a kind-of-stereo release was to artificially modify the Mono signals to distribute them onto the two stereo channels. This is often called el.stereo. It is not quite clear when the 'stereo' version of LP-1485 was released. All labels we know of include Sweet Little Sixteen but display the spelling error on Maybellene introduced with the final Mono version. So we believe, the el.stereo version was a replacement to the last Mono version, probably released in 1968. The el.stereo version of Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits is known with at least three cover variants. While the covers continue to talk about LP-1485, the labels call this release LPS-1485.
Chess had to produce a new set of master tapes for the Stereo version containing the electronically altered music. These tapes were numbered 12989-S and 12990-S. The first pressings had a Columbia XCSV (S for Stereo) matrix. We have found the el.stereo variant of the Greatest Hits album with these labels so far. And if you think that's all, keep in mind that successful Chess records such as LP-1485 were also released as 4-track 7-inch reel-to-reel tapes and as 8-track tape cartridges — using the exact same cover image, of course. We wonder if we ever saw a Compact Cassette tape ... [Addition 29-11-2023: On request we also add images of the reel-to-reel and the 8-track variants here. A Compact Cassette (MC) variant released in the U.S. still has not come to our sight, but at least in Australia the shown Cassette was released. CHUCK BERRY'S GREATEST HITS Chess [Sundazed] LP 5565 • 28 April 2018 (Record Store Day) We should not forget to mention this 2018 LP album which is — you guessed it — yet another re-release of Chess LP-1485. The Chess brand is now owned by Universal Music and their subsidiary Geffen Records uses the Sundazed label to publish high-quality audiophile re-releases of classic albums. LP 5565 comes with the same contents as LP-1485, though with a different front cover. Interestingly the back cover is similar to the original back cover and the label resembles the original label even more. The 2018 album was pressed on orange translucent vinyl. [Many thanks to Thierry, Anne and Jack for providing additional information and images! A big Thank You goes to Joanna of RecordsByMail.com for providing us with a good image of a cover variant we did not have.] [Edit 29-03-2020: Replaced image of DJ copy label with a better version provided by Anne Chanu - Thanks!] Monday, February 10. 2020CBID - Corrections and Additions to the Chuck Berry Cover Versions List![]()
[Edit 04-06-2020: Added comment on the number of Grateful Dead cover versions.]
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: Some corrections, one answer to a long open question and yet another list of cover versions to be added to the chapter on Chuck Berry covers in Volume 3. It has come to my attention that “Roll Over Beethoven” from 1964 by the Searchers is not actually this group but rather by Ian & The Zodiacs aka the Koppykats. The German LP referred to in the text on page 1494 seems like a Searchers album and nothing is mentioned that the track in question is actually not by this group. And not just that, six of the songs are by the Searchers and 6 songs by the Koppykats – page 1296 (aka Ian & The Zodiacs). That’s really too much monkey business. On page 1650 (Vol. 4) Mystery Cover Version. Now finally it seems we have found the answer. A popular Canadian rock band called April Wine was the support act for the Rolling Stones when the Stones played in Toronto, Canada in 1977. Unfortunately I have not been able to find this track “Little Queenie” on the April Wine album “Live At The El Mocambo” (1977). So maybe this single in disguise was a try to see what happened. Very strange though. On page 1249 John Hill & The Retreads (USA) “Johnny B. Goode” must be erased as you will find the same entry on page 1449 as by The Retreds (USA) which by the way is the correct name. It’s a garage rock version. ANIMALS (UK) See Volume 3, pages 1041-42 for biographical info. Sweet Little Sixteen (3:04) 1966 2-CD set: Broadcasts 1964-1966 [Rhythm & Blues Records RANDB-057] • UK, 2019 I haven’t been able to check if the “Sweet Little Sixteen” track on the LP R&B-13 is the same as the one above on this release. “Wee Wee Hours” is a live recording from a radio session, and again Eric Burdon proves his ability as a singer of great power. BALLROOM ROCKETS (Germany) Aka The Rosmaity Brothers, Christoph (guitar) and Fabian (vocals, bass), plus René Lieutenant on drums. Thirty Days (2:29) 2008 CD: Ready If You’re Willin’ [Rhythm Bomb Records CDRBR-5682] • Germany, 2008 Straight ahead rockabilly version. See also The Rosmaity Brothers. CLIFF BENNETT & THE REBEL ROUSERS (UK) The band Rebel Rousers was formed in 1957 by Cliff Bennett. They released singles on the Parlophone label but it was first in 1964 that they got hit singles with a.o. “One Way Love” and 1966 “Got To Get You Into My Life”. The members consisted of a.o. Chas Hodges who would later team up with Dave Peacock as Chas & Dave. Bye Bye Johnny [as “Johnny B. Goode”] (2:27) 1963 (mono) 4 CD-set: Into Our Lives: The EMI Years 1961-1969 [EMI 50999 6 97388 2] • UK, 2009 Previously unissued. It’s a tough and rockin’ goode version. Strange but it says “Johnny B. Goode” on the album. They couldn’t tell the difference in 2009? GRATEFUL DEAD (USA) See Volume 3, page 1218-1220 for biographical info, and Vol. 4 page 2048. Around And Around (9:10) 1977 (live) 3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol 1 -The Mosque, Richmond, VA –5/25/77 [Rhino / Grateful Dead R2-529201] • USA, 2012 Run Rudolph Run (3:43) 1971 (live) 3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.22 – Felts Forum, New York –12/7/71 [Rhino / Grateful Dead R2-557453] • USA, 2017 Run Rudolph Run (3:28) 1971 (live) 3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.26 –Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, NM 11/17/71 [Grateful Dead R2-565049] • USA, 2017 Recorded live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 14 December 1971. Bonus concert. Around And Around (7:50) 1977 (live) 3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.29 –Swing Auditorium San Bernardino, CA [Rhino Records R2-573507] • USA, 2017 “Johnny B. Goode” recorded live at Robertson Gym, University Of California, Santa Barbara, CA 27 February 1977, bonus track. Johnny B. Goode (3:55) 1973 (live) 3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.32 –The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 3/24/73 [Rhino Records R2-573510] • USA, 2019 This would have to do. Volumes 1 – 2 – 3 - 4 – 5 – 7 – 8 – 11 – 12 – 16 – 18 – 20 – 21 – 23 – 24 – 25 – 28 – 31 also includes one or two Berry covers, such as Around And Around, Johnny B. Goode or Promised Land . RICHARD GRAY & THE FOUR BROTHERS (Australia) This is not a new entry, see page 1221, but additional information and correction. Maybellene (2:33) 1955 78: Philips P-37031 • Australia, 1955 KINKS (UK) See Volume 3, page 1292 for biographical info. Bye Bye Johnny (2:27) 1965 (live) 2-CD set: Transmissions 1964-1968 [Audio Vaults AV-201809] • UK, 2019 ”Little Queenie” recorded 7 September, 1964, BBC Saturday Club, Playhouse Theatre, London. CHARLIE LILLY (USA) Nadine (3:30) 1974 45: Revelation Records Ltd. AS-1027 • USA, 1974 The seller on eBay wrote that it was a garage 45, however, it’s more like a soul blues with harmonica. It’s in stereo and was as printed on the label Recorded in the country at Appalachia Sound Recording Studios, Chillicothe, Ohio. The A-side is “Mama Can’t Sleep” written by one Walt Cook. MASTER’S APPRENTICES (Australia) See Volume 3, pages 1347-1348 for biographical info. Around And Around (2:55) 1966 CD: From Mustangs To Masters, First Year Apprentices [Nickoff Records NCD-1] • Australia, 2004 21 previously unreleased tracks. They also did “Route 66” (two versions) which is modelled after the Berry/ Stones versions. All recorded in April 1966 at The Garage. Sound quality is not perfect, and for fans only. EARL PRESTON & The T.T.’s (UK) Mersey Beat quintet who had one single out on Fontana in 1963, and was also featured on tracks by Eden Kane and Cy Tucker. The latter part of the group. Lead singer George Joseph Spruce from Liverpool took his stage name from his brother-in-law Earl and American artist Preston Epps. Betty Jean (2:37) 1963 CD: Unearthed Merseybeat Vol. 3 [Viper CD-032] • UK, 2005 Previously unissued demo. Thanks to Peter Checksfield for this entry. PRETTY THINGS (UK) See Volume 3, page 1431 for biographical info. Johnny B. Goode (1:42) 1964 (live) CD Box set: Bouquets From A Cloudy Sky [Snapper SMABX-1029] • UK, 2015 Previously unissued track from the BBC 2 Live on the Beat Room, recorded December 1964. The box is a collectors item consisting of all their original albums on 11 CDs, a copy of an acetate (4 tracks), and rarities on 2 CDs, and 2 DVDs, plus memorabilia and a thick hardcover book. Released to commemorate the band's 50th Anniversary. ROLLING STONES (UK) See volume 3, pages 1475-1477 for biographical info. Little Queenie (4:18) 1998 (live) 2 CD: Bridges To Buenos Aires [Eagle Rock RBCD-5407] • USA, 2019 (CD + Blue-Ray) Recorded live at River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina on 5 April 1998. STORMY TEMPEST (UK) Johnny B. Goode (2:38) 1989 45: Everbimes EVB-0071 • UK, 1989 (picture sleeve) I did spot this on 45cat but haven’t been able to find a link to listen to it or any info. Maybe a reader can?
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