Record #0784: Rock & Roll Music / Blue Feeling – CHUCK BERRY

Chess 1671 (original) USA, October 1957
Words & Music by:  Side A – Chuck Berry; Side B – Chuck Berry
Musicians: Chuck Berry (vocals, guitar), Lafayette Leake (piano on side A), Johnnie Johnson (piano on side B), Willie Dixon (upright bass), Fred Below (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Leonard and Phil Chess at Universal Studios, Chicago, IL; Side A – 6. or 15. May 1957; Side B – 15. December 1956
Highest chart positions:  US #8, US R&B #6

Again, yet another rock ‘n’ roll classic by Chuck Berry.

The session of “Blue Feeling” (a nice, bluesy instrumental) included a demo version of “Rock and Roll Music” without a bass player. It also included Berry’s earlier release “School Day”.

“Rock and Roll Music” has been covered by many, many artists and groups; here’s few: the Archies, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Canned Heat, Humble Pie, Jan & Dean, REO Speedwagon, the Dave Clark Five and Tenpole Tudor.

List price:  Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30

 

Record #0783: Sweet Little Sixteen / Reelin’ and Rocking – CHUCK BERRY

Chess 1683 (original) USA, January 1958
Words & Music by:  Side A – Chuck Berry; Side B – Chuck Berry
Musicians: Chuck Berry (vocals and guitar), Johnnie Johnson (piano), Willie Dixon (bass), Jasper Thomas (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Leonard and Phil Chess at Sheldon Recording Studio (Chess Studios), Chicago, IL, 29. & 30. December 1957
Highest chart positions:  US #2, US R&B #1, UK #16.

I already posted the Canadian release of this here.

List price:  Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30

 

Record #0782: Bye Bye Johnny / Mad Lad – CHUCK BERRY

London HLM 9159 (original UK release) UK, 8. July 1960
Words & Music by:  Side A – Chuck Berry; Side B – Chuck Berry
Musicians: Chuck Berry (vocals and lead guitar on side A, steel guitar on side B), Matthew Murphy (guitar), Lafayette Leake (piano), Willie Dixon (upright bass), Odie Payne (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Leonard and Phil Chess at Ter-Mar Records Studio, Chicago, IL; Side A – 29. March 1960; Side B - 12. April 1960
Highest chart positions:  This didn’t chart

This one has a bit of lesser-known material from Chuck Berry. Teen pop and artists like Frankie Avalon were in the mainstream by this time and Berry had a struggle in getting his singles up in the charts. His lawsuit, where he was sentenced to 5 years in prison in Mach 1960 (hence the song “Bye Bye Johnny”?) didn’t really help in the effort of regaining his success. He appealed the trial’s decision and finally served in prison from February 1962 to October 1963.

The US release of “Bye Bye Johnny” (Chess 1754, May 1960) had “Worried Life Blues” on the flip side, whereas “Mad Lad” was released as the B-side of “I Got To Find My Baby” (Chess 1763, August 1960). Neither of these two singles hit the charts.

A great blues guitarist, Matt “Guitar” Murphy worked with Berry on this one and provided a cracking rhythm with his guitar, especially on side A.

List price:  UK release is not in the catalog. These have been sold in eBay for 18-23 euros. I paid 15 euros for this in Stockholm, Sweden (the plastic sleeve still has the price tag).