Hope You Had a Very Berry Christmas

Finished today's share before Christmas, but wasn't feeling the holiday spirit. Stinky sent a bunch of great new stuff, so let's clear the queue before 2022! I made two sets of cover versions of almost every a-side and b-side from Chuck Berry's first decade of Chess Records singles. Some personal favorites are The Cannibals' version of "Talking About You", Kevin Dunn's "Nadine", Bunky & Jake's "County Line" (aka "Jaguar And Thunderbird"), and Etta James' performance of "Rock And Roll Music" with Chuck during the concert film Hail Hail Rock And Roll. "It Don't Take But A Few Minutes" wasn't a single, but NRBQ's version is included, simply because it's swell.

Chuck Berry was an unsurpassed lyricist, every bit as witty as Cole Porter, Bob Dylan, or any other songwriter you'd care to name. He was a giant of rock's early years, and influenced almost every guitarist in the decades to follow.

Some may say he was sloppy as a performer. Chuck might stray off the beat or out of tune, but he never lost the groove. His recklessness is part of what made his style so appealing to Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Johnny Thunders, Dave Edmunds, George Thorogood, and others.  

Some of the guitarists featured in this collection (in addition to those mentioned above) are Mick Green, Fred "Sonic" Smith, Cyril Jordan, Cub Koda, Sonny Vincent, Mike Campbell, and Georgia's own Rick Richards.  Chuck's contemporaries Ray Sharpe and Robert "Bilbo" Walker are also included. The incomparable pianist Johnnie Johnson led Chuck's band, and there are a few keyboard wizards herein, such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Leon Russell, Terry Adams, Geraint "Otis" Watkins, Benmont Tench, and Bianca Bob Miller from Pianosaurus.