Chuck Berry

Muddy Waters used to sing the blues had a baby and they named it rock and roll... ;) Really, rock and roll is just sped up blues and it's hard not to adore its master, Chuck Berry. Most casual fans connect him with his biggest hit, "Johnny B. Goode", but he's got so much more to offer. New Year's Eve's pretty soon so get ready for some party-time music. I took my time and made my own list of ten favorite tunes written and/or recorded by Chuck Berry.

1. Sweet Little Sixteen
2. Rock and Roll Music
3. Blues for Hawaiians
4. Roll Over Beethoven
5. Memphis, Tennessee
6. Too Much Monkey Business
7. Little Queenie
8. No Particular Place to Go
9. Almost Grown
10. Beautiful Delilah

The best compilation album containing above songs and many more is Johnny B. Goode: His Complete '50s Chess Recordings. It costs about 80$ but is reaaaaally worth it. Hard rocking stuff. :)

The Rolling Stones famously played "Little Queenie" and "Carol" on 1969 US Tour (released on Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out album) and "Let It Rock" and "Sweet Little Sixteen" during 1978 US Tour (released in awesome quality on Handsome Girls bootleg), these are my favorite renditions of Chuck's tracks, be sure to check 'em out, they're worth it. Also, Keith Richards of the Stones fame - whose idol was no one else than Chuck Berry - helped accomplished guitarist get his concert movie done. Titled "Hail Hail Rock and Roll", it is an unbelievable documentary of two 1986 shows with Keith Richards, Etta James, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray and Linda Ronstadt. It's also worth buying for some scenes with Ingrid Berry, Chuck's daughter :-)

Chuck is one of my favorite guitarists. John Lennon said... Well, if you consider yourself a music fan, you should've known what! Chuck Berry is rock and roll and rock and roll ain't dead. Chuck either. Go and see him and listen to his works: whiners say they all sound the same, but in fact they all have the same great sound and can't let ya down ^^ Many bands started out covering his compositions, just for the fun of playing them. If "Johnny B. Goode" can't give you a proper kick, I'd be afraid to guess what can! ;-)