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Chuck Berry - Chuck Berry's Golden Hits Audio CD

A fair review of the Chuck Berry "Chuck Berry's Golden Hits" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Chuck Berry reviews here, or go back to the Chuck Berry tabs.

Chuck Berry Band: Chuck Berry
Title: Chuck Berry's Golden Hits
Rating:
Release Date: 1990-10-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Sweet Little Sixteen 2: Memphis 3: School Days 4: Maybellene 5: Back in the U.S.A. 6: Around and Around 7: Brown Eyed Handsome Man 8: Johnny B. Goode 9: Rock & Roll Music 10: Roll over Beethoven 11: Thirty Days 12: Carol 13: Let It Rock 14: Reelin' and Rockin' 15: Club Nitty Gritty

Hail, Hail Chuck But Pass On This One
Goode came thundering across the airways. Long ago, in the mists of time, I was listening to my radio when Chuck Berry's Johnny B. I have been a fan ever since and never looked back. As portrayed in the DVD documentary and labor of love by The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards "Hail, Hail Rock and Roll" and this greatest hits CD compilation neither did Chuck Berry. There may be continuing controversy about the roots of rock and rock-whether it derived from rhythm and blues, rock-a-billy, jazzed up country or all of them- but as the tribute covers by later performers across the musician and racial spectrum that are dotted throughout later rock history denote- Chuck Berry was at the center of the storm.

That said, not all Chuck Berry CDs are created equal. Partially, as with his live performances, this reflected his constant need for money to pay debts, the government, etc. Many are done haphazardly or are based on less than stellar performances. This CD is among the haphazards as it seems that the compilers have gone out of their way to include redubbed live performances. I would say this you need high quality performances on the following if you are to understand why Chuck Berry is a rock legend. "Maybelline", "Roll over Beethoven", "Back In The U. S. A. ", "Rock And Roll Music", "Sweet Little Sixteen", :Johnny B. Goode", "Reelin' and Rockin", "Little Queenie" and "Memphis". That is not the case here. Take a look elsewhere, especially give a look at the Gold two-disc set advertised in this space.
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It's not the amazing Chuck Berry of the 1950s, but what is?
After all, as other reviewers have pointed out, there are ample digitally-remastered alternatives for people who are interested only in the young and uncontrollably brilliant Chuck Berry of the 1950s. My reaction to this album is just as subjective as everyone else's, but here goes: Obviously this collection of "re-recordings" doesn't have the freshness and exuberence of Chuck's early recordings of these classics, but that shouldn't be held against it. Why shouldn't an older and more mature Chuck Berry have had an opportunity to "re-record" these songs in the late 1960s, and why shouldn't they have a different feel? What sense would it have made for him to try to duplicate what he had already done 15 years earlier? I personally think these versions, while clearly less electrifying than the originals, have a lot of value for Chuck Berry fans, but agree that those listening to him for the first time would be better off with his earlier recordings. .


what's the problem?
As an amatuer guitarist, I hold Mr. I am certainly not a "green" Chuck Berry fan, and have been listening to his music for over half my life. Berry up to "Guitar God" status. Yes, you could say that anyone can copy Chuck Berry riffs, and perhaps they can, but do they swing? The only one after Chuck, in my opinion, who can make a Chuck Berry riff swing, is Keith Richards. But, back to the business at hand concerning this disc: I cannot understand why nearly every review is either against it, or at best lukewarm. Sure, the Chess recordings are timeless masterpieces, but these recordings have a certain charm that cannot be mistaken. Chuck's guitar is certainly more agressive sounding (perhaps to compete with the sounds of '67), and the echo on his vocals is a cheesy, yet nice touch. the electric organ and piano reminds one of the classic Faces, and the so-called "forgetable" CLUB NITTY GRITTY is a nice little rocker, that while not one of Mr. Berry's classics, is a cool tune. Judge not this disc harshly my friends: if you want Chess, buy Chess, but also bear in mind that these recordings are just as valid. selah.


Don't buy this!
Why was this ever recorded and produced? . I bought this with no idea that these were re-recordings.


Sounds of the past....


If you are completely into the original versions of songs, this CD is not for you. I bought this CD because I had a copy of the album when I was a kid, and I really loved the late Johnny Johnston's electric piano work, particularly on the song "Carol". But if you like re-interpretations by the original artist(s), well, have a listen to the samples listed above and see what you think. I think this is quite a good effort and is really pretty cohesive as a whole.

PS - I think there are actually 2 or 3 more songs on this CD than what was on my album from all those years ago.


You can see a complete list of all Chuck Berry discography, or go back to the Chuck Berry tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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