Compiled from UK EPs
Laurence Upton | Wilts, UK | 03/19/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Pye International used the EP format wisely in the 1960s to promote their array of mouth-watering music licensed from American labels, including Chess, whose previous UK outlet had been the legendary London label.
This 24-track collection rounds up the following British-compiled Chuck Berry EPs (on Pye International except where stated): Rhythm And Blues With Chuck Berry (1956, London), Reelin' And Rockin' (1959, London), Chuck Berry (1963), This Is Chuck Berry (1963), Chuck And Bo Vol. 2 (split between Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley)(1963), Chuck Berry Hits (1964), Blue Mood (1964), Come On (1965), The Promised Land (1965), I Got A Booking (1966) and You Came A Long Way From St Louis (1966).
The collection includes 16 A-sides, but it is the 8 lesser-known album tracks (5 of which were also B-sides) that give the more rounded view of Chuck Berry's music. Four of the tracks are in stereo mixes, although the balance on Things I Used To Do is rather unusual with the right channel reserved exclusively for one guitar.
Unfortunately, the compiler has chosen selections rather than providing complete EPs in most of these cases, making for a rather frustrating buy for the collector. Rhythm And Blues With Chuck Berry also included debut B-sides Wee Wee Hours and Together We Will Always Be. This Is Chuck Berry included Broken Arrow, while I Got A Booking also included I Want To Be Your Driver, St Louis Blues and Dear Dad. Apart from the missing title track, The Promised Land included Brenda Lee, and Blue Mood here lacks Driftin' Blues, Lonely All The Time and Fraulein. You Came A Long Way From St Louis included the title track and His Daughter Caroline.
Perhaps compiler Colin Miles should have drawn from fewer EPs and presented them in full. Otherwise, a fine well-mastered collection"
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1