This 1972 Chess release is Chuck Berry's bestselling album in nearly 50 years of hot-wax work. Buoyed by the playfully lewd No. 1 hit single "My Ding-A-Ling," one of three live recordings here, the success of these session... more »s marked a comeback for the mercurial Rock and Roll Hall of Fame immortal, whose R&B preeminence had been supplanted in the mid-1960s by Chicago-based blues bosses Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf in the mainstream rock world. The first five tracks, all Berry compositions except for Little Walter's powerful "Mean Old World," were recorded in London's Pye Studios with the Faces' Kenny Jones and Ian McLagen on drums and piano, and each track crackles with the master's creative fire. Check out the rollicking "Let's Boogie" and the hard-charging "London Berry Blues" among the studio gems, then kick back to the live funfest in Coven-try, England, where Chuck reinvents "Reelin' & Rockin'" and "Johnny B. Goode." --Alan Greenberg« less
This 1972 Chess release is Chuck Berry's bestselling album in nearly 50 years of hot-wax work. Buoyed by the playfully lewd No. 1 hit single "My Ding-A-Ling," one of three live recordings here, the success of these sessions marked a comeback for the mercurial Rock and Roll Hall of Fame immortal, whose R&B preeminence had been supplanted in the mid-1960s by Chicago-based blues bosses Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf in the mainstream rock world. The first five tracks, all Berry compositions except for Little Walter's powerful "Mean Old World," were recorded in London's Pye Studios with the Faces' Kenny Jones and Ian McLagen on drums and piano, and each track crackles with the master's creative fire. Check out the rollicking "Let's Boogie" and the hard-charging "London Berry Blues" among the studio gems, then kick back to the live funfest in Coven-try, England, where Chuck reinvents "Reelin' & Rockin'" and "Johnny B. Goode." --Alan Greenberg
CD Reviews
Listen to the Master work a crowd!
richieo | 07/16/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like Coke and Cadillacs, Chuck is the real thing and always will be! Unfortunately there hasn't been many live recordings that truly capture the essence of the greatest Rock'n Roll artist ever. This album, however, gives you one side of how great the guy can work a room. If you listen closely you'll realize how much control Chuck has over his audience and that is simply due to the fact of how much he is loved. Listen to the crowd's "send off" and you'll understand what I mean. I read somewhere that this album was originally supposed to be all "live" tracks. However, much of the tape recording was unusable. That's a crime.The first side, the studio set is just a filler. The second side is a blast and Chuck actually seems to be enjoying himself. The album gets five stars just for the "live" side. Buy it, cut to the start of "Reelin and Rockin" and sit back and listen to Rock'n Roll the way it was meant to be played and performed by the guy who started it all!"
This is a Diamond
dpc915 | Ossining, NY United States | 07/09/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Classic LP.........Chuck is the founder of guitar rock and really the first true singer songwriter......for those complaining about my ding-a-ling....Chuck is a notorious naughty man....just skip it, but don't knock it....its rock and roll and it should be fun and light at times. There was a rumor that this was supposed to be a double album...SO POWERS THAT BE ARE YOU LISTENING? Just like the Howlin Wolf Deluxe edition of the london sessions.......how about it? Maybe release the full concert (clearly Chuck is ON that night) and more studio stuff! I will buy it!"
Chuck In The 70's
dpc915 | 08/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First person to review this, huh? This is a great album that is split nicely between strong studio cuts and great, energetic live cuts. Recommended for anyone who is a fan of pure rock music."
Really nice studio and live CD
dpc915 | 08/23/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The live "Reelin'" and "Goode" are hot, and the studio tracks are what you have grown to expect from Chuck. All in all, a really nice CD from the master."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1