Chuck Berry - The London Chuck Berry Sessions (1972) [2013]

One-half of this album is a studio recording featuring Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones of the Faces. The other half is a live recording from the Lancaster Arts Festival in Coventry, England, featuring performances of "My Ding-a-Ling" and "Reelin' and Rockin'" that, in edited form, became the first hit singles for Chuck Berry in many years. ("My Ding-a-Ling" went gold and hit #1.) This gold-selling, Top Ten album represents Berry's commercial, if not artistic, peak.

Side A has a nice collection of 1970s-flavored 50s' Rock n Roll – excellent tracks by Chuck Berry. But it is the Side B that is absolutely legendary!! (OK, OK, this is a CD so there is only one side! LOL!!) By 1972, when this live recording was made in England, Chuck Berry was already an "older" performer of older music. Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin were at the top of the charts. Keeping all of that in mind, it is here, really, that Chuck Berry shows his mastery. He ROCKS the house, and at the same time he is incredibly charming –- and it is clear that he has developed a special bond with the entire venue!! So that by the time Chuck Berry has played his last note of the show, leaving the thousands of young fans chanting "We want Chuck! We want Chuck!" – it is absolutely hilarious to hear the concert promoters trying to plead with the crowd to leave the building. They even threaten to cancel the Pink Floyd concert! "We don't get a Pink Floyd concert if you don't leave the place – it's as simple as that!!! THIS IS THE MANAGEMENT!!!" Hilarious!! This recording should actually be "Required Listening" in every high school in America!!


Tracks:

01. Let's Boogie 3:13
02. Mean Old World 5:58
03. I Will Not Let You Go 2:49
04. London Berry Blues 5:56
05. I Love You 3:26
06. Reelin' And Rockin' 7:10
07. My Ding-A-Ling 11:52
08. Johnny B. Goode (& Closing) 4:38
Bonus tracks:
09. Sweet Little Sixteen 3:15
10. Roll 'Em Pete 5:09
11. It Hurts Me Too 6:08
12. Around And Around 3:02
13. Promised Land 2:47
14. Roll 'Em Pete 2:55
15. My Ding-A-Ling 4:19
16. South Of The Border 2:06