Customer Reviews

Chuck Berry: Rock and Roll Music

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Toronto,1969......Varsity Stadium....a great day of rock and roll music.Bo Diddly,Jerry Lee Lewis,Little Richard,Chuck Berry and John Lennon backed by Eric Clapton,Klaus Voorman and Alan White(and of course Yoko).I`ve seen all of the performances and it is a stone fact that Chuck stole the show,even playing with a backing band of young cats he hadn`t even met until just before showtime.Of course he laid down most of the hits but for me the best moment was during Johnny B. Goode when during the first solo he did his crouching scoot from one side of the stage to the other.You can see the guy playing guitar behind him bust out laughing at the sight....it`s Chuck Berry,full throttle and digging the groove so much he can`t help but do what he`s doing.
At 45 minutes it is really a basic set but you get to see the legend just as he was hitting his peak as a performer.It might have been just another gig for him but for me it will always be the standard that I judge any live performance against...and THAT is a record that probally no one will ever break.Get it and play it loud and see for yourself what real rock and roll is all about!

Chuck Berry shows why he was one of the founding fathers of Rock and Roll in this 1969 performance that offers up some of his best-known songs including: "Long Live Rock & Roll," "Johnny B. Goode," "Maybellene" and "Sweet Little Sixteen." This concert film has the virtue of D.A. Pennebaker ("Don't Look Back") being behind the camera. The tape only goes 45-minutes, which means Chuck Berry goes non-stop from start to finish. This is Berry from a time when he was halfway between being forgotten and becoming nostalgic, so he clearly has something to prove. "Chuck Berry" Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll," filmed in 1987 for Berry's 60th birthday bash, is a lot longer and has more stars (Eric Clapton, John Lennon, etc.), but this film gives you a better sense for the performer who made it big in the Fifties. Other songs performed include: "Promised Land," "Carol," "Hoochie Koochie Man," "Too Much Monkey Business," "Reelin' & Rockin'," and "In the Wee, Wee Hours (I Think of You)." Definitely worth seeing for fans of the original sound of rock 'n' roll.

This video will be quite an eye-opener for anyone who didn't experience Chuck Berry performing at his peak. He is, as the other reviewers have said, fantastic. His body language is a natural extension of his guitar phrasing, and he is always finding new slants on his vocal phrasing. He is creativity in action, no question about it, and one of the great showmen.

Here is my reservation, which I'm surprised nobody has mentioned: the backing band is really pretty bad. Berry's predilection for playing with pickup bands was always a crapshoot, and on this occasion he didn't get the best results. They are obviously young and inexperienced, but that doesn't automatically disqualify them. Their big problem is that they drag the tempo seriously, as Chuck gamely, and even heroically, tries to keep things rocking. The drummer in particular is like a pair of heavy boots on Berry, when what he needed was dancing shoes, and you can see and hear CB telegraph his mild irritation in a couple of spots if you are alert.

If you are a Berry fan, or a rock-and-roll fan with an interest in the pioneers, that probably shouldn't stop you from buying this video. It is imperfect, but still a valuable document of a unique performer who could still electrify a crowd under less-than-ideal circumstances. Just don't expect that jumping groove that you get from the old Chess recordings. Keep in mind that the circumstances are less than ideal.

It's difficult to imagine a holier "shamanistic" performance
than Chuck's in this DVD. He comes across like a demigod. Chuck
really displays the genuine genius that saturates every cell of his body. He has a sense of humor at the same time he realizes this is serious rock & roll business. What a rare treat, as well,
to see him play some jaw-dropping guitar solos. And the band
rocks hard as well. This is no adult contemporary "nostalgia" act,
but THE ESSENCE of rock's divine roots.

This is some historic, quality concert footage of Chuck Berry live and unleashed at Toronto Canada's Rock n' roll Revival festival in September of 1969. There were several other rock n' roll legends on this bill, but this DVD contains Chuck's portion of the show which is well worth seeing. Chuck is in good form here, and his guitar and showmanship skills are on vivid display, duck walk and all.

It is interesting to see a young audience of hippie kids enjoying Berry's music so much since Chuck was not exactly the musical rage on the charts in 1969. It just goes to show that great music of any era can be appreciated by anyone with an open mind to it. The audience is treated to TWO versions of Chuck's masterpiece "Johnny B. Goode" where he delivers some flamboyant, extended solos. There are some nice close-up shots throughout the concert of Chuck laying down those trademark licks of his and of the young audience digging the music too.

Chuck's backing band here consists of three kids who were apparently chosen on a spur of the moment basis, and they are functional at best. The drummer, who looks about 18 or 19, fails to lay down a solid beat for most of the show and the bassist is barely audible, although the other guitarist holds the rhythm fairly well behind Chuck's lead guitar. This show would have benefitted from a tighter backing band, but Chuck is well known for the unfortunate practice of having local players back him wherever he performs. The biggest complaint I have is how the producers of this video chose to block out the last minute or two of the footage for the credits as Chuck rocks through the final solo of Johnny B. Goode.

Classic concert footage of Chuck Berry is something that is pretty rare, which makes this a treat for anybody who wants to experience the father of rock n' roll still at the peak of his performing powers. Anyone who enjoyed the 1987 film "Hail Hail Rock n' roll" should enjoy this a lot too.

If you are a rock and roll fan, especially a Chuck Berry fan, this title is a must-have for your collection. You get to see Berry performing his best songs and displaying his awesome guitar skills up close. I have already seen it several times and will see it many more.

This is a great DVD, showing what I am coming to see as Chuck in full stride touring mode. Showing up at the last minute, meeting the awe struck young back up band ( who are fine except for an abortive attempt at lead by their guitarist ) and boogying on stage and clearly loving what he was doing. You can see how Chuck is able to relate to his young white audience and really treat them to a show unmatched by any contemporary band, black or white. For they were watching and grooving to the real King of Rock and roll in his prime. The " Hail HailRock and Roll " DVD shows Chuck with the best back up, but this shows him in his youthful prime. Get it and you will see what everyone is giving him the accolades for. Hank Collins ,Orinda calif.

An excellent vintage look at Chuck Berry. This was done during a late 60's anti war concert given in Toronto. Solid musical work with the detatched feeling that Chuck Berry still has when you see him play at Indian Casino venues in 2004 and beyond. The sound quality is 60's at best and the DVD has really not enhanced the sound to pull out the best....but what do you say? If you saw Chuck Berry in the 60's, 70's, 80's 90's etc....this is the same show he has done then and now. He walks in, does a few chords with the pickup band...and away he goes! The show ends and there are no encores....it was that way then and still is now. Since he is younger here,...good duck walking with guitar work. This is worth getting to fill in gaps in your Berry Career Collection.( Little Richard did a session at this same concert with MUCH better audience connection...much sweating, clothes throwing.....etc. ) Just remember,.....no audio/video enhancement has been done here. PB

Who knows what the reaction wuld have been if Chuck arrived with his Chess Records backup? Well, in 1969 it seems he was at the end of his 3-year sojourn at Mercury, and those dudes didn't do as well (though contrary to critical opinion, there*were* some fine sides). Also, the historian will note that Chuck included *two* Mercury records sides, "Maybelline:, and "Goodnight, Well It's Time To Go". Huh? Meaning his recut version with some lyeics not heard on the '55 classic, and a new C-Ami-F-G7 doo-wop based somewhat on the Spaniels.
The filmakers have skillfully interwoven crowd reaction shots - something usually missing in contemprary hyperactive camerawork and editing, and this interaction creates a real party feel. Pretty girls dancing in the sunlight is not something most documentary makers think is appealing to the viewer.
This concert thus has plenty of good music and atmosphere - what a strange mix!
Yes, it's the Father Of Rock And Roll with a not-bad pick-up band - let me say, up front, there is much sloppiness, and some discord (ok, if you're not gonna bring along a couple of "broken in" session players at least bring along some lead sheets - what's the problem? Go into any music shoppe and buy your own Greatest Hits in book form and hit the erox machine. You got the copyrights, anyway....).
But the happy attendees do not seem to mind. And this is very interesting, as the writers have always implied that the new "rock" generation looked down their nose at the more foundational rock and roll.
Yep, the kids ate it up in Toronto on September 13th, 1969.
Well, whatever minor mishaps took place during Chuck's set, if John & Yoko & Eric & co. closed the festival, from what I gather, he must have sounded too precise.
Song list, despite what's printed on the VHS jacket: Rock & Roll Music / School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) [aka Hail Hail Rock and Roll & Long Live Rock and Roll] / Johnny B. Goode / Promised Lnnd / Carol / (I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man / Maybelline / Too Much Monkey Business / Reelin' & Rockin' / Sweet Little Sixteen / In The Wee Wee Hours [not the James Brown song, as listed] / Medley: Goodnight, Well It's Time To Go & Johnny B. Goode (reprise).
Want to add, or re=emphasize that Chuck's singing and playing is outstanding. He improvizes in both realms throughout.
Tape gets a very strong *3*.

I have 2 concert dvds of Chuck Berry now...and have a comparison..first I got the HAIL, HAIL ROCK AND ROLL...which is really good..but it is obviously more contrived and less spontaneous than this concert..it seems to hinder Chuck's talents...more of Keith Richards and Taylor Hackford's concert..but THIS dvd is PURE CHUCK BERRY and I'm really glad I decided to get it...it is pure energy..you really feel like you are THERE in the stadium...turn it up up up! It is how Chuck Berry REALLY IS...not hindering his talent and telling him how his concert should be like the HAIL, HAIL ROCK AND ROLL. get this one! and truly rock on! e sure to watch this when you are NOT multi-tasking...it deserves your undivided attention.