Customer Reviews

Rock N Roll Rarities

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I bought this CD because of the songs I didn't already have: "Promised Land," "You Never Can Tell," "Run Rudolph Run," "It Wasn't Me," "County Line," "Oh Yeah," etc. All in all, 10 songs from this 20-song CD are on "The Great 28" package, but looky here: by "rarities" they mean alternate takes, stereo remixes, some chatter before songs--"take 15" "sho 'nuf?"--which makes this a nice companion to your hopefully sturdy Chuck Berry collection. There's a sequel to this album out there and I need that one now. Highly recommended!

There's something unsettling (and ultimately wonderful) about hearing a different version of a song that has been deeply set into your psyche. That's what this record is all about; listen to Chuck and the boys as they work out his immortal songs in the Chess studio.

Take "Sweet Little Sixteen" for example. That genre-defining guitar intro develops itself in fits and starts. A few more takes and we're in legend-territory, but right now we're just figuring stuff out. Compelling listening, to say the least.

Chuck Berry never realized that he was writing the soundtrack of a generation. Good thing, because that would have been too much pressure for one man to bear, don't you think?

My advice: Buy Anthology first. Fall in love with it. Then grab this and watch Mr. Berry sew the seeds of Rock 'n' Roll.

This CD is an essential addition to anybody building an already awesome Chuck Berry collection. The alternate takes and occasional brief outtakes on tunes like "Johnny B Good" just hit home his hepness, and the great (and way underappreciated) tunes like "Run, Rudolph, Run" and "Bye Bye Johnny" make this album an absolute pleasure to listen to. This is an absolutely solid collection of unique Chuck Berry music.

That said... if you are just becoming acquainted with Chuck Berry's music, this CD might not be the place to start. There are scores of Five-Star Chuck Berry albums out there, which will likely have you addicted to his legacy in no time. After you have sufficiently primed your ear with a few classic Chuck Berry albums, I advise you add this to your CD rack.

Bottom line, Chuck Berry is the coolest of the pioneering rockers! Don't grab just one Chuck Berry CD for your collection...one is not enough!

even though these are different takes and whatnot, these sides are as good or better that the original issues -- remember that chuck berry didnt have first say which takes were to be released and ill put my money on Chuck Berry's taste or anothers decision rather than that of Leonard Chess or Phil Chess any day (these two brothers owned Chess Records who blatantly took advantage and/or ripped of artists along with most independent record label owners who did the same thing) --- (read Chess Records by Mike Rowe -- great book about Chess records with superb photos)

The main reason I got this CD was because next to the Chess Box, it is very hard to find "Run Rudolph Run" on any CD. I got this and listened to Chuck Berry put together all of his famous hits with flaws and originals. There is just an even mix of originals and different recordings. "Run Rudolph Run" is an original and some others are or are just stereo remixes, but close to original. This is a unique CD, and any Chuck Berry fan should get it.

One of the greatest CD's to purchase to bring back memories of the 50's and Chuck Berry. Needs to be in every music lovers library. Excellent!