Chuck Berry......The Chess Box

We may not know who wrote the book of love, but the author of the rock and roll dictionary was Charles Edward "Chuck" Berry. His vast contribution to the music world is reflected in the plaudits he has won from many of the most well known artists who followed him. As a songwriter, guitarist and performer, he shaped rock and roll and has influenced many other artists in their careers. He was playing the blues before the likes of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly were just starting out, but once "Maybelline" hit the airwaves, the history of rock'n'roll took a huge turn. There are many compilations available, but this one is a good starting point, with all his major hits plus several blues numbers.

You've got a signature guitar riff that other giants (think Rolling Stones) have based entire careers on. Songs such as "School Days" told teen tales as though they were novels. "Too Much Monkey Business" is where Bob Dylan discovered poetry and rap music found a contemporary starting point. "Johnny B. Goode," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Back in the USA"--the titles alone evoke unparalleled rock atmosphere. If this three-CD set contains less unreleased ephemera than the usual box, it's because there are so many essentials to squeeze in. This one's got 'em all, A to Z. --Ben Edmonds  (Amazon review)

1955 To 1958

1-1 Maybellene 2:18

1-2 Wee Wee Hours 3:02

1-3 Thirty Days 2:21

1-4 You Can't Catch Me 2:42

1-5 No Money Down 2:56

1-6 Downbound Train 2:49

1-7 Brown Eyed Handsome Man 2:15

1-8 Drifting Heart 2:47

1-9 Roll Over Beethoven 2:22

1-10 Too Much Monkey Business 2:53

1-11 Havana Moon 3:06

1-12 School Day 2:40

1-13 Rock And Roll Music 2:30

1-14 Oh Baby Doll 2:36

1-15 I've Changed 3:04

1-16 Reelin' And Rockin' 3:15

1-17 Rockin' At The Philharmonic 3:21

1-18 Sweet Little Sixteen 3:10

1-19 Johnny B. Goode 2:37

1-20 Time Was 1:56

1-21 Around & Around 2:38

1-22 Beautiful Delilah 2:13

1-23 House Of Blue Lights 2:24

1-24 Carol 2:46

1958 To 1964

2-1 Memphis 2:10

2-2 Anthony Boy 1:52

2-3 Jo Jo Gunne 2:45

2-4 Sweet Little Rock'n'Roller 2:20

2-5 Merry Christmas Baby 3:11

2-6 Run Rudolph Run 2:43

2-7 Little Queenie 2:40

2-8 Almost Grown 2:18

2-9 Back In The U.S.A. 2:27

2-10 Betty Jean 2:29

2-11 Childhood Sweetheart 2:42

2-12 Let It Rock 1:45

2-13 Too Pooped To Pop 2:33

2-14 Bye Bye Johnny 2:03

2-15 Jaguar And Thunderbird 1:50

2-16 Down The Road Apiece 2:13

2-17 Confessin' The Blues 2:07

2-18 Thirteen Question Method 2:12

2-19 Crying Steel 2:32

2-20 I'm Just A Lucky So And So 2:50

2-21 I'm Talking About You 1:48

2-22 Come On 1:48

2-23 Nadine (Is It You?) 2:35

2-24 Crazy Arms 2:12

2-25 You Never Can Tell 2:40

2-26 The Things I Used To Do 2:40

2-27 Promised Land 2:20

1964 To 1973

3-1 No Particular Place To Go 2:41

3-2 Liverpool Drive 2:53

3-3 You Two 2:08

3-4 Chuck's Beat 10:35

3-5 Little Marie 2:34

3-6 Dear Dad 1:48

3-7 Sad Day, Long Night 2:42

3-8 It's My Own Business 2:10

3-9 It Wasn't Me 2:32

3-10 Ramona Say Yes 2:40

3-11 Viva Viva Rock'n'Roll 2:00

3-12 Tulane 2:36

3-13 Have Mercy Judge 2:38

3-14 My Dream 5:56

3-15 Reelin' And Rockin' (Live) 7:02

3-16 My Ding-A-Ling (Single Edit, Live) 4:16

3-17 Johnny B. Goode (Live) 3:13

3-18 A Deuce 2:32

3-19 Woodpecker 3:33

3-20 Bio 4:22

Chuck Berry......The Chess Box