737 Chuck Berry - Chuck Berry Is On Top (1959)

 737 Chuck Berry - Chuck Berry Is On Top (1959)

Compilation Album - Rock & Roll


About the Act:

Chuck Berry was one of the founding fathers of Rock & Roll, combining elements of Blues and Country into a new style. He was particularly known for his incorporation of guitar solos, and unusually, wrote most of his own songs. 

His first hit was Maybelline in 1955, and he continued to have a string of hits until the beginning of the 60s. After a short spell in jail, he returned but his popularity faded somewhat, he had become a nostalgia act. However, in 1972 he had his only number 1 single "My Ding-a-Ling"

He was from St Louis, Missouri. He died in 2017.

About the Album:

This album is billed as being his third studio album, however it is actually a compilation of previously-released singles, plus one extra track. The listing of personnel includes Bo Diddley and Willie Dixon

My History with this Album:

None

Review:

I like a good bit of Rock & Roll, and I like a good bit of Chuck Berry, and this is both of those. It's almost a greatest hits album, and features quite a few songs I know well, and love, including Maybellene, Sweet Little Rock & Roller, Johnny B. Goode, and Roll Over Beethoven. The guy was a showman, and the songs are mostly aimed at a teen audience, with romance being a major theme. Some of the songs are story songs, like Johnny B. Goode.

The singing isn't spectacular, but it's fine. The guitar work is very strong. She songwriting is excellent, and although at times cheesy, not so much that it puts me off. The music is well-played and energetic. It's a fun album, I would guess mostly designed for dancing.

I enjoyed it.

7.9/10


Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2L2BDLggO-BNo7l0p2ZT8IcvPmwsMY3P

YouTube: https://open.spotify.com/album/6eedtCtCjibu80yOhylSGL

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Berry_Is_on_Top



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