The Absolutely Essential Collection

~ Release by Chuck Berry (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Tracklist

1Digital Media
#TitleLength
1Maybellene2:20
2Sweet Little Sixteen
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
electric guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Geffen Records Ltd. (in 1958) and MCA Records, Inc. (in 1958)
recorded at:
Sheldon Recording Studios, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
recording of:
Sweet Little Sixteen (from 1957-12-09 until 1957-12-30)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp., Fermata do Brasil, Isalee Music Publishing Co., Isalee Music Publishing Company and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
3:02
3Rock and Roll Music
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
electric guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (in 1958)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1957 (number: 19), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (number: 128)
recording of:
Rock and Roll Music (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp., Campbell Connelly, Isalee Music Publishing Company and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
2:30
4Thirty Days (To Come Back Home)
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
bass:
Willie Dixon (in 1955-09)
drums (drum set):
Ebby Hardy (in 1955-09)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (in 1955-09)
maracas:
Jerome Green (in 1955-09)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (in 1955-09)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Geffen Records (in 2003)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1955-09)
recording of:
Thirty Days (in 1955-09)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:25
5Wee Wee Hours
recording of:
Wee Wee Hours
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music
3:03
6No Money Down
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1955-12-20)
drums (drum set):
Ebby Hardy (on 1955-12-20)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1955-12-20)
piano [possibly]:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1955-12-20) and Otis Spann (on 1955-12-20)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (in 1955-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Geffen Records (in 2003)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1955-12-20)
recording of:
No Money Down (on 1955-12-20)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:58
7Too Much Monkey Business
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1956-02)
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
bass:
Willie Dixon (in 1956-02)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1956-04-19)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (in 1956-02) and Melvin Billups (on 1956-04-19)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (in 1956-02, on 1956-04-19)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (in 1956-02, on 1956-04-19)
tenor saxophone:
Leroy C. Davis (in 1956-02, on 1956-04-19)
trumpet:
Vincent Pitts (on 1956-04-19)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1956-04-19)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (in 1956-02)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Geffen Records (in 2003)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-04-19)
recording of:
Too Much Monkey Business (in 1956-02)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
recording of:
Too Much Monkey Business (on 1956-04-19)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
2:55
8You Can’t Catch Me
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1955-12-20)
drums (drum set):
Ebby Hardy (on 1955-12-20)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1955-12-20)
piano [possibly]:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1955-12-20) and Otis Spann (on 1955-12-20)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Geffen Records (in 2003)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1955-12-20)
recording of:
You Can’t Catch Me (on 1955-12-20)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Snapper Music
2:43
9Down Bound Train
recording of:
Down Bound Train
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:50
10Havana Moon
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1956-10-29)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1956-10-29) and Jimmy Rogers (on 1956-10-29)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1956-10-29)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Geffen Records (in 2003)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-10-29)
recording of:
Havana Moon (on 1956-10-29)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Tristan Music Ltd.
3:07
11Oh Baby Doll
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (in 1957-05)
bass and double bass:
Willie Dixon (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
electric guitar, guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (in 1958)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
recording of:
Oh Baby Doll (from 1957-05-06 until 1957-05-15)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music
2:37
12Deep Feeling
recording of:
Deep Feeling
composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music
2:17
13Roly Poly
recording of:
Roly Poly
composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:50
14Brown Eyed Handsome Man
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1956-04-19)
drums (drum set):
Melvin Billups (on 1956-04-19)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1956-04-19)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1956-04-19)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Geffen Records (in 2003)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-04-19)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (number: 375)
recording of:
Brown Eyed Handsome Man (on 1956-04-19)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corporation and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
part of:
Million Dollar Quartet (jukebox musical, book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott)
2:16
15Blue Feeling
recording of:
Blue Feeling
composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music
3:01
16Berry Pickin’
recording of:
Berry Pickin’
composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music
2:30
17Drifting Heart
recording of:
Drifting Heart
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:49
18Beautiful Delilah
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (on 1958-06-12)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-06-12)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (on 1958-06-12)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-06-12)
piano:
Paul Gayten (on 1958-06-12)
recorded at:
Sheldon Recording Studios, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-06-12)
recording of:
Beautiful Delilah (on 1958-06-12)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry Music Inc.
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp. and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
2:10
19In‐Go
recording of:
Ingo
composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:24
20Vacation Time
recording of:
Vacation Time
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry Music Inc.
publisher:
Arc Music
2:50
21Roll Over Beethoven2:24
22School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes the Bell)
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (on 1956-12-15)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1956-12-15) and Hubert Sumlin (on 1956-12-15)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1956-12-15)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1956-12-15)
vocals:
Chuck Berry
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
N2K and Geffen Records (in 2003)
recorded at:
Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-12-15)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1957 (number: 3)
recording of:
School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes the Bell) (on 1956-12-15)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp., Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. and Nightlight Music Pty Ltd.
2:42
23Carol
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-06-12)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (on 1958-06-12)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-06-12)
percussion:
[unknown] (on 1958-06-12)
piano:
Paul Gayten (on 1958-06-12)
recorded at:
Sheldon Recording Studios, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-06-12)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1958 (number: 10)
recording of:
Carol (on 1958-06-12)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp., Jewel Music Inc. and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
2:48
24Jo Jo Gunne
recording of:
Jo Jo Gun
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp.
2:45
25Rockin’ at the Philharmonic3:22
26Reelin’ and Rockin’
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (in 1957-12)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
electric guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (in 1958)
recorded at:
Sheldon Recording Studios, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
recording of:
Reelin’ and Rockin’ (from 1957-12-29 until 1957-12-30)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
3:16
27Guitar Boogie
recording of:
Guitar Boogie
composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:18
28Sweet Little Rock ’n’ Roller
recording of:
Sweet Little Rock and Roller
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp.
2:21
29It Don’t Take but a Few Minutes
recording of:
It Don’t Take but a Few Minutes
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp. and Peer Music (in 1995)
2:27
30Around and Around
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (on 1958-02-28)
electric bass guitar:
Bob Bushnell (on 1958-02-28)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-02-28)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1958-02-28)
recorded at:
Sheldon Recording Studios, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-02-28)
recording of:
Around and Around (on 1958-02-28)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp., Good-Tunes-Music AG, Isalee Music Publishing Company and Rock ’n’ Roll Music
2:41
31Blues for Hawaiians3:25
32Run Rudolph Run
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-11-19)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (on 1958-11-19)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1958-11-19)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
UMG Recordings, Inc. (in 1958)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-11-19)
recording of:
Run Rudolph Run (on 1958-11-19)
writer:
Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks
publisher:
Arc Music Corp., Campbell Connelly, Chappell Music Ltd., Warner Chappell Music and St. Nicholas Music Inc. (in 1958)
2:45
33Almost Grown
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
bass and double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1959-02-17)
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (on 1959-02-17)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17) and Bo Diddley (on 1959-02-17)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1959-02-17)
background vocals:
Chuck Barksdale (on 1959-02-17), Harvey Fuqua (on 1959-02-17), Marvin Gaye (on 1959-02-17), Etta James (on 1959-02-17), The Marquees (on 1959-02-17), The Moonglows (on 1959-02-17), James Nolan (on 1959-02-17), Reese Palmer (on 1959-02-17) and Chester Simmons (on 1959-02-17)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1959-02-17)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1959 (number: 6)
recording of:
Almost Grown (on 1959-02-17)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:21
34Anthony Boy
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26)
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26)
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1958-09-26)
background vocals:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26), Otis Spann (on 1958-09-26) and Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26), Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26), Otis Spann (on 1958-09-26) and Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-09-26)
recording of:
Anthony Boy (on 1958-09-26)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp.
1:52
35Little Queenie
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-11-19)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (on 1958-11-19)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1958-11-19)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-11-19)
recording of:
Little Queenie (on 1958-11-19)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp.
2:42
36Childhood Sweetheart
recording of:
Childhood Sweetheart
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp. and Tristan Music Ltd.
2:45
37Betty Jean
recording of:
Betty Jean
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:29
38Jaguar and the Thunderbird
recording of:
Jaguar and Thunderbird
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. and Jewel Music Inc.
1:50
39Our Little Rendezvous
recording of:
Our Little Rendezvous
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp.
2:00
40Worried Life Blues2:10
41Johnny B. Goode2:40
42Memphis, Tennessee
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (on 1958-09-26) and Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-09-26)
live recording of:
Memphis, Tennessee (on 1958-09-26)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp., Isalee Music and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
2:14
43Back in the USA
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1959-02-17)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (on 1959-02-17)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1959-02-17)
background vocals:
Etta James (on 1959-02-17) and The Marquees (on 1959-02-17)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1959-02-17)
recording of:
Back in the U.S.A. (on 1959-02-17)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:28
44Let It Rock
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1959-07)
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess
bass:
Willie Dixon (in 1959-07)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (in 1959-07, from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (in 1959-07, from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (in 1959-07, from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (in 1959-07)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recording of:
Let It Rock (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corporation and Isalee Music Publishing Company
recording of:
Let It Rock (in 1959-07)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corporation and Isalee Music Publishing Company
1:44
45Down the Road a Piece2:12
46Confessin’ the Blues2:09
47Bye Bye Johnny
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess and Willie Dixon
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1960-03-29)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (on 1960-03-29)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-03-29) and Matt Murphy (on 1960-03-29)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1960-03-29)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-03-29)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-03-29)
recording of:
Bye Bye Johnny (on 1960-03-29)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp. and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
2:04
48Little Star
recording of:
Little Star
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music
2:46
49Come On
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Ebby Hardy (on 1961-08-03) and Phil Thomas (on 1961-08-03)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (on 1961-08-03)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1961-08-03)
instruments:
Matt Murphy (on 1961-08-03)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1961-08-03)
tenor saxophone:
John Jackson (on 1961-08-03) and Abb Locke (on 1961-08-03)
background vocals and other vocals:
Martha Berry (on 1961-08-03)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-08-03)
recording of:
Come On (on 1961-08-03)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp. and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
1:49
50Too Pooped to Pop
recording of:
Too Pooped to Pop
lyricist and composer:
Billy Davis
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
2:33
51Mad Lad
recording of:
Mad Lad
composer:
Billy Davis
publisher:
Ro-Gor Publishing
2:12
52I’m Talking About You
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Phil Thomas (on 1961-01-19)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (on 1961-01-19)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1961-01-19)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1961-01-19)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (in 1960)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-01-19)
recording of:
I’m Talking About You (on 1961-01-19)
lyricist, writer and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music, Arc Music Corp. and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
1:48
53I Got to Find My Baby2:16
54Don’t You Lie to Me
recording of:
Don’t You Lie to Me (Chuck Berry’s version)
additional lyricist and additional composer:
Chuck Berry
lyricist and composer:
Hudson Whittaker (in 1940)
publisher:
Arc Music and Arc Music Corp.
version of:
Don’t You Lie to Me
2:08
55Go Go Go
recording of:
Go Go Go
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp.
2:32
56Route 662:53
57Sweet Sixteen
recording of:
Sweet Sixteen
lyricist and composer:
A. Nugetre
publisher:
Progressive Music
2:46
58Run Around
recording of:
Run Around
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music
2:32
59Rip It Up2:11
60Merry Christmas Baby3:13

Credits

Release group

part of:The Absolute Essential 3 CD Collection (order: 23)