yeah that's what i said dude
― Mr. Que, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 15:59 (fifteen years ago) link
why don't you tell us some of your favorite moments instead of being a dick
already did, bro, and i'm not the one who's being a dick, dick
― gabbneb, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:04 (fifteen years ago) link
hey man, i was just asking for a list of your favorite chuck berry moments. all i see on this thread is you talking about phish (lol) and the difficulties of picking brown eyed handsome man v. roll over beethoven. but to each his own
― Mr. Que, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:07 (fifteen years ago) link
boys take it outside
thanks to this thread I have been compulsively singing "Havana Moon" for 24 hours. This is a great song.
― Euler, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:07 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah i didn't understand Havana Moon hate above thread
― Mr. Que, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:08 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah I was hating on "Havana Moon" upthread because when I put on this record like during a workout (TMI I know) this song is a serious energy level dropper. But otherwise it's just good goofy fun.
― Euler, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:10 (fifteen years ago) link
hey man, why don't you cut out your tiresome and disingenuous irl/personal shit on like half the threads i post substantively on and go get me some legislative history because that's what you're "for," lol (see what being a dick looks like?)
havana moon is a good song but not much of a 'chuck berry song'
― gabbneb, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:13 (fifteen years ago) link
go get me some legislative history
need a client matter # as well as a public law number first, thx.
― Mr. Que, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:20 (fifteen years ago) link
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/20070819/voyagerrecord540_270x270.jpg
"Send more Chuck Berry"
― Brad C., Tuesday, 5 August 2008 16:32 (fifteen years ago) link
Hahaha, thought that was a gold record at first! Had to right-click to properly identify it.
Another good thing about "Havana Moon": it inspired Richard Berry to write "Louie Louie".
― Myonga Vön Bontee, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 17:32 (fifteen years ago) link
aliens otm
― gabbneb, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 18:31 (fifteen years ago) link
unless you are the most obtuse dude on the planet
QED
― J0hn D., Tuesday, 5 August 2008 19:52 (fifteen years ago) link
no offense gabs I just couldn't resist
― J0hn D., Tuesday, 5 August 2008 19:53 (fifteen years ago) link
It also brings up the important and perhaps hithertoo never asked question:
Is Chuck Berry twee?
Memphis, possibly?
That is the one I voted for btw.
― Abbott, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 22:04 (fifteen years ago) link
my density has brought me to you, j0hn
― gabbneb, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 22:16 (fifteen years ago) link
I always thought he said "Marlowe's Venus," as in Philip or Christopher.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 01:58 (fifteen years ago) link
Of which song there's a great version of on the Million Dollar Quartet record, where they sing a verse, stop for a second, remember another one and start right back up again.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 02:01 (fifteen years ago) link
"She fought and won herself"
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 02:02 (fifteen years ago) link
Que OTM on "Beautiful Delilah." One of my fave intros in the history of music.
And even more xpost, "I Wanna Be Your Driver" was cut in 1965 Liverpool.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 07:18 (fifteen years ago) link
Or London, right?
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 07:19 (fifteen years ago) link
I voted for Sweet Little Sixteen, sums up that whole rock-and-roll-it's-the-brand-new-craze thing. And that piano trill on "oh mommy mommmy, I beg of you" slays me.
― The Wayward Johnny B, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 10:30 (fifteen years ago) link
It occurred to me listening to it last night that the thing that makes "Memphis" so great is that he doesn't try to make the twist really play like a twist. Compare to the similar ending of "Save All Your Kisses For Me" by Brotherhood of Man, where it's all winking and grinning... Chuck understands that the story is more sad, not less for the fact that Marie is only six years old - she probably really misses this guy and doesn't understand why he can't come home. Actually, we can be pretty sure that's the case - we know she's trying to get in touch with Chuck, 'cause his uncle (what a great detail) took her message.
Also love how he begins as professionally as he can on the phone with the operator ("Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me") but gradually reveals the still-raw emotions of the situation ("We were pulled apart because her mom did not agree / tore apart our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee.").
― Doctor Casino, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:16 (fifteen years ago) link
finally bought The Definitive Collection yesterday (these + a few more) and listened to it twice - much as I love all the rest, it's still CAMPAIGN SHOUTIN' LIKE A SOUTHERN DIPLOMAT
Are there any good covers of "Nadine"?
― milo z, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 20:30 (fifteen years ago) link
I always assumed the line about the 'Southern Diplomat' was a way of avoiding saying 'Southern Democrat' = just like 'country boy' as opposed to 'colored boy'- amirite? or is there a better explanation? because why would the south need diplomats? and why would diplomats shout?
― sonofstan, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 21:13 (fifteen years ago) link
I always loved the Southern Diplomat, but in the last couple years I've totally come around to the same reading as you, sonofstan - it's VERY easy to make it be Southern Demmycrat, and it works a lot better. Not sure why he would have bothered with the substitution - even in the 50s, surely it would have been pretty innocuous to associate southern politicians with "campaign shoutin'"?
― Doctor Casino, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 21:24 (fifteen years ago) link
it just reads like a more evocative version of politician to me (that fits in with the meter/rhyme/whatever it's called, I don't know poetry or lyrics from my ass)
― milo z, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 22:00 (fifteen years ago) link
Or he deliberately messes up the expression to sound more like the usual CB protagonist - regular, hard working, put upon guy - would sound in the heat of the chase? stumbling over big words, mangling cliches?
― sonofstan, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 22:19 (fifteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― ILX System, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 23:01 (fifteen years ago) link
"Memphis" is a fantastic song, even though his recording of it isn't terribly spectacular. So, not that one...
-- Myonga Vön Bontee, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 14:37 (2 days ago) Link
Explain, please. I love the recording -- slow, soft, steady blues, no Johnny B. guitar solos necessary. Also, Doctor Casino OTM.
― Jake Brown, Thursday, 7 August 2008 00:17 (fifteen years ago) link
"Memphis" inspired a lot of really great covers, and a lot of them are completely different, but they're all inspired by that odd feeling that only THAT SONG gives you. It's the mode of the tune, I think, what is it? Chuck's version has an odd sort of rhythm, and a straighter beat fits best, I think.
Buck Owens' version is the classic pop version, IMO. Like Chuck's, but more rhythmic drive, and the harmonies really make it. The Faces' sloppy, fun rock'n'roll version is nice. Hasil Adkins wtf, can't beat that for what it is. Sandy Bull's version, though, is a really grand achievement. Turns it into something new, otherworldly, amazing. Uses the strange mode as a platform for junked out, droning guitar hero bliss, both rock+roll and fringe experi-mentalism. But there's like 1000000000 versions, and I've never heard a bad one.
― people explosion, Thursday, 7 August 2008 03:40 (fifteen years ago) link
sandy bull's "memphis" really is great. a little commentary (from here):
"Memphis was influenced by Lonnie Mack's version of the song, and the jazz records I was listening to, particularly Bag's Groove," Bull explains. "I'd been messing around with a little tape recorder in the summer of '64, playing electric bass. I was listening to a lot of Chuck Berry and the Supremes, and I couldn't find any rhythm guitars players who were steady enough for my liking. So I put my own rhythm guitar on tape and played to that. Memphis was one of the tunes I liked for that; it was really meditative, and had interesting changes, almost blues but not quite. I was already into the oud by then, and Indian-style music on the guitar, along with standard guitar licks. It just all fell together."
― tipsy mothra, Thursday, 7 August 2008 04:28 (fifteen years ago) link
But there's like 1000000000 versions, and I've never heard a bad one.
Um - if you ask me, Johnny Rivers's #2 hit version is absolutely atrocious - totally stripped of any pathos, mood, or personality save jovial honky exclamation.
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 7 August 2008 12:53 (fifteen years ago) link
Like, the guy sings it like he's warming up for "Secret Agent Man."
Doubling back to "Almost Grown" - Chuck's best solo maybe? It just shimmers.
The great thing about this poll/album/career is that any time I try to do a more thorough rundown of songs I'm not that crazy about, I remember some part of them that's just unstoppably good. Like, "Sweet Little Sixteen" I could take or leave...but then I remember the way the drums come thundering back into the chorus after the "...and back in class again" bit.
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 7 August 2008 12:59 (fifteen years ago) link
Wait, now I think the shimmering solo might be on "Sweet Little Rock n Roller" - gotta check when I get home.
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 7 August 2008 13:12 (fifteen years ago) link
I forgot about the Lonnie Mack version! Sandy Bull's comment "almost blues but not quite" is almost too vague to say anything but it's actually perfectly descriptive.
I have not heard Johnny Rivers sing it and hope I won't.
― people explosion, Thursday, 7 August 2008 14:19 (fifteen years ago) link
It was inescapable in my youth listening to "Fox 97," at the time a 60s pop-rock oldies station - consider yourself lucky.
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 7 August 2008 14:21 (fifteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― ILX System, Thursday, 7 August 2008 23:01 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't like Chuck Berry because he bastardized the blues.
Just kidding. I would've gone for the disquieting "Let It Rock" if the metaphor didn't overwhelm the narrative, e.g. why on earth did they build a teepee right on the tracks? So I chose "Roll Over Beethoven" because you can really hear rock & roll animate the world. Or rather, one very vocal portion thereof.
'cause his uncle (what a great detail) took her message
Gawd yes! How redolent. With just one word, he gives the song a vivid socioeconomic setting.
― Kevin John Bozelka, Thursday, 7 August 2008 23:13 (fifteen years ago) link
I saw Chuck Berry play last month. He did a short version of Memphis, lasting only a minute or so.
― Alba, Thursday, 7 August 2008 23:48 (fifteen years ago) link
Blonde hair, good lookin'tryin' to get me hookedwant me to marry get a home settle down- write a BOOK!
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 1 July 2010 21:47 (thirteen years ago) link
Beautiful Delilahbathin' in the suuunAudience of seventeenand noticed not a oneLo!cal Casanovawho wouldn't be outdonneLet her steal his heart awayand break it just for fun!
― Doctor Casino, Friday, 23 July 2010 15:59 (thirteen years ago) link
Seriously, like 3/4 of these songs, after you get done listening to them, you go "Shit, I should've voted for THAT!"
none for Around and Around.... shame
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Sunday, 25 July 2010 17:04 (thirteen years ago) link
I love the way he spits out "Twelve o CLOCK!" in the verse about the police busting in. Great drumming on that one, too.
― Doctor Casino, Sunday, 25 July 2010 17:15 (thirteen years ago) link
yep and!
15. Carol 019. Little Queenie 022. Let It Rock 0
:(
― TN's only candidate for Governor with a handgun carry permit, so... → (will), Sunday, 25 July 2010 17:41 (thirteen years ago) link
"Memphis" is a fantastic song, even though his recording of it isn't terribly spectacular. So, not that one...-- Myonga Vön Bontee, Tuesday, 5 August 2008 14:37 (2 days ago) LinkExplain, please. I love the recording -- slow, soft, steady blues, no Johnny B. guitar solos necessary. Also, Doctor Casino OTM.― Jake Brown, Wednesday, August 6, 2008 8:17 PM
― Jake Brown, Wednesday, August 6, 2008 8:17 PM
I've reevaluated, and you're right, I take it back! It was the cardboard-box drums that made the thing sound like a demo (plus a lingering fondness for Jan & Dean's cover, first version of the song I'd known). I've since come to love those drums for their own ramshackle sake.
(Is there a statute of limitations wrt replying to years-old direct questions that you completely missed first time around?)
― honorary mayor of Malibu, California (Myonga Vön Bontee), Thursday, 3 March 2011 07:31 (thirteen years ago) link
No! This is the great thing about ILX.
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 3 March 2011 15:12 (thirteen years ago) link
Her home is on the south side,High up on a ridgeJust a half a mile from the Mississippi Bridge....
― Doctor Casino, Friday, 5 October 2012 18:27 (eleven years ago) link