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8 Johnny B. Goode 4:060:00/4:06
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3 Bio 3:120:00/3:12
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9 Reelin' and Rockin' 10:280:00/10:28
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0:00/4:26
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0:00/3:05
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0:00/3:04
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0:00/2:48
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0:00/3:56
Honoring CHUCK BERRY'S 100th and Celebrating His Music
with this never heard before amazing, powerful and magical Full Live Rock performance from 1986
For Review: 4 Live Concert Tracks + 4 Bonus Tribute Tracks
Chuck Rocks Live!
Every performance by Chuck Berry was special to hear, and a unique experience, but rarely were they ever caught on tape...
This never heard before amazing, powerful and magical night is a Full Live Rock performance from 1986 of him at his best. As his long-time drummer, I've listened to it over and over and smiled in amazement of how he sang and jammed nonstop so connected with the audience and the band as one big perfect storm. Sean Magee said "This is Historic" as he was mastering the recording at Abbey Road Studios in London.
There were multiple historical Chuck Berry events in 1986, including:Chuck was the first artist to be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Keith Richards"Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll" the movie released for his 60th Birthday
The world needs to hear him at his best, full of passion and power ,as he sings to all of his rock children, "I LOVE YOU, SINGIN’ MY SONGS, ALL MY ROCK CHILDREN, ALL MY ROCK CHILDREN OUT THERE" during Johnny B. Goode - his heartfelt emotion during Bio - the 10-1/2 minute unbelievable jam to Reelin’ and Rockin’ - his deep and soulful rendition of Every Day I Have The Blues - along with many more special moments.
This live recording includes 9 songs from a show in 1986, recorded from the board, which have sat in a safe for 36 years. Then came Covid and I decided to start working on the recording to honor Chuck. So, I took the tape and had it transferred to a digital format and spent months with Sam Maul (Head engineer at Shock City Studios) making this as big and powerful as it was live. The next step was mastering with Sean Magee (2009 Beatles Remaster Grammy Award Winner, and has worked with the likes of Deep Purple, John Lennon, The Ramones, Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, etc.). Sitting with Sean at Abbey Road Studios in London he was astounded that we were able to get such a great mix from a 36 year old cassette. It was an experience of a lifetime - watching Sean in the studio - bringing out the power of Chuck’s guitar and the passion of his voice, and making sure there was the full sound of the drums, bass and piano. Sean was definitely the perfect person to put the final touches on this. You will feel like you were there listening to it live!
Completing this album to honor Chuck has been a labor of love. The 20 years I played drums for him brought pure pleasure and great memories to my life.
That honor extends to the over 40 years that I’ve known and performed with Ingrid Berry, who has always been like a sister to me – plus, the friendship of Charles Berry Jr. and Chuck’s family members that I’ve met.
It was such an honor for me, Now I honor him: Chuck Berry - “The Father of Rock n Roll”
Michael Mesey
On his 100th Birthday...
Long Live Rock N Roll
Chuck Rocks Live:
Chuck Berry: Guitar, Vocals
Michael Mesey: Drums
Old Rock N Roll Band: Bass Guitar, Piano, and Horns
Photos by: Mark Gilliland Photography
Album design: James Comparato
Chuck's Rock Children
Chuck’s Rock Children comes from his words as he sings to the audience while performing Johnny B. Goode:
"I Love You, Singin’ My Songs, All My Rock Children, All My Rock Children Out There"
I thought it would be exciting to record four new rock versions of Chuck’s songs with these artists as bonus tracks to honor him.
Along with "Let It Rock", "Back In The USA" and "School Days” we present a version of
“Johnny B. Goode” that has been a long time in the making. This is a version Johnnie Johnson recorded with me many years ago - and was contributed to by the amazing artists on this final mix.
I remember talking to Johnnie Johnson about playing on this slower rock boogie version of Johnny B. Goode. When he came into the studio and heard it, he sat at the piano smiling – and started playing the way Johnnie plays – having so much fun with it. What makes this extra special is that it's the only version of Johnny B. Goode he's ever recorded. How cool is that!
Special thanks to Michael McDonald for his amazing vocal track on “Johnny B. Goode” to honor Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson - made possible by Steve Scorfina, Dan Duncan and Joel.
Thanks to all the artists for their great performances on these four tracks.
Thanks to Sam Maul for being an amazing engineer and technical adviser to everything – I could not have done this without him.
Finally, thanks to my family – and all those that helped, inspired and supported the making of this album.
Mariette, Kyle, Dane, James, Terry, David, Mark, Patty, Joe and many more...
Michael Mesey
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Bonus Tracks: Dana Patrick-Gilbert - Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals on Johnny B. Goode Special Guest Artists: Recorded and Mixed live at Shock City Studios, Saint Louis, MO |
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