Chuck Berry
Blues (Original Recording Remastered)

THE REVIEW

The musical renewal of the 50s was initially perceived by the public as a novelty of some reckless, somewhat crazy young people. But, thanks to some brilliant musicians, what seemed to be a musical expression with an expiration date, like the hulahoop that was all the rage at the time, became a cultural phenomenon on a global level. Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, and Chuck Berry not only transformed the way of interpreting music but were among the architects of the first post-war social revolution (even in '77, Punk was met with skepticism and labeled as a "wall of sound" executed by crude and uncivilized hooligans).

Chuck Berry was an artist of extraordinary vigor, inventiveness, and exquisite stage presence, famous for his "duck walk," which he performed during concerts with a guitar in hand. On the advice of Leonard Chess (owner of the namesake label), "Ida Red," a country & western piece by Bob Wills, became "Maybellene," his first hit, an explosive synthesis of blues, country, and rockabilly. The track established the sound coordinates that marked the guitarist's music from then on, a sound with a captivating rhythm that often began with a particular guitar riff, a sound that became a model for many musicians of the sixties. From the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, who, in their early records, covered several of his compositions. Keith Richards declared: "There was a period in my life when I had only one ambition; to play like Chuck Berry".

A composer with rare talent, Berry composed an impressive series of hits throughout his long career. Songs with lyrics that are far from trivial, some ironic, others telling finely witty stories of everyday life. The collection Blues (Original Recording Remastered) explores the artist's lesser-known dedication to blues, which he pursued with passion and excellent results. In this album, he revisits many standards of the genre, highlighting his crystal-clear and imaginative technique. "House of Blue Lights" " Wee Wee Hours" "Still Got The Blues" "Route 66" "St. Louis Blues " the instrumental "Deep Feeling" "The Things I Used To Do," all enjoyable, although he interprets the compositions without betraying his nature as a Rock 'n' Roller, deconstructing the rules of more classic blues. An unprecedented pairing that will not disappoint fans of this intense and passionate artist, whose name is indelibly etched in the history of music.