ROCKIN' RARITIES

1. Roll Over Beethoven , 2. Sweet Little Sixteen, 3. Memphis, 4. Nadine, 5. Intro-Roll Over Beethoven, 6. School Days, 7. Sweet Little Sixteen, 8. Nadine, 9. Let It Rock, 10. Promised Land, 11. Memphis, 12. Johnny B.Goode, 13. Brown Eyed Handsome Man, 14. Medley: Too Much Monkey Business-Carol-Little Queenie, 15. Rock’n Roll Music, 16. Segue (R&R Jam), 17. Reelin’ & Rockin’, 18. Oh Well, Feelin’ Good Today (R&R Jam), 19. Mean Old World, 20. Eric & Steve’s Conversation Understand Each Other, 21. Hoochie Coochie Man, 22. Boogie Medley, 23. Johnny B. Goode, 24. Medley: I Dig Rock’n Roll Music. (23 and 24 are reverted both on cover and on screen display).

This Chuck Berry compilation presents concert footage from various sources, shot mostly in front of TV cameras like the Montreux '72 songs or the Roxy show with Tina Turner as guest, and his own daughter on vocals for the second part of this show. But there are also outtakes from the film “Hail Hail rock’n Roll” with tracks that feature free jamming between Keith Richards, Robert Cray, Eric Clapton and the Man himself that are revealing of this icon’s personality. While Berry tries to steer songs towards familiar grounds, sometimes colliding with Richards, it is sufficient to get a look at the late great Johnny Johnson, his original piano player recruited by Richards for these sessions, and to see his expression. Rumours had Chuck Berry being against including Etta James too (not remembering her as backing vocalist on some of his hits), soon to change his mind after hearing her rendition of "Hoochie Koochie Man". Great footage in perfect quality here, though the Montreux songs come from a worn out analog tape recording and as precious as they are, they don't match up to the other footage. At the end of the DVD there is a guest appearance in Cleveland with Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band, and an early 70s show that has Sonny & Cher and Frankie Valli playing a medley of songs, and  Chuck playing his tunes with Jerry Lee Lewis. A fine number of performances that can help define one of the most enduring legends of our time, sometimes over the edge, at times hiding beneath his huge ego.