Chuck Berry - The Great Twenty-Eight

Sweet Berry Treats

What an incredible collection from a cornerstone of rock. Chuck Berry's catalog of songs, rhythms, and licks has to rate among the all time Top 10. Everyone knows all these truly great songs. All have quotable lyrics, and all have the beat, the lick. Keith Richards, himself, probably has this collection. Just excellent. January 6, 2009

Roll Over Beethoven!

I first heard Chuck Berry in 1955 when his record "Maybelline" came out. It was totally unlike any song I'd previously heard and I just had to have it. I've been a fan ever since. I once saw a documentary on Chuck Berry and his music. He explained that he was just trying to present his rock 'n' roll music, a term that had just barely been coined, to white audiences who seemed to like that kind of music. Of course, in the background was an entirely white audience sitting there stiffly, but obviously enjoying the music. Well, Mr. Berry, you certainly succeeded!

Here's a good recording to remember those times, "The Great Twenty-eight." This is a great record and it's a cherished part of my collection. You can get larger collections, but these 28 are exactly how I wish to remember Chuck Berry. Twenty-eight songs on one CD seems like a lot, but many of Berry's songs were barely two minutes long. And what a wonderful collection of little stories. The man was a master song writer! And the rhythm is so solid and so moving. How did those early audiences ever manage to sit still? I just love this stuff. Every song's a winner! Roll over Beethoven! Actually, I'll bet even he'd like it.

Gary Peterson December 18, 2008

Once Again, On Chuck

Long ago, in the mists of time, I was listening to my radio when Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode came thundering across the airways. I have been a fan ever since and never looked back. As portrayed in the DVD documentary and labor of love by The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards "Hail, Hail Rock and Roll" and this greatest hits CD compilation neither did Chuck Berry. There may be continuing controversy about the roots of rock and rock-whether it derived from rhythm and blues, rock-a-billy, jazzed up country or all of them- but as the tribute covers by later performers across the musician and racial spectrum that are dotted throughout later rock history verify- Chuck Berry was at the center of the storm.

That said, not all Chuck Berry CDs are created equal. Partially, as with his live performances, this reflected his constant need for money to pay debts, the government, etc. Many are done haphazardly or are based on less than stellar performances. This CD is among the best as it seems that the compilers have gone out of their way to get the best versions available, even of the lesser material that completes this one-disc greatest hits set. I would say this you need high quality performances on the following if you are to understand why Chuck Berry is a rock legend. "Maybelline", "Roll over Beethoven", "Back In The U.S.A.", "Rock And Roll Music", "Sweet Little Sixteen", :Johnny B. Goode", "Reelin' and Rockin", "Little Queenie" and "Memphis". That is the case here. Take the others as a bonus.
December 7, 2008

Loved it.

Had it on vinyl. Loved it (so I knew what I was getting) Still love it. Its not remastered but they are the original tracks.

August 18, 2008

The Great Twenty-Eight

Chuck Berry-The Great Twenty-Eight *****

Well it just doesn't get much better then this for Chuck Berry. The Great Twenty-Eight is really THE greatest hits. Spanning one decade from 1955 through 1965 chronicling Berry's greatest period in music, and arguably his most influential time, really it was the most important time in music all around.

Containing virtually everything the casual Berry fan would want to own, The Great Twenty-Eight is really as good as it gets. Whether it's the guitar classic 'Johnny B. Goode' or the fun 'Roll Over Beethoven' it doesn't matter because it is all here. This is the collection of songs that inspired a thousand guitar players from Joe Perry and Ted Nugent to Keith Richards and Eric Clapton.

The king of Boogie is represented perfectly here and no other collection comes close to this. Berry was the singles kind and this proves it. April 8, 2008

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