Yeah, I'm not sure why a compilation is his most popular release. It's not like he had sporadic releases or anything, and he definitely wasn't a 'singles' artist. He has some solid albums. Berry Is On Top is a phenomenal album. I'd take it over The Great Twenty-Eight any day. Same with After School Session.
Berry Is On Top is a compilation album in everything but name (there was one new track on it...and it was forgettable). Take a look at the tracks and when they were recorded.
Chuck Berry was pretty much the definition of a singles artist. And his output in the mid to late 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, and 10's was far less than sporadic.,..it was non existent. Why? Because his career was built on those 28 songs. And the two tracks you posted at the beginning of this thread are included on...The Great Twenty-Eight. His last 40 years of touring was playing almost nothing that isn't on that compilation.
You'd take Berry Is On Top over the 28? 8 of the 12 tracks on your preference are also on the 28...and the 28 album contains 20 more tracks that are far superior to the 4 others on Berry Is On Top. Sorry...I just don't get it. Is it because Berry Is On Top is not listed as a compilation (even though it actually is)? _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
Last edited by Romanelli on 03/19/2017 21:37; edited 2 times in total
Completely disagree. He wrote more than 28 songs worth hearing and has plenty of excellent longplays.
The Great Twenty-Eight is all you need to know about what made him great. Those 28 tracks are far superioir than the combined careers of most artists, and certainly greater than any of the studio albums he released in his lifetime.
And, hey...thanks for taking the time to respond like that. I'm sorry you disagree that anyone not familiar with his work would be best served to go to this album. Sorry it's a damn compilation. I know how y'all hate those around here. But some, this included, are essential and the best collection of an artist's work. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
RoundTheBendI miss the comfort in being sadProfile Ground Control
I think your word choice was poor is all. All you need to know implies there's really nothing else to listen to and I think even you don't agree with that. But it is a great compilation record for a man known for singles.
And, hey...thanks for taking the time to respond like that. I'm sorry you disagree that anyone not familiar with his work would be best served to go to this album. Sorry it's a damn compilation. I know how y'all hate those around here. But some, this included, are essential and the best collection of an artist's work.
Totally agree with this. Great 28 is the perfect place to start for new listeners of Chuck Berry. If intrigued, listeners can then pursue his other work. Nothing wrong with compilation albums, especially when it comes to older artists or artists with broad careers.
I think listening to compilations is better than not listening, but most of those songs come from only four albums, each about 12 songs long. 48 songs is not so daunting if you're going to listen to 28 already. Listened to them last night and this is the order in which I liked them.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Chuck Berry Is On Top by Chuck Berry
Might be a semi-compilation, but its the first instance of these songs showing up on an LP, so I treat it as an album.
Completely disagree. He wrote more than 28 songs worth hearing and has plenty of excellent longplays.
The Great Twenty-Eight is all you need to know about what made him great. Those 28 tracks are far superioir than the combined careers of most artists, and certainly greater than any of the studio albums he released in his lifetime.
And, hey...thanks for taking the time to respond like that. I'm sorry you disagree that anyone not familiar with his work would be best served to go to this album. Sorry it's a damn compilation. I know how y'all hate those around here. But some, this included, are essential and the best collection of an artist's work.
no idea why are you this defensive all the time. all i said is i disagree, for fucks sake this is why i don't engage you anymore
shit, this is why i dont know if i want to be on BEA at all anymore
RockyRaccoonIs it solipsistic in here or is it just me?ModeratorProfile Maryland
Berry Is On Top is a compilation album in everything but name. Take a look at the tracks and when they were recorded.
You'd take Berry Is On Top over the 28? 8 of the 12 tracks on your preference are also on the 28...and the 28 album contains 20 more tracks that are far superior to the 4 others on Berry Is On Top. Sorry...I just don't get it. Is it because Berry Is On Top is not listed as a compilation (even though it actually is)?
Meh, Berry Is On Top isn't really a compilation. None of those songs had been released on an album before, they were just singles (four years old at the most). Compilations are more-or-less compiled of songs off of other albums. I have a hard time calling it a compilation, but I see where you're coming from.
And I'd definitely take Berry Is On Top over The Great Twenty Eight. 60+ minute greatest hits albums aren't really my thing. It's overload. I'm not saying that the songs on it are bad or anything, I'm just saying I don't see the point in listening to it when his albums are just as enjoyable.
I dunno. Maybe it's just two different world. All good though. _________________ Doubles & Conch
mickilennialThe Most Trusted Name in NewsProfile Detroit
I think listening to compilations is better than not listening, but most of those songs come from only four albums, each about 12 songs long. 48 songs is not so daunting if you're going to listen to 28 already. Listened to them last night and this is the order in which I liked them.
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
Chuck Berry Is On Top by Chuck Berry
Might be a semi-compilation, but its the first instance of these songs showing up on an LP, so I treat it as an album.
I would say no songwriter influenced my generation to a greater degree than Chuck Berry.
"Deep down Louisiana close to New Orleans /
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens /
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood /
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode"
For me, it was like a magical place to hear about this description of rural America. It's like Zora Neale Hurston territory -- an amazing bit of writing for the '50s and something that left a powerful impression with me, who was just beginning to play guitar.
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