After School Session
by Chuck Berry

Although it doesn’t sound that extraordinary now, and in places I find it quite weak, how must this have sounded in 1957. Quite amazing I would think. Albums need to be put in context. For that alone this should probably be considered a classic.

Chuck Berry's first album from 1957 is mostly a collection of single and EP tracks. Only three songs had not been released previously. Highlights are the songs written in the classic Berry rock'n roll style; "School Days", "Too Much Monkey Business" and "Brown Eyed Handsome Man". The first two were solid single hits in 1956/57; while the latter also has achieved classical status; not least because of Buddy Holly's excellent cover version. The humorous and charming "No Money Down" also performed well as a single; it is moreover a fine example of Berry's ability to write interesting lyrics with a humorous edge.
The album contains three solid instrumentals which in various degrees are based in the blues. Other songs are written in contemporary country / pop style. All in all a fine and trendsetting album; but also a slightly uneven one.

On the bonus-tracks version; all 3 bonus tracks are classics too.

https://www.angelfire.com/nv/Badfinger/BANDchuckberry.html

A pretty good, but not necessarily great album.

From 2nd-Impressions 09/23/2020 20:56 | #258604

A pretty good album by one of Rock n' Roll's greatest artists! 'School Days', 'Brown Eyed Handsome Man', and 'Havana Moon' are some favourites here!

Chuck Berry's debut LP on Chess records released in May, 1957.
I'm reviewing the 2004 reissue that also contains three bonus tracks of "You Can't Catch Me", "Thirty Days (To Come Back Home)", and "Maybellene".

Best tracks: Maybellene, Too Much Monkey Business, School Day (Ring, Ring Goes the Bell), Thirty Days (To Come Back Home), Brown Eyed Handsome Man, No Money Down.

A good album with some classic hits that unfortunately is weighted down with some average songs.

This album defined how rock N' roll riffs and solos would look like from ten years and so on, It is a remarkable stand point on 50s guitar music, and Chuck is the first guitar god from Rock History.

From junodog4 01/29/2015 03:11 | #132878

Too Much Monkey Business is a great track as well...

From ticharu 11/16/2014 11:59 | #127147 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This record has Downbound Train on it, one of Chuck's coolest pieces of work. Roly Poly and Deep Feeling are two more favourites. The hits you can get anywhere but it's good to hear them more or less in context.