The Chess Box

~ Release by Chuck Berry (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

▶CD 1: 1955–1958
▼CD 2: 1958–1964
#TitleRatingLength
1Memphis
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (on 1958-09-26)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-09-26)
recording of:
Memphis, Tennessee (on 1958-09-26)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Isalee Music and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
32:13
2Anthony Boy
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26)
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26)
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1958-09-26)
background vocals:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26), Otis Spann (on 1958-09-26) and Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26), Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26), Otis Spann (on 1958-09-26) and Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-09-26)
recording of:
Anthony Boy (on 1958-09-26)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
2.51:54
3Jo Jo Gunne
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26)
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (on 1958-09-26)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-09-26)
recording of:
Joe Joe Gun (on 1958-09-26)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
32:46
4Sweet Little Rock ’n’ Roller
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-09-26)
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-09-26)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (on 1958-09-26)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-09-26)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1958-09-26)
recording of:
Sweet Little Rock and Roller (on 1958-09-26)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
42:22
5Merry Christmas Baby
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-11-19)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1958-11-19)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1958-11-19)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-11-19)
recording of:
Merry Christmas Baby (on 1958-11-19)
writer:
Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore (US blues guitarist, Three Blazers)
publisher:
Anne-Rachel Music Corp., St. Louis Music Corp., Unichappell Music, Inc. and Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
3:13
6Run Rudolph Run
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-11-19)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1958-11-19)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1958-11-19)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1958)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-11-19)
recording of:
Run Rudolph Run (on 1958-11-19)
writer:
Marvin Brodie (songwriter, known for "Run Rudolph Run") and Johnny Marks (American songwriter)
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Chappell Music Ltd. and St. Nicholas Music Inc. (in 1958)
42:44
7Little Queenie
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-11-19)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1958-11-19)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1958-11-19)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1958-11-19)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1958-11-19)
recording of:
Little Queenie (on 1958-11-19)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
42:42
8Almost Grown
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
bass and double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1959-02-17)
drums (drum set):
Jasper Thomas (on 1959-02-17)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17) and Bo Diddley (American singer, guitarist, songwriter and music producer) (on 1959-02-17)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1959-02-17)
background vocals:
Chuck Barksdale (on 1959-02-17), Harvey Fuqua (on 1959-02-17), Marvin Gaye (on 1959-02-17), Etta James (on 1959-02-17), The Marquees (on 1959-02-17), The Moonglows (1950s Cleveland R&B group) (on 1959-02-17), James Nolan (Second Tenor, Baritone singer) (on 1959-02-17), Reese Palmer (First Tenor singer) (on 1959-02-17) and Chester Simmons (on 1959-02-17)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1959-02-17)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1959 (number: 6)
recording of:
Almost Grown (on 1959-02-17)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
3.52:21
9Back in the U.S.A.
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1959-02-17)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (on 1959-02-17)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1959-02-17)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (on 1959-02-17)
background vocals:
Etta James (on 1959-02-17) and The Marquees (on 1959-02-17)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1959-02-17)
recording of:
Back in the U.S.A. (on 1959-02-17)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
42:29
10Betty Jean
bass:
Willie Dixon (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recording of:
Betty Jean (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
writer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
42:31
11Childhood Sweetheart
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (in 1959-07)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recording of:
Childhood Sweetheart (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
writer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Tristan Music Ltd.
42:45
12Let It Rock
producer:
Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recording of:
Let It Rock (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corporation (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Isalee Music Publishing Company
41:47
13Too Pooped to Pop
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
tenor saxophone:
Leroy C. Davis (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
recording of:
Too Pooped to Pop (from 1959-07-27 until 1959-07-29)
writer:
Billy Davis (r&b producer/songwriter/performer Roquel Davis)
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
42:35
14Bye Bye Johnny
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1960-03-29)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1960-03-29)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-03-29) and Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist) (on 1960-03-29)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1960-03-29)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-03-29)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-03-29)
recording of:
Bye Bye Johnny (on 1960-03-29)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
42:06
15Jaguar and Thunderbird
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-03-29)
recording of:
Jaguar and Thunderbird (on 1960-03-29)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Jewel Music Inc.
1:51
16Down the Road Apiece
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1960-04-12)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12) and Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist) (on 1960-04-12)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1960-04-12)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-04-12)
cover recording of:
Down the Road Apiece (on 1960-04-12)
lyricist and composer:
Don Raye
publisher:
Leeds Music Corp., MCA Music Publishing (renamed since c. 1996 as Universal Music Publishing Group) and Universal Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP)
2:16
17Confessin’ the Blues
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1960-04-12)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12) and Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist) (on 1960-04-12)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1960-04-12)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-04-12)
cover recording of:
Confessin’ the Blues (on 1960-04-12)
writer:
Walter Brown (US Jazz/Blues singer) and Jay McShann
publisher:
Leeds Music, MCA Music (not for release label use! this is a music publisher, ASCAP-affiliated) and MCA Music Publishing (renamed since c. 1996 as Universal Music Publishing Group)
2:09
18Thirteen Question Method
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1960-04-12)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1960-04-12)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12) and Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist) (on 1960-04-12)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1960-04-12)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1960)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-04-12)
recording of:
Thirteen Question Method (on 1960-04-12)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
42:14
19Crying Steel
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-04-12)
recording of:
Crying Steel (on 1960-04-12)
writer:
Chuck Berry
2:34
20I’m Just a Lucky So and So
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1960-04-12)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1960-04-12)
guitar:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12) and Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist) (on 1960-04-12)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1960-04-12)
lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1960-04-12)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-04-12)
cover recording of:
I’m Just a Lucky So and So (on 1960-04-12)
lyricist:
Mack David (American lyricist and songwriter) (in 1945)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1945)
2:51
21I’m Talking About You
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Phil Thomas (US blues drummer) (on 1961-01-19)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (on 1961-01-19)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1961-01-19)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1961-01-19)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1960)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-01-19)
recording of:
I’m Talking About You (on 1961-01-19)
lyricist, writer and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
1:50
22Come On
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Ebby Hardy (on 1961-08-03) and Phil Thomas (US blues drummer) (on 1961-08-03)
electric bass guitar:
Reggie Boyd (on 1961-08-03)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1961-08-03)
instruments:
Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist) (on 1961-08-03)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1961-08-03)
tenor saxophone:
John Jackson (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1961-08-03) and Abb Locke (on 1961-08-03)
background vocals and other vocals:
Martha Berry (on 1961-08-03)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-08-03)
recording of:
Come On (on 1961-08-03)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
41:50
23Nadine (Is It You?)
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
electric bass guitar:
Louis Satterfield (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
tenor saxophone:
Rubin Cooper (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09) and George Patterson (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
recording of:
Nadine (Is It You?) (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Tristan Music Limited
recording of:
Nadine
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Tristan Music Ltd.
2:36
24Crazy Arms
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1964-01)
recording of:
Crazy Arms (in 1964-01)
writer:
Ralph Mooney (in 1954) and Chuck Seals (in 1954)
publisher:
Champion Music Corp., Leeds Music, Songs of Universal, Inc., Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!) and Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (in 1956)
2:13
25You Never Can Tell
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard Chess, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo), Phil Chess and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
electric bass guitar:
Louis Satterfield (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
tenor saxophone:
Rubin Cooper (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09) and George Patterson (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
recording of:
You Never Can Tell (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
lyricist and composer:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Tristan Music Ltd. and Isalee Music (in 1994)
42:43
26The Things You Used to Do
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
electric bass guitar:
Louis Satterfield (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
piano:
Johnnie Johnson (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
cover recording of:
The Things That I Used to Do (from 1964-01-07 until 1964-01-09)
lyricist and composer:
Eddie Jones (US blues guitarist aka Guitar Slim)
publisher:
Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Venice Music
42:43
27Promised Land
producer:
Chuck Berry, Leonard & Phil Chess (Legendary US production duo) and Willie Dixon
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1964-02-20)
drums (drum set):
Odie Payne (Drummer, born in 1926) (on 1964-02-20)
guitar and lead vocals:
Chuck Berry (on 1964-02-20)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1964-02-20)
recorded at:
Ter-Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1964-02-20)
part of:
The Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 342)
recording of:
Promised Land (on 1964-02-20)
lyricist:
Chuck Berry
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Tristan Music Limited
is based on:
Wabash Cannonball
2:22
▶CD 3: 1964–1973

Credits

Release

manufactured in:United States
compiler:Andy McKaie
phonographic copyright (℗) by:MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1988)
manufactured for:MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.)
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/release/1516788 [info]
ASIN:US: B000002Q3Z [info]

Release Group

part of:The Chess Box (compilation box sets series published by Chess) (order: 1)
Wikipedia:en: The Chess Box [info]
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/master/403763 [info]
Wikidata:Q7722354 [info]