It’s an almost historic event, definitely historic in the history of the genre, to have these three men sitting about talking about the start of an era in so many aspects - the racial issues, the music, the rifts, the reasons.
Also in the 4-Disc set are extended interviews with Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Willie Dixon, and more. Each interview brings an insight into the industry and the times from a perspective the music audience doesn’t always hear.
Overall, I recommend the Two-Disc Special Edition (an Image Entertainment, Inc. release) to anyone with a love of early rock ‘n’ roll. You’ll crank the volume, for sure! I recommend the Four-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition (on sale June 27) to anyone who’s interested in the history behind the music, as well as the music itself. At times I found the Hackford narrative sections a bit too lengthy, but in the end I realized his involvement in this project was a bit of his own soul, and a story he wanted to share with the world. I’m glad he did.
Happy 80th birthday to Mr. Chuck Berry, indeed the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Hail! Hail!
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
Excellent review. I also experienced Chuck Berry's music after the fact. Actually, I started listening to it only in the past couple of years and am just amazed by how much great material there is and what an influence he has been.
I've been debating which version of this I am going to get. I think the completist and student in me is going to require the 4-Disc set. Either way, it's not a matter of "Will I own it?" It's a matter of "Which one will I get?"
2 - Jackie
Thanks! One thing I forgot to mention in the review, one person really, is Johnnie Johnson - Chuck Berry's original pianist. He actually seems to have created Berry's guitar riffs on the piano. If you want a lot of the history and interviews, I'd go for the 4-DVD. The 2-DVD is most of the music. Your choice! ;-)
3 - -E
Congrats, this article was picked for one of this week's Ed Picks. Keep up the good work.