ALTERNATIVELY CHESS PACK 6 x 7” VINYL EP

Country: Spain

Date: 2024 MAY 10th

Label: El Toro Records

Ref.: ET15.164/165/166/167/168/169

Format: Pack 6 Vinyl EPs

Artist: Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Dale Hawkins and Little Walter

Tittle:   Alternatively Chess

Style: Rockin' Blues, Boppers, Rock'n'Roll

BO DIDDLEY

Like his friend, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley has been signed to Chess since 1955, scoring a hit with his eponymous debut release and unleashing a raft of songs using his trademark beat. This extended player selects alternative versions of some of his earliest successes featuring the likes of Billy Boy Arnold, Willie Dixon and Otis Spann augmenting his regular band.

A1. Bo Diddley

A2. Bring it to Jerome

B1. Heart-O-Matic Love

B2. Little Girl

CHUCK BERRY

St Louis-born Chuck Berry began recording for the Chess people in 1955 and succeeded right off the bat with his debut smash, "Maybellene". Since then he has consistently hit the best-seller list with each subsequent release. Here we offer four different versions of some of the Merry Mr Berry's familiar big beat recordings.

A1. Beautiful Delilah

A2. Reelin' and Rockin'

B1. Rock 'n' Roll Music

B2. Sweet Little Sixteen

DALE HAWKINS

Louisianna-born Dale Hawkins has been recording for the Chess brothers on their Checker label since 1956 and scored big with his second release, "Susie-Q", boosted by the firecracker picking of his friend, James Burton. Here we offer four alternative takes of the best of his 1950s catalogue including a quick-beat version of his big hit and label-mate Little Walter's "My Babe"

A1. Susie-Q

A2. My Babe

B1. Take My Heart

B2. Wild Wild World

HOWLIN’ WOLF

When Mr and Mrs Burnett named their child after the 21st president of the United States, they did not consider a career in blues music for the boy. His large frame and ferocious growl earned him the nickname Howlin' Wolf which he has employed since making his debut on Chess Records in 1951. These four alternative takes show why perfectly...

MUDDY WATERS

Arguably the originator of the modern Chicago Blues style, mighty Mississippian McKinley Morganfield earned the nickname "Muddy Water" as a child for playing in Deer Creek. He was signed to the local Aristocrat label in 1947 and his popularity enabled the creation of Chess Records in 1950 whom he has consistently helped to place in the top echelon of indie labels. The four alternative takes here show off his artistry and originality.

LITTLE WALTER

Under the name "Little Walter", Marion Jacobs has been recording for the Chess people since 1950 as the French harp player with Muddy Waters' band. In 1952 he was given the opportunity to record under his own name and the result, "Juke" sent him to the very top of the Billboard chart. An alternative take of that powerful tune along with three other popular recordings are offered here for your enjoyment.