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From the Vault...
07/22/2007
#1056 |
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Bo Diddley
"The Chess Box"
© Chess/MCA Records
Rating:
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track listing
Disc One:
Bo Diddley
I'm A Man
You Don't Love Me
Diddley Daddy
Pretty Thing
Bring It To Jerome
(alt. take)
Bring It To Jerome
Diddy Wah Diddy
I'm Looking For A Woman
Who Do You Love
Down Home Special
Hey Bo Diddley
Mona (I Need You Baby)
Say Boss Man
Before You Accuse Me
Say Man
Hush Your Mouth
(alt. take)
The Clock Strikes Twelve
Dearest Darling
(alt. take)
Crackin' Up
Don't Let It Go
(Hold On
To What You Got)
I'm Sorry
Mumblin' Guitar
The Story Of Bo Diddley
Disc Two:
She's Alright
Say Man Back Again
(alt. take)
Road Runner
Spend My Life With You
Cadillac
Signifying Blues
(extended version)
Deed And Deed I Do
You Know I Love You
Look At My Baby
Ride On Josephine
Aztec
Back Home
Pills
Untitled Instrumental
I Can Tell
You Can't Judge A Book
By It's Cover
Who May Your Lover Be
The Greatest Lover
In The World
500% More Man
Ooh Baby
Bo Diddley 1969
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Bo Diddley
"The Chess Box"
Bo Diddley's self-titled song is his most popular song, yet what most
people don't know, is that he has a great assortment of music in his long
career. His recordings for Chess Records was arranged in a 2-disc compilation
set, The Chess Box. Capturing his early recordings up until the late
1960s,[starting with 1955's "Bo Diddley" to a 1969 version of the same
name]. 45 songs, 2 discs -- it's a treat to discover his other popular songs,
and interestingly enough, other tracks to enjoy. There are songs that you'll
recognize, maybe his own versions, if not, other artists covering them.
"I'm A Man" maybe one of those songs recognized by other artists;
in this case, The Yardbirds for me. Bo's version is much slower than the
familar Yardbirds version. "You Don't Love Me" has the down home ol'
Chicago Blues style, where "Diddley Daddy" has a 1950s do-wop style.
"Pretty Thing" features the similar guitar rhythms as his self-titled
hit, with different vocals. The Animals' with Eric Burdon comes to mind on many
songs in this box set, most from The Animals' live recording,
In The Beginning.
"Bring It To Jerome" (alt. take) and it's naster recording has the early
blues sound, likewise "I'M Looking For A Woman." Great Blues style for
the vocals and instrumentation best describes "Diddy Wah Diddy"
"Who Do You Love" is another one of those songs where other artists'
version maybe best remembered (George Thorogood / Doors). The jivin' jazz black
blues has "Down Home Special," with a "Mystery Train" (Elvis)
feel, yet faster paced. "Hey Bo Diddley" -- The Animals did this one
on their live recording, but a bit slower.
Most of the early artists of rock music have a well-known popular hit, and
they record new songs with a similar rhythm. Mona has the similar style
as the self-titled "Bo Diddley." If Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley got
together, songs such as "Say Boss Man" would probably sound like this,
in the more traditional blues style. Fans of the song "Before You Accuse
Me" may remember Creedence Clearwater Revival and Eric Clapton's versions.
Jivin' black blues returns on "Say Man," The Animals used "Hush
Your Mouth" (alternate take) on their early live album. The instrumental
"The Clock Strikes Twelve" has a John Lee Hooker feel.
Diddley distinguishes his own style on "Dearest Darlin'" (alternate
take), having a very good blues style, in his own right. "Crackin' Up"
has the rhythms of Mickey & Sylvia's "Love Is Strange." The style of
his song "Hey Bo Diddley" relates to "Don't Let It Go (Hold On To
What You Got)", and the lyrics could relate to a song titled "Don't Let
Go" recorded by Isaac Hayes. "I'm Sorry" has the 1950s do-wop style.
"Mumblin' Guitar" is not as good as many other songs here, as the guitar
sounds sloppy or "muffled" and "mumblin'" with the drummer. The Bo Diddley
style puts the signature on another Bo Diddley-titled song -- "The Story Of
Bo Diddley."
Disc 2 starts out with "She's Alright," an early Animals sounding
song, and it has a James Brown feel, most notably from the Blues Brothers' movie.
"Say Man" (alternate take) continues the jivin' black blues. Fans of
Jr. Walker & The All-Stars will remember "Road Runner." "Spend My
Life With You" has a Muddy Waters style. "Cadillac" has the 1950s
style, with the song "Bo Diddley" rhythms. "Signifying Blues" is
more of a "talking song," where a jivin' conversation takes place between Bo and
another band member. "Deed And Deed I Do" has the 1950s style of doo-wop
and the blues, where "You Know I Love You" has the 1950s style rather
than the blues. Typical good, blues sound is heard on "Look At My Baby."
The Chuck Berry style is heard on "Ride On Josephine," where
"Aztec" has a very different sound for Bo Diddley - an instrumental in the
sense of another classic instrumental, "Pipeline," yet Diddley's version
is slower. The 1950s style returns with "Back Home" and 1950s rock on
"Pills." More on the 1950s, with a very nice sound is the "Untitled
Instrumental."
One of the songs overlooked is the great drivin' blues tune, "I Can Tell."
"You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover" is another good blues number.
"Who May Your Lover Be" has the Chuck Berry rhythms, with more of a rough
blues vocal. The good rockin' 1950s style has "The Greatest Lover In The
World," and "500% More Man" continues Diddley's early hit, "I'm
A Man." "Ooh Baby" has the late 1950s/early 1960s soulful blues,
and lastly, "Bo Diddley 1969" is totaly different in sound, as it was
recorded with an up-to-date sound at the time, yet the original is much better.
Bo Diddley's career is chronicled nicely in this 2-disc set, and of course,
it has unreleased tracks. A good introduction to Bo Diddley's music and more,
and for blues and rock fans alike.
© WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Chess/MCA Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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