90 year old Chuck Berry managed to crack the Top 10 for the first time since 1977 with this record but sadly did not live to see it. Despite having managed to complete the album on schedule and on time, Chuck, Berry’s first new album of original material in almost 40 years ultimately became a posthumous release after the death of the Rock ‘n’ Roll deity in March of 2017. Supported by a rock solid steady rhythm section provided by Jimmy Marsala on bass and Keith Robinson on drums, Chuck is very much an intimate family portrait featuring no less than three generations of Berrys on guitar. Produced by Berry senior with all but two tracks original compositions Chuck is no mouldy oldie nostalgia trip down memory lane but rather a lean mean fighting machine, much like the man himself, pared down to the raw essentials. This is the record Lennon would have made had he made it to the ripe old age of 90, revelling in the stripped down production and guitars, guitars, guitars. Considering his age Berry’s vocal prowess is surprisingly strong and virile, exhibiting powers surpassing men 20 years his junior (are you reading this Keith?). Stand out tracks include Berry’s newly penned reggae classic “Jamaica Moon” and the spoken word “Dutchman”. A fitting final chapter in the life of a man who put the L in legend and both R’s in rock ‘n’ roll. Hail hail Chuck Berry!
Rating: 8/10
