The Chess Story

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered

Limited numbered edition of 10,000 copies.

The box set contains:
- separate 70-page booklet
- 13 CDs tracing the history of the Chess label from 1947 to 1975
- 1 CD intervies with Phil and Marshall Chess
- 1 CD ROM including visual clips of major Chess artists & previously unseen footage of Chicago and Chess Records.
Interactive catalogue & artist listing of all Chess recordings. Chart history of top singles.

Label Code: LC 01056
Price Code (F): UN 881
Rights Society (Boxed separately): BIEM MCPS
Other (Cat# CD 1): 380 597-2
Other (Cat# CD 2): 380 598-2
Other (Cat# CD 3): 380 599-2
Other (Cat# CD 4): 380 600-2
Other (Cat# CD 5): 380 601-2
Other (Cat# CD 6): 380 602-2
Other (Cat# CD 7): 380 603-2
Other (Cat# CD 8): 380 604-2
Other (Cat# CD 9): 380 605-2
Other (Cat# CD 10): 380 606-2
Other (Cat# CD 11): 380 607-2
Other (Cat# CD 12): 380 608-2
Other (Cat# CD 13): 380 609-2
Other (Cat# CD 14): 380 610-2
Other (Cat# CD 15): 380 611-2
Matrix / Runout (CD 1): 06024 380 597-2 01 +
Mastering SID Code (CD 1): IFPI L002
Mould SID Code (CD 1): none
Matrix / Runout (CD 2): 06024 380 598-2 01 /
Mastering SID Code (CD 2): IFPI L001
Mould SID Code (CD 2): IFPI 01T4
Matrix / Runout (CD 3): 06024 380 599-2 01 #
Mastering SID Code (CD 3): IFPI L008
Mould SID Code (CD 3): IFPI 01BJ
Matrix / Runout (CD 4): 06024 380 600-2 01 #
Barcode (CD 4, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L B
Mastering SID Code (CD 4): IFPI L008
Mould SID Code (CD 4): IFPI 01X5
Matrix / Runout (CD 5): 06024 380 601-2 01 +
Mastering SID Code (CD 5): IFPI L002
Mould SID Code (CD 5): IFPI 01X7
Matrix / Runout (CD 6): 06024 380 602-2 01 #
Matrix / Runout (CD 6, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L A
Mastering SID Code (CD 6): IFPI L008
Mould SID Code (CD 6): IFPI 0164
Matrix / Runout (CD 7): 06024 380 603-2 01 +
Matrix / Runout (CD 7, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L D
Mould SID Code (CD 7): IFPI L002
Mould SID Code (CD 7): none
Matrix / Runout (CD 8): 06024 380 604-2 01 +
Matrix / Runout (CD 8, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L A
Mastering SID Code (CD 8): IFPI L002
Mould SID Code (CD 8): none
Matrix / Runout (CD 9): 06024 380 605-2 01/
Matrix / Runout (CD 9, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L B
Mastering SID Code (CD 9): IFPI L001
Mould SID Code (CD 9): none
Matrix / Runout (CD 10): 06024 380 606-2 01 #
Matrix / Runout (CD 10, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L A
Mastering SID Code (CD 10): IFPI L008
Mould SID Code (CD 10): IFPI 01T9
Matrix / Runout (CD 11): 06024 380 607-2 02 /
Matrix / Runout (CD 11, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L D
Mastering SID Code (CD 11): IFPI L001
Mould SID Code (CD 11): IFPI 01U7
Matrix / Runout (CD 12): 06024 380 608-2 01 +
Matrix / Runout (CD 12, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L B
Mastering SID Code (CD 12): IFPI L002
Mould SID Code (CD 12): IFPI 01AC
Matrix / Runout (CD 13): 06024 380 609-2 01 +
Matrix / Runout (CD 13, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L A
Mastering SID Code (CD 13): IFPI L002
Mould SID Code (CD 13): IFPI 01AC
Matrix / Runout (CD 14): 06024 380 610-2 01 +
Matrix / Runout (CD 14, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L B
Mastering SID Code (CD 14): IFPI L002
Mould SID Code (CD 14): IFPI 01T9
Matrix / Runout (CD 15): 06024 380 611-2 01 #
Matrix / Runout (CD 15, mould, inner ring): MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L C
Mastering SID Code (CD 15): IFPI L008
Mould SID Code (CD 15): IFPI 01M5

Annotation last modified on 2021-02-07 16:26 UTC.

Tracklist

1CD: 1947–1950
2CD: 1950–1951
3CD: 1952–1954, Part One
4CD: 1952–1954, Part Two
5CD: 1955–1956, Part One
6CD: 1955–1956, Part Two
7CD: 1957–1959, Part One
8CD: 1957–1959, Part Two
9CD: 1960–1961
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1All I Could Do Was Cry
producer:
Leonard Chess and Phil Chess
lead vocals:
Etta James (in 1960-01)
orchestra:
Riley Hampton Orchestra (in 1960-01)
conductor:
Riley Hampton (in 1960-01)
arranger:
Riley Hampton
recording of:
All I Could Do Was Cry (in 1960-01)
writer:
Billy Davis (r&b producer/songwriter/performer Roquel Davis), Berry Gordy and Gwen Gordy (US songwriter/composer, née Gwendolyn Gordy)
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd
Etta James42:57
2All Your Love
recording of:
All Your Love (I Miss Loving)
lyricist and composer:
Otis Rush
publisher:
BMG Platinum Songs US and Conrad Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Otis Rush32:55
3I Can’t Hold Out (Talk to Me Baby)
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1960-04)
bass guitar:
Homesick James (in 1960-04)
guitar:
Homesick James (on 1960-04-14) and Elmore James (on 1960-04-14)
membranophone:
Henry "Sneaky Joe" Harris (in 1960-04, on 1960-04-14)
piano:
Little Johnny Jones (Chicago blues pianist) (in 1960-04) and Johnny Jones (Chicago blues pianist) (on 1960-04-14)
saxophone:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (on 1960-04-14) and J.T. Brown (saxophonist) (on 1960-04-14)
slide guitar and lead vocals:
Elmore James (in 1960-04)
tenor saxophone:
J.T. Brown (saxophonist) (in 1960-04)
vocals:
Elmore James (on 1960-04-14)
recording of:
I Can’t Hold Out (aka “Talk to Me Baby”) (in 1960-04)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
writer:
W. Jacobs
previously attributed to:
Elmore James
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corporation (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Tristan Music Ltd.
Elmore James2:17
4If I Can’t Have You
producer:
Leonard Chess and Phil Chess
lead vocals:
Harvey Fuqua and Etta James
orchestra:
Riley Hampton Orchestra
conductor:
Riley Hampton
arranger:
Riley Hampton
recording of:
If I Can’t Have You (in 1960-09)
writer:
Harvey Fuqua and Etta James
Etta & Harvey52:52
5Blue Shadows
Lowell Fulson2:28
6Spoonful
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1960-06)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (in 1960-06)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (in 1960-06)
guitar:
Hubert Sumlin (Chicago blues guitarist and singer) (in 1960-06)
piano:
Otis Spann (in 1960-06)
lead vocals:
Howlin’ Wolf (in 1960-06)
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time (2026-05-04) (number: 47), Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 2010), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 154) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 219)
recording of:
Spoonful (in 1960-06)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Bug Music Ltd., Hoochie Coochie Music, Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Mathews Music
Howlin’ Wolf52:45
7Tiger in Your Tank
recording of:
Tiger in Your Tank
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Hoochie Coochie Music
Muddy Waters2:17
8Gunslinger
guitar:
Bo Diddley (American singer, guitarist, songwriter and music producer)
maracas:
Jerome Green (in 1960-08)
membranophone:
Frank Kirkland (in 1960-08)
vocals:
Bo Diddley (American singer, guitarist, songwriter and music producer) (in 1960-08)
recording of:
Gunslinger
writer:
Bo Diddley (American singer, guitarist, songwriter and music producer)
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
Bo Diddley1:54
9(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do
Clarence “Frogman” Henry2:21
10At Last
producer:
Leonard Chess, Phil Chess and Leonard and Phil Chess (legendary US production duo)
lead vocals:
Etta James
orchestra:
Riley Hampton Orchestra
conductor:
Riley Hampton
arranger:
Riley Hampton
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Windswept Pacific Music Ltd.
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 115) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 356)
cover recording of:
At Last (in 1960-10)
writer:
Mack Gordon and Harry Warren (US composer and lyricist)
publisher:
Twentieth Century Fox Music Corp., WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
Etta James4.53:00
11Back Door Man
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1960-06)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (in 1960-06)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (in 1960-06)
guitar:
Hubert Sumlin (Chicago blues guitarist and singer) (in 1960-06)
harmonica and lead vocals:
Howlin’ Wolf (in 1960-06)
piano:
Otis Spann (in 1960-06)
recording of:
Back Door Man (in 1960-06)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
writer:
Chester Burnett
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Hoochie Coochie Music, Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Watertoons (BMI-affiliated - publisher associated with Muddy Waters)
sub-publisher:
BMG Rights Management (France) (not for release label use! file releases under its imprint BMG (2008–present)), Sony Music Publishing France and フジパシフィックミュージック BMG事業部 (Fujipacific Music Inc., BMG Division)
Howlin’ Wolf52:50
12The Watusi
recording of:
The Watusi (Vibrations songs)
writer:
Shirley Hall, James Johnson (The Jayhawks/Vibrations) and Leslie Temple
The Vibrations2:40
13Just Your Fool
cover recording of:
Just Your Fool
writer:
Walter Jacobs
Little Walter2:25
14Come 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 (US blues guitarist/bassist) (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 (1950s–1970s recording & mastering studio) 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)
Chuck Berry41:50
15I Won’t Be Hanging Around
Albert King2:56
16You Always Hurt the One You Love
recording of:
You Always Hurt the One You Love
lyricist:
Allan Roberts (songwriter)
composer:
Doris Fisher
publisher:
Doris Fisher Music Corp.
Clarence “Frogman” Henry2:30
17Peanut Butter
recording of:
Peanut Butter
lyricist:
H.B. Barnum and Martin J. Cooper (US producer & songwriter)
composer:
Cliff Goldsmith and Fred Smith (60s producer)
publisher:
Arvee Music (BMI affiliated)
is based on:
Hully Gully
The Marathons2:00
18Down in the Bottom (Unedited version)
recording of:
Down in the Bottom
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Bug Music Ltd.
adaptations:
Runnin’ Shoes
Howlin’ Wolf2:36
19Music Music Music
The Sensations3:18
20I’m a Little Mixed Up
recording of:
I’m a Little Mixed Up
writer:
Betty James and Edward Johnson (US songwriter)
publisher:
Garnet Publishing Co. and Sunflower Music, Inc. (publisher)
Betty James2:51
21Little Red Rooster
recording of:
The Red Rooster
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Hoochie Coochie Music and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Howlin’ Wolf42:28
22So Mean to Me
Little Milton2:35
23Proof of Your Love
Jackie Cannon2:02
24Let Me In
recording of:
Let Me In
lyricist and composer:
Yvonne Baker (after marriage)
The Sensations3:06
25Smokey Places
producer:
Abner Spector
arranger:
Sammy Lowe (trumpeter, arranger and conductor)
recording of:
Smoky Places
lyricist and composer:
Abner Spector
The Corsairs3:03
26Nine Below Zero (Unedited version)
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-09-08)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1961-09-08)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1961-09-08)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (on 1961-09-08) and Luther Tucker (on 1961-09-08)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1961-09-08)
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1961-09-08)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1961-09-08)
recording of:
Nine Below Zero (on 1961-09-08)
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
Sonny Boy Williamson3:44
27Something’s Got a Hold on Me
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1961-12)
bass guitar [bass]:
Reggie Boyd (US blues guitarist/bassist) (in 1961-12)
drums (drum set):
Al Duncan (in 1961-12)
guitar:
Matt Murphy (US blues guitarist) (in 1961-12)
piano:
John Young (jazz pianist) (in 1961-12)
background vocals [backing vocals]:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (in 1961-12)
vocals:
Etta James (in 1961-12)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1962 (number: 40)
recording of:
Something’s Gotta Hold on Me (in 1961-12)
writer:
Etta James, Leroy Kirkland and Pearl Woods (60s R&B)
Etta James42:50
28Stone Crazy
Buddy Guy2:57
10CD: 1962–1964
11CD: 1965–1966
12CD: 1967–1968
13CD: 1969–1975
14CD: The Chess Story