Review Classical music: Chuck Berry | Linda Lewis | Jazz Cafe

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The Review - MUSIC - Classical & Jazz with TONY KIELY
Published: 23 October 2008

Linda Lewis at Jazz Café

Deep down in Parkway, close to Arlington Road

PREVIEW - CHUCK BERRY AND LINDA LEWIS
Jazz Café

IT has been more than 50 years since Chuck Berry first hit the charts with Maybellene. Fast-forward from that ground-breaking blast of rhythm and blues in 1955 and this legendary guitarist is still a must-see.
On the oldies circuit, Berry, at 82, holds his own. He isn’t like some of the legends who patrol stages across the world, charging two score and ten for a ticket to see a backing band do all the work.
It’s true Chuck doesn’t do many encores and doesn’t go through every hit record – there are too many for that – but he still knows how to charm the crowd with his unforgettable riffs and songs from jukebox America.
This is the man behind the rattling rock’n’roll of Johnny B. Goode, No Particular Place To Go, You Never Can Tell, Sweet Little Sixteen – the list is endless. He has already done two nights at the Hackney Empire this year and played the Camp Bestival festival on the Isle of Wight over the summer.
But the crème de la crème of his British excursions this year will come next month when he plays the more intimate surroundings of the Jazz Café in Camden Town.
In a coup for organisers Mean Fiddler, fans rarely get this close to their hero. The man is a walking, talking, guitar-playing piece of musical history, perhaps the most important and influential pop musician of the past century.
If you are Beatles fan shouting back with that laboured chant: “What about John Lennon?”, remember it was John Lennon who said: “If you were to give rock’n’roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.” He had a fair enough point.
Richard Osley

• Chuck Berry plays the Jazz Café on Monday November 17 and Tuesday November 18.

PERFORMING at the Jazz Café this weekend (Friday and Saturday) is 1970s soul sensation Linda Lewis.
All-too-often overlooked, Lewis will be showcasing the unique fusion of folk, soul, pop, rock and reggae that she pioneered decades before the current popular trend towards blending genres. A timely opportunity to rediscover a vocal legend.

• Linda Lewis plays the Jazz Café on October 24 and 25. Tickets £23.50.

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