In memory of Chuck Berry

By now, you've most likely heard about Chuck Berry's passing yesterday at age 90.  In recognition of Chuck Berry's contributions over the decades to rock and blues, many articles are citing such hits of his as "Maybellene," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Johnny B. Goode," and "No Particular Place To Go."  However, four tracks of his that won't get that level of press but deserve their due, in my opinion, are:

• Blue Feeling (One of Berry's early cathartic instrumental compositions, played with heartfelt conviction on guitar and piano.)
• Deep Feeling (Another one of Berry's strong early instrumentals.  Berry makes the notes bend and cry on his guitar while conjuring up a floating sensation.)
• Driftin' Blues (Berry and his impressive backing vocalists cover this Charles Brown-penned number with captivating lyrics about feeling alone.)
• Liverpool Drive (An overlooked instrumental gem with fast, spirited guitar and thumping bass.)

Those are some of Berry's most appealing tracks, in my view, between 1957 and 1964.  May the next equivalent of Chuck Berry, if there is such a person, have at least as long of a life and as much positive influence on multiple musical genres as Berry did.