After School Session Explained

After School Session
Type:Studio
Artist:Chuck Berry
Cover:Chuck Berry - After School Session.jpg
Released:May 1957[1]
Recorded:May 21, 1955 – January 21, 1957, Chicago, Illinois[2]
Studio:Universal Recording Corp. (Chicago)[3]
Genre:Rock and roll
Label:Chess
Producer:Leonard Chess, Phil Chess
Next Title:One Dozen Berrys
Next Year:1958

After School Session is the debut studio album by rock and roll artist Chuck Berry, released in May 1957 by Chess Records. With the exception of two tracks, "Roly Poly" and "Berry Pickin'", all selections had been previously released on 45 rpm singles. It is the second long-playing album released by the Chess label.

Recording sessions

The songs on After School Session were taken from Berry's first five sessions for Leonard and Phil Chess, which took place at Universal Recording Corporation in Chicago.

"Wee Wee Hours" was the first to be recorded, on May 21, 1955. "Together (We'll Always Be)" was recorded in September 1955.

At the next session, on December 20, 1955, Berry recorded "Roly Poly" (also known as "Rolli Polli"), "No Money Down", "Berry Pickin'", and "Down Bound Train".

The third session was on April 16, 1956, when he recorded "Too Much Monkey Business", "Brown Eyed Handsome Man", and "Drifting Heart". "Havana Moon" was recorded on October 29, 1956.

The last session took place on January 21, 1957, when he recorded "School Days" and "Deep Feeling".

Release

The album was released in May 1957 on Chess Records, catalogue LP 1426. It is the second long-playing album released by the label.[4]

Singles

The first song on the original version of After School Session to be released was "Wee Wee Hours", the B-side of "Maybellene", issued in July 1955. It peaked at number 10 on Billboard magazine's R&B Singles chart.[5] The next song to be released was "Together We Will Always Be", the B-side of "Thirty Days", in September 1955. The next two songs released were "No Money Down" backed with "Down Bound Train", in December 1955, the former peaking at number 8 on the R&B Singles chart. In May 1956, "Drifting Heart" was released as the B-side of "Roll Over Beethoven". Berry's next single, "Too Much Monkey Business" backed with "Brown Eyed Handsome Man", was released in September 1956; these songs reached number 4 and number 5 on the R&B Singles chart, respectively. "Havana Moon", the B-side of "You Can't Catch Me", was released in November 1956. The last single from the album to be released was "School Day (Ring Ring Goes the Bell)" backed with "Deep Feeling", in March 1957, with the former reaching number 1 on the R&B Singles chart and number 3 on the Hot 100.

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
United StatesMay 1957Chess RecordsLPLP-1426
United StatesAugust 27, 1966Chess RecordsStereo-Pak21-383A
United States1990Chess RecordsCDCHD-9284
United StatesMay 9, 1995MCA Special ProductsCDMCAD-20873
United StatesMarch 23, 2004Geffen Records/Chess RecordsCassetteB0001685
CDB0001685-02

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Collector's Guide to the Music of Chuck Berry: The Chess Era (1955–1966) . Rudolph . Dietmar . 2009-09-03.
  2. After School Session . . 2004 . 10–15 . CD liner notes . . B0001685-02 . United States.
  3. Web site: The Chuck Berry Database Details For Recording Session: 19. 4. 1956. A Collector's Guide to the Music of Chuck Berry . Dietmar Rudolph . 28 September 2021.
  4. Web site: Chess Album Discography, Part 1. Bsnpubs.com .
  5. Web site: [{{AllMusic |id=p3664|tab=charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} Chuck Berry: Billboard Singles ]. AllMusic. January 8, 2011.