THE BEST OF CHESS RECORDS Features all of the Classic Hits by the Original Artists Recreated in the Film CADILLAC RECORDS

THE BEST OF CHESS RECORDS Features all of the Classic Hits by the Original Artists Recreated in the Film CADILLAC RECORDS

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In the film Cadillac Records, and on its soundtrack album, 15 classic Chess Recordings are recreated by the performers portraying the original recording stars. For those who want to hear the original hits, there is The Best Of Chess Records - The Original Versions Of Songs In The Film "Cadillac Records" (MCA/Chess/UMe), to be released December 2, 2008. The newly compiled album presents all 15 recordings plus "Last Night" by Little Walter, the only Chess original featured in the film.

For more than two decades, from 1947 to the early '70s, Chess Records was a dominant and influential force in blues, R&B, rock 'n' roll, and soul music. The fascinating story of the two young Polish immigrant Chess brothers who ran the Chicago label and showcased the talents of Muddy Waters, Etta James, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and others is the centerpiece of Cadillac Records, opening nationwide on December 5, starring Beyonce Knowles, Mos Def, and Adrien Brody, among others.

The Best Of Chess Records - The Original Versions Of Songs In The Film "Cadillac Records" includes some of the most important recordings of the '50s and '60s from some of modern music's most important artists -- every one of them a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Two artists, Chuck Berry and Etta James, are heard with four recordings apiece. Berry was casually referred to Leonard Chess in 1955 by Muddy Waters after the two briefly met at a Waters' show. Chess subsequently signed Berry and, feeling strongly about one initial recording, changed the name of the song to "Maybellene," sent it to legendary rock 'n' roll DJ Alan Freed and that hit launched his career. Along with that song, the album presents Berry's "No Particular Place To Go," "Nadine" and "Promised Land."

When Etta James came to the company in 1959, Leonard Chess matched her big voice with standards, love triangle songs and sweeping string arrangements, but never forgot her hard-charging blues. From James, there is her showstopping "At Last," "I'd Rather Go Blind," "All I Could Do Is Cry" and "Trust In Me."

Muddy Waters was the first star Leonard Chess signed to the label and remained with the company even after the older Chess brother passed away. He contributes three tracks: "(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man," one of rock's seminal recordings, plus "40 Days And 40 Nights" and "I Can't Be Satisfied." Also with three recordings is Little Walter: "Juke" (the first and only #1 R&B harmonica instrumental), "My Babe" and "Last Night."

Bo Diddley makes an appearance with "I'm A Man" (the B-side of his 1955 self-titled smash) and Howlin' Wolf with the Delta-drenched "Smokestack Lightnin'." The latter song, "At Last," "Maybellene" and "(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man" have been enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for the most significant recordings in music history. The Best Of Chess Records - The Original Versions Of Songs In The Film "Cadillac Records" captures many of the best indeed.

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Source: Universal Music Enterprises

CONTACT: Sujata Murthy, Sr. VP of Publicity, +1-310-865-7812,
sujata.murthy@umusic.com, or Keren Poznansky, Director of Publicity,
+1-310-865-7797, keren.poznansky@umusic.com, both of Universal Music
Enterprises

Web Site: www.ilovethatsong.com

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