Chequered! (1971)
Chubby Tokes Up, Makes An Album
If, like me, your interest is piqued by artists whose careers are caught between generations, Chubby Checker’s Chequered might be right up your alley. By 1971 music had changed radically, and Checker’s twisted past had run its course. Chubby had obviously changed too, as Chequered seems to be a reflection of what was taking place within himself – which apparently included a little mind experimentation, if the title “Stoned In The Bathroom” is any indication. Checker was probably lucky he was able to even get this album made in the first place, 6 years (a lifetime in the 60s) after his last disco twist release. By 1971 he was into Hendrix and Sly, and was writing some very strange songs (all penned by CC, by the way). A Hendrix engineer, Ed Chalpin, produces, and the result is mesh of jam/boogie, soulful expression, social messaging and stoned lyricism. To be honest, it’s not really that good (production-wise, anyway), but it’s as fascinating as it gets, and repeated listens over the years have implanted some of these offbeat tunes firmly in the memory banks (“Goodbye Victoria” especially). Listen to a few examples below. Chubby wouldn’t make another album for over a decade (A Change Has Come, his last, I believe), and when he did, it was similarly informed by the musical landscape of the era – the E-Street revival of acts like Del Shannon & Gary US Bonds. One last stab that didn’t take, either. He probably got screwed out of most of his twist money, too. We’ve got an equally odd Bo Diddley album in the archives, Black Gladiator (1970, HERE), recorded when Bo was feeling the heat to stay relevant, that might interest the curious, too. Find Chequered at Amazon, HERE.
How Does It Feel (7:39)
Stoned In The Bathroom (2:39)
No Need To Get So Heavy (3:04)
Let’s Go Down (3:30)
My Mind (4:18)
Goodbye Victoria (5:43)
Love Tunnel (5:09)
Slow Lovin’ (4:06)
He Died (3:30)
If The Sun Stopped Shining (3:46)
Gypsy (1973 Single) (4:57) – Bonus Track
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thanks cap’n!
Yikes, this IS weird!
i discovered this album years ago thanx to ChrisGoesRock & bought it when it was finally re-released on cd last year; pretty awesome & the Bo Diddley album mentioned above is even better. as ever Cpt. Willard’s taste is impeccable. absolute recommendation!
Around 1963-1964, there was a weekly radio show on KFWB in Los Angeles called “Teen Topics” hosted by a deejay named Bill Ballance. I remember hearing Brian Wilson talking about adn playing the Beach Boys’ brand-new single, so I ran out the next day and bought “Fun Fun Fun.” Another week there was another incredibly hip guest named… Chubby Checker. When asked what new artists he was listening to, Chubby mentioned a name I had never heard – hey, I was only eleven! – but then again, this artist wasn’t getting any AM airplay either. So I went to my record store the next and asked if they had anything by the Chubby Checker-approved… Bob Dillon.
Thanks, Chubby – and thanks Capt. Willard!
Obviously Chubbs was cooler than any of us expected. It’s too bad he didn’t have access to a real producer (and a few open minds and wallets). No telling what he might have done.
Hey W, is Barry US Bonds any relation to Gary?
I Thought his version of ‘Back In The USSR’ single on Buddah wasn’t half bad and it gets a little better with age. That happened pre- this LP which I only saw once in all my years of music retail, new and used (1971-1998).
I did get to see CC at the first club I was a DJ at, playing songs between the bands and for warming up the crowd pre-show.. The bass player was an old friend of mine from a band I used to follow a few years earlier. Good show at a time when Disco was beginning to crest (late 1975). Nothing extraordinary to report EXCEPT that Chubby was in GREAT shape, still able to Limbo at knee height, something I appreciated when I started having to do a Limbo Contest as part of my DJ duties a couple of years later at another club, where we inserted it between sets at an all reggae night in the later 70s. Back then I could get below knee height myself after a couple of drinks & a bowl. Couldn’t do it now (belly too big) but I still KNOW the right way to do it…in fact I learned how by watching Chubby that night!
Way out of sight like Sonny Bono’s Inner Views (1967)
Damn it, I can’t twist to ANY of this!
All seriousness aside, what label did this come out on originally? I’m curious.
I’m reminded a little (not by the music, but by the circumstances) of Little Richard’s Reprise albums, or the Four Seasons’ Genuine Imitation Life Gazette, attempts to be groovy to an audience that didn’t care any more. If I wanted to be mean, I could mention the Beach Boys too…but I happen to love those records.
Ariola?
Chubby Checker, whatever next? Absolute confirmation as if I needed it that the late sixties/early seventies was one of the most innovative and experimental periods ever known in music. This is such a shock, like lots of things from that time its almost great but in fact is a bit of a mess. Has anyone any idea who’s playing on it apart from Chubby? Thanks Willard you really got me going here!
Wow, this is a legitimately good album. Thanks, would’ve never checked it out otherwise.
The new CD release is incomplete. It’s missing a key album track, The Ballad Of Jimi. How can they omit this track???
Ignore the last comment. Just found out The Ballad Of Jimi is not even a Chubby Checker track. My mistake.