The Great Twenty-Eight

Right from the raw-edged riff that opens “Maybellene”, this all-killer, no-filler survey of Berry’s first decade of singles bottles the live-wire urgency that helped seal his reputation. Even as the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer gradually adds more polish—along with a growing spotlight on those load-bearing solos—he loses neither his bluesy hustle (“I Want to Be Your Driver”) nor mouthy attitude (“Come On”). “Little Queenie” is a self-aware barroom romp that stretches out with low-slung confidence, while “Almost Grown” offers a knowing tribute to the American teenager.