The Chess Box (1990)

Those who view Bo Diddley as nothing more than a beat, a hat, and a funny-shaped guitar should find The Chess Box, a detailed career retrospective, a real eye-opener. Dating back to 1955, the 45 tracks- including such classics as ''Mona (I Need You Baby),'' ''Who Do You Love,'' ''Road Runner,'' ''Pills,'' and ''The Story of Bo Diddley'' — display and clarify the many musical influences that turned the gospel-bred Chicago blues shouter named Ellas McDaniel into a crucial architect of rock & roll. Drawn from singles, albums, and previously unreleased tapes, The Chess Box is a long-overdue testimonial to the far-reaching artistry of this endlessly imitated original. A-