Some of "The Best"...
Phil S. | USA | 07/23/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Richard was with Vee Jay from approx mid-1964 to mid-1965 and as a whole his output at that Chicago-based label doesn't match his output at the LA-based Specialty Records from the previous decade - although three tunes left off this collection can definitely leave some of the Specialties in the dust, namely, the alternate take of the Soul Classic "I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me", "You Better Stop", a mid-tempo gem in the Motown mold, and "Talkin' 'Bout Soul", a great soul rocker.
If the producers here did not use three tunes probably recorded six years after LR left Vee Jay ("Belle Star", "Why Don't You Love Me", and "Funky Dish Rag"), the above-mentioned three would have served this set well. (Also, actual photos from his Vee Jay, not OKeh period, would have been nice).
Another track which never should have been included, or even released back in '65, is the remake of "The Girl Can't Help It".
It appears that it was cut near the end of the remake sessions, and, well, it's just not this musical genius at his best. The horn-laden arrangement, anticipating sounds by James Brown and Stax, et. al, is interesting - in fact, Richard himself seems to prefer this kind of approach on this tune these in concert - but his voice gives out and it seems he misses a cue near the end of the track.
As to the recuts, "Good Golly, Miss Molly", "Tutti Frutti", and "Jenny, Jenny", though not as tight as the originals, pack plenty of excitement. "Send Me Some Lovin'" is a softer statement than the famous flipside; Richard uses alot of vibrato on this rockin' ballad. (Maybe he was referencing Mr. Dean Martin's rendition of this number, recorded around the time of this Richard re-recording). From the beat ballad we move to the straight ahead love ballad, "Without LOve (There Is Nothing)", a powerful philosophical statement from a man so often associated only with raging uptempo. On this Clyde McPhatter classic, Richard delivers a first-class performance - though the number which really is more effective with a closing long note (the arrangement LR used on a memorable Merv Griffin Show rendition of this song in 1970) simply fades out - with the artists' attention fading as well. Still, it's a remarkable example of this singers' versatility.
"Lawdy, Miss Clawdy" is another tremendous effort, a jazz-inflected shuffle featuring his greatest piano work to date. This track has extraeaning in that its' originator, Lloyd Price, encouraged Richard to contact the label that issued the song for him in '52. Fans of Paul McCartney need to hear this Richard "cover".
A new tune was "Everytime I Think About You...", a number co-written by Sam Cooke's (and Richard's at the time), J. W. Alexander, musically Gospel, lyrically Soul, and a song somewhat reminiscent of Cooke's "Ain't That Good News". LR's vocal is huge - his matured voice suits the composition exquisitely.
The *first* release of LR's most popular Vee Jay tune, "I Don't Know..." , is a highlight, although it is pressed here as an expanded version of "Part One". By now, the fans/historians know that the 4:44 version is the one for the time-capsule."
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1