Search - Little Richard :: King of Rock & Roll: Complete Reprise Recordings

A Man Of Many Voices

Phil S. | USA | 05/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Little Richard fans and R & R historians can say it's been a long time comin' - a new LR album: the '72 Southern Child, among three originally released Reprise albums and three miscellaneous sessions. His last studio album was a collection of remakes apparently released only outside the USA in 1994 so this 3 CD-set makes a proud entrance.

Those who love '50s-style uptempo will not enthuse over this set as a whole - there are certainly a number of fast-rockin' numbers featuring the characteristic shoutin' and piano poundin': what is mainly offered here is a (still under-appreciated) artist in a very creative period. Indeed, the choice of material, arrangement, and instrumentation might suprise even the most ardent fan. And, most importantly, on several tracks we encounter a great singer at the top of his game.

To the tracks, selectively: "Freedom Blues", the triumphant return to the charts, a blues-based message song saying that sometimes the contemplation of freedom can take us to place where we can't fully appreciate the gift itself; possibly based lyrically upon the Killmer poem "Trees". "Greenwood, Mississippi", a great Country rocker co-written by Penniman lead-guitarist Travis Wammack, this one had Top 40 written all over it; who knows why it stalled in the lower regions. Richard tosses in some John Fogerty vocal effects on this engaging beat. "Two-Time Loser", a contemporary fast blues featuring a barely audible electric piano and a fine harmonica solo. Too bad Richard misses a cue at one point - his singing is outstanding. "Dew Drop Inn" is straight-ahead Specialty era jump-blues Rock, reportedly introduced in Europe in 1966; co-written by the legendary Esquerita. "Spreadin' Natta (What's The Matter)" is a medium rockin' blues first done apparently in '69 - we may have an overdub or remake here. Paul McCartney fans should know about this one: the resemblance to "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?" and "Oh Woman, Oh Why", etc., is significant. Further, it's interesting to note that this tune was co-written by Maybelle Jackson, whose name also appears in the credit box for "Heeby-Jeebies", "She's Got It", "I'm Quitting Show Business", and "Thomasine". "Lovesick Blues" is a Country-funk arrangement of the H. Williams tune; the last 90 seconds feature LR in exceptionally strong voice. Not all of his studio efforts since the '50s can offer the listener a chance to hear a great singer show off.

Following these "'Rill' Thing" cuts we have eleven covers not produced by LR and Bumps Blackwell, one of which was a remake of a recently cut original, "In The Name". Mr. H. B. Barnum went for a more "generic" sound - unlike his earlier work with Richard when he produced a to-the-roots, earthy Fats Domino cover session (plus a driving instrumental). Somehow the next encounter resulted in a rather flat, sometimes cartoonish aural image which left the fan completely confused. It was a powerful, pertinent tune co-written by the Producer, "Green Power" which covered the proverbial price of admission. Sadly, the B-side of this non-charting masterpiece was a throw-away rendition of "Dancing In The Street" - typical of many entries on the "King of Rock and Roll" l.p., incidentally nearly ruined by the obtrusive placement of back-up singers who for all inyents and purposes are really in "duet" with Richard for much of the album. They work hard but their work is badly conceived, as they serve mainly as unwarranted "competition" for the KIng. They are unidentifued on the album jacket. Having said that, "Born On The Bayou", "Brown Sugar", and "The Way You Do The Things You Do" are still worth hearing, though. One of the better offers on this album was the first appearance of a new Little Richard song, firmly grounded in the '70s: "In The Name". Following a simple Country progression, it features a nice electric piano solo, and good lyrics - once again Mr. McCartney comes to mind with his later "Call Me Back Again" tune which seems to borrow a phrase or two from the Penniman composition. [On this set we hear several variations, by the way].

The originally scheduled third album was to be, yes, the 32-years-in-the-releasing "Southern Child", an interesting group of original compositions, many with an old-timey Country flavor, featuring acoustic guitars, ...and Richard Penniman, meaning that there are no intrusive background singers as on the second album. The best numbers are "Burning Up With Love", a progessive, triple tracked slow rocker, and "If You Pick Her Too Hard (She Comes Out Of Tune)", a 1972 production which just might have gotten some good air-play, especially on College stations. C'est la vie.

"Last Year's Race Horse (Can Run In This Year's Race)" is Mance Lipscomb style blues, minimalist and effective. Richard really digs in to this and "I Git A Little Lonely", with its' "Freedom Blues"-based melody and a surprise chord change. The set closes with eight minutes of "Puppy Dog Song", a kind of spontaneous rapp. We get a full band here (though no piano, as on the rest of the set) but it's a very unsatisfying and exasperating waste of space for an artist who recorded then almost as infrequently as he does today.

The third Reprise album which did arrive was "Second Coming", featuring notable players from the '50s and '70s, obviously an attempt to get the best out of both eras. Too bad the best parts of the album were Bumps Blackwell's liner notes and an instrumental, "Satisfied, Sanctified, Toe-Tapper": hip musicians and tantalizing song titles do not an album make - somewhere along the way they forget to write decent lyrics, but it didn't really matter: the tired and disoriented star couldn't even get through the "The Saints" with a triple-tracked vocal. For the first time in his (recording) career his voice failed him throughout an album. The previously mentioned "Thomasine" is worth hearing for a fine sax solo - somehow it hangs together. (What works for this reviewer, who is a deep fan of LR, is to listen to one channel only on the Second Coming. For exampple, by cutting off the right side, you lose about 90% of the totally inappropriate "Shaft"-guitar, mindlessly factored in to the above mentioned Gospel song!).

Reprise reunited Richard not only with H. B. Barnum but with Quincy Jones for a couple of movie soundtrack numbers. "Money Is" is in the "Green Power" vein, but more blues-jazz. "Do It To It" is another fast number, you might call it...slightly risque. Both are quality productions, though.

Some earlier songs are also interesting - from a 1971 session which to my knowledge has never been publicly referenced before. Here he did three instrumentals and three vocals. "Open Up The Red Sea" has a spoken intro., but then we have perhaps his greatest instrumental. Not really a piano solo, his slightly under-recorded piano is still astonishing on this no-nonsense blockbuster. (Along with the later "Sneak The Freak", one of those very few Little Richard tracks which actually *feature* his piano!). Included in the early '71 group is an instrumental version of a fast number later done for United-Superior, "Mississippi". It sounds more like a rhythm bed than a real instrumental and it keeps going long after it should have faded but it's got the energy. We also have the probable first waxing of "Steal Miss Liza (Steal Liza Jane)", a rocking march redone in '75 (with much greater success, artistically) for another label. It opens with a lone, plaintive wail, then follows a one-chord [musicians correct me if I'm wrong] structure. It certainly sounds "unfinished", as if fatigue had set in for the star and the session players. Titled "Still Miss Liza Jane", it still should satisfy the completists. The Hank Williams "Why Don't You Love Me" is another progressive Country-Rock mixture, not single material but a very welcome addition for the collector. [Important note for Historians: No sessiongraphy is provided]. Thanks to Rhino Handmade, for making this unexpected set available. I hope another Richard-Reprise offering is in the offing, something with a few more puzzle pieces - and a power remix!."

Richard rockin' in the 70's!!!

Fancy R. Mccloney | 03/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rock, Soul, Country, ballads and Swamp Funk. These three cd's represent The King at his best in the 70's. So many fantastic tracks - Ooh my soul!



I'm a Huge Fan (and friend) of Little Richard. I own a huge collection of his music. EVERYTHING from all his the Speciality Hits, to the pre-Speciality recordings, and over three decades of Gospel Tracks. He's voice is superbly outstanding through-out these tracks.



disc 1:

Features killer tracks: "Freedom Blues", "I Saw Her Standing There", a rare track "Shake A Hand", The Quincy Jones produced "Money Is" And the Atomic FUNK bomb track "The Rill Thing". plus many other great tracks from the 1st two reprise albums.

disc 2;

Features the funky "Green Power", "Steal Miss Liza Jane" and a soulful rendition of the hank williams classic "I'm So Lonesome"

disc 3;

(the unrealsed lp "southern child") finally sees the light of day and it IS UNBELIEVABLE!

starts with one of richard's most awesome Funk/Rockers "california (i'm coming)" a - MUST - hear for any Little Richard Fan.

Most of the rest of the album is Country Music - yes! - Country! great songs, singing and music. including "Ain't No Telling", "In The Name" and "Over Yonder"

Little Richard is "The Architect" of Rock and Roll and with these wonderful cd's he built a fine guest house!

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