Search - Little Richard :: Pure Faith

His 1959 recordings sans overdubs

plsilverman | USA | 03/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are many mysterious periods in the recording career of Little Richard Penniman and perhaps the one with the most unanswered questions is represented by this CD. What is the exact session date? Did End records Producer George Goldner try to encourage the star to record more *secular* music? In addition to these queries, are there any CDs out there drawn from the master tapes? A good recent effort from Peacock, "God Is Real", included overdubbed versions.
It's hard to tell by the sonics on this Direct Source release what generation was used. For the LR collector, at any rate, this album, at this point, is the one to get. (The ambitious fan/historian can search for the vinyl stereo Spin-O-Rama album "Clap Your Hands!" from c. '60, which contains about half of the End tracks in superlative sound).
The highlight of this collection is Track #10, "Certainly Lord" (pressed as "Save Me, Lord" on End 1057). It is the only track which instantly recalls the Specialty Richard and places his voice up front - the uptempo side could actually fit into Richard's Specialty catalogue. There is some echo on this pressing (unlike the Spin-O-Rama or End issues) but the listener will be delighted.
To my knowledge, there are three other songs which also make their CD debut: "I Know The Lord", "Troubles Of The World", and "Tell God My Troubles". As on all his End numbers, Little Richard sings them at full power, displaying a brilliant operatic tenor. Here and there he makes too big a leap from baritone but his breath control and vibrato are remarkable throughout.
"Does Jesus Care" is a slow take which belongs in any "Best Of..." LR set.
One small criticism: the cover shot is well-composed, but the bare-chested image is inappropriate."