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Little Richard - Greatest Hits Recorded Live

Little Richard - Little Richard - Greatest Hits Recorded Live Audio CD

A fair review of the Little Richard "Little Richard - Greatest Hits Recorded Live" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Little Richard reviews here, or go back to the Little Richard tabs.

Band: Little Richard
Title: Little Richard - Greatest Hits Recorded Live
Rating:

Release Date: 1990-10-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Lucille 2: Girl Can't Help It 3: Tutti Frutti 4: Send Me Some Lovin' 5: Long Tall Sally 6: Get Down with It 7: True Fine Mama 8: Jenny, Jenny 9: Good Golly Miss Molly 10: Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On 11: Any Way You Want Me 12: You Gotta Feel It

CLASSIC FUNKY SOUL LIVE BY THE INNOVATOR OF ROCK N SOUL
In 1957, he became a born again Christian and abandoned the secular music industry for Bible college and the ministry. Little Richard, as everyone knows, thundered a new sound (explosive, funky R&B) across the airwaves in 1955, which was a primary key in the transition from R&B to what became known as Rock n Roll. From 1964 until 1977, he 'backslid' into secular music until he returned to the ministry. At first (in 1964/65, record execs tried to capture his mid-50s style, but it didn't return him to the top of the charts. Then, in 1966 he was reunited with his old friend that he met in New Orleans in 1955, Larry Williams, who was groomed by Specialty Records to take over 'the throne' when Richard bolted from the secualr music world. Larry produced funky, soul-style Little Richard music for EMI/Columbia's R&B/Soul label Okeh Records, with Johnny Guitar Watson replacing Jimi Hendrix on guitar for Richard, in a Motown 'on the fours' pace. The Okeh studio records should have hit big, with sensational singles such as "Poor Dog (Can't Wag His Own Tail)", but it is a bit of a mystery (many think poor pr to the proper market) as to why the recordings by the innovator of Rockin and Rollin, Rhythm & Blues Soulin' didn't return him to chart prominence. After he left Okeh and the Rock n Roll Revival period of the late-60s began, this collection of some of the live Okeh Club recordings was released and by far outsold the studio recordings. It is an experience to listen to 'The Architect' performing these soul classics live with support from Williams and Watson, who released their own funky soul album together from the same period. Any fan of Little Richard, who wants to sample something other than his 50s classics (or rerecordings of same) best jump into this one - a fun, rollicking rollercaoster - with both feet!! .

Too much talking and not enough music!
Little Richard is great but not that great. First, let me say that when Little Richard is playing, the music is exceptional even though he does erroneously call himself "I Am" which is a Biblical term for God. As I said, the music is great.

The biggest and most annoying problem with this CD is the excessive talking between songs. While this is a normal thing to expect in any live concert, the producers of this CD should have curbed most of the talk and let the music play. However, since the CD is only about 30 minutes long, the deletion of the talking would have made this a 15 minute long CD. Not worth the purchase.

Unless you are a die-hard Little Richard fan (like me I guess), purchase any of his other CDs. They are longer in length and have more of his music. I wish that more of his live performances would be available except with more music and less talking.

Anybody playin' bass here?
His voice is right up front just like in the '50s, but unlike the '50s the band is (too often) a mess. I saw Little Richard perform at Madison Square Garden late in 1970 - in fact, several of the numbers found on this album - and, well, as much as I enjoyed this Okeh release, following the night when he took the Festival away from the other dozen or so acts (filling in for Jackie Wilson who was to appear just before intermission) - it made less and less sense. And it must be said that our superstar sounds like he blew out his tonsils on one too many rehearsals.
Point is, on that October night, his voice was garguantuan and his support was flawless - a booming, pounding, mezmerising cosmic hoedown -my-my-my!
Reviewer "dusty" is certainly a true fan, but some research might help his appreciation: it was reported way back that the man himself (actually a serious musician) disliked this album to the extent that he didn't want it released - he thought of doing a "real" ("rill"?) live in concert set in England later that year.
I also have to agree with the Reviewer who said the cover shot was terrible - the "Handsomest Man In Rock and Roll" deserved the good back-lighting any legendary figure should have! Like, the photography didn't do him justice. . . dig?
Serious fans who might agree with me about the sloppiness of this production might want to write to Legacy Recordings about issuing the true, unedited show. They've already issued unedited *studio* recordings in 2004. (Yeah, I know "The Okeh Club" was actually a studio. . ).

THE Greatest Live Lp EVER Recorded: Ladies & GentleMen, LITTLE RICHARD!!!!!
Man, I was absolutely floored when I put the platter on, the doors sprang open and the Man hurdled through my bedroom for 34 minutes of pure bliss! Of course we all know this platter was recorded at the studio "Okeh Club" in HollyWood and can you imagine that? How many people could that joint hold?! I'd a given a hundred dollars, BIG $ for a ticket in the late 60's, to have been one of the divine few of the blessed brethren who gathered in that sanctified club too hear that sacred sermon, Ooh My Soul! "It ain't whatch you do, it's the way how you do it!" Listen for the intro to Jenny, Jenny and you'll be amazed to find those are tears dripping down your face AND you'll be laughing your head off as you hoot 'n' holler along with Little. If my 5 stars manage to kick the overall rating of this currently rated 4 star Lp to a HEAVY 5ive+, my life will not have been in vain! I bought this one years and years ago and was just thinking I was getting "Little Richard's Greatest Hits," the title on the spine. A Music Fan Dec 14 2002 must have fallen off his rocker when he dropped this one on his player! Comes up spewing technicalities and technical words I don't understand at all but he loses his hearing obviously 'cause he fails to understand the soul and spirit of Little Richard. Little Richard let loose in a small club and AMF is worried about. . . WHAT?! Words like context, values, rendition, stop-time Good Golly Miss Molly?! I don't even know what stop-time means! It sounds illegal though and is probably not allowed at a Little Richard gig! I do know what Good Golly Miss Molly means and don't need no help with that! It won't even play on my computer but sounds like Heaven in my bedroom boombox as it should be. Hopefully nobody is stupid enough like me to try and harness Little Richard in a computer?! Lawd, forgive me! Take it to your bedroom on a dark and stormy night and throw it on your Stack-O-Matic. The weather will be forgotten and you won't even notice the sun is shining through your bedroom window at tres in the AM! I think Gabriel May 3 2001(17 years old, appropiate, a child then shall lead them, etc, though a young man now) would agree with me even now and I pray he still carries that same spirit he had in 2001. 9/11 was not the end of the world after all. I KNOW RGaynor Jan 2 2001 would agree with me though with fewer words, I am sure! He nails the whole thing in ONE line, but I am 5ifty AND longwinded! Forgive Me. Rejoice we still live on the same planet as Little Richard and that to this day he's still out there on the road testifying to both sinners and saints alike like you and I. Poorly Produced Vehicle? I'd be proud to get in that black caddy and ride down the road ANYWHERE with that man! When I sat next to him at the Ga Music Hall of Fame Gala Event, almost ten years ago, he was kind enough to sign my copy and added the words GOD BLESS so I think that must be why I am not "seeing" the hideousness of the photo on the cover that AMF is referring to as all I can see is a brown eyed, handsome man (Thanks 2 ChuckB. !) POUNDING the HellFire out of a pianner, testifying to the world! I'll bet you could hear him a mile away as you was headed in tord the door, huh? Now, as Little Richard, The King of Rock 'N' Roll, would say, "Get out on the flo' and do whatever you want to!" Man, You gotta love 'im! I'm Sending Y'all Peach Baskets Filled With Bushels of Love From Down Here In Middle(Macon)Georgia! Peace and Y'all All Have A Lovely Valentine's Day With Y'all's SweetHearts and Stay Warm! -BlackVinylCadillac a. k. a. dustyRhodes.

Poorly produced vehicle for a King
The problem for those of us who want the musical values to match the "atmosphere" - which the star controls magnificently - is that very few of the twelve numbers work well out of context. As a whole, this set has its' moments, indeed the first four numbers provide us with the Richard of the '50s with a proper vocal mix; the incredibly intense '60s dancer "Get Down With It" [aka "Do The Jerk"]; one the best renditions of "Whole Lot A Shakin' Goin' On" and "Baby, What You Want Me To Do" (both LR concert staples). The old songs are jazzed up, undercutting the rhythm, indeed the bass is practically inaudible. Added to this, the normally indestructible voice of Richard slips and slides where it is expected to soar. For example, on the stop-time "Good Golly, Miss Molly" he barely makes his high note and this seems to confuse the drummer (who has his own troubles here).
Following his closer "Don't Fight It" (titled "You Gotta Feel It") there is a long pause before the MC returns for the outro. There are many such awkward moments on this set.
Who knows why producer Larry Williams (who successfully adapted the LR style in the '50s) did not keep it simple; or why he apparently allowed a hideous photo to be used on the album cover.

You can see a complete list of all Little Richard discography, or go back to the Little Richard tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.