Music Review: Little Richard - Here's Little Richard [Remastered and Expanded] - Page 2

On this special presentation of the album, there are two bonus tracks that present demo versions of "Baby" and "All Night Long," both very different from Little Richard's recorded work. They are slow blues, and Richard's voice sounds quite androgynous.

There are also two videos here, which were originally screen tests for The Girl Can't Help It, one of the best early rock and roll films. They capture Little Richard's unique style, energy, and wild dancing nicely.

I found the included audio interview with Specialty Records founder Art Rupe especially entertaining. He tells some interesting stories about how Richard came to be signed and how he found religion and left the label, temporarily giving up rock and roll.

I was amused by Rupe's statement that if Richard could only have been tamed a bit–and if he would have taken instruction from the studio better–he could've sung the old classics so well, he could have become a star in Las Vegas like Frank Sinatra.

I personally thank the universe that Richard would not be tamed or directed. Instead of playing Vegas, he gave us music that changed the musical world and that still sounds just as exciting and invigorating today as it did 55 years ago.

Concord Music Group has done a great job with the packaging of this release, including a poster of Little Richard, the original liner notes for the recording, and a very informative booklet with lots of facts about Richard and his career and many fabulous photographs.

This is an essential CD for any lover of classic rock and roll or anyone who just wants to hear some great music from a major architect of popular music. Put the CD in the player, lace up your shoes, and get ready to "Rip it Up!"

Article Author: Rhetta Akamatsu

Rhetta Akamatsu is an author and online journalist who writes about music, books, movies, and more. She is the author of The Irish Slaves: Slavery, Indentured Servitude and Contract Labor Among Irish Immigrants, Haunted Marietta, T'ain't Nobody's …

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