At His Finest-Specialty Rock 'n Roll Years [Import]

Larry Williams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Ace Records UK
• ASIN: B0002EQFKS
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,313 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Just Because

2. Let Me Tell You Baby

3. Short Fat Fannie

4. High School Dance

5. Bony Moronie [Extended Version]

6. You Bug Me, Baby

7. Dizzy Miss Lizzy

8. Slow Down

9. Hootchy-Koo

10. The Dummy

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Short Fat Fannie [Take 1][#]

2. Iko Iko (Jockomo) [Take 2]

3. Love Charms [Take 4]

4. Oh Baby [Take 1][#]

5. You Bug Me, Baby [Take 1][#]

6. The Dummy [Take 1][#]

7. Slow Down [Take 4][#]

8. Slow Down [Take 7 + 8 (Incomplete)][#][Take]

9. Should I Laugh or Should I Cry [Take 1][#]

10. Zing Zing [Take 3][#]

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great set, July 7, 2006

By 

Aj Watson (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: At His Finest-Specialty Rock 'n Roll Years (Audio CD)

Easily the best sounding Larry Williams collection around, and the most complete. The mastering is superb. It's hard to understand why so many of these unissued items on Disc 2 never saw release at the time. They are right up there with 'Fannie', 'Moronie' and 'Lizzie'. If you enjoy 50s rock & roll at it's finest, look no further than this 2CD set. It's no wonder John Lennon was a big fan of this guy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Larry Williams was a Rocker, October 30, 2009

By 

Tony Douglas - See all my reviews

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This review is from: At His Finest-Specialty Rock 'n Roll Years (Audio CD)

Larry Williams maybe a name you've seen on other artists records such as the Beatles. He wrote some classic tunes such as DIZZY MISS LIZZY, SLOW DOWN and BAD BOY all recorded by the Beatles. His own original versions of those songs however stand strong on their own. It's hard to believe they didn't become big hits before the Beatles released them. If you like straight ahead Late 1950's rock 'n' roll you'll like Larry Williams. His style is a blend of Little Richard, Richie Valens, Jerry Lee Lewis and a combination of many more great artists from that era. This CD is packed full of out-takes in the studio and alternative versions of songs he recorded. Larry Willimas is a rocker, a great musician/songwriter and it's a shame he didn't become a house hold-name like many of his peers did.

4.0 out of 5 stars Rediscover Some Prime Rock and Roll, December 28, 2011

By 

James Ellsworth (Caldwell, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: At His Finest-Specialty Rock 'n Roll Years (Audio CD)

Fans of Little Richard will also enjoy Larry Williams' work. Both men were stars at Specialty Records during some of the most vibrant moments in the history of rock and roll music, 'race music' and rhythm and blues. Even white listeners will remember 'Bony Moronie', 'Dizzy Miss Lizzie'and 'Short, Fat Fanny.' Possibly lesser-known numbers include 'Slow Down' and 'Hootchy Koo.' Larry Williams' hits date from 1957 to 1960 so early Rock and Roll was pretty well-developed. Still, Williams' work seems fresh and varied. He was backed by some fine studio musicians (read the interesting booklet included with this set)and, would you believe, his frequent producer at Spcialty Records was...Sonny Bono! This set was based on studio tapes and, for historical interest, some of the by-play between Williams and Sonny is wrapped around the 'take'on a few of the cuts. This 2 CD compilation includes duplications of most of the numbers, organized into 'Original Singles' and 'Original Sessions' CDs. Lots of the material is 'previously unissued' and it is presented to show how Larry Williams recorded and developed his numbers in the studio. Maybe I should give this package 5 stars! Hardcore fans will.