Customer Reviews

King of Rock 'n' Roll

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After his Reprise debut, 1970's swamp-funk infused The Rill Thing, failed to garner commercial attention, Little Richard hooked up with mainstream producer H.B. Barnum and crafted an updated version of his 1950's R&B-tinged rock `n' roll sound. This is a more flamboyant and self-celebrating affair than its predecessor, from the album's title track to the lengthy, self-aggrandizing introduction he gives himself on the cover of Hoyt Axton's "Joy to the World." Those who remember Richard's television appearances in the 1970s ("Shut up!") will recognize the character here.

As great as were the brassy, bass-heavy arrangements of The Rill Thing, Barnum's production update doesn't work. Richard's belting vocals sound out-of-time against the flaccid, near-disco arrangements of "Joy to the World" and "Brown Sugar." Better are the funky, hyperventilating reinterpretation of "Dancing in the Street" and the soul shout of "Midnight Special," though here again the early `70s backing vocals are dated. Richard's original "In the Name" is sung in a compelling croon, and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" works well in its Stax-styled arrangement.

The album's closing cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Born on the Bayou" fits, but it reveals more about Richard's impact on John Fogerty than it provides an opportunity to create something new. Richard sounds engaged, but his producer wasn't able to craft a compelling showcase for his vocals, nor help him select material that offered the best vehicles for interpretation. After the electric jolt forward of The Rill Thing, this album is disappointing for its lack of new vision. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

Another early '70s studio departure for Richard - in a production yielding almost nothing like his dynamic stage shows of the era. On 4-5 cuts, he sings like there's no tomorrow: Brown Sugar, Born On The Bayou, and a new song, co-written by Producer H. B. Barnum, Green Power, undoubtedly one his greatest recordings, vocally, and in relevance to the times. He adds a rare touch of irony to the proceedings, which will surprise even the most ardent worshippers.
No acoustic piano heard at all; obstrusive lady chorus getting in Richards' way and in the way of the band. On the few tracks where they are properly mixed, however, they sound fine.
Great title tune which was played like a single at the time - in the mood and structure of many '50s reflections, it coulda/shoulda been released as a 45 rpm...then Little Richard would have had another Top 40 hit for himself.

I've always LOVED this LP and it is one of my All Time Favorites! Lots of Great Soul Music: In The Name, Green Power (MUST HEAR), Dancing In The Street. Some Solid Rockers: Title Track, Midnight Special. Plus a couple of Richard's Over The Top Monologues: Joy To The World (++MUST HEAR++)and Born On a Bayou. In addition, ther is a couple nifty covers: The Way You Do The Things You Do, Brown Sugar, and the magnificent - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry -. I just think this album is FUN. "King Of Rock and Roll" gets alot of medicore/negative reviews and I think folks just miss the boat... Would I start my LR Collection here? No. Is it over-produced? Yes. Does it at time sound "cartoony"? Yes, but if you dig the wild/crazy Little Richard of the 70's - you will eat this album up!!!

Who would buy it not knowing what is on it, is there any new material, is there a better version of music than previously released, how many, etc., etc. You've got to tell us something - give us a reason to buy it - give us a few short pieces to listen too! King indeed; he's pretty good but the King has been dead awhile (notwithstanding the occasional phantom sighting) and the remaining living creators of original rock and roll - Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry are very much alive and touring and in Jerry Lee's case still recording great music.

I'll take a look at buying this if I can see and hear what it is!
Jim
p.s. sorry for the 1 star but ...

I enjoy listening to little richard sing old rock songs. He's got a great rock vocal sound .

LONG TALL SALLY '56
LUCILLE '56
KEEP A KNOCKIN' '64
JENNY, JENNY '64
TUTTI FRUTTI '55
RIP IT UP '56
THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT '56 [original 45rpm version]
GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY '56
BABY FACE '56
CHERRY RED '64
GROOVY LITTLE SUZY '64 [original short version]
MONEY HONEY '64 [original short mono version]
SEND ME SOME LOVIN' '64
HOUND DOG '64 [original short mono version]

Good notes by Mac Randall (but Mac...Richard was born in 1935?).