The Essential

Little Richard (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1989)
• Original Release Date: 1985
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Specialty
• ASIN: B000000QL0
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,234 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Rhythm and noise duke it out for the listener's attention on Little Richard's classic Specialty records. The future reverend chants and screams his often surreal--they used to call it "nonsensical"--tales of life ("Tutti Frutti"), love ("Jenny Jenny"), and rock ("Ready Teddy") over pounding piano, thumping drums, and one of the greatest horn presences (both ensemble and solo) in the history of 20th-century music. this disc makes his case better than the written word ever could, though. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars NOT the Best Collection of Little Richard's Specialty sides, November 3, 2000

By A Customer

I would tend to disgree with the other reviewers who claim this is the best Little Richard collection short of the Specialty Boxed Set. The collection titled "The Georgia Peach" (also in the Specialty Legends series) is preferable to this one. Let's compare them in detail. This one contains 21 tracks, "The Georgia Peach" includes 25. The two collections have 17 tracks in common. So the difference lies in the tracks beyond those 17. This collection offers "Baby Face," "By The Light of The Silvery Moon," "I Got It," and "Directly From My Heart." "The Georgia Peach" includes "Oh, Why?," "All Around the World," "Shake A Hand," "Kansas City," "Can't Believe You Want to Leave," "She's Got It," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On," "Baby," and "I'm Just A Lonely Guy." To simplify the choice: Which would you rather have, Little Richard's rendition of "By The Light of The Silvery Moon" or his version of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On"? The choice is clear.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Essential Little Richard" IS ESSENTIAL, February 9, 1999

By A Customer

For anyone looking for the rockin' originals with great sound, this is the cd. I have bought some of the re-released material in the past and was diappointed because it didn't have the original sound. If you love Little Richard's rock 'n' roll, definitely do not pass this up!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Plum Work of The Georgia Peach, February 29, 2000

By	Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

Few albums are so aptly named. This CD not only comprises "essential" Little Richard (on his original label, yet), it comes as close as possible to essential 20th Century listening. "Long Tall Sally," "Lucille," "Tutti Frutti," "Good Golly Miss Molly" are among the songs that seperated teenage culture from the one that preceded it. It gave youth a new musical language that Richard disciples on both shores (Mitch Ryder, Paul McCartney, John Fogerty) would take to greater heights.

Although Little Richard has claimed ever since (bitterly, although somewhat justifiably) that he is the architect of rock n' roll, he had help from a stellar backing band including Lee "Walking With Mr. Lee" Allen (who shouted those classic sax solos after Richard's screams), Huey "Piano" Smith (who attended some Richard sessions and jammed with him) and much of Guitar Slim's band. While some choices near the disc's end are baffling or amusing ("By The Light of The Silvery Moon" and "Baby Face" are not, will not, cannot be rock n' roll) this disc will put a smile on your face and pep in your step each time you play it. Highly, highly recommended.