Download Little Richard Is Back by Little Richard

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eMusic Contributor

Ed Ward began writing about music in Broadside magazine in 1965, and has been on the staffs of Rolling Stone and Creem, as well as contributing to dozens of oth...more »

04.22.11

A bizarre album from the father of rock 'n' roll.

2007 | Label: Vee-Jay Records / The Orchard

It was 1965, and Little Richard had screwed up. Quitting rock and roll at the height of his fame to become a minister, he'd sat out the decline of the music only to be shocked to hear himself when the Beatles appeared, bearing his "Wooooo!" (which he'd appropriated from Alex Bradford). Returning from a tour of England, he assembled a band, got a record deal with Vee-Jay, and made this bizarre album. Its highlight is really a highlight: "I Don't Know What You've Got (But It's Got Me)" is a classic of soul music, thanks to co-writer Don Covay. The gospel guitar on the track — and much of the other lead guitar on the rest of the album — was by a young guitarist he'd found named James Marshall Hendrix, whom he'd soon fire for upstaging him. Although musically this record is something of a footnote, it's got its fascination, from Hendrix 'intro to "Midnight Special" to Richard's flailing attempts to revive past successes. Too bad he didn't do a whole album with Covay.

Sweeeet!

I'll be hornswoggled if that ain't Don 'Sugarcane' Harris playing violin all over 'Going Home Tomorrow'!! Yes, the same guy who both penned a hit for Tom Jones ('What's New Pussycat?') and played on 'Willie The Pimp' with Zappa and Beefheart... correct me if I'm wrong, but... Hoy Hoy Hoy.

Oddly compelling

To get it out of this way: yes, Jimi Hendrix plays on this, but you won't find his characteristic sound here. Instead you'll find Little Richard's idiosyncratic takes on material like "Goodnight Irene," "Only You," and "Memories are Made of This" using quirky arrangements, great bands, and an updated (to the mid-60s, mind you) version of his classic sound. And then at the end there's his version of "I Don't Know What You've Got," unquestionably one of the finest soul ballads of the 60s. Well worth a download for fans of the era.

A very good record

Little Richard was back ! He used two bands to record this one, his stage band, which included Jimi Hendrix as his guitar guy, and the Specialty records house band. This record rocks ! Highly recommended. It is one of the best of Little Richard's recordings. You won't go wrong with this one .