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| Little Richard's Mono Box Specialty Records, an imprint of Concord Bicycle Music, is pleased to announce the release of Mono Box: The Complete Specialty and Vee-Jay Albums: a deluxe, 5-LP box set that celebrates one of the most influential entertainers in popular music history, Little Richard. The collection includes the entire output of studio albums that Little Richard had recorded for both the Specialty and Vee-Jay labels, spanning 1957–1965. The albums, each featuring original label and jacket art, have been meticulously remastered from analog tapes and are presented in their original mono mixes. Completing the collection is a 16-page booklet featuring new liner notes by journalist Bill Dahl, plus era-specific photos. In the early '50s, Little Richard Penniman combined the spirit of church music, the bawdiness of blues and the swing of New Orleans jazz and turned it into something altogether new, rock 'n' roll. When the Macon, Georgia native signed to Art Rupe's Specialty Records, Little Richard began to develop his signature sound and flamboyant persona. His legendary debut album, Here's Little Richard (1957), is a bold introduction to the artist, featuring the iconic tracks Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally. His 1958 follow-up, Little Richard, finds the singer on his rise to superstardom, with hits like Lucille, Good Golly Miss Molly and the title track of Jayne Mansfield hit flick The Girl Can't Help It, in which Little Richard appeared. The artist's third and final album for Specialty, The Fabulous Little Richard (1959), was released soon after Richard had traded in a life of fame to focus on spreading the gospel. The LP featured standout tracks from Richard's 1955-57 Specialty sessions, including Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On, Lonesome and Blue and Kansas City. Having taken several years out of the spotlight to focus on religion, Little Richard returned to his rock 'n' roll roots in the early '60s. This period kicked off with a successful European tour, followed by a new record contract with Vee-Jay Records. His first release with the label was 1964's Little Richard Is Back, a triumphant collection of old favorites and new tunes, with a backing band that featured a young Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Richard's second and final studio release with Vee-Jay was 1965's His Greatest Hits. Despite the name, this album is not a compilation, but rather features the singer revisiting his classic hits nearly a decade later, introducing new arrangements and instrumentation. In his liner notes for the Mono Box, musicologist Bill Dahl writes, "As the end of the decade grew near and the first rock and roll revival loomed, Richard emerged at its forefront, his outrageous image earning him overdue network TV exposure." Indeed, by the end of his tenure on Vee-Jay, Richard had firmly cemented his status as a rock 'n' roll legend. Dahl continues, "It's impossible to imagine how the genre would have developed if not for his massive innovations." Mono Box: The Complete Specialty and Vee-Jay Albums will be released July 15th on Specialty Records. The track list: Disc 1 Tutti Frutti True, Fine Mama Can t Believe You Wanna Leave Ready Teddy Baby Slippin and Slidin Long Tall Sally (The Thing) Miss Ann Oh Why? Rip it Up Jenny Jenny She s Got It Disc 2 Keep a Knockin By the Light of the Silvery Moon Send Me Some Lovin I ll Never Let You Go (Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo) Heeby-Jeebies All Around the World Good Golly, Miss Molly Baby Face Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey Ooh! My Soul The Girl Can t Help It Lucille Disc 3 Shake a Hand Chicken Little Baby All Night Long The Most I Can Offer Lonesome and Blue Wonderin She Knows How to Rock Kansas City Directly from My Heart Maybe I m Right Early One Morning I m Just a Lonely Guy (All Alone) Whole Lotta Shakin Disc 4 Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On Goin Home Tomorrow Money Honey Only You Hound Dog Goodnight Irene Lawdy Miss Claudie Groovy Little Suzy Short Fat Fanny Cherry Red Memories are Made of This Blueberry Hill Disc 5 Good Golly Miss Molly Baby Face Tutti-Frutti Send Me Some Loving The Girl Can t Help It Lucille Slippin and Slidin Keep a Knockin Rip It Up She s Got It Oh My Soul Long Tall Sally write your comments about the article :: © 2016 Jazz News :: home page |