In terms of sound quality and tracklisting. Thanks.

Most Little Richard compilations are record company cash-in projects that were not authorized by Richard. In most cases those compilations have no discographical information and were put together in total disregard of Richard's original artistic intentions. So, I'd say avoid the compilations and get the original albums – they are all great. Little Richard never recorded a bad album. Most of his original albums are out of print, but are not that difficult to find second hand.

Here's a rundown of Little Richard's original albums grouped according to musical phases.

The jump blues recordings for RCA/Peacock
- eight singles for RCA (1951/1952)
- two singles for Peacock (1953)
- first release on CD + bonus tracks: The Formative Years (1989) [this actually is a GREAT compilation!]

The Rock 'n' Roll recordings for Specialty I
The famous 1950s sessions that made Richard an international star.
- Here's Little Richard (1957)
- Little Richard (1958)
- The Fabulous Little Richard (1959)

The Gospel recordings I
Often ignored, these are some of Richard's greatest recordings. The "Pray Along" recordings are the kind of music Richard grew up with down south – old school gospel. Just Richard, backing vocalists, organ and piano. Church music. Great vocals by Richard, strongly influenced by Mahalia Jackson. The "King Of The Gospel Singers" is more of a pop-gospel album and was produced by Quincy Jones.
- Pray Along with Little Richard (1960)
- Pray Along with Little Richard Vol. 2 (1960)
- King of the Gospel Singers (1962)

The Rock 'n' Roll recordings for Specialty II
- two singles (1964, released on Well Alright! + bonus tracks, 1970)

The Vee-Jay recordings – new material and re-recordings of previous hits, displaying a strong soul influence
- Little Richard Is Back (And There's a Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!) (1964)
- Little Richard's Greatest Hits (1964)

The Modern recordings – new material and re-recordings of previous hits, displaying a beginning funk influence
- The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits - Live! (1966)
- The Wild and Frantic Little Richard (1966)

The Okeh recordings – new material and re-recordings of previous hits with a strong soul/funk influence
- The Explosive Little Richard (1967)
- Little Richard's Greatest Hits: Recorded Live! (1967)

The Reprise funk rock recordings and the 1970s
- The Rill Thing (Reprise, 1970)
- The King of Rock and Roll (Reprise, 1971)
- The Second Coming (Reprise, 1972)
- Southern Child (Little Richard's country album, Reprise, recorded in 1972, released in 2005)
- Right Now! (United, 1973)
- Little Richard Live (despite the title these are studio re-recordings of 20 greatest hits, K-Tel, 1976)

The Gospel recordings II
- God's Beautiful City (World, 1979)
- Lifetime Friend (Warner Brothers, 1986)

The 1990s
- Shake It All About (Disney, 1992)
- Meets Masayoshi Takanaka (re-recordings of greatest hits, released in Japan only, Toshiba, 1992)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011-10-21 02:16 by MrEcho.

I particularly like his soul recordings for Vee Jay. Here's the only LR track to feature Jimmy Hendrix on guitar (despite what some discographies say!), as great as any soul record by Otis, Wilson or Solomon:

Check these gospel recordings from the "Pray Along" sessions. Some of Richard's best singing on songs of otherwordly beauty:

Tell God All My Troubles




Troubles Of The World




I Want Jesus To Walk With
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Oh yes, amazing stuff. I believe I have every released recording by Little Richard (as well as by Fats, Chuck & Jerry Lee), & there's hidden gems throughout his long career.

From the 1979 "Beautiful City" gospel recordings:

What Am I Supposed To Do Without Jesus

Thank you for the amazing info!

Great stuff! Little Richard is without a doubt one of the brilliant for fathers of modern rock. Lots of deep cuts to get turned onto.... and what a voice!!

.......Different takes ... master take ... studio chatter...WILD

6CD's worth ..... ACE RECORDS - ABOXCD1





ROCKMAN