The Fabulous Little Richard
Encyclopedia
The Fabulous Little Richard was the third album from Little Richard
, and the end of his rock and roll
period. Released seventeen months after he had left the Specialty Records
label, Richard had returned to religion and turned his back on the music that made him famous. Though he would briefly rescind that decision in 1960, and sporadically throughout his career, this album marked the end of his peak period. In order to make the record more accessible to listeners, over half of the tracks featured an overdubbed female backing group. The record was put together including out-takes ans other leftover studio tracks, which saw Richard in a somewhat more mellow styling.
The liner notes of the album observed that Little Richard is at present deeply engrossed in religious activities, thus sacrificing the millions of dollars he could be earning through personal appearances on television, in motion pictures, and in concerts.. The sleeve notes also claimed that the overdubbed tracks were Little Richard's decision, stating that Little Richard has added voices on several of these numbers, bringing him closer to the type of church singing he was brought up on, and to which he is now returning..
Six months after the release of this album Richard would begin to record gospel music
, a genre he continued in - barring a brief dalliance with the Little Star Records label in 1962 - for the next four years. In April 1963 he entered Sam Cooke
's studio to begin recording new tracks for Specialty.
The official return to Specialty came in March 1964, and included a Cooke song tried out in 1963.
o = Overdubbed track by The Stewart Sisters, a female vocal group
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
, and the end of his rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
period. Released seventeen months after he had left the Specialty Records
Specialty Records
Specialty Records was an American record label based in Los Angeles. It was originally launched as Juke Box Records in 1946, but later renamed by its owner Art Rupe when he parted company with a couple of his original partners...
label, Richard had returned to religion and turned his back on the music that made him famous. Though he would briefly rescind that decision in 1960, and sporadically throughout his career, this album marked the end of his peak period. In order to make the record more accessible to listeners, over half of the tracks featured an overdubbed female backing group. The record was put together including out-takes ans other leftover studio tracks, which saw Richard in a somewhat more mellow styling.
History
Richard had received a vision of a plane on fire, and took it as a sign from God to leave showbusiness. He recalled that in 1957: There were ten days of the tour left to run, but I would not work any more. Our tickets home were bought on the basis of a two-week tour, but I demanded passage back to the States for the total entourage ten days early. The incredible thing is that the plane we were originally scheduled to return on crashed into the Pacific Ocean. That's when I felt that God really had inspired me to do the things I did at the time. (page 94).The liner notes of the album observed that Little Richard is at present deeply engrossed in religious activities, thus sacrificing the millions of dollars he could be earning through personal appearances on television, in motion pictures, and in concerts.. The sleeve notes also claimed that the overdubbed tracks were Little Richard's decision, stating that Little Richard has added voices on several of these numbers, bringing him closer to the type of church singing he was brought up on, and to which he is now returning..
Six months after the release of this album Richard would begin to record gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
, a genre he continued in - barring a brief dalliance with the Little Star Records label in 1962 - for the next four years. In April 1963 he entered Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
's studio to begin recording new tracks for Specialty.
The official return to Specialty came in March 1964, and included a Cooke song tried out in 1963.
Track listing
- "Shake A Hand" o
- "Chicken Little Baby" o
- "All Night Long"
- "The Most I Can Offer (Just My Heart)" o
- "Lonesome and Blue"
- "Wonderin'" o
- "She Knows How To Rock"
- "Kansas City"
- "Directly From My Heart" o
- "Maybe I'm Right" o
- "Early One Morning"
- "I'm Just A Lonely Guy" o
- "Whole Lotta Shaking Going On"
o = Overdubbed track by The Stewart Sisters, a female vocal group
Personnel
- Little RichardLittle RichardRichard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
– vocals, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Lee AllenLee Allen (musician)Lee Allen was an American tenor saxophone player born in Pittsburg, Kansas.A key figure in the New Orleans rock and roll scene of the 1950s, Allen recorded with many leading performers of the early rock and roll era...
– tenor saxTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble... - Alvin "Red" Tyler – baritone saxBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
- Frank Fields – bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
- Earl PalmerEarl PalmerEarl Cyril Palmer was an American rock & roll and rhythm and blues drummer, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Edgar Blanchard – guitar