#27: Little Richard - Here's Little Richard (1957)

 Little Richard is a hell of a performer, it's a shame he didn't write his own songs. However, the songs he did perform were written wonderfully. Some may say, "If you've heard one early rock and roll song you've heard them all." And while there may be some validity to that statement and even a few dead spots on the album, there's enough difference from track to track to keep you interested.

Can't Believe You Wanna Leave
This song breaks away from the formula of the rest of the album, albeit slightly. It slows down just a tidge while letting Richard's soulful vocals ring out. The man has got a voice, now I understand why he was such an icon back in the late 50's.




Long Tall Sally
I've heard the Beatles do this song do this song so many times, I forgot Little Richard did it as well. Throughout the album you can hear sprinkles of early Paul McCartney and the Beatles, Little Richard left quite an impression on them. Great sax solo, great bounce out of the bass, and the song speeds quickly on all the way to the end. Never a dull moment.

Tutti Frutti
A whop bop-a-lu a whop bam boo. There's a reason why it's a classic. It's every element of a good rock and roll song all combined into one. Big hits in the rhythm section to accentuate the vocals, a repetitive and catchy chorus, and a blistering sax solo.

All in all, there's plenty of reason to listen to the album once. The only danger of this album is how repetitive it is. The same chord progression, the same sound, the same sax solos occur song in and song out. However, the album is still mostly enjoyable throughout it's short 30 minutes. Some of the singles are just so ridiculously good they are just begging to be picked out to listen to again, but (at times) the album as a whole loses steam.

This album was chosen from the book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die' 13/1001

Tomorrow's Album: Fastball's Keep Your Wig On.