[2020-09-18] Little Richard "The Rill Thing" and "King Of Rock And Roll" expanded remasters (Omnivore)

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Aug 02, 2020 2:50 pm

The Rill Thing

Description
Some successful recording artists are lucky to enjoy a lengthy career and perhaps one successful comeback after their popularity wanes over time. Rock ’n’ roll pioneer and absolute legend, Little Richard, achieved several. In the ’50s he racked up a non-stop string of smashes for Specialty Records with producer Bumps Blackwell like the blistering cuts, “Tutti Frutti,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Rip It Up.” The Georgia Peach was deemed too uninhibited and unpredictable for TV variety shows to present to the nation, but the records were undeniable hits. He was clearly, an artist far ahead of the culture and times.

Little Richard returned in 1970 with The Rill Thing and instead of sticking around his adopted home of Los Angeles, Richard set out for Rick Hall’s FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record the album for Reprise, joined by Bumps, who was now his manager.

The opening track, “Freedom Blues,” was released in April of 1970 and hit #28 on the charts. The second cut, “Greenwood Mississippi,” was also released as a single in August and also made a Billboard appearance. The marathon title track (running a whopping 10 minutes and 20 seconds) was an intense funk jam that was captured in one take. The album also featured covers of tunes by The Beatles and Hank Williams—it was a different sound by far than the savagely rocking attack he’d ridden to fame like a rocket at Specialty close to a decade-and-a-half earlier, but it was every bit as effective.

This reissue features the remastered comeback album, plus the single-only “Shake A Hand (If You Can)”—originally recorded by Richard in 1959, and later covered by LaVern Baker, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, and others—radio ads, and more. Packaging contains new liners from Bill Dahl, photos, and ephemera.

The Rill Thing bore the slogan “The Little Richard Sound” on its labels. “He was at his peak with his vocals on there,” says guitarist Travis Wammack admiringly. “He was just singing his booty off!”

Tracklist
1. Freedom Blues
2. Greenwood, Mississippi
3. Two-Time Loser
4. Dew Drop Inn
5. Somebody Saw You
6. Spreadin’ Natta, What’s The Matter?
7. The Rill Thing
8. Lovesick Blues
9. I Saw Her Standing There
Bonus Tracks:
10. Shake A Hand (If You Can)
11. Radio Spot A
12. Radio Spot B
13. I Saw Her Standing There (Single Edit)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CPLDR2D/?tag=imwan-20

King Of Rock And Roll

Description
No one expected the power of Little Richard’s return in 1970 with The Rill Thing. The following year’s King Of Rock And Roll helped demonstrate that it was no fluke. This time, instead of handling the production and arranging duties himself, Richard handed those responsibilities off to the multi-talented H.B. Barnum, a widely-respected actor, musician, vocalist, arranger and producer who was on call for the likes of the Supremes, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Aretha Franklin and Lou Rawls among others.

From originals to covers of Motown classics, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Hank Williams, and Hoyt Axton’s “Joy To The World” (made famous by Three Dog Night), there was no doubt who sat on the throne of popular music. This time around, “Green Power” was selected as the single with its flip, “Dancing In The Street,” but no chart action was to be had. Though Don Peterson’s striking cover photo likely attracted more than one taker browsing the record stores in ’71.

This reissue features the remastered album plus six bonus tracks, (including session material, radio ads, and more), and packaging containing new liners from Bill Dahl, photos, and ephemera.

This album nicked Billboard’s pop album charts in November of ’71, and underscored the obvious: The King of Rock and Roll was back!

Tracklist
1. King Of Rock And Roll
2. Joy To The World
3. Brown Sugar
4. In The Name
5. Dancing In The Street
6. Midnight Special
7. The Way You Do The Things You Do
8. Green Power
9. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
10. Settin’ The Woods On Fire
11. Born On The Bayou
Bonus Tracks:
12. In The Name (Version 2)
13. Why Don’t You Love Me
14. Still Miss Liza Jane
15. Open Up The Red Sea
16. Mississippi
17. Settin’ The Woods On Fire

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CPCBP1Z/?tag=imwan-20

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Aug 02, 2020 2:58 pm

[2020-09-18] Little Richard "The Rill Thing" and "King Of Rock And Roll" expanded remasters (Omnivore)

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