Little Richard ‎– The Formative Years 1951—53
Label: Bear Family Records
Released: 1989
Format: Mp3@320

ttle Richard ‎– The Formative Years 1951—53
Label: Bear Family Records
Released: 1989
Format: Mp3@320



Several years before permanently altering cultural history with an incendiary new kind of dance music issued on 78 rpm platters that bore the black and yellow Specialty logo, Little Richard made his first recordings for the Victor and Peacock labels. In 1989, Bear Family released The Formative Years 1951-53, containing 16 of these historic performances appended with six alternate takes. By dishing out swinging rhythm & blues infused with a New Orleans kick, Little Richard was laying the ground for a much rowdier, edgier manifestation that would eventually envelop him and the entire nation in a defiant and recklessly joyous catharsis called rock & roll. Without these fine R&B records, wouldn't none of that come together the way that it did. If you take this collection, combine it with the Specialty recordings and use selections from the Vee Jay catalog for a chaser, you'll be in a good position to draw your own conclusions regarding what this amazing individual recorded later in life.

Tracklist
1 Get Rich Quick 2:18
2 Why Did You Leave Me 2:34
3 Taxi Blues 2:20
4 Every Hour 2:54
5 I Brought It All On Myself 2:55
6 Thinkin' Bout My Mother 2:53
7 Ain't Nothin' Happenin' 2:13
8 Please Have Mercy On Me 2:32
9 Get Rich Quick (Alternative) 2:14
10 Thinkin' Bout My Mother (Take A) 2:45
11 I Brought It All On Myself (Take C) 2:57
12 Please Have Mercy On Me (Take A)2:33
13 Little Richard Boogie 2:50
14 Directly From My Heart 2:57
15 I Love My Baby 2:30
16 Maybe I'm Right 2:50
17 Ain't That Good News 2:50
18 Fool At The Wheel 2:39
19 Rice, Red Beans And Turnip Greens 2:36
20 Always 2:41
21 Directly From My Heart (Alternative) 2:56
22 I Love My Baby (Take 2)2:39

Tracks 17 – 20 Little Richard and Tempo Toppers and The Deuces Of Rhythm

Backing Vocals – Barry Lee Gilmore (tracks: 17 to 20), Billy Brooks (5) (tracks: 17 to 20),
Jimmy Swann (tracks: 17 to 20)
Orchestra – Johnny Otis Orchestra, The (tracks: 13 to 16, 21, 22)
Vocals – Little Richard (tracks: 1 to 22)

Original RCA Victor (Tracks 1-12) and Peacock (Tracks 13-22) recordings.