Little Richard - The Mercury Blues Story: Midwest Blues, Vol. 2

Title: The Mercury Blues Story: Midwest Blues, Vol. 2 Artist: Little Richard Release Date: 4/19/2005 Re-Released On: 6/7/2005 Label: Universe Album Type(s): Greatest Hits UPC: 8026575148222 Genre: Rock Styles: Early R&B, Rock & Roll Moods: Boisterous, Confident, Exuberant, Party/Celebratory, Reckless, Rousing, Urgent, Brash, Exciting, Giddy, Joyous, Outrageous, Passionate, Playful, Rambunctious, Rebellious, Rollicking, Swaggering, Energetic, Fiery, Freewheeling, Manic, Raucous, Rowdy, Visceral, Fun, Theatrical Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Mud Kickin' Woman
2. Everytime I Get to Drinkin'
3. Train Is Comin'
4. The Question
5. I'm a Good Rockin' Daddy
6. Drivin' Me Mad
7. Never Let Me Love
8. Train Time
9. Blue Evening
10. Get Back (Black, Brown and White)
11. Willie Mae Blues
12. I Know She Will
13. Leavin' Day
14. South Bound Train
15. Tomorrow
16. You Changed
17. I'm Gonna Dig Myself a Hole
18. Dust My Broom
19. Glory for Man
20. My Daily Wish
21. No Mail Blues
22. You're Gonna Need My Help Someday
23. Ain't Nothing But a Child
24. Brown Skinned Woman
25. Hit the Road Again
26. Gin Drinkin' Baby
27. Leap Year Blues

Year Type Label Catalog # 2005 CD Universe 148

No other editions were found for this album.

With the lapse of ever more copyrights, publishing companies are begging Congress to extend them 50 to 75 years, all the better to protect the music from the greedy hands of profiteers. Well, if Universe is what we're meant to fear, cut them down to 25 years, and "let 'em at it" will be most fans' response. Directly From My Heart is the latest in an expanding series of legacy two-CD packages devoted to blues and r&b artists, in this case the ever flamboyant Little Richard. You don't meet that singer, however, until the tail end of disc one, as the set carefully charts Richard's career from his first recordings in 1951 to the beginnings of his breakout in late 1955. As always, the set meticulously notes the details, the date and place of sessions, and in the case of Richard's pre-J&M recordings, the backing musicians as well. It was at J&M, of course, that Richard recorded "Tutti Frutti," the first in a flood of high-adrenaline hits. None of those, however, prepare the listener for what came before, although those knowledgeable of the singer's start in gospel groups may be less surprised. Heavily influenced by such gospel greats as Mahalia Jackson, in his early years the singer brought an unexpected blues and soul styling to his songs. Equally startling is his smooth work as part of the harmony group the Tempo Toppers, a silky quartet with whom he recorded in 1953. By 1955, Richard was itching to give voice to his more exuberant side, and the set emphasizes that fact as the singer re-records older numbers to ever more devastating effect. You can hear it as he belts out the final version of "All Night Long," barrels through a couple of takes of "Kansas City," and burns his way across the re-re-recorded title track. "Baby" further turns up the heat, the chest-beater "I'm Just a Lonely Guy" is ablaze, with the stage now set for the revelation of "Tutti Frutti." The rest is history, more of which is captured here on a superb set that is as fabulous as Richard himself. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Williams Drums Alex Atkins Sax (Alto) Alfred Wallace Drums Andrew Tibbs Vocals Big Bill Broonzy Guitar, Vocals Bill Casimir Sax (Tenor) Bob Call Piano Eddie Chamblee Sax (Tenor) Eddie Ware Piano Ernest "Big" Crawford Bass Gail Brockman Trumpet Henry Taylor Bass Ike Perkins Guitar John Frazier Bass Johnny Pate Bass Judge Riley Drums Leo Parker Sax (Baritone) Memphis Slim Piano, Vocals Moody Jones Bass Neil Green Sax (Tenor), Vocals (Background) Nelson Berry Vocals (Background), Sax (Tenor) Oett Mallard Sax (Alto) Oscar Larkin Drums Percell Brockenborough Sax (Tenor) Ransom Knowling Bass Ray Snead Vocals Robert Lockwood, Jr. Vocals, Guitar Sax Mallard & His Orchestra Performer Sunnyland Slim Vocals, Piano, Vocals (Background) Terry Timmons Vocals