What a surprise! Reissued Little Richard Vee Jay(s)!
p. silverman | USA | 08/31/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It seems that once a month we get a re-packaging of Little Richard's 1964-65 recordings. The latest, but not greatest, set of retreads is the above-named CD.
The only selling point for Richard collectors in the uncommon mix on "My Wheels They Are Slippin' All The Way" [aka "My Wheel's Been Slippin'"], the Country Rock number originally left on the shelf for ten years. The horn section is audible on this album opener. Track two, "It Ain't Whatcha Do", is the original flip-side of his third single for the label, an under-produced dance floor offer, and this reduced echo version is welcome.
It's been said many times that Richard's work for this label is inconsistent, but that doesn't mean that several sides aren't absolutely essential listening for *any* R & R fan or historian. There are a few masterpieces including the uptempo "Dance What You Wanna" (co-written by Sam Cooke) and "Talkin' ' bout Soul" (written by Sam's Manager and Richard's Manager-to-be, J. W. Alexander). On the ballad side, we have the monumental "I Don't Know What You've Got, But It's Got Me", the Don Covay composition, recorded by LR in New York City, May, 1965, and including support by Jimi Hendrix (then known as Maurice James), Billy Preston, and Don himself on harmony vocal. Incredibly, the most important track on this double CD, and maybe the most important Soul ballad every released, is presented here with an unnecessary fade which excludes the expolsive final forty seconds. I say "unnecessary" because an alternate take of this song exists at exactly 4:04, the same time as this shortened version. The stereo sound is good, but the damage is done. [Full-length pressings of both originally issued and alternate versions of "I Don't Know..." at 4:44 and 4:04, can be found on "The Best of the Vee Jay Years", Vol. 1/2, on Collectibles].
Another turn-off for the initiated are the versions of songs found in true stereo elsewhere, ironically from Charly, who figured in this collection. "Hound Dog", "Money Honey", "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy", "Going Home Tomorrow", and "Why Don't You Love Me" are in stereo on TKO/Charly's "Little Richard & Jimi Hendrix" CD from 1993."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1