Little Richard's Greatest Hits

Background

Little Richard recorded forty-six songs for Vee-Jay Records, but nearly half of them were unreleased when the company filed for bankruptcy in January 1966. Eventually, they were compiled onto albums, such as: Mr. Big (1971), Friends from the Beginning - Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix (1972), Rip It Up (1973) and Talkin' 'Bout Soul (1974).

Jimi Hendrix is known to have played guitar on some tracks and Eskew Reeder (aka Esquerita) is playing piano on some on the album. .

Critical reception

According to Little Richard biographer Charles White, both the recordings and Richard's self-parodying persona of the time are regarded as low points in his career: "blinded by commercial considerations, they [Vee-Jay] rushed the session without concern for quality. The result was dreadful." AllMusic critic William Ruhlmann noted "Little Richard is in much rougher voice than he was when he did the originals, but he remains a spirited performer. Just don't buy this album thinking you are getting the hit versions of these songs!" These "sub-standard" cuts still have found their way onto major movie soundtracks, such as "The Year Of Living Dangerously", with Mel Gibson.

Track listing

1. "Good Golly, Miss Molly" (John Marascalco, Robert Blackwell) (2:07)
2. "Baby Face" (Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Ron Buzzel) (2:33)
3. "Tutti Frutti" (Dorothy LaBostrie, Richard Penniman) (2:24)
4. "Send Me Some Lovin'" (John Marascalco, Leo Price) (2:19)
5. "The Girl Can't Help It" (Bobby Troup) (3:02)
6. "Lucille" (Albert Collins, Richard Penniman) (2:16)
7. "Slippin' and Slidin'" (Richard Penniman) (2:26)
8. "Keep A Knockin'" (Richard Penniman) (2:15)
9. "Rip It Up" (John Marascalco, Robert Blackwell) (2:02)
10. "She's Got It" (John Marascalco, Richard Penniman) (2:11)
11. "Ooh! My Soul" (Richard Penniman) (2:17)
12. "Long Tall Sally" (Earl Johnson, Robert Blackwell, Richard Penniman) (2:03)