Little Richard – Right Now!
This is another attempt by the legendary rocker Little Richard to recapture the excitement of his ‘50s Specialty Records years in 1973. As creative as Richard Penniman (Little Richard) some of these songs sound slightly nourished in a Dr. John-Leon Russell tradition. At times with muscle & other times a bit feebly. I’m open to this renewal, but aficionados of Little Richard’s R&R may take longer to embrace it.
Other artists did this at considerable risk – Chubby Checker, Dion DiMucci, Bobby Vee, Bobby Darin, Del Shannon, Tom Jones, Dean Martin & even Frank Sinatra. They all walk a dangerous ledge when they realize they need to keep in step with the changing times & risk losing fans in the process.
The set Right Now! (Dropped April 26/Omnivore/Good Time Records/37:00) captures the legendary performer at the top of his game. The vocals shimmer with power & grit. The new music verifies that 1973’s Little Richard still had ink in his musical pen. The first 3 tunes were originals & each had Little Richard’s assertive power.
Produced for reissue release by Cheryl Pawelski & the 8 pieces include a fiery cover of Don Covay’s “Chain, Chain, Chain (‘Chain of Fools’)” — mistitled on the LP as it is here. This LP originally was released on the budget label United after 3 somewhat successful LPs on Warner Brothers. But to my ears, none of those sessions were properly produced to gain the most mileage from Little Richard’s voice & boogie-piano playing.
Maybe he should’ve gone to New Orleans & hired Alan Toussaint, Dr. John, Leon Russell, or Quincy Jones. Success is often dependent on the producer more than the artist. The artist provides talent (fuel), but the producer is the conductor of the sound (the engine), musicians & song selections. While I like the energy in “Gerald Jones,” it sounds rushed with improvisation.
The original producer Robert “Bumps” Blackwell was hampered since he had to turn out tunes in one session. Some producers may be magicians, but they’re not wizards.
“Chains of Love,” is a lost 8-minute slow blues workout with a Steve Cropper-type lead guitar (by Glenn Willings) that coils around the tune. The horns are mixed low in the mix & are jazzy & suggestive. There should’ve been a whole LP like this. Little Richard hasn’t lost his brand.
The last is a Little Richard potboiler – “Hot Nuts” with whip-snap horns & great vocals. It does deserve its place as a footnote.
Highlights – “In the Name,” “Mississippi,” “Don’t You Know I,” “Chain, Chain, Chain (Chain of Fools),” “Chains of Love” & “Hot Nuts.”
Musicians – No info from United/Kent Records.
Liner notes are included in the 6-panel package. Color image courtesy of Little Richard’s Facebook. CD @ https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/right-now/
