Just About as Good as It Gets! The Original Recordings 1951-1962

~ Release by Little Richard (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

This double CD includes, beside others, both known takes of He Got What He Wanted (single & LP versions), firstly issued on CD (tracks 2-4 and 2-21) and many other rare tunes, including all four recordings with The World Famous Upsetters (tracks 2-29, 2-30, 1-32, 1-33) and live recording of Long Tall Sally (track 1-34).
Along with that, the recording Every Night in the Week by Christine Kittrell (track 2-20) is mistakenly credited to Little Richard on piano, and also his participation on Sumpin' Jumpin' by Robert Bumps Orchestra (track 2-25) is disputable (no aural evidence here, and not confirmed by other sources).

Tracklist

1CD
#TitleArtistLength
1Ready TeddyLittle Richard2:08
2Good Golly Miss MollyLittle Richard2:11
3Slippin' and Slidin'Little Richard2:42
4LucilleLittle Richard2:25
5Keep a Knockin'
baritone saxophone:
Samuel Parker Jr. (on 1957-01-16)
bass guitar:
Olsie Robinson (on 1957-01-16)
drums (drum set):
Charles Connor (on 1957-01-16)
guitar:
Nathaniel Douglas (on 1957-01-16)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1957-01-16)
tenor saxophone:
Clifford Burks (on 1957-01-16), Grady Gaines (on 1957-01-16) and Wilbert Smith (on 1957-01-16)
edit of:
Keep a Knockin' by Little Richard
recording of:
Keep a Knockin’ (Little Richard’s version) (on 1957-01-16)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1957-01)
publisher:
MCA Music Ltd.
version of:
Keep a‐Knockin’ an You Can’t Get In
Little Richard2:18
6Rip It UpLittle Richard2:22
7Hey Hey Hey Hey
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-05-09)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-05-09)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-05-09)
guitar:
Edgar Blanchard (on 1956-05-09)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-05-09)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-05-09)
recording of:
Hey‐Hey‐Hey‐Hey! (Going Back to Birmingham) (on 1956-05-09)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1956-05)
writer:
Little Richard
publisher:
ATV Music Ltd., Blackwood Music Inc. and Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd.
Little Richard2:08
8The Girl Can't Help It
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-10-16)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-10-16)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-10-16)
guitar:
Roy Montrell (on 1956-10-16)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-10-16)
background vocals:
Junior Gordon (on 1956-10-16), Art Neville (on 1956-10-16), Adolph Smith (on 1956-10-16) and William Tircuit (on 1956-10-16)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-10-16)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (number: 413)
recording of:
The Girl Can’t Help It (on 1956-10-16)
lyricist and composer:
Bobby Troup
publisher:
Robbins Music Corp. and Twentieth Century Music Corp. (in 1956)
Little Richard2:32
9Jenny Jenny
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-10-15)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-10-15)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-10-15)
guitar:
Roy Montrell (on 1956-10-15)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-10-15)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-10-15)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-10-15)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1957 (number: 20)
recording of:
Jenny, Jenny (made famous by Little Richard; not the 867‒5309 song) (on 1956-10-15)
writer:
Enotris Johnson (until 1956-10-15) and Richard Wayne Penniman (until 1956-10-15)
publisher:
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Little Richard2:04
10Long Tall SallyLittle Richard2:09
11Can't Believe You Want to Leave
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-08-01)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-08-01)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-08-01)
guitar:
Roy Montrell (on 1956-08-01)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-08-01)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-08-01)
recording of:
Can’t Believe You Wanna Leave (on 1956-08-01)
lyricist and composer:
Leo Price
writer:
Little Richard
publisher:
ATV Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC and Venice Music
Little Richard2:26
12By the Light of the Silvery Moon
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-10-16)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-10-16)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-10-16)
guitar:
Roy Montrell (on 1956-10-16)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-10-16)
cover recording of:
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (on 1956-10-16)
lyricist:
Edward Madden (in 1909)
composer:
Gus Edwards (in 1909)
publisher:
Remick Music
part of:
Two Weeks With Love (1950 film)
Little Richard2:08
13I Got It
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-05-09)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-05-09)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-05-09)
guitar:
Edgar Blanchard (on 1956-05-09)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-05-09)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-05-09)
recording of:
I Got It (on 1956-05-09)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1956-05)
Little Richard2:21
14True Fine Mama
baritone saxophone:
Clarence Ford (on 1955-11-29)
bass guitar:
Lloyd Lambert (on 1955-11-29)
drums (drum set):
Oscar Moore (on 1955-11-29)
guitar:
William 'Frosty' Pyles (on 1955-11-29)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1955-11-29)
tenor saxophone:
Joseph Tillman (on 1955-11-29)
trumpet:
Renald Richard (on 1955-11-29)
background vocals and choir vocals:
[unknown] (on 1955-11-29)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1955-11-29)
recording of:
True Fine Mama (True Fine Baby) (on 1955-11-29)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-11)
Little Richard2:40
15Miss Ann
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-02-07)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-02-07)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-02-07)
guitar:
Edgar Blanchard (on 1956-02-07)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-02-07)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-02-07)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-02-07)
recording of:
Miss Ann (on 1956-02-07)
writer:
Enotris Johnson (in 1955-11) and Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-11)
Little Richard2:17
16Send Me Some Lovin'
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-10-16)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-10-16)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-10-16)
guitar:
Roy Montrell (on 1956-10-16)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-10-16)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-10-16)
recording of:
Send Me Some Lovin’ (on 1956-10-16)
lyricist:
Leo Price
composer:
John Marascalco
publisher:
ATV Music Corp., Robin Hood Music Co. and Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Little Richard2:20
17Chicken Little Baby
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (until 1959-03)
background vocals and choir vocals:
The Stewart Sisters (until 1959-03)
remix of:
Chicken Little Baby by Little Richard (until 1959-03)
edit of:
Chicken Little Baby by Little Richard
recording of:
Chicken Little Baby (until 1959-03)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-11)
Little Richard2:00
18Tutti FruttiLittle Richard2:24
19She's Got It
baritone saxophone:
Jewell Grant (on 1956-09-06)
bass guitar:
Olsie Robinson (on 1956-09-06)
drums (drum set):
Charles Connor (on 1956-09-06)
guitar:
Nathaniel Douglas (on 1956-09-06)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-09-06)
tenor saxophone:
Clifford Burks (on 1956-09-06), Grady Gaines (on 1956-09-06) and Wilbert Smith (on 1956-09-06)
recorded at:
Master Recorders in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-09-06)
recording of:
She’s Got It (on 1956-09-06)
writer:
John Marascalco (in 1956-09) and Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1956-09)
publisher:
Robin Hood Music Co. and Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Little Richard2:26
20Baby
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1955-09-14)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1955-09-14)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1955-09-14)
guitar:
Justin Adams (on 1955-09-14)
piano:
Melvin Dowden (on 1955-09-14)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1955-09-14)
lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1955-09-14)
recording of:
Baby (Don't You Want a Man Like Me) (on 1955-09-14)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-02)
Little Richard2:04
21Heeby-Jeebies
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-07-30)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-07-30)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-07-30)
guitar:
Roy Montrell (on 1956-07-30)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-07-30)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-07-30)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-07-30)
recording of:
Heeby-Jeebies (on 1956-07-30)
writer:
Maybelle Jackson (in 1956-05) and John Marascalco (in 1956-05)
publisher:
Robin Hood Music Co. and Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Little Richard2:15
22Shake a Hand
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (until 1959-03)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (until 1959-03)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (until 1959-03)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (until 1959-03)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (until 1959-03)
background vocals and choir vocals:
The Stewart Sisters (until 1959-03)
remix of:
Shake a Hand by Little Richard
edit of:
Shake a Hand by Little Richard
cover recording of:
Shake a Hand (until 1959-03)
lyricist and composer:
Joe Morris
publisher:
Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.
Little Richard2:50
23All Around the WorldLittle Richard1:54
24Baby Face
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1956-10-16)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-10-16)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-10-16)
guitar:
Roy Montrell (on 1956-10-16)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1956-10-16)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-10-16)
cover recording of:
Baby Face (on 1956-10-16)
lyricist:
Benny Davis (in 1926)
composer:
Harry Akst (in 1926)
publisher:
B & G Akst Publishing Co. and Benny Davis Music
recording of:
Baby Face
lyricist:
Benny Davis (in 1926)
composer:
Harry Akst (in 1926)
publisher:
B & G Akst Publishing Co. and Benny Davis Music
Little Richard2:13
25Ooh My Soul
baritone saxophone:
Samuel Parker (on 1957-01-16)
bass:
Olsie Robinson (on 1957-01-16)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Charles Connor (on 1957-01-16)
guitar:
Nathaniel Douglas (on 1957-01-16)
piano:
Little Richard (on 1957-01-16)
tenor saxophone:
Clifford Burks (on 1957-01-16), Grady Gaines (on 1957-01-16) and Wilbert Smith (on 1957-01-16)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1957-01-16)
edit of:
Ooh My Soul by Little Richard
recording of:
Ooh! My Soul (on 1957-01-16)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1957-01)
publisher:
Copyright Control and Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd.
Little Richard1:53
26I'll Never Let You Go
bass guitar:
Olsie Robinson (on 1957-10-18)
drums (drum set):
Charles Connor (on 1957-10-18)
guitar:
Nathaniel Douglas (on 1957-10-18)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1957-10-18)
tenor saxophone:
Clifford Burks (on 1957-10-18), Grady Gaines (on 1957-10-18) and Wilbert Smith (on 1957-10-18)
recording of:
Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo (I'll Never Let You Go) (on 1957-10-18)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1957-10)
Little Richard2:22
27She Knows How to Rock
bass guitar:
Olsie Robinson (on 1957-10-18)
drums (drum set):
Charles Connor (on 1957-10-18)
guitar:
Nathaniel Douglas (on 1957-10-18)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1957-10-18)
tenor saxophone:
Clifford Burks (on 1957-10-18), Grady Gaines (on 1957-10-18) and Wilbert Smith (on 1957-10-18)
cover recording of:
Rockin' With Red (She Knows How to Rock) (on 1957-10-18)
lyricist and composer:
William Lee Perryman (in 1950-07)
publisher:
Unichappell Music, Inc.
Little Richard2:01
28Directly From the Heart
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (until 1959-03)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (until 1959-03)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (until 1959-03)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (until 1959-03)
background vocals and choir vocals:
The Stewart Sisters (until 1959-03)
lead vocals:
Little Richard (until 1959-03)
remix of:
Directly From My Heart by Little Richard
recording of:
Directly From My Heart (to You) (from 1955-09-14 until 1959-03)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-09)
Little Richard2:20
29Early One Morning
bass guitar:
Olsie Robinson (on 1957-10-18)
drums (drum set):
Charles Connor (on 1957-10-18)
guitar:
Nathaniel Douglas (on 1957-10-18)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1957-10-18)
tenor saxophone:
Clifford Burks (on 1957-10-18), Grady Gaines (on 1957-10-18) and Wilbert Smith (on 1957-10-18)
recording of:
Early One Morning (Blues) (on 1957-10-18)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1957-10)
is based on:
Wee Baby Blues
Little Richard2:15
30All Night Long
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1955-09-13)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1955-09-13)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1955-09-13)
guitar:
Justin Adams (on 1955-09-13)
piano:
Melvin Dowden (on 1955-09-13)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1955-09-13)
lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1955-09-13)
recording of:
All Night Long (Song of Richard Penniman) (on 1955-09-13)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-02)
Little Richard2:14
31I'm Just a Lonely Guy
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (on 1955-09-14)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1955-09-14)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1955-09-14)
guitar:
Justin Adams (on 1955-09-14)
piano:
Melvin Dowden (on 1955-09-14)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (on 1955-09-14)
background vocals and choir vocals:
The Stewart Sisters (on 1959-02-26)
lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1955-09-14)
remix of:
I'm Just a Lonely Guy by Little Richard (on 1959-02-26)
recording of:
I'm Just a Lonely Guy (All Alone) (from 1955-09-14 until 1959-02-26)
lyricist and composer:
Robert “Bumps” Blackwell and Dorothy LaBostrie
Little Richard2:37
32Valley of TearsLittle Richard & The Upsetters3:16
33Freedom RideLittle Richard & The Upsetters1:58
34Long Tall SallyLittle Richard & The Upsetters1:55
2CD

Credits

Release

liner notes:Dave Travis (in 2013-04)
compiler:Dave Travis (until 2013-04)
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/release/9458659 [info]