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Released 1989

Dig it -- a collection of all 73 songs that Little Richard cut for Specialty Records from 1955 through 1959, including early working versions of hits including "Long Tall Sally" and "Slippin' and Slidin'," may seem like overkill to the casual listener, but if you're thinking of buying this three-CD box, chances are you're not a casual listener. And if you're not thinking about it, then you should be. This set covers only four years in Little Richard's career, but manages to sum up virtually everything you need to know about him (his earlier sides, available on Bear Family, are an interesting appendix, but of his later stuff, only the early- and mid-'60s material, with Jimi Hendrix on guitar, hold any significance, mostly as a curiosity). Not only does the music make you want to get up and dance, but the notes -- spread out on a lavishly illustrated booklet and the individual jewel boxes -- tell the whole story of Specialty Records and the people behind it, including Art Rupe, Bumps Blackwell, Dave Bartholomew, and, of course, Richard Penniman himself. The session information alone could keep owners busy for a week. The sound is nothing less than breathtaking, loud and raunchy but razor sharp, and the price of this set -- about $42 retail -- makes it competitive with other Little Richard single-disc sets as well as more attractive than the price of boxes devoted to Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. The only complaint -- why couldn't the producers list the songs on the individual jewel boxes? ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

TRACKS

1. Baby
2. All Night Long
3. She's My Star
4. Lonesome and Blue
5. Wonderin'
6. All Night Long
7. Kansas City
8. Kansas City
9. Maybe I'm Right
10. Directly from My Heart to You
11. Baby
12. I'm Just a Lonely Guy
13. Tutti Frutti
14. Tutti Frutti
15. Slippin' and Slidin' [Alternate Take]
16. Slippin' and Slidin' [Alternate Take]
17. Slippin' and Slidin' [Alternate Take]
18. She's My Star
19. Chicken Little Baby
20. Miss Ann
21. Baby
22. True Fine Mama
23. Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey! [Alternate Take]
24. Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!
25. Long Tall Sally [Alternate Take]
26. Long Tall Sally [Alternate Take]

DISC 2

27. Slippin' and Slidin'
28. Long Tall Sally
29. Miss Ann
30. The Most I Can Offer (Just My Heart)
31. Oh Why?
32. Heeby Jeebies [Alternate Take]
33. I Got It
34. Ready Teddy [Alternate Take]
35. Ready Teddy
36. Hey Hey Hey Hey
37. Rip It Up [Alternate Take]
38. Rip It Up
39. Heeby Jeebies [Alternate Take]
40. Lucille
41. Heeby Jeebies
42. Good Golly Miss Molly [Alternate Take]
43. Can't Believe You Wanna Leave
44. Shake a Hand
45. All Around the World
46. She's Got It
47. Hound Dog

DISC 3

48. Jenny, Jenny
49. Good Golly Miss Molly
50. Baby Face
51. The Girl Can't Help It
52. The Girl Can't Help It
53. By the Light of the Silvery Moon
54. Send Me Some Lovin'
55. Gene Nobles' Royal Crown Hairdresing Commercials
56. Ooh! My Soul
57. Keep a Knockin' [Alternate Take]
58. Keep a Knockin'
59. I'll Never Let You Go (Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo)
60. I'll Never Let You Go (Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo)
61. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
62. Ooh! My Soul [Alternate Take]
63. Ooh! My Soul [Alternate Take]
64. Early One Morning
65. She Knows How to Rock [Alternate Take]
66. She Knows How to Rock
67. Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On
68. Bama Lama Bama Loo
69. Poor Boy Paul
70. Annie Is Back
71. Annie Is Back
72. Miss Ann
73. Well Alright!

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