Here’s a rather uneven three-disc compilation assembled from “the King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s” sizable catalog.
Not to say there isn’t plenty of great music found throughout—but most of these tracks have been around the block more times than a seven-year-old on a new two-wheeler. Also, somewhat annoyingly, they aren’t presented in chronological order.
This leads to a weak beginning, as rather than deal aces like early hits “Tutti Frutti” or “Lucille,” one has to contend with later, lugubrious Specialty ballads “Lonesome and Blue” and “Wonderin’.” The otherwise great title track is early in the mix, but inexplicably they left the horrid vocal dubs on the master, which marred many of Richard’s reissues. Sadly, these overdubs ruin several tracks on this set. (What a butcher job the engineer did on “Shake a Hand.”)
Thankfully, Richard’s seminal New Orleans tracks are heard in glorious unadulterated mono. What a great band that was that backed Richard on North Rampart Street in September 1955. Not to be outdone, Richard’s road band, the Upsetters, were no slouches either, and their work on later Specialty tracks like “She’s Got It,” “Miss Ann,” “Good Golly, Miss Molly” and “Send Me Some Lovin’” (among others) is at times breathtaking.
Richard would leave Specialty and rock ‘n’ roll upon a spiritual reawakening in the late 1950s, but he returned a few years later with mixed results—briefly for Specialty and then Vee-Jay. Richard’s Vee-Jay sojourn is captured on disc three, and it’s largely forgettable (although Jimi Hendrix is supposedly present on some of the Vee-Jay sides.)
Outside a couple of decent “oldies-but-goodies,” the only contemporary track (1964) of worth is the very agreeable “I Don’t Know What You’ve Got But It’s Got Me.” A lengthy booklet is included, which contains a plethora of thumbnail period photos, but the cover photos on the box and single CD covers are from a much later era. Billy Vera inks lengthy and flattering notes, but Richard’s fans won’t learn anything new here.
Hopefully, Richard makes a few bucks on this set, but honestly, an artist of his stature deserves a more fitting tribute than what this box provides.
