The Essential Little Richard

~ Release by Little Richard (see all versions of this release, 4 available)

Annotation

Copyright: © 1985 Specialty Records, Inc., Distributed by Concord.
This Compilation ℗ 1985 Specialty Records, Inc., Distributed by Concord.

Excluded Regions

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇮🇴 British Indian Ocean Territory

Annotation last modified on 2025-07-30 14:21 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼Digital Media
#TitleRatingLength
1Tutti Frutti – Take 2
recorded in:
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1955-09-14)
producer:
Robert Blackwell
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1955-09-14)
double bass:
Frank Fields (on 1955-09-14)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1955-09-14)
guitar:
Justin Adams (1950s session guitarist) (on 1955-09-14)
piano:
Melvin Dowden (on 1955-09-14)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1955-09-14)
lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1955-09-14)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1955-09-14)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1955 (number: 1), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 35) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 43)
recording of:
Tutti Frutti (on 1955-09-14)
lyricist:
Dorothy LaBostrie (American songwriter) and Richard Wayne Penniman
composer:
Dorothy LaBostrie (American songwriter), Joe Lubin and Richard Wayne Penniman
publisher:
ATV Music Ltd., Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Venice, Venice Music, ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division) and Phonogram GmbH (in 1983)
4.12:26
2Long Tall Sally
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-02-07)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-02-07)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1956 (number: 13) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 56)
recording of:
Long Tall Sally (on 1956-02-07)
writer:
Enotris Johnson (on 1955-11-29), Richard Wayne Penniman (on 1955-11-29) and Robert Alexander Blackwell (on 1955-11-29)
publisher:
ATV Music, Blackwood Music Inc. (1953-02-07–1987-12-30), Peermusic (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Southern Music Publishing Company Limited, Unichappell Music and Venice Music
42:10
3Rip It Up
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-05-09)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-05-09)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1956 (number: 4)
recording of:
Rip It Up (on 1956-05-09)
writer:
Robert “Bumps” Blackwell and John Marascalco
publisher:
Peter Maurice Music Co. Ltd., Robin Hood Music Co., Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Venice Music
4.52:24
4Jenny, Jenny
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (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
4.52:02
5Good Golly, Miss Molly
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-10-15)
double bass [bass]:
Frank Fields (on 1956-10-15)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Earl Palmer (on 1956-10-15)
guitar:
Edgar Blanchard (on 1956-10-15)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-10-15)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-10-15)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-10-15)
edit of:
Good Golly, Miss Molly (false start, chatter, announcement & take 9) by Little Richard
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1958 (recordings) (number: 6), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 92) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 94)
recording of:
Good Golly Miss Molly (on 1956-10-15)
writer:
Robert “Bumps” Blackwell and John Marascalco
publisher:
Cedos Music, Jondora Music, PeerMusic AB, Prestige Music ltd. and Robin Hood Music Co.
3.52:09
6Ready Teddy
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-05-09)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-05-09)
recording of:
Ready Teddy (on 1956-05-09)
lyricist and composer:
Robert “Bumps” Blackwell and John Marascalco
publisher:
Aberbach Ltd. (publisher), ABG Elvis Songs, Elvis Presley Music, Elvis Presley Music Inc., Robin Hood Music Co., Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Venice Music, Inc.
52:08
7Slippin’ and Slidin’ (Peepin’ and Hidin’)
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-02-07)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-02-07)
recording of:
Slippin’ and Slidin’ (on 1956-02-07)
writer:
Edwin Bocage, Albert Collins (composer of “Lucille” & “Slippin’ and Slidin’”), Richard Wayne Penniman and James Smith (composer of “Slippin’ and Slidin’”)
publisher:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Universal Music Publishing MGB Ltd. and Venice Music
2:41
8The Girl Can’t Help It
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-10-16)
background vocals:
Junior Gordon (on 1956-10-16), Art Neville (on 1956-10-16), Adolph Smith (1950s vocalist, guitarist & songwriter) (on 1956-10-16) and William Tircuit (1950s vocalist) (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 (as at 2016-06-10) (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)
42:32
9I Got It – remastered
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-05-09)
recording of:
I Got It (on 1956-05-09)
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1956-05)
2:19
10Heeby‐Jeebies
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (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
2:14
11Lucille
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-07-30)
recorded at:
J&M Music Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (on 1956-07-30)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1957 (number: 14)
recording of:
Lucille (on 1956-07-30)
writer:
Albert Collins (composer of “Lucille” & “Slippin’ and Slidin’”) and Richard Wayne Penniman
publisher:
Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Flora GmbH, Josef Hochmuth Musikverlag, Leeds Music Corp., Leeds Music Ltd., MCA Music Inc. (Universal Music Philippines’ legal name), MCA Music Ltd., Melody Music Pty Ltd., Morro Music Corp., Strengholt Music Publishing BV, Universal Music Publishing Ricordi srl, Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!) and Venice Music
sub-publisher:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing France (ended), Sony Music Publishing France and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
4.52:24
12Keep a Knockin’
baritone saxophone:
Samuel Parker Jr. (US saxophonist) (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 (R & B sax player / bandleader) (on 1957-01-16) and Wilbert Smith (on 1957-01-16)
edit of:
Keep a Knockin' (slate & take 2) 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
2:18
13Miss Ann
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (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)
42:18
14Ooh! My Soul
recording of:
Ooh! My Soul
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1957-01)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships) and Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd.
2:07
15True 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] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (on 1955-11-29)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) 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)
42:43
16Directly From My Heart
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (until 1959-03)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (until 1959-03)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (until 1959-03)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (until 1959-03)
background vocals and choir vocals:
The Stewart Sisters (girl trio from Long Beach, CA) (until 1959-03)
lead vocals:
Little Richard (until 1959-03)
remix of:
Directly From My Heart (undubbed Specialty master) 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)
2:20
17Hey‐Hey‐Hey‐Hey (Goin’ Back to Birmingham)
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (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)
publisher:
ATV Music Ltd., Blackwood Music Inc. (1953-02-07–1987-12-30) and Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd.
2:05
18Send Me Some Lovin’
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (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
2:20
19Baby Face
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (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 (US vaudeville performer and songwriter) (in 1926)
composer:
Harry Akst (in 1926)
publisher:
B & G Akst Publishing Co. and Benny Davis Music
recording of:
Baby Face
lyricist:
Benny Davis (US vaudeville performer and songwriter) (in 1926)
composer:
Harry Akst (in 1926)
publisher:
B & G Akst Publishing Co. and Benny Davis Music
2:15
20By the Light of the Silvery Moon
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (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 (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (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)
2:06