Little Richard Very Best of The Vee-Jay Years, Volume 1

Rare & Hard-To-Find Audio CDs (series)

Digitally remastered by Walter DeVenne.

This is the first of two volumes devoted to the recordings Little Richard made for Vee Jay in the mid-'60s, many of which were re-recordings of his classic Specialty sides. The remakes aren't particularly interesting except for Little Richard's attempts to update them with loud drums and hysterical performances. The newer material veers toward soul rather than rock & roll, but still sounds pretty retro for its time. More noteworthy are the bizarre interpretations of "Memories Are Made of This" (a number one hit for Dean Martin) and Hank Williams' "Why Don't You Love Me." Volume one includes Little Richard's lone Vee Jay hit, the soulful "I Don't Know What You've Got but It's Got Me." ~ Greg Adams