Specialty Records, an imprint of Concord Bicycle Music, is pleased to announce the release of Mono Box: The Complete Specialty and Vee-Jay Albums: a deluxe, 5-LP box set that celebrates one of the most influential entertainers in popular music history, Little Richard.
The collection includes the entire output of studio albums that Little Richard had recorded for both the Specialty and Vee-Jay labels, spanning 1957–1965. The albums, each featuring original label and jacket art, have been meticulously remastered from analog tapes and are presented in their original mono mixes. Completing the collection is a 16-page booklet featuring new liner notes by journalist Bill Dahl, plus era-specific photos.
In the early ’50s, Little Richard Penniman combined the spirit of church music, the bawdiness of blues and the swing of New Orleans jazz and turned it into something altogether new, rock ’n’ roll. When the Macon, Georgia native signed to Art Rupe’s Specialty Records, Little Richard began to develop his signature sound and flamboyant persona. His legendary debut album, Here’s Little Richard (1957), is a bold introduction to the artist, featuring the iconic tracks Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally. His 1958 follow-up, Little Richard, finds the singer on his rise to superstardom, with hits like Lucille, Good Golly Miss Molly and the title track of Jayne Mansfield hit flick The Girl Can’t Help It, in which Little Richard appeared. The artist’s third and final album for Specialty, The Fabulous Little Richard (1959), was released soon after Richard had traded in a life of fame to focus on spreading the gospel. The LP featured standout tracks from Richard’s 1955-57 Specialty sessions, including Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On, Lonesome and Blue and Kansas City.
Having taken several years out of the spotlight to focus on religion, Little Richard returned to his rock ’n’ roll roots in the early ’60s. This period kicked off with a successful European tour, followed by a new record contract with Vee-Jay Records. His first release with the label was 1964’s Little Richard Is Back, a triumphant collection of old favorites and new tunes, with a backing band that featured a young Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Richard’s second and final studio release with Vee-Jay was 1965’s His Greatest Hits. Despite the name, this album is not a compilation, but rather features the singer revisiting his classic hits nearly a decade later, introducing new arrangements and instrumentation. In his liner notes for the Mono Box, musicologist Bill Dahl writes, “As the end of the decade grew near and the first rock and roll revival loomed, Richard emerged at its forefront, his outrageous image earning him overdue network TV exposure.” Indeed, by the end of his tenure on Vee-Jay, Richard had firmly cemented his status as a rock ’n’ roll legend. Dahl continues, “It’s impossible to imagine how the genre would have developed if not for his massive innovations.”
Mono Box: The Complete Specialty and Vee-Jay Albums will be released July 15th on Specialty Records.
The track list
Disc 1
Tutti Frutti
True, Fine Mama
Can t Believe You Wanna Leave
Ready Teddy
Baby
Slippin and Slidin
Long Tall Sally (The Thing)
Miss Ann
Oh Why?
Rip it Up
Jenny Jenny
She s Got It
Disc 2
Keep a Knockin
By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Send Me Some Lovin
I ll Never Let You Go (Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo)
Heeby-Jeebies
All Around the World
Good Golly, Miss Molly
Baby Face
Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey
Ooh! My Soul
The Girl Can t Help It
Lucille
Disc 3
Shake a Hand
Chicken Little Baby
All Night Long
The Most I Can Offer
Lonesome and Blue
Wonderin
She Knows How to Rock
Kansas City
Directly from My Heart
Maybe I m Right
Early One Morning
I m Just a Lonely Guy (All Alone)
Whole Lotta Shakin
Disc 4
Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On
Goin Home Tomorrow
Money Honey
Only You
Hound Dog
Goodnight Irene
Lawdy Miss Claudie
Groovy Little Suzy
Short Fat Fanny
Cherry Red
Memories are Made of This
Blueberry Hill
Disc 5
Good Golly Miss Molly
Baby Face
Tutti-Frutti
Send Me Some Loving
The Girl Can t Help It
Lucille
Slippin and Slidin
Keep a Knockin
Rip It Up
She s Got It
Oh My Soul
Long Tall Sally
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