Just About as Good as It Gets! The Original Recordings 1951-1962

~ Release by Little Richard (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

This double CD includes, beside others, both known takes of He Got What He Wanted (single & LP versions), firstly issued on CD (tracks 2-4 and 2-21) and many other rare tunes, including all four recordings with The World Famous Upsetters (tracks 2-29, 2-30, 1-32, 1-33) and live recording of Long Tall Sally (track 1-34).
Along with that, the recording Every Night in the Week by Christine Kittrell (track 2-20) is mistakenly credited to Little Richard on piano, and also his participation on Sumpin' Jumpin' by Robert Bumps Orchestra (track 2-25) is disputable (no aural evidence here, and not confirmed by other sources).

Annotation last modified on 2017-12-16 10:08 UTC.

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (until 1959-03)
edit of:
Whole Lotta Shaking Going On (Specialty master with piano chords) by Little Richard
cover recording of:
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (until 1959-03)
writer:
Roy Hall (US rockabilly pianist & songwriter) and Dave “Curly” Williams
publisher:
Cherio Music Publishers, Inc., EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Marlyn Music Publishing Inc., Marlyn Music Publishing Ltd., Ni'Mani Entertainment Co. (ASCAP-affiliated) and Whole Lotta Shakin' Music
Little Richard41:53
2Oh Why
baritone saxophone:
Alvin “Red” Tyler (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-02-09)
bass guitar:
Frank Fields (on 1956-02-09)
drums (drum set):
Earl Palmer (on 1956-02-09)
guitar:
Edgar Blanchard (on 1956-02-09)
piano and lead vocals:
Little Richard (on 1956-02-09)
tenor saxophone:
Lee Allen (US jazz tenor saxophonist) (on 1956-02-09)
recording of:
Oh Why? (on 1956-02-09)
lyricist and composer:
William L. Scott
Little Richard42:08
3Kansas City
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)
recording of:
Kansas City Hey Hey Hey (on 1955-11-29)
additional lyricist and additional composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-11)
lyricist:
Jerry Leiber (in 1952)
composer:
Mike Stoller (in 1952)
publisher:
Halnat Publishing Co. and Sony/ATV Songs LLC
medley of:
Hey‐Hey‐Hey‐Hey! (Going Back to Birmingham)
medley of:
Kansas City (aka “K.C. Loving”)
version of:
Kansas City (aka “K.C. Loving”)
Little Richard2:40
4He Got What He Wanted (But He Lost What He Had)
Little Richard2:44
5Little Richard's Boogie
recorded in:
Houston, Texas, United States (on 1953-10-05)
producer:
Don Robey
baritone saxophone:
Fred Ford (baritone saxophonist) (on 1953-10-05) and Walter Henry (baritone saxophonist) (on 1953-10-05)
double bass:
Albert Winston (R&B bassist) (on 1953-10-05)
drums (drum set):
Leard 'Kansas City' Bell (R&B drummer) (on 1953-10-05)
guitar:
Pete Lewis (R&B guitarist) (on 1953-10-05)
piano:
Little Richard (in 1953) and Devonia Williams (US R&B pianist/singer) (on 1953-10-05)
trombone:
George Washington (jazz trombonist) (on 1953-10-05)
trumpet:
Lorenzo Holden (on 1953-10-05), Don Johnson (1950s' R&B trumpeter) (on 1953-10-05) and James Van Streeter (R&B trumpeter) (on 1953-10-05)
vibraphone:
Johnny Otis (on 1953-10-05)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1953-10-05)
orchestra:
Johnny Otis Orchestra (on 1953-10-05)
recording of:
Little Richard's Bible
lyricist:
Bernie Taupin
writer:
Brandi Carlile (American country singer-songwriter), Elton John (English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer) and Andrew Watt (producer, guitarist, singer, Earthlings, California Breed)
dedicated to:
Little Richard
Little Richard2:49
6Get Rich Quick
recorded in:
Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1951-10-16)
artist & repertoire support and producer:
Steve Sholes
alto saxophone:
Albert Dobbins (on 1951-10-16)
baritone saxophone:
J. Hudson (American clarinetist and saxophonist) (on 1951-10-16)
double bass [bass]:
George Holloway Jr. (on 1951-10-16)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Donald J. Clark (blues/rock drummer) (on 1951-10-16)
piano:
J. Wimby (on 1951-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Fred Jackson (US R&B and jazz tenor saxophonist active 1940s-1960s) (on 1951-10-16)
trumpet:
Willie Mays (on 1951-10-16)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1951-10-16)
Little Richard2:16
7I Brought It All on Myself
artist & repertoire support:
Steve Sholes (on 1952-01-12)
producer:
Steve Sholes
alto saxophone:
Carlos Bermudaz (sax player) (on 1952-01-12)
double bass [bass]:
George Holloway Jr. (on 1952-01-12)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
J. Williams (obscure r&b drummer) (on 1952-01-12)
guitar:
Wesley Jackson (US R&B guitarist) (on 1952-01-12)
piano:
J. Wimby (on 1952-01-12)
tenor saxophone:
Fred Jackson (US R&B and jazz tenor saxophonist active 1940s-1960s) (on 1952-01-12)
trombone:
Willie Wilson (trombonist) (on 1952-01-12)
trumpet:
Willie Mays (on 1952-01-12)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1952-01-12)
recorded at:
WQXI Studio (radio station) in Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1952-01-12)
recording of:
I Brought It All on Myself
writer:
Howard Biggs and Joe Thomas (US songwriter and Jazz saxophonist)
Little Richard2:54
8Every Hour
recorded in:
Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1951-10-16)
artist & repertoire support and producer:
Steve Sholes
alto saxophone:
Albert Dobbins (on 1951-10-16)
baritone saxophone:
J. Hudson (American clarinetist and saxophonist) (on 1951-10-16)
double bass [bass]:
George Holloway Jr. (on 1951-10-16)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Donald J. Clark (blues/rock drummer) (on 1951-10-16)
piano:
J. Wimby (on 1951-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Fred Jackson (US R&B and jazz tenor saxophonist active 1940s-1960s) (on 1951-10-16)
trumpet:
Willie Mays (on 1951-10-16)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1951-10-16)
Little Richard2:53
9Joy Joy Joy (Down in My Heart)
Little Richard2:20
10I Love My Baby
recorded in:
Houston, Texas, United States (on 1953-10-05)
producer:
Don Robey
baritone saxophone:
Fred Ford (baritone saxophonist) (on 1953-10-05) and Walter Henry (baritone saxophonist) (on 1953-10-05)
double bass [bass]:
Albert Winston (R&B bassist) (on 1953-10-05)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Leard 'Kansas City' Bell (R&B drummer) (on 1953-10-05)
guitar:
Pete Lewis (R&B guitarist) (on 1953-10-05)
piano:
Devonia Williams (US R&B pianist/singer) (on 1953-10-05)
trombone:
George Washington (jazz trombonist) (on 1953-10-05)
trumpet:
Lorenzo Holden (on 1953-10-05), Don Johnson (1950s' R&B trumpeter) (on 1953-10-05) and James Van Streeter (R&B trumpeter) (on 1953-10-05)
vibraphone [vibes]:
Johnny Otis (on 1953-10-05)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1953-10-05)
orchestra:
Johnny Otis Orchestra (on 1953-10-05)
Little Richard2:30
11Always
producer:
Don Robey
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Mildred Taylor (drummer) (on 1953-02-25)
guitar:
Eddie Lee Williams (guitarist on the Deuces of Rhythm) (on 1953-02-25)
organ, piano, trombone and trumpet:
Raymond Taylor (member of the Deuces of Rhythm) (on 1953-02-25)
vocals:
Billy Brooks (vocalist) (on 1953-02-25), Barry Lee Gilmore (on 1953-02-25), Jimmy Swann (R&B vocalist, 1950s) (on 1953-02-25), Little Richard (on 1953-02-25) and The Tempo Toppers (United States, 1950s) (on 1953-02-25)
recorded at:
ACA Studio in Houston, Texas, United States (on 1953-02-25)
Little Richard2:39
12Taxi Blues
recorded in:
Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1951-10-16)
artist & repertoire support and producer:
Steve Sholes
alto saxophone:
Albert Dobbins (on 1951-10-16)
baritone saxophone:
J. Hudson (American clarinetist and saxophonist) (on 1951-10-16)
double bass [bass]:
George Holloway Jr. (on 1951-10-16)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Donald J. Clark (blues/rock drummer) (on 1951-10-16)
piano:
J. Wimby (on 1951-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Fred Jackson (US R&B and jazz tenor saxophonist active 1940s-1960s) (on 1951-10-16)
trumpet:
Willie Mays (on 1951-10-16)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1951-10-16)
Little Richard2:18
13Please Have Mercy on Me
artist & repertoire support:
Steve Sholes (on 1952-01-12)
producer:
Steve Sholes
alto saxophone:
Carlos Bermudaz (sax player) (on 1952-01-12)
double bass [bass]:
George Holloway Jr. (on 1952-01-12)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
J. Williams (obscure r&b drummer) (on 1952-01-12)
guitar:
Wesley Jackson (US R&B guitarist) (on 1952-01-12)
piano:
J. Wimby (on 1952-01-12)
tenor saxophone:
Fred Jackson (US R&B and jazz tenor saxophonist active 1940s-1960s) (on 1952-01-12)
trombone:
Willie Wilson (trombonist) (on 1952-01-12)
trumpet:
Willie Mays (on 1952-01-12)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1952-01-12)
recorded at:
WQXI Studio (radio station) in Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1952-01-12)
Little Richard2:32
14Ain't Nothin' Happenin'
Little Richard2:11
15Rice, Red Beans and Turnip Greens
Little Richard2:32
16Call His Name
producer:
Bill Beasley
bass:
Clifford McCray (in 1954)
guitar:
Thomas Hartwell (in 1954)
membranophone:
Kid King (in 1954)
piano:
Little Richard (in 1954)
tenor saxophone:
Wilbert Smith (in 1954)
background vocals and choir vocals:
Little Richard (in 1954) and Wilbert Smith (in 1954)
vocals:
Christine Kittrell (in 1954)
recording of:
Call His Name (in 1954)
lyricist and composer:
Christine Kittrell
Christine Kittrell feat. Little Richard2:23
17Fool at the Wheel
producer:
Don Robey
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Mildred Taylor (drummer) (on 1953-02-25)
guitar:
Eddie Lee Williams (guitarist on the Deuces of Rhythm) (on 1953-02-25)
organ, piano, trombone and trumpet:
Raymond Taylor (member of the Deuces of Rhythm) (on 1953-02-25)
vocals:
Billy Brooks (vocalist) (on 1953-02-25), Barry Lee Gilmore (on 1953-02-25), Jimmy Swann (R&B vocalist, 1950s) (on 1953-02-25), Little Richard (on 1953-02-25) and The Tempo Toppers (United States, 1950s) (on 1953-02-25)
recorded at:
ACA Studio in Houston, Texas, United States (on 1953-02-25)
Little Richard2:38
18Ain't That Good News
Little Richard2:49
19Maybe I'm Right
recorded in:
Houston, Texas, United States (on 1953-10-05)
producer:
Don Robey
baritone saxophone:
Fred Ford (baritone saxophonist) (on 1953-10-05) and Walter Henry (baritone saxophonist) (on 1953-10-05)
double bass [bass]:
Albert Winston (R&B bassist) (on 1953-10-05)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Leard 'Kansas City' Bell (R&B drummer) (on 1953-10-05)
guitar:
Pete Lewis (R&B guitarist) (on 1953-10-05)
piano:
Devonia Williams (US R&B pianist/singer) (on 1953-10-05)
trombone:
George Washington (jazz trombonist) (on 1953-10-05)
trumpet:
Lorenzo Holden (on 1953-10-05), Don Johnson (1950s' R&B trumpeter) (on 1953-10-05) and James Van Streeter (R&B trumpeter) (on 1953-10-05)
vibraphone [vibes]:
Johnny Otis (on 1953-10-05)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1953-10-05)
orchestra:
Johnny Otis Orchestra (on 1953-10-05)
recording of:
Maybe I'm Right
lyricist and composer:
Richard Wayne Penniman (in 1955-09)
Little Richard2:50
20Every Night in the Week
producer:
Bill Beasley
bass:
Clifford McCray (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
guitar:
Guitar Red (Chicago blues/soul performer and songwriter Paul Johnson) (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
membranophone:
Charles Connor (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
piano:
Skippy Brooks (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
tenor saxophone:
Nat Perrilliat (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
trumpet:
Milton Battiste (trumpeter) (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
vocals:
Christine Kittrell (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
arranger:
Ted Jarrett
recording of:
Every Night of the Week (from 1953-06 until 1953-08)
lyricist and composer:
Ted Jarrett
Christine Kittrell2:38
21He Got What He Wanted (But He Lost What He Had) (alt. LP take)
Little Richard3:04
22Why Did You Leave Me
recorded in:
Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1951-10-16)
artist & repertoire support and producer:
Steve Sholes
alto saxophone:
Albert Dobbins (on 1951-10-16)
baritone saxophone:
J. Hudson (American clarinetist and saxophonist) (on 1951-10-16)
double bass [bass]:
George Holloway Jr. (on 1951-10-16)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Donald J. Clark (blues/rock drummer) (on 1951-10-16)
piano:
J. Wimby (on 1951-10-16)
tenor saxophone:
Fred Jackson (US R&B and jazz tenor saxophonist active 1940s-1960s) (on 1951-10-16)
trumpet:
Willie Mays (on 1951-10-16)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1951-10-16)
Little Richard2:33
23Ride On King Jesus
Little Richard2:58
24Lord Have Mercy (I'm So Lonely)
producer:
Bill Beasley
bass:
Clifford McCray (in 1954)
guitar:
Thomas Hartwell (in 1954)
membranophone:
Kid King (in 1954)
piano:
Little Richard (in 1954)
tenor saxophone:
Wilbert Smith (in 1954)
background vocals and choir vocals:
Little Richard (in 1954) and Wilbert Smith (in 1954)
choir vocals and lead vocals:
Christine Kittrell (in 1954)
recording of:
Lord Have Mercy (I'm So Lonely) (in 1954)
lyricist and composer:
Christine Kittrell
Christine Kittrell feat. Little Richard3:02
25Sumpin' Jumpin
Bumps Blackwell Orchestra feat. Little Richard2:37
26Get Rich Quick (alt. take)
artist & repertoire support:
Steve Sholes (on 1952-01-12)
producer:
Steve Sholes
alto saxophone:
Carlos Bermudaz (sax player) (on 1952-01-12)
double bass [bass]:
George Holloway Jr. (on 1952-01-12)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
J. Williams (obscure r&b drummer) (on 1952-01-12)
guitar:
Wesley Jackson (US R&B guitarist) (on 1952-01-12)
piano:
J. Wimby (on 1952-01-12)
tenor saxophone:
Fred Jackson (US R&B and jazz tenor saxophonist active 1940s-1960s) (on 1952-01-12)
trombone:
Willie Wilson (trombonist) (on 1952-01-12)
trumpet:
Willie Mays (on 1952-01-12)
vocals:
Little Richard (on 1952-01-12)
recorded at:
WQXI Studio (radio station) in Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1952-01-12)
Little Richard2:12
27I Love My Baby (alt. take)
Little Richard2:30
28Do Lord
Little Richard2:36
29Every Night About This Time
recording of:
Every Night About This Time
lyricist and composer:
Antoine Dominique Domino (Fats Domino) and Dave Bartholomew
Little Richard & The Upsetters3:05
30I'm in Love Again
recording of:
I’m in Love Again
writer:
Antoine Dominique Domino (Fats Domino) and Dave Bartholomew
Little Richard & The Upsetters2:10

Credits

Release

liner notes:Dave Travis (English country/rockabilly songwriter, guitarist & singer) (in 2013-04)
compiler:Dave Travis (English country/rockabilly songwriter, guitarist & singer) (until 2013-04)
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/release/9458659 [info]