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 |  Sujet: Ace Records: Reviews Sam 06 Mar 2010, 12:39 | |
| Holy Mackerel!
Pretenders to Little Richard's Throne
Ace CDCHD 1211
Little Richard possesses one of the most dynamic voices in all of popular music. Mixing gospel intensity with a sinner's unrepentant glee, he imbued his 50s-era Specialty recordings with unbridled joy and hellbent fury that moved teen feet - both black and white - across the nation's dance floor. The result was a spate of the greatest piano-pounding, sax wailing, over-the-top rockers ever, many of which topped the pop and r&b charts.
Naturally, the Georgia Peach's success spawned many imitators and this genuinely entertaining and smartly chosen 25-song compilation showcases the best Little Richard tunes not actually cut by Richard Penniman. Most sides feature cats like Screamin' Joe Neal ("Rock'n'Roll Deacon"), Big Danny Oliver ("Sapphire"), H.B. Barnum ("Don't 'Cha Know"), and Young Jesse ("Hey-Bop-A-Ree-Bop") nicking a part of Richard's piano or vocal sound on some solid senders.
Yet, some amazingly accurate imitations emanate from future stars James (Chonnie-On-Chon"), Otis Redding ("Hey Hey Baby"), Big Al Downing ("Hey Miss Lucy"), and the oft-under-rated Dee Clark ("24 Boyfriends"). Even relative unknowns - Bunker Hill ("The Girl Can't Dance"), Little Ike ("She Can Ike"), and blues great Lowell Fulson - send-up the Rock Hall of Famer in high style.
However, the final track blows them all away. On a self-imposed sabbatical in the ministry, Little Richard himself - singing uncredited with his former road band The World Famous Upsetters - nails a Fats Domino cover ("I'm In Love Again") with characteristic, ego-driven zeal. In the process, he deftly demonstrates why he was so bedrock vital to rock'n'roll.
- Ken Burke
Album track listing and samples at Ace Records' Website: http://www.acerecords.co.uk/content.php?page_id=59&release=7878
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Jerry Fuller - A Double Life
The Challenge Recordings 1959-1966
Ace Records CDCHD 1209
 Jerry Fuller's involvement in the music business is vast. A producer, performer and also a superb songwriter, he also discovered such talents ranging from Gary Puckett to Collin Raye. This set covers Fuller's seven-year stretch on Hollywood's Challenge label. Fuller's stylings are eclectic, everything from the Northern Soul sound of the title track "Double Life," PF Sloan sounding "Man In Black" to teen pop flavors such as the Bobby Vee inspired "Shy Away" written by the Dave Burgess.
"The Place Where I Cry" would have fit the stylings of Ray Peterson or Roy Orbison, Two strong covers include Roy Hamilton's 1957 smash "Don't Let Go" and the Buck Owen hit "Above and Beyond" recorded with label-mate Diane Maxwell who the year before was the first female vocalist on Challenge label with the girl group sound.
Included are informative and compelling notes by Tony Rounce detailing everything right down to how Rick Nelson phrased a line in Fuller's song "Travelin' Man," originally written with Sam Cooke in mind.
Fuller demonstrated great chops in many styles and the proof is the work he left behind in his Challenge period, just a shame he didn't have a larger recording career. - Johnny Vallis
Album track listing and samples at Ace Records' Website: http://www.acerecords.co.uk/content.php?page_id=59&release=7868
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