Little Richard was undeniably one of the greatest early Rock and Roll musicians to walk this earth. He put passion, emotion and energy into early guitar based music, making it more popular and desirable, particularly for younger people out there. Interestingly, he was a flamboyant and sexually troubled man, which is evident from interviews later on in his life. Still, very few could seemingly match this album and its influence. Let’s listen to this debut album of Little Richard, and hear what it sounds like.

Tutti Frutti begins with an energetic intro vocal with him stating famously “A Wop Bop A Loo Mop A Lomp Bomp Bomp!”, and some awesome sounding vocals follow and this has some punchy and interesting piano to match. An awesome piece of music that really began to cement Rock and Roll’s reputation here. Even though Little Richard was likely gay, the lyrics are about ladies out for the night. A joyous saxophone solo emerges here as well, and this tune is an extremely awesome and lively piece of music to listen to, even today. This is pure proof that Little Richard’s legacy lasts well to this day. Awesome stuff.

True, Fine Mama is not dissimilar to the music that would be inspired for the Toy Story films. Little Richard sings with some joy and passion that many people lack to this day. The backing vocals, bass playing and piano keep this tune alive in a very nice way. This is a great tune that looks back many decades to a simpler and completely different time in the world. A saxophone solo lights this one up, and overall, this is another great listening experience. Fine and awesome listening, this sounds really great for what it is. Simple music from a simpler time. “Honey, honey, honey” is chanted at the end here. Nice work.

Can’t Believe You Wanna Leave begins with a harsh and hollered vocal from Little Richard which pleads with a lover to not leave. This is quite a good listen from the go, with pounding piano, a wind section and the vocals front and centre here. This sounds really awesome and terrific, and Little Richard wants a lady (or man) to stay with him, no matter what the cost. A slow, sensual saxophone solo enters, just before a tremendous climax emerges at the end. Great tune.

Ready Teddy is another short and punchy piece of retro Rock and Roll music that makes some awesome sense throughout. This is a great listen from the go, with more pounding piano, hollered vocals, saxophone and other simple instrumentation, way before there were electronics of any sort in wide existence. A great crowd warmer and foot stomper, this sounds electric and amazing. A great effort by Little Richard and company, this is essential listening that only lasts for two minutes. Great music.

Baby begins with a horn laden intro, piano and vocals that are sexual, in your face and very good, especially in retrospect. Little Richard was obviously a bit of a showman, and it flows into his music as well. Another gloriously good saxophone solo emerges here, and Little Richard sounds really cool, clever and musically charming here. A great tune to hear, even for a lesser track, this works incredibly well. Nice music that should last for many generations more.

Slippin’ And Slidin’ (Peepin’ And Hidin’) begins with some piano and jazzy saxophone, launching into an awesome and dirty, sexual piece of music that sounds really awesome. Little Richard is really on fire here, and the band matches his singing perfectly, with a pounding drum section and ridiculously good saxophone solos here. A really awesome and great tune about sexual desire, Little Richard may not have been too open about his sexuality at this point, but he oozed it. The outro is brilliant as well, with the piano, drums and saxophone meshed together perfectly. Great stuff.

Long Tall Sally (The Thing) is a great tune that has been covered many times over the history of music, by the likes of The Beatles and many others. It’s about a lady of one’s desire who one sees at night. It is a really tremendous effort, with piano, saxophone and fast-paced drumming. This is an outstanding effort for the time, and although it is very dated by today’s standards, Little Richard does leave a lasting musical impression with his pseudo-hollered vocals here. A great two-minute-long piece of Pop/Rock history.

Miss Ann begins with some chugging, fluttering piano at a mid-tempo pace, and Little Richard’s hollered vocals. Again, this is an outstanding piece of music, especially for the time, about a lustful desire for a lady out there. A really great and interesting listening experience, this sounds extraordinarily awesome and cool. Another smooth saxophone solo is present here, and the whole thing sounds marvellous. A thoroughly awesome listen, although it is quite short at two minutes long, it works really well.

Oh Why? begins with some good singing about being innocent accused of a crime, and being arrested for it as such. The backing band sounds glorious and majestic here, and this is an underrated and awesome tune in Little Richard’s back catalogue. There is another gorgeous saxophone solo here, along with some furious piano playing to match this song. “Oh, why? Why should it happen to me?!” asks Little Richard throughout. Good tune, although very short.

Rip It Up begins with some more hollered vocals about partying hard on a Saturday night, with some great guitar work and saxophone to boot. Little Richard proceeds to pick up a lady and go for a dance at the local dance hall as well. A great, passionate and upbeat delivery of an amazing tune, there is a pleasant and jolly saxophone solo on this tune as well. A wonderful listen for many out there to enjoy, this is an underrated classic of a tune. Worth your ears, this is a historical tune to hear.

Jenny, Jenny begins with pounding, melodic piano and shouted vocals by Little Richard, along with some interesting saxophone. This mentions the dancing craze that Rock and Roll did for many back in the 1950s. Indeed, although Rock and Roll music was a new thing at the time, Little Richard impressed many generations to come with his music. A great and tuneful listening experience, he delivers his awesome and hollered vocals with 100% passion and effort. A short and sweet two-minute-long song here.

She’s Got It is the final track on the original album. It quickly launches into an awesome listen that is extremely upbeat, pulsating with energy and awesome to listen to, Little Richard cements his legacy as a Rock and Roll legend on this song. A thoroughly smooth and sensual listen, this has another freeform and upbeat saxophone solo to match this tune. A really great and interesting listen, this music is very great and impressive throughout. A great way to finish off a legendary album, there is a blistering piano and saxophone duel to finish up with. Nice work, there is a quick fade-out at the end here.

Although this is fairly musically primitive and there have been more interesting releases in the history of music, especially given its release date, Here’s Little Richard is an outstanding album of its time. Without it, so many important and interesting musical acts would not be in existence today. Little Richard was cemented as a Rock and Roll legend from this release afterwards. It’s safe to say that The Beatles and The Rolling Stones (and countless others) owe him a lot, musically speaking. There have been reissues of this album later on with extra live tracks and other goodies. Should you listen to this album? Yes, if you like a bit of quirky history. It’s a good album, although perhaps not a great one.

Energetic music for 1950s Rockers.

7/10