Ex our audio post production "back room" hiding in the corner feeling shameful!
Some people collect unofficial releases, I know we did as there was often something just a bit different about a live (dodgy) recording that made them interesting
Some people collect oddities, because of what they are but usually not for any particular musical interest
This release is one of the oddities, it is as dodgy as!
Little Richard supposedly teaming up (best of mates) with Jimi Hendrix, I think not. Oh yes, very occasionally Jimi would play with Little Richard's early band The Upsetters, he also played with the Isley Brothers (backing guitarist) but it wasn't a permanent thing and "friends" well .... that's questionable too
But wait, it gets worse ...
Jimi Hendrix (Maurice James or James Marshall) doesn't receive any credit on this album and some would suggest he is not actually playing at all! The recordings are from the early 1960's. Some believe they can hear Jimi playing on the track Going Home Tomorrow, well ... others would say that the lead guitarist playing is NOT Jimi on that track. Actually the lead guitar on some tracks is not good, perhaps "Jimi" was having a bad day! The bass player is much better!
There is even some question if Little Richard is performing some of the songs!
Talk about bogus, this one takes the cake!
On top of everything (not surprisingly) this does not appear to be an official release, what self respecting major label would release such an abomination!
So, enjoy the early rock n' roll/bluesy rock music (the recordings are "ok" although I had one track completely drop out on one channel for a short time - so much for pseudo stereo) but don't for a minute think that Jimi is going to break out into a solo (if he was even present during these recordings)
LITTLE RICHARD & JIMI HENDRIX - Friends From The Beginning
TKO Magnum Music - Ember Records
Cat# EMBCD3434
1998 (CD release of the original 1976 vinyl)
Looks to be "Stereo Enhanced" (fake Stereo) Mono recordings, as the original vinyl release from Ember was back in 1976.
UK release
CD case, front cover and rear inlay are all in very good condition. The six page fold-out front cover is basically a self promotion for the owner of Ember Records " I met this guy and that guy while running his Flamingo Club in UK (a name dropper)" Have a read but it really doesn't tell you much about LR or Jimi, particularly if you can even read the rear page! The type size is EXTREMELY small (4 point or less) and very very difficult to read. This rear page looks to be a greatly reduced image of the vinyl album rear information. There are no credits on the CD face at all, just the track listings. The booklet credits 9 tracks to Jimi Hendrix, some with Little Richard and others not - a bit strange (not suprising really) that Tutti Frutti is credited to Jimi Hendrix NOT Little Richard and Dorothy LaBostrie ... and if it is supposed to be Jimi Hendrix playing, damn he was having a bad day! Jimi Hendrix once said of Little Richard "I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his voice” well, this instrumental of the song Tutti Frutti is dismal, if that is Jimi playing. It's all pretty dubious stuff
CD media is in very good condition, visually inspected under a white halogen light source and I can see NO marks or scratches on the media at all. I then played the ENTIRE release, every track, and there are no issues with playback at all.
ARTIST(S) Credited Only On The Front Cover (Rear Page) - TRACKS:
Little Richard & Jimi Hendrix - Whole Lotta Shakin', Good Night Irene, Goin' Home Tomorrow, Lawdy Miss Claudie, Hound Dog, Money Honey
Little Richard - Belle Stars, Why Don't You Love Me, Funky Dish Rag - Instrumental only
Jimi Hendrix - Keep A Knockin', Tutti Frutti - Instrumental only, Lucille
