Little Richard: “Right Now!” (1973/2024) CD Review

Even though I’ve been a fan of Little Richard’s work since my childhood, Right Now! is an album I knew nothing about for a long time. It followed his 1972 record The Second Coming, which was released on Reprise Records and re-issued by Omnivore Recordings in 2020. But this one was not on Reprise, but rather on the United label, with no liner notes or information accompanying the record. It has now finally gotten a deserved re-issue, this time with liner notes (written by Bill Dahl), but there is still a general lack of information regarding the musicians who back Little Richards on this album. It was released on vinyl as part of Record Store Day back in April, and then made available on CD. The material is a mix of covers and original numbers. The re-issue contains no bonus tracks.

The album opens with “In The Name,” an original number that begins with some cool work on keys, first seeming to announce it as a rock tune, then getting a bit into the blues, before Little Richards’ vocals come in. Interestingly, this is a song he also recorded for his 1971 record King Of Rock And Roll, which was also re-issued by Omnivore Recordings in 2020, that disc containing a second version of the song. This 1973 rendition is wonderful. In addition to cool work on keys, this track features some good guitar work and some nice stuff from the horn section. Little Richard mentions himself in the lyrics, singing, “She said, ‘Little Richard, I’m moving on.’” That’s followed by another original composition, “Mississippi,” this one rocking and grooving from the moment it starts. There is a strong and prominent rhythm, and I love the way those keys are rocking. In this one, Little Richard sings, “You know people come from miles all around/To hear my music when the sun goes down/We rip it up on a Saturday night.” Well, apparently, this record was recorded at night, and of course those lines contain a nod to one of his earlier rock and roll hits, “Rip It Up.” This track is great fun. If you want to rip it up, no matter what day of the week it is, this is a good choice of songs to play.

Little Richard slows things down a bit with the soulful gem “Don’t You Know I,” also one of his original songs. “Don’t you know I/Don’t you know I’ll always care.” This track is completely wonderful, containing a great, raw vocal performance. At moments, he seems at the edge of losing his voice. But that could never happen, could it? There is a delicious gospel element to his performance. “I’m singing this song to you.” Then we get the album’s first cover, “Chain Of Fools,” which was listed as “Chain, Chain, Chain” on the original release of this album, and so here is listed as “Chain, Chain, Chain (Chain Of Fools).” Little Richard delivers an excellent, lively rendition, featuring a driving, forceful beat and some strong backing vocal work. It gets good and loose toward the end, just before fading out.

The energy is high on “Gerald Jones” (a song it is assumed Little Richard meant to call “Geraldine Jones,” since that seems to be what he’s singing over and over), with some of the lyrics shouted out in that glorious way Little Richard did so well. This track also contains a good lead on guitar. “Call me Geraldine Jones/I know how to get along/Now some people think that I’m a Playboy bunny/They look at me and they say that I’m funny.” Oh yes, this is another fun one. The band is jamming, and by the end, Little Richard seems again at the edge of losing his voice. “Don’t touch me, honey/Don’t you ever touch me.” That’s followed by the second of the album’s covers, Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.” Little Richard delivers a rendition that pops and moves, featuring some good percussion. Though he sings about “Sitting here, resting my bones,” it doesn’t seem he’s resting at all here. And he is certainly not “wasting time.” Sure, he may be seated by the bay, but there is no introspection here. Little Richard is, as usual, pumped full of energy, and rocking everything he touches. I love that brief instrumental section in the middle. This one feels like it fades out prematurely.

Little Richard takes us firmly into the blues with a cover of “Chains Of Love.” Here he is determined to slow down, even giving direction to the drummer at the beginning, “Relax yourself, drummer.” He delivers such a cool vocal performance on this one. “Tell me what are you going to do/Are you going to leave me/Are you going to make, make me cry?” And check out that guitar work. Everything is working so well here. I’m digging that bass line. And I love how the band is given the space to really dig in. At more than eight minutes, this is the album’s longest track. It’s also one of the best. He then wraps up the album with an original tune titled “Hot Nuts,” which starts with some cool, funky work on drums. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,” Little Richard says in reaction to that rhythm, and his delivery is surprisingly gentle there. But don’t worry, soon he is belting out lyrics. You might expect this song’s lyrics to dip into the delightfully dirty, but it doesn’t, not really, though there are hints. “You get a nut/A red hot nut/You’d better get it while you can.” And is “peanut man” some kind of euphemism? Either way, this is a fun number to close out the album.

CD Track List

1. In The Name
2. Mississippi
3. Don’t You Know I
4. Chain, Chain, Chain (Chain Of Fools)
5. Gerald Jones
6. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay
7. Chains Of Love
8. Hot Nuts

This re-issue of Right Now! was released on April 26, 2024 through Omnivore Recordings.