Louie Louie Richard Berry

£24.78

Genre:
Rhythm & Blues
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
LP
Catalogue Id:
HIQLP 017

This product is also available in these versions:
Louie Louie (MP3), MP3 (£11.06)

Release date: 02.06.2014

Richard Berry grew up in Los Angeles, attending Jefferson High School at just the right time to be excited by the growth of vocal groups in the early 50s. Along with classmates he sang doo wop in the school’s stairwells and soon became involved with a number of groups, where his bass voice was much in demand. He sang on some early Leiber & Stoller productions; the pair recruited him in 1953 to sing the intro to the Robins’ ‘Riot On Cell Block #9’. He also delivered the bass part on Etta James’ ‘The Wallflower’. This new release in Ace Records’ HIQLP series contains his best work from the second half of the 50s.

Side 1 has material from the Flip label, kicking off with his famed version of ‘Louie Louie’, making its first appearance on LP for over 50 years. It was originally issued as a B-side in 1957 but got re-released as the topside, selling strongly as the song gained huge popularity with local groups. With over a thousand eventual covers, the song should have become his meal ticket, but he sold his rights for $750 to fund his wedding. ‘Have Love Will Travel’, with its wandering background bass lines, became another biggie, with ‘In A Real Big Way’ following the formula. His ease with a variety of feels is underscored with the rocking ‘Give It Up’ and the smoochy ‘Sweet Sugar You’.

Side 2 gathers songs from his earlier time with the Flair and RPM labels and opens with his frantic Little Richard-styled ‘Yama Yama Pretty Mama’. ‘Oh! Oh! Get Out Of The Car’ and ‘Next Time’ are Leiber & Stoller-type story songs, while ‘Jelly Roll’ is a great rolling piano-led slab of R&B. ‘Jelly Roll’ and the closing song, ‘Bye Bye’, both feature the Dreamers, the much in-demand femme group who would later become the Blossoms.

Chances are that most people reading this have a decent record collection, and in that collection are LPs they love for the look and feel of the cover. This new Richard Berry album is an absolute cert for this category with its wonderful period sleeve. The double advantage comes with the great quality of the music it carries. 

By Kingsley Abbott

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

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