For those unaware, Little Richard’s place in rock history has never been disputed. “The Architect” returned in 1970 on Reprise Records with The Rill Thing, and during his tenure at the label, he recorded four albums.

Only three saw a release, Southern Child would remain in the can until the songs from the record appeared on a 2007 compilation. Omnivore Recordings released it in its original album form for Record Store Day 2020.

Over the years, alternate takes, single sides, and a soundtrack appearance from $ (starring Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn) were included on expanded CD reissues of The Rill Thing, King Of Rock And Roll, The Second Coming, and Southern Child.

Now, 13 of those tracks are compiled on this special LP release — some making their vinyl debut. Settin’ The Woods On Fire: The Reprise Rarities collects and showcases Little Richard’s dynamic time on Reprise, and offers a deeper look into the man and music whose output was, and is as engaging and original as it had ever been.

Mastered by Grammy-winner Michael Graves and cut by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl/Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, Settin’ The Woods On Fire includes new liner notes from writer Bill Dahl, and paves the way for reissues of those classic Reprise-era album’s return to vinyl. Look for fresh waxings of The Rill Thing, King Of Rock And Roll, The Second Coming, and Lifetime Friend, coming soon to a fine, fine record store near you!

SIDE ONE:
1. The Rill Thing Radio Spot A
2. Money Is
3. Mississippi (Instrumental)
4. Still Miss Liza Jane
5. In The Name (Version 4, Take 3)
6. Settin’ The Woods On Fire (Instrumental)

Taking the beautiful record out of the sleeve, putting the ORANGE vinyl on the turntable, gently dropping the needle, and sitting down to absorb what is to come forth, first up is a The Rill Thing Radio Spot A which is backed by the righteously soulful Money Is, the groovy Mississippi (Instrumental), the stridently sculpted blues of Still Miss Liza Jane, the side rounding out on the low slung, pop-funk of In The Name (Version 4, Take 3) and an instrumental take on his Southern soul scorcher Settin’ The Woods On Fire.

SIDE TWO:
1. Do It – Do It
2. Open Up The Red Sea
3. Why Don’t You Love Me
4. In The Name (Version 2)
5. Sneak The Freak
6. Shake A Hand (If You Can)
7. The Rill Thing Radio Spot B

Flipping the vinyl over, which is yet another pleasure of mine, next we get the finger-snapping, Shaft-imbibed Do It – Do It, the fervent blues piano blues of Open Up The Red Sea and the deep south-hued Why Don’t You Love Me, and they are in turn followed by the Gospel-infused In The Name (Version 2), the funky piano blues of Sneak The Freak, this side closing on the imploring, amazingly vocalized Shake A Hand (If You Can) and another The Rill Thing Radio (this one Spot B).

Omnivore presents Little Richard Vinyl [Official Video]

Official Purchase Link