As part of the
Specialty Profiles series, New Orleans R&B belter
Lloyd Price is spotlighted on several tracks he recorded for the Los Angeles-based label between 1952 and 1959. This is raucous R&B, not to be confused with
Price's pop hits recorded for ABC-Paramount in the early '60s. The 14 cuts on this compilation combine lesser-heard gems like "If Crying Was Murder" and "Where You At?" with original chart-toppers "Oooh-Oooh-Oooh," "Restless Heart," "Tell Me Pretty Baby," "Ain't It a Shame?," and his first number one hit, "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," which featured
Fats Domino on piano. This is essential material that should be in any R&B or early rock & roll collection. As an extra bonus, the
Specialty Profiles series includes a sampler that showcases R&B gems by Specialty acts of the era, including
Little Richard,
Sam Cooke,
Larry Williams,
Percy Mayfield, Don & Dewey,
Joe Liggins,
Jesse & Marvin, and
Guitar Slim. ~ Al Campbell