Richard Berry

This 23-track disc -- a mixture of drags, ups, and novelties -- doesn't do justice to Richard Berry's prolific career as a southern California recording artist. But it beats a blank. Berry made solo, group, and duet recordings -- a whole slew of them. "Louie Louie," his most significant song, isn't represented, nor is "Have Love Will Travel." A complete package of Berry's efforts would take a multiple-disc box set. This one features solo efforts and outings with the Flairs and the Dreamers. If you didn't reside in southwest U.S.A. when these dropped, you probably never heard any of these local/regional-ish recordings. But Berry was as influential as Bo Diddley, and if Diddley's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then Berry and singers like Billy Stewart should be too. This Japanese import satisfies the hunger pains somewhat. Besides, "Daddy, Daddy," "Baby Darling," "Look out Miss James," "Get out the Car," and "Yama Yama, Pretty Mama" are hard to find. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide