Omnivore Recordings Unveils Little Richard's ‘Setting The Woods on Fire: The Reprise Rarities’ Vinyl, Along with Four Additional Reissues

Omnivore Recordings Unveils Little Richard's ‘Setting The Woods on Fire: The Reprise Rarities’ Vinyl, Along with Four Additional Reissues

'Settin' The Woods On Fire' out on November 22! 'The Rill Thing' and 'Lifetime Friend' out December 13,
​ 'King of Rock and Roll' and 'The Second Coming' out January 10.
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​Omnivore Recordings has announced the vinyl release of Settin’ The Woods On Fire: The Reprise Rarities, a 13-track collection of rare recordings from Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Richard. Many of these tracks will be available on vinyl for the first time when the album drops on November 22. Alongside this release, Omnivore also revealed plans for four additional Little Richard reissues: The Rill Thing and Lifetime Friend on December 13, followed by King of Rock and Roll and The Second Coming on January 10. These reissues will feature the original tracklists.

Little Richard, often hailed as “The Architect” of rock and roll, made a triumphant return in 1970 on Reprise Records with The Rill Thing. He recorded four albums during his time at the label, though only three were initially released. The unreleased album, Southern Child, finally saw the light of day in 2007 on a compilation and was later released in its intended form by Omnivore in 2020. Expanded CD reissues of King Of Rock And Roll, The Second Coming, and Southern Child also included alternate takes, singles, and soundtrack contributions, such as his work on the film $ (starring Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn) with music composed by Quincy Jones.
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Now, Settin’ The Woods On Fire: The Reprise Rarities brings 13 of those tracks to vinyl—some for the first time ever. This collection highlights Little Richard’s vibrant period at Reprise, showcasing his musical versatility throughout the 1970s and beyond. Mastered by Grammy-winner Michael Graves and cut by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl/Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, this release not only honors his legacy but also kicks off a broader campaign to reintroduce his classic albums on vinyl.
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​The Rill Thing (LP) – December 13
In 1970, Little Richard made a bold return with The Rill Thing. Recorded at Rick Hall's FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, this album marked a departure from his earlier sound. The single "Freedom Blues" hit #28 on the charts, and "Greenwood Mississippi" also made a Billboard appearance. The title track, an intense 10-minute funk jam, was recorded in one take. The album includes covers of The Beatles and Hank Williams, showcasing Richard’s versatility. Described as a peak vocal performance, The Rill Thing will be reissued on opaque pink vinyl with liner notes by Bill Dahl.

Lifetime Friend (LP) – December 13
After the release of his 1984 autobiography The Quasar of Rock and Roll, Little Richard came out of retirement and recorded Lifetime Friend in London. Released in 1986, this album features ten tracks blending rock ’n’ roll and spiritual lyrics. The lead single, "Great Gosh A’Mighty," co-written with Billy Preston, was re-recorded for the movie Down and Out in Beverly Hills. Two other tracks, "Operator" and "Somebody’s Comin’," charted in the UK. Described as his “last great recorded statement,” Lifetime Friend returns on turquoise vinyl with liner notes by Bill Dahl.

King of Rock and Roll (LP) – January 10
Following the success of The Rill Thing, Little Richard released King of Rock and Roll in 1971, produced by H.B. Barnum. The album includes originals as well as covers of Motown hits, The Rolling Stones, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Although the single "Green Power" didn’t chart, the album itself made a Billboard appearance. With its genre-spanning tracklist, King of Rock and Roll reinforced Richard’s place in popular music. The reissue will be pressed on white vinyl with liner notes by Bill Dahl.

The Second Coming (LP) – January 10
Little Richard’s third Reprise album, The Second Coming, released in 1972, reunited him with Robert "Bumps" Blackwell and featured top session players from the 1970s. The album was recorded at The Record Plant in Los Angeles and signaled the end of Richard’s second chapter in music before he briefly left the industry for religious pursuits. The Second Coming will be reissued on opaque red vinyl with liner notes by Bill Dahl, celebrating this dynamic moment in Little Richard’s storied career.
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Pre-order:
Settin’ the Woods on Fire | The Rill Thing | Lifetime Friend | King of Rock and Roll | The Second Coming