by Cub KodaWith a six-inch pompadour, brocaded shirts, rhinestone shades, and a rhythmic, belligerent style of piano playing, Esquerita was the original Little Richard, years before Mr. Penniman tutti-fruttid his way to stardom. Working around the Dallas-New Orleans circuit in the early 50s, Esqueritas shot at the big time came when Capitol Records decided they needed their own version of Little Richard, after signing their answer to Elvis, Gene Vincent. The resulting recordings, though smartly produced, stand as some of the most untamed and unabashed sides ever issued by a major label. Long revered by rock & roll fans the world over, they make Little Richards Specialty sides look highly disciplined by comparison. Though Esquerita continued to record in a tamer style through the 60s, his Capitol sides stand as a monument to the potential of rock & rolls lunatic power and the off-kilter genius of Esquerita.