Richard Pryor’s first two albums to be restored and re-released with bonus content

On February 26th, Richard Pryor’s first two albums Richard Pryor and Craps (After Hours) will be rereleased. Omnivore Records will be restoring the albums, originally released in 1968 and 1971.

The first album, Richard Pryor, will be a two disc set featuring the 8 tracks from its initial release on the first disc. On the second disc, there will be 21 tracks from the out-of-print compilation album Evolution/Revolution: The Early Years (1966-1974). On Craps (After Hours), it will feature all 32 tracks from its original release, as well as four bonus tracks from Evolution/Revolution: The Early Years (1966-1974) and No Pryor Restraint: Life In Concert.

Scott Saul, who wrote the book Becoming Richard Pryor, also wrote the liner notes for the first album’s reissue. He writes, “What you hold in your hands is something precious: both the landmark debut that was, and the piece of cultural dynamite that might have been. In its original form, Richard Pryor alerted the world that Pryor had stepped out of Bill Cosby’s long shadow and developed a style — surreal, nervy, improvisational — that was all his own.”

Larry Karaszewski (screenwriter of Ed Wood and Dolemite is My Name) wrote the linear notes for Craps After Hours. “This fascinating collection chronicles how Richard Pryor evolved from 1960s nightclub comedian to being the voice of his generation. The performances capture the moment where Richard Pryor stopped being polite. Where he took off his suit and tie and gloves. Where Pryor began to reflect what was happening in the streets and in the counterculture.”

Check out the track listing.

Richard Pryor
DISC 1
1. Super N*gger
2. Girls
3. Farting
4. Prison Play
5. T.V. Panel Show
6. Smells
7. Army Life
8. Frankenstein

DISC 2
1. Peoria [Bonus Track]
2. Improv, Pt. 1 [Bonus Track]
3. Heart & Brain [Bonus Track]
4. Taxi Cabs & Subways [Bonus Track]
5. Playboy Club [Bonus Track]
6. Rumpelstiltskin [Bonus Track]
7. Slippin’ In Poo Poo [Bonus Track]
8. Birth Control [Bonus Track]
9. N*gger Babies [Bonus Track]
10. Faith Healer [Bonus Track]
11. Black Power [Bonus Track]
12. I Feel [Bonus Track]
13. Jail [Bonus Track]
14. Directions [Bonus Track]
15. Movie Stars In The Bathroom
16. War Movies [Bonus Track]
17. The Army [Bonus Track]
18. Hippy Dippys [Bonus Track]
19. Hank’s Place [Bonus Track]
20. Improv, Pt. 2 [Bonus Track]
21. Mankind [Bonus Track]

Craps (After Hours):
DISC 1
1. Gettin’ High
2. F**k From Memory
3. Big Tits
4. Gettin’ Some
5. The President
6. Ass-Hole
7. The Line-Up
8. Masturbating
9. Religion
10. Black Preachers
11. Being Born
12. Blow Our Image
13. Blackjack
14. I Spy Cops
15. Sugar Ray
16. White Folks
17. Indians
18. Ass Wupin’
19. Get A Dollar
20. Pres’ Black Baby
21. Dope
22. Wino Panthers
23. After Hours
24. 280 Pound Ass
25. Crap Game
26. Insurance Man
27. Black And Proud
28. Gettin’ The Nut
29. F**k The Faggot
30. Jackin’ Off
31. Snappin’ Pussy
32. Fartin’
33. Whorehouse, Pt. 1 [Bonus Track]
34. Whorehouse, Pt. 2 [Bonus Track]
35. Wino & Junkie (Alternate Version) [Bonus Track]
36. Attica (Behind Those Walls) [Bonus Track]

These albums remain pretty interesting all these years later, as it showed Pryor -who was at a crossroads in his life as a “Merv Griffin, conventional type”- decide which direction he wanted to take his career in. This is when he started adopting the social commentary, cutting edge brand of comedy that he became known for. And as you listen to these first two albums, you’ll be reminded that he clearly made the right choice.

Richard Pryor and Craps (After Hours) are both available to pre-order now.