Fats domino in Oldies Music

"Whole Lotta Lovin'" (09/04/2001) Oldies Domino, Fats, Columbia River Entertainment GroupAn average Fats Domino collection, Whole Lotta Lovin' is neither a good introduction for the newcomer nor rife with obscurities for longtime fans of Domino -- instead, it's something in the middle, containing hits that have been compiled on hundreds of other compilations ("The Fat Man" and "Blueberry Hill") with more obscure gems such as "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday." As such, this isn't a satisfactory release for either set of fans, and there are far better compiled collections available. ~ Thomas Ward

"The Legends of New Orleans: Fats Domino Live!" (04/15/2003) Oldies Domino, Fats, Shout! FactoryPersonnel: Fats Domino (vocals, piano); Teddy Riley, David Douglas, Carl LeBlanc (guitar); Roger Lewis, Carl Blouin, Elliot "Stackman" Callier, Herbert Hardesty, Reggie Houston (saxophone); Erving Charles (bass); Ernest Fontenot, Herman Ernest (drums). Recorded live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2001. Includes liner notes by Bill Dahl. Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl. Recording information: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (2001). Fats Domino was 73 years old when he headlined the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2001, a concert that is captured on the 2003 Shout! release Legends of New Orleans: Fats Domino Live! Listening to the album, that fact becomes all the more remarkable, because it hardly sounds like the work of a man in his seventies -- it is robust, lively, and giddy, sounding for all the world like the work of a man in his prime. The only audible drawback is the occasional shortness of breath -- he's not able to finish the last phrase on several songs, most notably on "I'm in Love Again," where each verse ends a cappella. But this is a very minor drawback given that Fats plays these songs at the same tempo and with the same gusto as he did in the '50s. Sure, it helps that he has a crackerjack support band that knows that the key to Fats Domino's music is that it rolls easy but is still earthy, yet the performance wouldn't work if he himself didn't sound engaged and as warm and friendly as he did at his peak. As soon as he starts singing on "I'm Walkin'," it's shocking to hear how little his voice has diminished over the years. It starts the album out on a high note and it never loses momentum. By the time "The Fat Man" arrives toward the end of the set, Fats is still playing with vigor, and his piano sounds as alive as his voice. Really, the worst thing about the record is the audible clipping of stage patter and downtime between songs, with each cut ramming into the next, but that's a minor problem, since the quality of the performances is so consistently good -- as consistent as Fats in his prime. This is truly a surprise, and a delightful one at that. There are a lot of musicians who are still active into their seventies, but few who perform songs at this tempo, or sound as close to their peak as this. Sure, it may not be the first record that you'd put on if you want to hear Fats Domino, but anybody who's been a fan can't help but be delighted by how good this sounds. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

"Fabulous Mr. D/Fats Domino Swings" (03/14/2006) Oldies Domino, Fats, Collectables Records2 LPs on 1 CD: THE FABULOUS MR. D (1958)/FATS DOMINO SWINGS (1959). Liner Note Author: Marv Goldberg. This two-for-one disc features many of Domino's best-known singles including "I'm in Love Again," "Blue Monday," and his most popular hit, "Blueberry Hill." Decades removed, Domino's voice still sounds refreshing and dynamic. Even when he delivers a gloomy lyric like "Blue Monday," he sings it with the type of rare enthusiasm that is both charismatic and heartwarming. One of Domino's most important songs is "The Fat Man." This tune is considered by some rock historians to be one of the first rock & roll songs ever penned. It was also Domino's earliest hit. This simple boogie-woogie tune is heard here in its original form, with the shuffle rhythms of the piano echoing the blues, while the song's energy and urgency adds the distinctively rock & roll element. If you want to hear the roots of rock music, they're right here.

"Walking to New Orleans [Box] [Box]" (03/12/2002) Oldies Domino, Fats, Capitol/EMI RecordsWALKING TO NEW ORLEANS is an updated collection based on the 1991 box set THEY CALL ME THE FAT MAN. Includes a 68-page booklet with rare photos, album covers and a complete singles and LP discography. Personnel includes: Fats Domino (vocals, piano); Justin Adams, Ramez Idriss, Willie Jones, Ernest McLean, Roy Montrell, Howard Roberts, Harrison Verrett (guitar); Wendell DuConge, Clarence Ford, Joe Harris (alto saxophone); Plas Johnson (tenor & baritone saxophones); Lee Allen, Herbert Hardesty (tenor saxophone); Clarence Ford, Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone saxophone); Dave Bartholomew (trumpet); Waldron "Frog" Joseph (trombone); Edward Frank, Paul Gayten, Allen Toussaint (piano); Red Callender (bass); Cornelius "Tenoo" Coleman, Earl Palmer, Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums). Engineers include: Cosimo Matassa. Producers: Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Al Young. Compilation producer: Alan Warner. Recorded at J&M and Cosimo Recording Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Master Recorders and Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, California between 1949 and 1962. Includes liner notes by Jeff Hannusch. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of the Crescent Soul Series. Personnel: Ernest McLean, Willie Jones, Justin Adams , Howard Roberts , Harrison Verrett, Roy Montrell (guitar); Clarence Ford (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Wendell DuConge (alto saxophone); Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Herbert Hardesty, Eddie Sylvas, Robert "Buddy" Hagans, Samuel Lee, Warren Bell, Lee Allen & His Band, Clarence Hall (tenor saxophone); Red Tyler & the Gyros (baritone saxophone); Dave Bartholomew (trumpet); Edward Frank, Allen Toussaint, Paul Gayten (piano); Earl Palmer , Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums). Audio Remasterer: Ron McMaster. Liner Note Author: Herbert Hardesty. Recording information: Cosimo Recording studio, New Orleans, LA (12/10/1949-04/14/1962); J&M Studio, New Orleans, LA (12/10/1949-04/14/1962); Master Recorders, Los Angeles, CA (12/10/1949-04/14/1962); Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA (12/10/1949-04/14/1962). Editor: Jon Broven. Arrangers: Dave Bartholomew; Fats Domino. Of all the early rock & rollers, Fats Domino gets a short shrift. Too easygoing for rockers, too popular for New Orleans R&B devotees, he fell into a middle ground -- a middle ground that was extremely popular at the time, but didn't give him the proper respect within hipster history, probably because his music is just so damn enjoyable. Few musicians have made good music sound so easy, so effortless as Fats, and that's best appreciated in an exhaustive compilation, such as EMI's 2002 box set Walking to New Orleans, because the sheer scope of Fats' accomplishment becomes stunning only at this scale. Sure, it's easy to appreciate the brilliance of Domino on a hits collection, even one as generous as a 20-track collection like My Blue Heaven, but the true scope of his accomplishments becomes clear on a set like this, since there's not a bad cut among these 100 tracks. Yes, some are greater than others, usually the hits, but the momentum never sags because the quality of the material is so strong. Of course, much of this was already heard on the great, seminal box set, 1991's They Call Me the Fat Man, and this collection follows the very flow, the very sequence, of that set to a tee; even the Imperial-aping artwork on the CDs and Jeff Hannusch's liner notes are replicated. There are a few song substitutions along the way, usually skewing toward R&B instead of rock & roll, but the ten or so songs that are different don't affect the overall feel of the box, which remains one of the greatest, most listenable box sets in rock & roll. The biggest difference is in the sound (remastered and bettered, but not so much so that most listeners will notice), the packaging (no longer boxed jewel cases; it's now the easy-to-wear book), and the artwork (based on the beautiful promotional photo of the original, but now uglified with an off-kilter, cartoony illustration), all attempts to modernize the set. These differences are so minimal that anyon

"The Best of Fats Domino Live!" (03/26/1996) Oldies Domino, Fats, Delta DistributionPersonnel includes: Antoine "Fats" Domino (vocals, piano); Rick Nelson (vocals). Includes liner notes by Fred Bronson. Personnel: Fats Domino (vocals, piano). Liner Note Author: Fred Bronson. Delta's 1996 release Best of Fats Domino Live! contains a latter day performance of indeterminate origin -- one that's not that bad, but it's not all that good either and this isn't worth the time of either serious fans or casual listeners. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

"Fat Man Sings [EMI]" (10/30/2001) Oldies Domino, Fats, EMI Music Distribution

"Blueberry Hill [Prime Cuts]" (10/05/2004) Oldies Domino, Fats, Phantom Import DistributionPrime Cuts' 1994 release Blueberry Hill is a budget-line collection of latter day re-recordings from Fats Domino, likely dating from the '80s. As re-recordings go, these are pretty good -- and there are some interesting choices like "Going to the River" and "Whiskey Heaven" -- but only hardcore fans will find this of much interest and even they will find the package a little shoddy. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

"Whole Lotta' Fats Domino Hits Live" (06/27/2006) Oldies Domino, Fats, IntersoundThis raucously atmospheric CD/DVD features one of the architects of New Orleans R&B accompanied by an authentic-sounding band, performing some of his best-known songs including the sublime "Walking to New Orleans," as well as the lesser-known but no less rocking "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday" and the New Orleans anthem "When the Saints Go Marching In." The DVD section features an extended variety of songs, including "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and "Sentimental Journey." DVD Features: The DVD contains: 1-Introduction By Lee Allen 2-I'm Walkin' 3-The Fat Man 4-What A Place 5- Jambalaya (On The Bayou) 6-I'm In Love Again/Honey Chile Medley 7-I Want To Walk You Home 8-When My Dreamboat Comes Home 9-Three Nights A Week 10-Let The Four Winds Blow 11-Ain't It A Shame 12-I'm Ready 13-Blueberry Hill 14-Whole Lotta Loving 15-I'm In The Mood For Love 16-My Girl Josephine 17-Red Sails In The Sunset 18-My Blue Heaven 19-When The Saints Go Marching In 20-Valley Of Tears 21-Shake Rattle & Roll 22-Blue Monday 23-I Can't Go On 24-Sentimental Journey

"Here Stands Fats Domino/This Is Fats" (03/14/2006) Oldies Domino, Fats, Collectables Records2 LPs on 1 CD. Liner Note Author: Marv Goldberg. By combining New Orleans boogie-woogie with blues, R&B, and a strong backbeat, Fats Domino altered the very course of popular music. On HERE STANDS FATS DOMINO and THIS IS FATS, numerous Fats classics are presented, including "I'm Walkin'," a fast, contagious shuffle that brings to life all the romance and charm of a 1950s sock-hop. Although standards "I'm in the Mood for Love" and "As Time Goes By" (arranged here by Domino's songwriting partner Dave Bartholomew) had more success in the hands of jazz vocalists, they lend themselves well to this milieu. For example, "As Time Goes By" is performed as a rocking instrumental, and it shows off Domino's skillful piano work. "Hey La Bas" is another piano feature, and here Domino demonstrates his boogie-woogie approach (a la Professor Longhair). Even though Domino was a fine pianist, his strongest suit was his voice. In fact, his animated singing on "I'll Be Gone" just may be the highlight of this disc. Deeply emotional, yet precise and measured, Domino's singing style captures the emerging spirit of rock & roll throughout this 26-track disc.