FATS DOMINO: The First 3 Albums

Original released on LP Imperial IR 9004

(US, March 1956)

The most popular exponent of the classic New Orleans R&B sound, Fats Domino sold more records than any other black rock & roll star of the 1950s. His relaxed, lolling boogie-woogie piano style and easygoing, warm vocals anchored a long series of national hits from the mid-'50s to the early '60s. Through it all, his basic approach rarely changed. He may not have been one of early rock's most charismatic, innovative, or threatening figures, but he was certainly one of its most consistent. Domino's first single, "The Fat Man" (1949), is one of the dozens of tracks that have been consistently singled out as a candidate for the first rock & roll record. As far as Fats was concerned, he was just playing what he'd already been doing in New Orleans for years, and would continue to play and sing in pretty much the same fashion even after his music was dubbed "rock & roll." The record made number two on the R&B charts, and sold a million copies. Just as important, it established a vital partnership between Fats and Imperial A&R man Dave Bartholomew. Bartholomew, himself a trumpeter, would produce Domino's big hits, co-writing many of them with Fats. He would also usually employ New Orleans session greats like Alvin Tyler on sax and Earl Palmer on drums - musicians who were vital in establishing New Orleans R&B as a distinct entity, playing on many other local recordings as well (including hits made in New Orleans by Georgia native Little Richard).

Original released on LP Imperial IR 9009

(US, August 1956)

Domino didn't cross over into the pop charts in a big way until 1955, when "Ain't That a Shame" made the Top Ten. Pat Boone's cover of the song stole some of Fats' thunder, going all the way to number one (Boone was also bowdlerizing Little Richard's early singles for pop hits during this time). Domino's long-range prospects weren't damaged, however; between 1955 and 1963, he racked up an astonishing 35 Top 40 singles. "Blueberry Hill" (1956) was probably his best (and best-remembered) single; "Walking to New Orleans," "Whole Lotta Loving," "I'm Walking," "Blue Monday," and "I'm in Love Again" were also huge successes. After Fats left Imperial for ABC-Paramount in 1963, he would only enter the Top 40 one more time. The surprise was not that Fats fell out of fashion, but that he'd maintained his popularity so long while the essentials of his style remained unchanged. This was during an era, remember, when most of rock's biggest stars had their careers derailed by death or scandal, or were made to soften up their sound for mainstream consumption. Although an active performer in the ensuing decades, his career as an important artist was essentially over in the mid-'60s. He did stir up a bit of attention in 1968 when he covered the Beatles' "Lady Madonna" single, which had been an obvious homage to Fats' style. (Richie Unterberger in AllMusic)

Original released on LP Imperial IR 9028)

(US, December 1956)

Fats Domino passed away this tuesday, October 24, 2017. He was 89 years old (born 1928, February 26, in New Orleans).

FATS DOMINO: EP "Don't Come Knockin'"

Original released on EP Polydor 27.724
(FRANCE, 1960)

FATS DOMINO: EP "Whole Lotta Lovin'"

Original released on EP Polydor 27.703
(FRANCE, 1958)

C.S.>>> XMAS GUMBO

It's amazing that 40-plus years after recording "The Fat Man", Fats Domino's voice is virtually unchanged. Hearing that lazy N'awlins drawl on his original "I Told Santa Claus" and "Christmas Is a Special Day" is a delight despite the electronic keyboards and rhythm machine used on the latter. Fats romps through other seasonal favorites: "Jingle Bells," "Silver Bells," and "Blue Christmas" among them. Once you get past the rhythm machine (three drummers are credited), you can enjoy the return of the "Fat Man." (Dennis MacDonald in Allmusic).

Here's the complete album (CD The Right Stuff T2-27753, November, 1993):

1. I Told Santa Claus

2. Christmas Is A Special Day

3. Jingle Bells

4. I'll Be Home For Christmas

5. Silver Bells

6. Frosty The Snowman

7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

8. Blue Christmas

9. Silent Night

10. White Christmas

11. Please Come Home For Christmas

12. Amazing Grace