Fats Domino tribute CD for Tipitina's Foundation

[americanstranger]

One of the prime ambassadors of New Orleans in the 20th century was a musical giant and a gentle soul named Antoine 'Fats' Domino. In the world of early rock and roll, his name was synonymous with The Big Easy (perhaps only Louis Armstrong was more closely identified with the city), and he had quite a string of hits in the Fifties (actually, his 'Fat Man' became a hit in 1949) and early Sixties (only Elvis Presley sold more records than Domino in the Fifties).

Among many tragedies in the wake of Hurricane Katrina was the fact that Fats actually went missing in the days after the storm, and it was widely feared that he was dead. And while he was happily found, he lost all of his belongings and his mansion in the Lower 9th Ward (the district where he has lived his entire life) was heavily damaged.

Despite his own personal loss, he recorded Alive and Kickin' in 2006 to benefit my site's favorite NOLA Charity, The Tipitina's Foundation. And tomorrow, Vanguard Records will release a double-CD tribute to Fats called Goin' Home.

While the headline artists - Elton John, McCartney (and John Lennon's version of 'Ain't That A Shame'), Robert Plant, Willie Nelson and Neil Young - will get the lion's share of the attention, I'm listing the full track and artist listing below the flip. In addition to some of the biggest names in rock and country, a veritable Who's Who of New Orleans musicians have contributed to this album as well.

The proceeds of the record will go directly to replacing band instruments for New Orleans school kids as well as a new community center for the Lower 9th - and will also contribute to restoring Fats' home, which is the least this world can do for such a beloved performer. If you're a fan of Fats - or any of the artists who worked on the record, or just a fan of that great, sad city - I urge you to buy it. Do it even if you've never heard Fats - the music is just good happy music with some killer grooves, and it's great party music. You could do far, far worse as far as tribute albums go, and the money is going to a very worthy cause.

Buy it here: http://www.vanguardrecords.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=609

Track and artist listing (and it is absolutely stellar) is here: http://www.blah3.com/article.php?story=20070924161618247

- as

[BlueJazz]

1. Always like Fats. He also had some Top-Notch engineers when...

..making Records. I met a few of his side-men years ago. Great Fun!

[americanstranger]

3. I have a question, and you might be able to answer it.

Fats' songwriting partner of many years was trumpeter Dave Bartholomew.

During my last visit to New Orleans in 2001 (God, it's been too long!) I met a street musician who plays outside the Cafe du Monde named Hack Bartholomew - also a trumpeter.

Any guess as to whether they're related? The question came to mind while doing research on Fats today. Thanks if you can help - if not, any of you residents of NOLA know?

- as

[BlueJazz]

6. Ummm...Afraid I don't know but it's quite possible. I met a former star..

..named Danny of "Danny and the Juniors" ..They had a hit in the 50's ..AT THE HOP.

He was running a Gas Station...oh well... :)

[americanstranger]

7. I remember them from when I was a wee lad...

They did 'Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay,' too.

I grew up in Philly and watched 'American Bandstand' every day (this was WAY before Dick Clark took it national).

They were on quite a few times, as I remember it. :)

- as

[OzarkDem]

2. Hey, Stranger!

Good to see you post. How have you been :hi:

Thanks for the post, I'm happy to support Fats. I'm so glad we didn't lose him.

[americanstranger]

4. Been great. Quite busy, but real good.

Hope all's well with you, OD.

Fats is one of the good ones. There's an article in USA Today about the album that perfectly illustrates how humble he is:

Aside from promoting Goin' Home, his only quest is "paying more attention to the master," he says. "I hope it goes well with the Lord; that's what I've got to prepare for. We're only passing through. We're a bunch of sinners, and time is passing on."

Pressed again to survey his past, Domino says he wouldn't alter one minute. Has he always had a positive attitude?

"I don't remember changing anything except my clothes, and I don't always do that," he says. "I don't know anything about an attitude. I'm just me."

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-09-20-fatsdomino-cover-main_N.htm

How can you help but love a guy who is so humble and unassuming, given his towering role in American music?

- as

[OzarkDem]

5. What a great guy

He's done lots to help others, but I really want to help him.