Customer Reviews

Christmas Is A Special Day

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first time I listened to this CD I could hardly believe my ears. The quality of the recording is excellent ...full fidelity and very warm. The arrangements are top notch. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is an example. Fats' voice and phrasing are great. The horn section is outstanding (the baritone sax adds depth, the tenor solo is warm and fluid, lots of feeling. Other tracts I really liked include "Blue Christmas" and "White Christmas" ...love that baritone sax. After listening to this recording I wish Mr. Domino would go back into the studio and re-record some of his big 1950's hits. One can only imagine how great they would sound recorded with todays equipment.

It took about fifteen years but Fats delivered a new studio album in the '90s worthy of note. In fact, it is only his *fourth* non-compilation since 1968. That year FATS IS BACK came out; in '71 Reprise issued a limited distribution entry of '66/'67 Broadmoor material called FATS; c. '78 saw SLEEPING ON THE JOB. So this set was more than welcome. As to the quality - not bad! A "low budget" approach nonetheless yields some classic F.D. sounds, especially on the opening self-penned numbers "I Told Santa Claus" and "Christmas Is A Special Day". Session data is missing but the strongly-presumed Domino keyboard is a pleasure throughout - it's great to hear those rolling triplets in a bright, new setting. There are the expected standards ("White Christmas", "Silent Night", etc.) but they all are enjoyable. A nice surprise is Charles Brown's "Please Come Home For Christmas". The album closer, "Amazing Grace", is an instrumental with resonant, traditional Crescent City support. Yes, it's mainly for the fans, but this CD should be proudly displayed right next to *any* current big name release in the record store displays.

I have been a Fats Domino fan since the '50's. I have always wanted to hear Fats sign gospel-I always knew he was a believing man. I cried when I listen to his instramental of "Amazing Grace." "Christmans is A Special Day" and "Silent Night" are the best versions I've ever heard.
Thank You Fats from the bottom of my heart for recording this CD. Would love to find a Fats Domino Gospel CD someday. I will request my family play the "Amazing Grace" at my funeral.

This is the happiest most upbeat Christmas music that I have ever owned. Everyone that hears it wants it, thus I have ordered several for family and friends. It just makes you feel alive and full of energy at a time when everyone is stressed and tired from shopping and comparing prices. We played it for a solid month around the house and in the car and then loaned it to a VFW club for their juke box, it was in constant demand. So do your self a favor and buy it.

I've always been a fan of Fats Domino, in part because in many ways Louisiana is my true home and there's something about him that is just so warm and wonderful and so Louisiana to me. Not only that, but this man was a true music pioneer and we owe so much to what he's accomplished with his mellow voice and his rolling fingers. The songs on this album feature that unmistakeable Louisiana Fats kind of beat and that unmistakeable voice. When Fats sings, it's like he's just kind of caressing the words with his lips, instead of biting into 'em and chewing on 'em like the rest of us do. His voice has only gotten mellower as he's gotten older.

The familiar Christmas tunes remain true to the originals while still sounding new and fresh, and the unfamiliar ("I Told Santa Claus" and "Christmas is a Special Day") are familiar anyway because Fats is singing them. I especially like "Christmas is a Special Day" because it reminds all of us that Christmas is really about Christ and what He did for us.

The only thing I don't like about this album (and if I could I'd probably give it 4.5 stars) is the sound of the piano. It has a bit of an electronic sound to it and lacks the rollicking richness of the real piano sound in Fats' more famous songs. I don't know why this is, but it's a bit of a shame. Still, the songs have his unmistakeable trademark stamped all over them, and I don't think anyone who likes Fats will be sorry if they buy this album.

Must be that saucy prancing upon the ivories that aids in pull'n seasonal standards along ...or maybe Fat's deep bayou delivery styling nice and simple like which allows the song to be the star ...or perhaps the twist n' tweakin of rhythm and melody with oldie type trickery ... I just can't finger why I like this record so much, ohh yeahh I'm thankful great seasonal songsmithing like this exists and I'm willing to just enjoy them for what they are, you should too. ~~~Merrily Mix~... Post Script: Like all great showman, Fats puts his best tracks first then leaves the listner want'n with an ohh yeahh excuse me instru-tinsel rendition to close out. To those in the kNOw and\or YULEtide Treasure Seekers there is that special sparkle sprinkled throughout that only a bona fide founding father of ever mutating genres could generate. Amazonian Alert Applies As Ample Americana ***buyit*saveit*shareit*giveit*donateit to the local library*** YULEridGEMality Factor = 2 1\2

I love Fats Domino..but this is like chocolate supreme icing on an already yummy musical cake!! Don't hesitate..buy it...if you like Fats Domino at all, you'll love this...every song is treated like a treasure ...so many extra touches that will have you hitting that rewind button to hear each song over and over. Merry Christmas!

Must be that saucy prancing upon the ivories that aids in pull'n seasonal standards along ...or maybe Fat's deep bayou delivery styling nice and simple like which allows the song to be the star ...or perhaps the twist n' tweakin of rhythm and melody with oldie type trickery ... I just can't finger why I like this record so much, ohh yeahh I'm thankful great seasonal songsmithing like this exists and I'm willing to just enjoy them for what they are, you should too. Post Script: Like all great showman, Fats puts his best tracks first then leaves the listner want'n with an ohh yeahh excuse me instru-tinsel rendition to close out. To those in the kNOw and\or YULEtide Treasure Seekers there is that special sparkle sprinkled throughout that only a bona fide founding father of ever mutating genres could generate.

One of the greatest CD's to purchase to bring back memories of the 50's. Needs to be in every music lovers library. Excellent!

This 1993 release from rock legend Fats Domino is pure pleasure, with memorable versions of "Jingle Bells" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." The New Orleans icon also delivers two yuletide originals: "I Told Santa Claus" and "Christmas Is a Special Day." A rare latter-day studio effort, Domino's "Christmas Gumbo" remains among the great holiday albums. Grab it right away!