Customer Reviews

Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits

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If he was never a superstar on par with, say, Elvis Presley, nor has Fats Domino ever really gone out of style. At its best, his music is direct and unpretentious in a way that always sounds fresh. This compilation, part of EMI/Capitol's Crescent City Soul Series, includes all his essential sides, from 1950's "The Fat Man" ("They call me the fat man / because I weigh 200 pounds") to his 1962 take on Hank Williams' "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)." Most every song is a winner, with the possible exception of "Valley of Tears," which would've worked better without the sappy chorus. Domino's voice was appealing enough that he didn't need any kind of back-up to get his message across. "It's You I Love," B-side to the same 1957 single, also incorporates background singers, but less extensively and is all the more successful for it.

Over the years, Domino's music has gotten a new lease on life through TV shows, like "Happy Days" (Ron Howard's Richie Cunningham had a thing for "Blueberry Hill"), and covers, like Cheap Trick's hard rockin'--yet reverential--cover of "Aint That a Shame" on their bestselling 1979 live album, "At Budokan." The CD booklet includes liner notes by John Broven, author of "Rhythm & Blues in New Orleans."

You will listen, you will find introspection, you will dance, you will sing inside your heart, you will dance some more. Fats Domino had such an incredible string of hits, you cannot simply describe this album (errr, CD) as anything other than GREAT. The only downside is that a couple of the songs were not of the highest recording quality. Still, what would you expect of such treasures and the technology of the time? A mino trade-off for the collection of music you will get.

This album is essential if you are going to round out your collection of American music.

Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them has some wonderful hits by the great Fats Domino. This is practically mandatory listening for fans of Fats Domino; and people who like rock and roll music from back in the day will appreciate this album as well. The artwork is also very, very good.

"The Fat Man" starts the CD with Fats singing this one out really great! "The Fat Man" has surface noise but it's a very good tune and it makes a strong beginning for this album. I really like "The Fat Man." "Going To The River" has that classic Fats Domino sound; the piano is used well and the percussion really fits in well as Fats sings this to perfection--and beyond! It's tunes like "Going To The River" that made Fats Domino so very special.

"Ain't That A Shame?" now showcases a much more mature Fats who sings and plays this like the pro he always was! The drums are great and the electric guitars add so much to the musical arrangement. "All By Myself" has a fine early rock and roll melody that's quite catchy and Fats Domino sings this really well. I love that great horn solo, too! "I'm In Love Again" has a fantastic melody and Fats sings this flawlessly. His excellent diction and his uncanny sense of timing enhance his performance and we can easily see that Fats is a founding father of rock and roll. "Blueberry Hill" should lay to rest any doubts that Fats Domino wasn't anything short of a masterful entertainer; I always liked "Blueberry Hill" and Fats' rendition is THE definitive rendition of this classic ballad.

"Blue Monday" is a strong number that Fats delivers with all his might; and listen also for "I'm Walkin'." "I'm Walkin'" highlights Fats' ability to take a rock and roll tune and charge it electrically with his fine performance and style. I'm very impressed; and another highlight of this album is "Whole Lotta Loving." "Whole Lotta Loving" features Fats front and center--right where he belongs! The piano arrangement is very strong and the melody has a great beat for dancing. "I Want To Walk You Home" is another masterpiece from the great Fats Domino; he aces this effortlessly.

"Be My Guest" has another catchy rhythm that makes you want to hear this tune over and over again--and Fats never sounded better! The brass is used to great advantage and Fats never sings a superfluous note. "My Girl Josephine" is a very pretty tune that gets an electric charge to make this a fine early rock and roll ballad; and the CD ends strong with Fats Domino performing "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)." "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)" is another powerful tune and you're bound to enjoy it if this type of music is what you crave.

Overall, this Fats Domino CD is one of the better ones out there without a doubt. It is great for fans of Fats Domino; and it makes the perfect introduction for newcomers to Fats Domino's artistry.

When I was a young man, the release of a Fats Domino record was always exciting to me. It seems from 1955 to about 1961 he was always on the radio with hit after hit. His laid back singing with his powerful New Orleans R&B band added a unique sound to the Rock and Roll landscape during that time. His records had a beat. They rocked! He made it look so easy! Fats Domino always made me feel better. This CD is outstanding in that it features every major hit he had. There are a few minor omissions I'm sure for fans, like "My Blue Heaven" and "Please Don't Leave Me (1953)" but this CD is the one to get if you're a fan like me or want to hear what real rock and roll sounded like. This stuff still holds up today. It's the beat!

With the exception of 'You Win Again' this is probably one of the best albums you can get by the fat man. Quality was really spotty from track to track as was the volume output so have your remote on hand. I seem to recall 'I Want To Walk You Home' being much crisper on the origional 45rpm but time plays tricks and this was almost 50 years ago. Some of these may not be from the origional masters. All in all though, a must have album from the 50's and 60's.

First, let me say, I LIKE "Valley of Tears" with the sappy girl chorus. I saw Fats in a Las Vegas hotel/casino lounge in 1974 first with my wife and then with my father, a fan of anybody who would sing "My Blue Heaven", apparently first heard from another famous artist in the 1920's. Fats was quoted as saying he made more dough in Vegas as an oldies act than he ever did with the (thievin'?) record companies. That may be why before one well-received single had faded, another was released. Gene Autry could be seen in an early 1940's Western, singing "Blueberry Hill" but once Fats sang it, it belonged to only him. This is a very good representation of The Fat Man at his hottest.

Recently I've been getting more into 1950's rock and roll. I was familiar with a handful of Fats Domino's songs and decided to check out some of his other stuff, so I picked this up. Boy, what a great purchase that was! I was blown away by this collection and it's really turned me into a Fats Domino fan. How can you not fall in love with upbeat, rollicking, catchy tunes like "I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday" or "Whole Lotta Loving"? They're great!

This is one of those rare compilations that is solid all the way through with no filler. I'd recommend this to anyone that wants to hear some Fats Domino, or anyone who likes 1950's rock and roll and rhythm and blues.

Fats Domino's Musical Impact goes way beyond the 50's.alot of that has to do with the range&tone that Fats Domino plays with.yeah "BlueBerry Hill"&"Ain't that a Shame" were big on TV,Films,etc.. but the Music doesn't sound like it's stuck in a time warp you can still do so much with it to this day.His overall Music Depth is Rarely given the Respect it truly deserves.this a CoolSet Highlighting His Impact on Many Styles of Music.

Wonderful CD sounds just like the old 45's [without the scratch]
If you like 50's and 60's and Fats Domino this is the one!

"Fats Domino Jukebox" presents the listener with a solid overview of the work of one of rock & roll's founding fathers.
Fats' goodtime music never seems to go out of style.
Almost all his major hits are here and the sound quality is very good.
Also included is a decent liner notes booklet.