The newest release from Tipitina’s Record Club is Fats Domino’s last public performance, recorded in May 2007 at the historic uptown venue. On Live at Tipitina’s the New Orleans legend performs with his full band and takes on classic cuts that helped define rock and roll.
Arriving on gorgeous royal blue 180g vinyl, the set is compact and to the point. Kicking off with a banging rendition of the classic “I’m Walking” as the trumpets solo with energy, the bass rumbles and The Fat Man runs on the piano as you can hear the sold-out crowd cheer him along. While Domino’s vocals are more understated with his advanced age, the fans help him sing “Blueberry Hill” which strolls along on a laid-back groove.
Fats’ long time band helps him carry the load throughout the set. The group is: Alto Saxophone – Carl Blouin, Baritone Saxophone – Roger Lewis, Bass – Anthony Garner, Drums – Ernest “Box” Fontenot, Guitar – David Douglas, Teddy Royal, Tenor Saxophone – Elliott Callier, Herb Hardesty Trumpet – Frank Parker. Combined with the excellent linear notes remembering Fats told by Lewis to Jennifer Odell, this release is a proud documentation of Fats Domino’s legacy.
While perhaps not Dave Bartholomew’s and Fat’s best-known song, “Hello Josephine” is an album highlight as all the horns, particularly the baritone saxophone of Lewis, get to showcase their pomp and flair. The slow waltzing “Blue Monday” uses huge musical swells to stroll along while “I’m Ready” is perfect 50’s rock and roll with piano, horns, and a money beat. The A side wraps with the smooth grooving classic “Ain’t That a Shame” featuring a pumping sax solo and Fats banging away; Domino’s voice isn’t always in top form, but his classic piano playing still gets over.
The B side kicks off strong with the group’s sly take on the classic “Shake Rattle and Roll” as the cats peep in the seafood store before their sins are washed away on the gospel ballad “Valley of Tears”. Domino’s legendary cover of Hank Williams “Jambalaya” rumbles along, accented by stout drumming and piano runs before the record wraps with Domino’s closing combo of “So Long/I Done Got Over It” delivering shining saxophones to punctuate the last live show from the legendary Domino.
The brief Live at Tipitina’s is not essential, but rather a very fun reminder that Fats Domino and company could still deliver the original rock and roll goods almost sixty years after he helped the genre get started.
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