Fats Domino gets much-needed tribute album

[Above: Robert Plant and Fats Domino]

A photograph of rescuers helping rock ‘n’ roll founder Fats Domino out of a boat near his flooded 9th ward home was one of the few uplifting images amid the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, the legendary artist has yet to raise enough money to restore his home -- a recent benefit auction of a Domino-autographed baby grand piano attracted no bids.

Because every member of the upscale auction crowd failed that one, Domino’s colleagues in the rock industry (that wouldn’t be what it is without his influence) are stepping up with a double-disc album titled Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino. Sales of the Vanguard record release will go toward rebuilding Fats’ home, buying instruments for New Orleans High School children and creating a community center in the Lower 9th ward.

"Fats Domino is the cornerstone of New Orleans music, which in turn became the bedrock for R&B, Soul, Country, Reggae and Rock and Roll," stated executive director Bill Taylor of the Tipitina foundation, who conceived and executive produced the record. “Getting him back to his Lower 9th Ward house will send a clear message to his friends, neighbors and fans that we in New Orleans are coming back and Fats is leading the way."

Among the artists giving Domino the respect he deserves are Elton John, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty and Neil Young -- all of whom contributed interpretations of classic Fats Domino tunes. Here is the full tracklist of Goin’ Home, out September 25:

1 - John Lennon – “Ain't That A Shame”
2 - Dr. John – “Don't Leave Me This Way”
3 - Paul McCartney – “I Want to Walk You Home”
4 - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - “I'm Walkin'”
5 - Elton John – “Blueberry Hill”
6 - Randy Newman – “Blue Monday”
7 - Dr. John – “Don't Leave Me This Way”
8 - Toots and the Maytals – “Let the Four Winds Blow”
9 - Olu Dara with Donald Harrison – “When I See You”
10 - Lenny Kravitz with the Rebirth Brass Band, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis and Maceo Parker- “Whole Lotta Lovin'”
11 - Bonnie Raitt & John Cleary – “I'm in Love Again & All by Myself”
12 - Robert Plant with the Lil' Band O' Gold – “It Keeps Rainin'”
13 - BB King with Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk – “Goin' Home”
14 - Taj Mahal with The New Orleans Social Club- “My Girl Josephine”
15 - Art Neville – “Please Don't Leave Me”
16 - Willie Nelson- “I Hear You Knockin'”
17 - Irma Thomas and Marcia Ball – “I Just Can't Get New Orleans Off My Mind”
18 - Herbie Hancock with George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste and Renard Poche – “I'm Gonna Be A Wheel”
19 - Corinne Bailey Rae – “One Night (Of Sin)”
20 - Bruce Hornsby – “Don't Blame it on Me”
21 - Lucinda Williams – “I Live My Life”
22 - Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Walter Wolfman Washington and Theresa Andersson – “When The Saints Go Marching In”
23 - Joss Stone, Buddy Guy and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band – “Every Night About This Time”
24 - Marc Broussard featuring Sam Bush – “Rising Sun”
25 - Allen Toussaint – “Go Fats Domino”
26 - Ben Harper with the Skatalites –“Be My Guest”
27 - Norah Jones – “My Blue Heaven”
28 - Soweto Gospel Choir & Robert Plant – “Valley of Tears”
29 - Neil Young – “Walkin' to New Orleans”

Related links:
VanguardRecords.com
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Fats Domino
TipitinasFoundation.org

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