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**This Is Fats - Fats Domino**
★★★★☆

In the grand pantheon of rock 'n' roll pioneers, few figures loom as large or as genially as Antoine "Fats" Domino, the rotund piano-pounding maestro from New Orleans' Ninth Ward. By 1956, when Imperial Records released "This Is Fats," the man with the million-dollar smile had already established himself as one of America's most potent musical forces, transforming the boogie-woogie traditions of his hometown into something altogether more revolutionary.

The album arrived at a pivotal moment in popular music history. Elvis had just exploded onto the national scene, Chuck Berry was duck-walking his way to stardom, and the old guard of crooners and big bands were scrambling to understand this new phenomenon called rock 'n' roll. Yet while his contemporaries often seemed to be shouting their rebellion from the rooftops, Domino's approach was altogether more subtle – a velvet revolution delivered with a Louisiana drawl and an infectious grin.

What strikes you immediately about "This Is Fats" is how effortlessly Domino bridges the gap between rhythm and blues and mainstream pop sensibilities. His piano style, deeply rooted in the New Orleans tradition of Professor Longhair and Tuts Washington, rolls and tumbles with an almost hypnotic quality. Those chunky, repetitive left-hand patterns provide the foundation for melodies that burrow into your consciousness and refuse to leave.

The album's crown jewel is undoubtedly "Blueberry Hill," a song that would become Domino's signature tune and one of the most recognizable recordings in popular music history. Originally penned in 1940, Domino's interpretation transforms what was essentially a Tin Pan Alley confection into something altogether more soulful. His vocal delivery – warm, intimate, slightly nasal – imbues the lyrics with genuine emotion, while that distinctive piano accompaniment creates an atmosphere of romantic nostalgia that remains utterly compelling decades later.

"Blue Monday" showcases another facet of Domino's artistry, with its driving rhythm and horn-punctuated arrangement creating an irresistible dancefloor anthem. The song's structure is deceptively simple – verse, chorus, repeat – yet Domino's performance elevates it into something transcendent. His piano work here is particularly noteworthy, with those rolling triplets in the right hand creating a sense of momentum that's impossible to resist.

The lesser-known tracks reveal the breadth of Domino's musical palette. "Honey Chile" demonstrates his ability to craft tender ballads, while "Don't You Hear Me Calling You" showcases his more uptempo, gospel-influenced side. Throughout, producer Dave Bartholomew's arrangements provide the perfect framework for Domino's talents, with the tight rhythm section and punchy horns creating a sound that was uniquely New Orleans yet universally appealing.

What's remarkable about "This Is Fats" is how contemporary it sounds today. While many of his rock 'n' roll contemporaries now seem like historical curiosities, Domino's music retains its power to move both body and soul. This is partly due to his deep grounding in African-American musical traditions – the blues, gospel, and boogie-woogie elements that formed the bedrock of his style were already centuries old when he began recording. But it's also testament to his extraordinary musical instincts and his ability to find the universal in the particular.

The album's influence can be traced through generations of musicians. The Beatles were devoted fans, covering several Domino songs and citing him as a major influence. Paul McCartney has spoken eloquently about Domino's impact on his own piano style, while countless others have attempted to capture that distinctive New Orleans groove.

Today, "This Is Fats" stands as both a historical document and a living, breathing work of art. It captures a pivotal moment in American popular music, when the barriers between black and white, sacred and secular, were beginning to crumble under the irresistible force of rock 'n' roll. Yet it also transcends its historical context, offering pleasures that are immediate and enduring.

In an era when rock music often seems to equate volume with passion and complexity with sophistication, Domino's approach feels refreshingly direct. His genius lay not in reinventing the wheel, but in perfecting it – taking the musical traditions of his hometown and polishing them until they gleamed like