Fats Domino - Blues & Rhythm Series Classics 5025: The Chronological Fats Domino 1949-1951 (2002)

An exemplary release showcasing Domino at the very outset of his career, 1949-1951 documents a vitally important time for Fats, as well as for New Orleans music and rock & roll as a whole. "The Fat Man" is often seen as one of the first rock & roll records, but it's by no means the only highlight on this disc. Indeed, almost every cut is a fabulous example of 1950s New Orleans R&B, and far from being a historical curiosity, these cuts (especially "Detroit City Blues" and "Boogie Woogie Baby") are some of the most exciting of the period. A fabulous release. ~Thomas Ward