‘That’s Fats’ Pays Tribute to Domino in a Big Way

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FATS DOMINO AND VARIOUS ARTISTS

“That’s Fats: A Tribute to Fats Domino”

EMI

Fats Domino often seems to be the forgotten man of rock ‘n’ roll. Except for Elvis Presley, he had more Top 40 hits than any other artist from the ‘50s who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But the New Orleans singer-pianist rarely tours and is seldom cited as an influence by today’s generation of rock musicians.

His music, however, still delights. One reason is that Domino had such a relaxed, listener-friendly style that virtually every recording he made invites a sing-along.

This tribute package doesn’t feature versions of Domino tunes by today’s alternative rockers or country bestsellers--yes, many of Domino’s best-known tunes had every bit as much a country component as Chuck Berry’s.

Instead, “That’s Fats” offers interpretations from the ‘50s and ‘60s of Domino hits. Among the lively selections: Johnny Burnette & the Rock & Roll Trio’s rendition of “All by Myself,” Ricky Nelson’s “I’m in Love Again,” the Band’s “I’m Ready,” Cheap Trick’s “Ain’t That a Shame” and Canned Heat’s “Big Fat (The Fat Man).”

Though the various remakes twist the Domino tunes in many interesting directions, most retain a sense of the infectious spirit that made the originals such delights.

As affectionate and sometimes energetic as these versions are, however, none quite matches the celebration of Domino’s own recordings, three of which are included in the 19-track collection: “The Fat Man,” “Ain’t It a Shame” and “I’m Walkin’.”

** 1/2 Various Artists, “Music for a Bachelor’s Den in Hi-Fi,” DCC Compact Classics. DCC, one of the most dependable of the reissue labels, has moved aggressively into the suddenly voguish (and decidedly novelty) world of self-consciously sophisticated adult pop from the ‘50s and ‘60s. The lineup on this better-than-average collection includes several surprises, including the theme from Jackie Gleason’s “The Honeymooners” (“Melancholy Serenade,” performed by Jackie Gleason & His Concert Orchestra, no less) and the theme from the TV series “Route 66” (by Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra). There’s also some predictable fare, such as Martin Denny’s “Quiet Village” and the Arthur Lyman Group’s “Yellow Bird.”

* 1/2 The Arthur Lyman Group’s “The Best of the Arthur Lyman Group,” DCC Compact Classics. While most of the volumes in DCC’s “Bachelor’s Den” series contain selections by various artists, this one is devoted solely to one of the genre’s biggest stars. A native of Hawaii whose chief instrument was the vibraphone, Lyman parlayed his mix of island music and light jazz into a trio of hit instrumental albums. The music’s chief lure was how exotic it sounded on new stereo systems. It may have been fun at the time, but the style hasn’t worn well. It’s hard to make it all the way through most of the numbers, which range from Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale” to “Hava Nagila.”

* Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).