1. Blueberry Hill
2. Honey Chile
3. What's the Reason (I'm Not Pleasing You?)
4. Blue Monday
5. So Long
6. La-La
7. Troubles of My Own
8. You Done Me Wrong
9. Reelin' and Rockin'
10. Fat Man's Hop
11. Poor Poor Me
12. Trust in Me
Yet another astonishingly literal album title. The 50s weren't exactly too big on imagination, apparently. I guess they thought it showed Communist tendencies.
With this installment, we are gifted with an early rock album that isn't by Elvis! And it is better at not sucking. Though it doesn't actually rock that hard. I'd say this album is significantly more 'roll' than 'rock', as it's pretty much a bunch of lazy r&b tunes set to a steady backbeat. 'Blueberry Hill' is the classic to beat on this record, and if you like that song then you're in luck, because every other song sounds just like it!!!
That is indeed the only real problem I had with this album (and pretty much every other 50s rock album). Although this music would've been The Shit back in '56, rock has evolved and diversified so much that it is a lot harder for me to get a true level of enjoyment out of these early records.
Having said that, this album is still worth a listen, and still more enjoyable than Elvis (I promise I'll stop mentioning him in a few more reviews!). Fats is a great performer, with some great piano playing and laid back vocals that suit the songs very well. I was struck by how little emphasis was placed on the guitar in comparison to almost every other rock album ever (except for that bitchin' solo on 'Trust In Me'). It's mainly a piano-and-horns affair.
Not exactly the most amazing rock album, but it's pretty good regardless. Not even Hurricane Katrina can stop Fats Domino. 7/10
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