Christmas Gumbo

by Dennis MacDonaldIt's amazing that 40-plus years after recording "The Fat Man," Fats Domino's voice is virtually unchanged. Hearing that lazy N'awlins drawl on his original "I Told Santa Claus" and "Christmas Is a Special Day" is a delight despite the electronic keyboards and rhythm machine used on the latter. Fats romps through other seasonal favorites: "Jingle Bells," "Silver Bells," and "Blue Christmas" among them. Once you get past the rhythm machine (three drummers are credited), you can enjoy the return of the "Fat Man."