During the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster that flooded the New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward area due to the levees breaking, singer/piano player Fats Domino was reported missing and feared dead so when he was rescued, it was a great relief not only for those here in Louisiana but to many in the world who long admired his music and his loyalty to his roots in that particular area. And by giving a benefit concert at Tipitina's a couple of years later, he proved just how resilient he was in continuously providing great entertainment in front of audiences. This documentary of those days and his concert forms the lion's share of footage though we also see black and white footage of him in his heyday in the '50s and '60s as well as interviews of fellow musicians Randy Newman, Robert Plant, and many Louisiana legends like Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, and Dr. John. Transplanted New Orleanian John Goodman narrated and the program was co-produced by the N.O. public station of LPB (Louisiana Public Broadcasting). Quite informative about Domino's early days and very entertaining when he performs such of his classics like "Blueberry Hill", "Blue Monday", and of course, "Walkin' to New Orleans". So on that note, I highly recommend Fats Domino: Walkin' Back to New Orleans.
2 Reviews
Very Good
Michael_Elliott31 December 2008
Fats Domino: Walkin' Back to New Orleans (2008)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
John Goodman narrates this documentary taking a look of music legend Fats Domino and his return to playing in New Orleans after the events of Hurricane Katrina. For those who don't know, Fats decided to stay in his home during the hurricane and for days afterwards it was believed he was dead until he and his wife were eventually pulled from the second story of their house. Nearly two years later Fats did a concert at the Tipitina music club, which included such classic tunes as "Ain't That a Shame", "Blue Monday", "I'm Walkin'" and his masterpiece "Blueberry Hill". Randy Newman, Robert Plant, Dr. John and others are also interviewed telling their opinions on Fats as we also get some back information on how he was discovered, how he learned to play piano and about all the hits he had. All of that stuff is fine but the real heart and soul to the film is the current stuff leading to the events after Hurricane Katrina. Hearing why Fats decided to ride out the storm and the effect it had on him was very gripping and his first performance afterwards, which happens to have been his last to date, features magic that will certainly send chills down your spine. Fats' playing and singing is top notch after all these years and those first few notes of "Blueberry Hill" are incredibly thrilling.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
John Goodman narrates this documentary taking a look of music legend Fats Domino and his return to playing in New Orleans after the events of Hurricane Katrina. For those who don't know, Fats decided to stay in his home during the hurricane and for days afterwards it was believed he was dead until he and his wife were eventually pulled from the second story of their house. Nearly two years later Fats did a concert at the Tipitina music club, which included such classic tunes as "Ain't That a Shame", "Blue Monday", "I'm Walkin'" and his masterpiece "Blueberry Hill". Randy Newman, Robert Plant, Dr. John and others are also interviewed telling their opinions on Fats as we also get some back information on how he was discovered, how he learned to play piano and about all the hits he had. All of that stuff is fine but the real heart and soul to the film is the current stuff leading to the events after Hurricane Katrina. Hearing why Fats decided to ride out the storm and the effect it had on him was very gripping and his first performance afterwards, which happens to have been his last to date, features magic that will certainly send chills down your spine. Fats' playing and singing is top notch after all these years and those first few notes of "Blueberry Hill" are incredibly thrilling.
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