As it turns out I needed to look a little further back than the 50s and a little further South than Missouri. Being that Domino's hometown of New Orleans is currently in the throes of Mardi Gras celebrations it seems appropriate that the song I found that they both covered is "When The Saints Go Marching In." This is one of those songs that, like "Stagger Lee," could be from a couple of different places. It's played as both a dirge and a Dixieland standard (according to Wikipedia, musicians at Preservation Hall got so sick of playing it that they charge $20 per request) and there are a couple of different sets of lyrics. Before we get to either Domino's or Cash's version I'm playing Mahalia Jackson's because, well, I love her. I'm not sure when this is from but it's timeless so it doesn't matter.
Domino's version appeared on the 1959 Imperial album Let's Play Fats Domino and while I found a few live performances I'm a sucker for the sound of vinyl so we're going with this one.
Cash seems to not have recorded it in the studio but he did perform it in concert and on The Johnny Cash Show in February 1971. Hmm, the lady in the pink looks a little familiar...
A joyful noise indeed. Happy birthday, Mr. Domino and Mr. C! Thanks for grooving along with me and have a great Wednesday!
2 of my mom's faves. Blueberry Hill, and Ring of Fire.
ReplyDeleteFats Domino was my dad's favorite musician ever.
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