A free Fats Domino download

KCRW, the SoCal public radio station, has a podcast called “Today’s Top Tune” – a free MP3 download of the day. Yesterday’s tune, in commemoration of Katrina, was by that grand old man of New Orleans R&B, Fats Domino.

“The Fat Man,” released in 1949, was one of the first tracks Domino ever cut. It became a nationwide hit, and launched a career in which he would sell 65 million records.

Fats Domino can still rock the live stage; he played his first post-Katrina gig three months ago at Tipitina’s.

Due next month is “Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino,” which honors him as a songwriter. Tracks from superstars such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Neil Young and Herbie Hancock make this double-CD one to watch for. (Los Lobos handles “The Fat Man.”)

Part of the proceeds of the album will go towards rebuilding Domino’s home, which was destroyed by the flooding after Katrina.

Now, if you wanna download that FREE 1949 “Fat Man” track, you have to go through a few steps:

At the iTunes Store, click on Podcasts, then look under “Featured Providers” for KCRW. Go to the KCRW page, and look for the title “KCRW’s Today’s Top Tune.” Click it.

You’ll see Fats Domino listed... but not for long. These KCRW giveaway tracks are only up for a couple of days, so move fast if you want this one.

Now, click the button that says “Get Episode,” and the song will download to your podcast library. You can then transfer it to the music library by pulling down the “Advanced” menu from the iTunes menu bar, then clicking “Convert Selection to ACC.” That’ll do it.

To hear “The Fat Man” beforehand, click here and stream it at my Vox site.

UPDATE (08/31/07): Aw hell. I waited too long to post about the Fats Domino freebie. It’s now gone from KCRW’s podcast list. Sorry about that.