eMusic Features

My Dozen

By Matt Friedberger (The Fiery Furnaces), eMusic Contributor

I don't mind telling you that the last few months of 2006 were good for Things-(of different sorts)-Coming-Out-That-I-Like. First, and most importantly, we had The Wire, Season Four. I spell out the number as per its importance. In the second place, put Dylan's Modern Times and Thomas Pynchon's new novel Against the Day (don't mind the reviews, my dear). A little later on, we get Deerhoof's Friend Opportunity. Aren't we lucky? I imagine you have your… more »

04.07.06 Dozen 0

Fats vs. Slims

By John Morthland, eMusic Contributor

Hey, it's a great American nickname, and not just for musicians — that's why we've also had a poker ace named Amarillo Slim and a pool champeen called Minnesota Fats, among others. The very range of music (and personalities) represented here suggests just how widely the images invoked by the names Fats and Slim cut across the nation's diverse cultural heritages. But do the nicknames provide a certain musical mojo that makes one group better… more »

They Say All Music Guide

This early-’60s date was the second — and one of the best — of Memphis Slim’s many top-notch Bluesville recordings. Featuring Slim accompanying himself on the piano, All Kinds of Blues is a vintage set of mellow yet deep blues by one of the music’s most urbane performers. Whether reveling in his considerable boogie-woogie chops (“Three-in-One-Boogie”) or tossing off a wryly sexual romp (“Grinder Man Blues”), Slim always seems to be totally at ease and in command. And while newcomers are advised to start out with one of his early-’50s sets on Chess, this will be one collection no Memphis Slim fan will want to overlook. – Stephen Cook