Fat Possum Records
Encyclopedia
Fat Possum Records is an American independent record label
based in Oxford, Mississippi
. At first Fat Possum focused almost entirely on recording hitherto unknown Mississippi
blues
artists (typically from Oxford or Holly Springs, Mississippi
). Recently, Fat Possum has signed younger rock acts to its roster. The label has been featured in a New Yorker
article, a piece on NPR, and a 2004 documentary, You See Me Laughin.
magazine editor Peter Redvers-Lee and Matthew Johnson
in 1992
, the label initially specialised in discovering blues players from the North Mississippi region
, many of whom had never recorded before. At Fat Possum's behest some artists, particularly R. L. Burnside
, released both standard blues albums and more "techno" albums, done in the style that would later be made famous by Moby
's album Play
. This led to a fair amount of controversy among blues purists, a group in which Johnson was largely uninterested.
Many of the early artists for Fat Possum were picked with the aid of New York Times music critic Robert Palmer
, who also produced a number of records for the label.
Although their releases were critically acclaimed, particularly Junior Kimbrough
's album All Night Long
, which received 4 stars from Rolling Stone and the loud approval of Iggy Pop
, Fat Possum was perennially strapped for cash. Word of mouth and artist compilations, such as Not the Same Old Blues Crap 3 (with a cover illustration by Joe Sacco
) and All Men Are Liars, gradually pulled Fat Possum out of the red, even if only for brief periods of time. Unfortunately, a legal fight with Capricorn Records
, who were to be their distributor, drained Fat Possum's funds and left a number of projects on the shelf.
R. L. Burnside proved early on to be the label's biggest money maker. Having toured with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, he and Jon Spencer's band teamed up to record, in a single afternoon, the record A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
, which further helped Burnside and Fat Possum gain wider recognition. A remix
of the R. L. Burnside song "It's Bad You Know" was also featured prominently on The Sopranos
.
With time, many of the label's artists have died. Asie Payton
, King Ernest, and Charles Caldwell
died before their records could be released. Junior Kimbrough died in 1998. R.L. Burnside died in 2005.
As the label has developed, it has begun to broaden its base of artists and sign a range of younger bands such as the Heartless Bastards
, Deadboy & the Elephantmen
, AA Bondy, The Black Keys
, Andrew Bird
, and MellowHype
. It has also begun to release more archival records, such as George Mitchell
's 1967 recordings of Furry Lewis
, Mississippi Joe Callicott
, R.L. Burnside, Townes Van Zandt
, and others, with covers designed by Chip Kidd
.
The label also took a step in recent years to start releasing music from the new lo-fi rock trend, and released music from artists like Wavves
, Crocodiles
, and Bass Drum of Death
. They also have tapped into the indie-folk scene releasing Verbena's
frontman A.A. Bondy's solo records.
, Robert Belfour
and Junior Kimbrough. Recently, Fat Possum's newer artists, like The Black Keys, have received wide coverage. Solomon Burke
's "comeback" album, Don't Give Up On Me
, won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album
.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
based in Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1835, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract....
. At first Fat Possum focused almost entirely on recording hitherto unknown Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
artists (typically from Oxford or Holly Springs, Mississippi
Holly Springs, Mississippi
Holly Springs is a city in Marshall County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,957 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marshall County. A short drive from Memphis, Tennessee, Holly Springs is the site of a number of well-preserved antebellum homes and other structures and...
). Recently, Fat Possum has signed younger rock acts to its roster. The label has been featured in a New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
article, a piece on NPR, and a 2004 documentary, You See Me Laughin.
History
Founded by former Living BluesLiving Blues
Living Blues is a bi-monthly magazine focused on covering the African American blues tradition, and America's oldest blues periodical. The magazine was founded as a quarterly in Chicago in 1970 by Jim O'Neal and Amy van Singel. Alligator Records owner and founder Bruce Iglauer was also one of the...
magazine editor Peter Redvers-Lee and Matthew Johnson
Matthew Johnson
Matthew Johnson or Matt Johnson may refer to:* Matt Johnson , voice of Rodney on the animated series The Life & Times of Tim* Matt Johnson , Canadian ice hockey player in the National Hockey League...
in 1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
, the label initially specialised in discovering blues players from the North Mississippi region
Hill country blues
Hill country blues is a regional offshoot of country blues style characterized by few chord changes, unconventional song structures, and an emphasis on the "groove" or a steady, driving rhythm...
, many of whom had never recorded before. At Fat Possum's behest some artists, particularly R. L. Burnside
R. L. Burnside
Not to be confused with R. H. Burnside, stage director.R. L. Burnside , born Robert Lee Burnside, was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who lived much of his life in and around Holly Springs, Mississippi. He played music for much of his life, but did not receive much attention...
, released both standard blues albums and more "techno" albums, done in the style that would later be made famous by Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
's album Play
Play (Moby album)
Play is the fifth studio album by American electronica musician Moby, released on May 17, 1999 on V2 Records. While some of Moby's earlier work garnered critical and commercial success within the electronic dance music scene, Play was both a critical success and a commercial phenomenon...
. This led to a fair amount of controversy among blues purists, a group in which Johnson was largely uninterested.
Many of the early artists for Fat Possum were picked with the aid of New York Times music critic Robert Palmer
Robert Palmer (author/producer)
Robert Franklin Palmer Jr. was a 20th century American writer, musicologist, clarinetist, saxophonist, and blues producer...
, who also produced a number of records for the label.
Although their releases were critically acclaimed, particularly Junior Kimbrough
Junior Kimbrough
David "Junior" Kimbrough was an American blues musician. His best known work included "Keep Your Hands Off Her" and "All Night Long". Music journalist Tony Russell stated "his raw, repetitive style suggests an archaic forebear of John Lee Hooker, a character his music shares with that of fellow...
's album All Night Long
All Night Long (Junior Kimbrough album)
All Night Long is an album by Junior Kimbrough. It helped bring attention to the Hill Country blues scene of North Mississippi after Rolling Stone Magazine reviewed the album and gave it four out of five stars.- Track listing :...
, which received 4 stars from Rolling Stone and the loud approval of Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
, Fat Possum was perennially strapped for cash. Word of mouth and artist compilations, such as Not the Same Old Blues Crap 3 (with a cover illustration by Joe Sacco
Joe Sacco
Joe Sacco is a Maltese-American comics artist and journalist. He achieved international fame through the 1996 American Book Award-winning Palestine, and his graphic novel on the Bosnian War, Safe Area Goražde.- Biography :...
) and All Men Are Liars, gradually pulled Fat Possum out of the red, even if only for brief periods of time. Unfortunately, a legal fight with Capricorn Records
Capricorn Records
Capricorn Records was an independent record label which was launched by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.-First Incarnation:...
, who were to be their distributor, drained Fat Possum's funds and left a number of projects on the shelf.
R. L. Burnside proved early on to be the label's biggest money maker. Having toured with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, he and Jon Spencer's band teamed up to record, in a single afternoon, the record A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey is a collaborative album by the American Mississippi Hill Country Bluesman R. L. Burnside and the American punk blues band Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, released on Matador Records on 18 June 1996...
, which further helped Burnside and Fat Possum gain wider recognition. A remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of the R. L. Burnside song "It's Bad You Know" was also featured prominently on The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
.
With time, many of the label's artists have died. Asie Payton
Asie Payton
Asie Reed Payton ) was an American blues musician, who lived most of his life in Holly Ridge, Mississippi, in the Mississippi Delta...
, King Ernest, and Charles Caldwell
Charles Caldwell (bluesman)
Charles Caldwell was a musician from Mississippi, known for a raw and fiery brand of electric country blues.Caldwell was a lifelong resident of the hill country around Coffeeville, Mississippi. He spent most of his adult life working at an industrial plant in Grenada, Mississippi that manufactured...
died before their records could be released. Junior Kimbrough died in 1998. R.L. Burnside died in 2005.
As the label has developed, it has begun to broaden its base of artists and sign a range of younger bands such as the Heartless Bastards
Heartless Bastards
Heartless Bastards is a garage rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2003. They are often compared to fellow Ohioans and Fat Possum labelmates The Black Keys.- History :...
, Deadboy & the Elephantmen
Deadboy & the Elephantmen
Deadboy & the Elephantmen was an American indie rock band from 2000 to 2007. Based in Houma, Louisiana, the band was fronted by Dax Riggs ....
, AA Bondy, The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
, Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.- Early life and the Bowl of Fire :...
, and MellowHype
MellowHype
MellowHype is an American hip hop duo from Los Angeles, California, that consists of OFWGKTA members Hodgy Beats , real name Gerard Long, and Left Brain , real name Vyron Turner. Hodgy Beats claims the two met by having similar friends in high school. Left Brain was looking for an artist and Hodgy...
. It has also begun to release more archival records, such as George Mitchell
George Mitchell (music historian)
George Mitchell is an American music historian, writer, record producer, and photographer.Born in Coral Gables, Florida in 1944 and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, from the 1960s until the 1980s he has recorded blues musicians such as Jessie Mae Hemphill, Fred McDowell and Johnny Woods, George Henry...
's 1967 recordings of Furry Lewis
Furry Lewis
Furry Lewis was an American country blues guitarist and songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee. Lewis was one of the first of the old-time blues musicians of the 1920s to be brought out of retirement, and given a new lease of recording life, by the folk blues revival of the 1960s.-Life and...
, Mississippi Joe Callicott
Mississippi Joe Callicott
Mississippi' Joe Callicott , was a United States Delta blues singer and guitarist....
, R.L. Burnside, Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
John Townes Van Zandt , best known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American Texas Country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet...
, and others, with covers designed by Chip Kidd
Chip Kidd
Chip Kidd is an American author, editor, and graphic designer, best known for his book covers.- Early life :Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Kidd grew up in the Reading suburb of Shillington, strongly influenced by American popular culture...
.
The label also took a step in recent years to start releasing music from the new lo-fi rock trend, and released music from artists like Wavves
Wavves
Wavves is an American surf pop/noise punk band based out of San Diego, California.-History:Wavves started in 2008 as the recording project of Nathan Williams. Wavves released several 7"s as well as a cassette leading up to the first two releases 'Wavves' and 'Wavvves'...
, Crocodiles
Crocodiles (band)
Not to be confused with the New Zealand band of the same name, Crocodiles are an noise pop/indie pop band from San Diego, California, USA. The group was formed in 2008 by core members Brandon Welchez and Charles Rowell after the break-up of their former hardcore bands Some Girls and The Plot to...
, and Bass Drum of Death
Bass Drum of Death
Bass Drum of Death are a grunge band signed to Fat Possum Records from Oxford, MS. The band was formed by John Barrett, who performed solo with a bass drum and guitar until 2008, when Colin Sneed began playing drums. Their debut LP, GB City, was released on April 12, 2011. The vinyl was also...
. They also have tapped into the indie-folk scene releasing Verbena's
Verbena (band)
Verbena was a rock band from Birmingham, Alabama, founded in the early 1990s by Scott Bondy, and Daniel Duquette Johnston who would become mainstays for the entirety of the bands career, despite undergoing several line-up changes...
frontman A.A. Bondy's solo records.
Artists
Fat Possum is known primarily for its early blues artists, such as R. L. Burnside, T-Model FordT-Model Ford
James Lewis Carter Ford is an American blues musician, using the name T-Model Ford. Unable to remember his exact date of birth, he began his musical career in his early seventies, and has continuously recorded for the Fat Possum label, then switched to Alive Naturalsound Records. His musical style...
, Robert Belfour
Robert Belfour
Robert "Wolfman" Belfour is an American blues musician. His father, Grant Belfour taught him the guitar at a young age and he continued his tutelage in the blues from musicians Otha Turner, R. L. Burnside, and Junior Kimbrough. Kimbrough, in particular, had a profound influence on him...
and Junior Kimbrough. Recently, Fat Possum's newer artists, like The Black Keys, have received wide coverage. Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke was an American singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, mortician, and an archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People. Burke was known as "King Solomon", the "King of Rock 'n' Soul", and as the "Bishop of Soul", and described as "the Muhammad Ali of soul", and as "the most...
's "comeback" album, Don't Give Up On Me
Don't Give Up On Me
Don't Give Up on Me is a studio album by R&B/Soul singer Solomon Burke, recorded and released in 2002 on Fat Possum Records. The album won the MOJO Award for Album of the Year, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album...
, won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album
Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album
The Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album was awarded from 1988 to 2011. From 2001 to 2003 the award recipients included the producers and engineers as well as the artists...
.