[Harp-L] The Language of the Blues by Debra De Salvo

["Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All-

There's a cool new book on blues lingo out. Details are below.
Full disclosure: I'm quoted in the entry for Harp.

-Glenn Weiser
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/bluesmain.htm

Debra DeSalvo - ''The Language of the Blues''
David M. McLean



They set out with their hoes over their shoulders and their few possessions
in a sack to hop the train, which would take them to the next town to find
work in the fields. The year was 1850...or 1890...or 1910. By 1934, the BTA
estimated there were some 1.5 million transient workers - or hoe-boys,
shortened to "hobos" - riding the rails in the U.S. The term "hobo" showed
up in songs by Howlin' Wolf, Memphis Minnie, and John Lee Hooker. We learn
this, and other fascinating tales, from musician & journalist Debra DeSalvo
in her new book, "The Language of the Blues".


The book is chock full of wonderfully colorful interviews with blues legends
like Little Milton, Bonnie Raitt, Hubert Sumlin, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Robben
Ford, Bob Margolin, Jimmie Vaughan, and so many others, who explain not only
the meaning of terms like "hobo", not to mention "voodoo", "crossroads",
"balling the jack", "cool", "honey dripper", "killing floor", "juke", and
over 100 more both common & obscure, but their origins, evolution, and
current usage. Debra then adds historical data and lists of songs that use
the language.

The result is an incredible book much more than a mere historical reference
for researchers. "The Language of the Blues" is a rich, dynamic, living
thing that opens a door to a deep music created by sometimes fringe but
often brilliant musicians. In the words of 2005 Handy Award winner Bob
Margolin, "......you can open it up at random and fall into a world of your
favorite blues songs, and find out more about the lyrics than you would by
guessing from context...".

The book is framed in a rough dictionary format, so you can read it cover to
cover or simply open it randomly to a page and you're met with wonderful
yarns and meticulous research, and the list of suggested listening covers
songs by Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Charlie Patten, Bo Carter, B.B. King,
Lightnin' Hopkins, Trixie Smith, Albert Collins, Son House, Albert King,
Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Skip James...more legends than you
can shake a stick at. It also includes never before published photos and a
fabulous forward by Dr. John.

As 9-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt says, "What a great resource...as
fascinating as it is informative. Debra's passion for the blues shines
through."

Available here-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0823083896/qid=1138264460/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-3452851-8392919?s=books&v=glance&n=283155