Debra DeSalvo, The Language of the Blues (Billboard Books). From “Alcorub” to “Zuzu,” Ms. DeSalvo combines solid research with humor, insight and straightforward description to explain the often arcane terms that populate blues songs. You may have an idea about the various meanings of “easy rider,” but how about “faro,” “biscuit,” “cooling board?” “Mojo” gets two full pages. The book is more than a dictionary; it’s a lesson in the Southern black culture that took root in rural blues and spread throughout the world. That’s no woofin’ (page 158).
Doug Ramsey on Jazz and other matters...
Good call, I took this book out of my Library and just loved it. Even though it is arranged like a glossary, it can be read like a narrative. After reading it and then going back and listening to some blues records and CDs a lot of things fell into place.
Oops, almost forgot. If anyone would like to learn more about The Language of the Blues, there are reviews & interviews at http://www.debradesalvo/book. Also at http://www.myspace.com/thelanguageoftheblues.