Deja Blooze: July 2009

Blues Terminology

The "blues" as we know them today are in essence a musical account of the lives, the loves, the trials and the concerns of black people during the early years of the 20th Century. Even though the roots of "the blues" can be traced back to the mid 19th Century, this modern style of music is considered a blend of field hollers and the gospel music heard in black church choirs. Blues music concerns, at its core, stories told over a simple chord progression where emotion is the key ingredient fueled by a steady beat that repeats the chant of sorrow, inequity, hard living and the plight of lost souls. The poetry and format of the blues first came into view around 1910 and gained broader popularity in 1912 with W.C. Handy's "Memphis Blues".

During the twenties, the blues became a national craze. Records by leading blues singers like Bessie Smith and later, in the thirties, Billie Holiday, sold in the millions. The twenties also saw the blues become a musical form more widely expanded on by the likes of Son House, Blind Willie McTell, Charlie Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Robert Johnson. Johnson has gained mythological status over the decades and is considered the man whose music and persona broadened the influence and appeal of the Delta blues. Legend has it that Johnson, so badly wanted to play blues guitar, that he sold his soul to the devil one night on a dusty Mississippi crossroad in return for acquiring guitar mastery.

During the decades of the thirties and forties, the blues spread northward with the migration of many blacks from the South and entered into the repertoire of big-band jazz. The blues also became electrified with the introduction of the amplified guitar. In some Northern cities like Chicago and Detroit, during the later forties and early fifties, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, and Elmore James among others, played what was basically Mississippi Delta blues, backed by bass, drums, piano and occasionally harmonica, and began scoring national hits with blues songs. At about the same time, T-Bone Walker in Houston and B.B. King in Memphis were pioneering a style of guitar playing that combined jazz technique with the blues tonality and repertoire.

Regardless of the truth of the Robert Johnson legend, the blues emerged into the mainstream of popular music as a result of Johnson's recordings and still influence players today. Deja Blooze is just one example of the long lasting effect of those early delta players and the potency of their musical creations.

Below are some traditional blues words and phrases that you will hear in the lyrics of songs in the Deja Blooze song bag. They are traceable to African American tradition and experiences in the southern U.S., primarily in the delta region of Mississippi.

Barrelhouse: A cheap drinking spot and more often than not a place for dancing. The term "barrel house" originally referred to buildings where barrels of alcoholic beverages could be found. The meaning of the term later changed to refer to the rowdy style of music that was played at such places.

Biscuit or Biscuit roller: Food themes and metaphors are very common in rural blues music. An attractive young girl was called a biscuit and a good lover was referred to as a biscuit roller.

Easy Rider: The term easy rider is a blues metaphor for a sexual partner. Originally it referred to the guitar a traveling bluesman hung on his back . The term "easy" refers to women and men lovers differently. In reference to a woman it is usually an expression of admiration; with a man it generally carries a negative connotation i.e. reckless or unfaithful.

Hoodoo: A term referring to something that brings bad luck; it was common among southern blacks who preferred it over the word voodoo.

Monkey: Generally refers to a desire for or addiction to drugs or less frequently in reference to an on-going encumbrance or problem.

Nation Sack: "Nation" is generally considered short for "donation". Nation sacks were worn on the belts of traveling preachers to hold the donations they collected. Prostitutes along the Mississippi River eventually adopted this accessory, wearing it under their skirts and between the legs. The jingle of coins worked as a sort of calling card for potential customers.

Rambling: To roam or wander aimlessly from place to place.

Rider: A girl friend, or a sexual partner. Riding is one of the more common metaphors for the sexual act in blues.

Riding the Blinds: The passageway between two railway cars covered wither with canvas or leather in an accordion design. Wandering musicians or hobos sneak onto a passing train and ride for free. That was riding the blinds.

Salty: Generally refers to having "a strong sexual drive" for someone.

Spoonful: This term is considered to have two separate meanings. The first is related to a "spoonful" of liquefied heroin. The second is a sexual reference concerning the amount of a man's "seed."

Stingaree: In blues music this term is a euphemism for the sexual organs, usually applied to women. It is believed to originate from the aquatic stingray with its large sharp barbed dorsal spines near the base of the whip like tail capable of inflicting severe wounds.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Deja Blooze at Freeland Eagles Membership Drive Poker Run

Hello All,

The 2nd annual Whidbey Island Freeland Eagles Poker Run takes place on Saturday July 25th. Sign in at the Freeland club at 9:00 am with a $20.00 entrance fee then head off to the Everett, Stanwood, Burlington, Anacortes Clubs before returning to the Freeland Eagles by 5 pm. The Freeland Eagles will be offering up a BBQ dinner and of course adult beverages will be available. And to help digest your food and get your toes tapping, DEJA BLOOZE will provide live and lively Blooze from 6 pm to 8pm. There will also be a silent auction and a raffle, all proceeds going to local charities. This event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC so even if you're not an Eagles member, you can join in on the Poker Run, the BBQ and DEJA BLOOZE. For more information, contact Cheryl at 360.969-1678. We'd love to see all of you there...all for a great cause and a fun event.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Deja Blooze at Choochokham

Hello All,

This weekend is the Choochokham Arts Festival here in Langley, and Deja Blooze is on the musical line-up. We'll be playing Saturday July 11th from 11:00 am to 11:45 on the Main Stage at First Street & Anthes. We'll play a lively set of our signatures blooze including several new original material that we'll be releasing on our new CD in the next few weeks. So stop by the Main Stage at 11 on Saturday and let us spread some mojo your way. We'll be looking for you.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Deja Recording Update

Hello All,

Well, on July 5th it was about 75 degrees when I arrived at the Blue Ewe Studios at noon. Once all the gear loaded into the studio in the woods, it was up to David Malony--owner, engineer and ace drummer--to figure out "what am I doing here?". Once he finished his breakfast (which we so rudely interrupted) and downed a cup of joe, he remembered what his task was and began grabbing cords, setting up the mics, moving the amps, setting volumes, balances and all the important stuff that goes into making a recording session work.

While David Malony is getting his bearings, which took about an hour and a half, the band got tuned up.

Here's the voice of Deja Blooze tuning up the telecaster for some slide work later in the day. When the gear was tuned up, we still had a few minor things to hammer out....like what is the intro for this song, where do we want the solos in this one, and did we come up with an outro for song three? No matter how much we practice, sometimes little important things like a beginning and an ending are left unattended to until you're going to put them on a disc permanently.

Once David Malony got all of the wires in and checked volumes and made sure we were all connected to one another, then our work began for the next three hours.

I had written six tunes that I wanted to get recorded for an upcoming EP-CD as well as a Celebrate Whidbey CD project. While you never know how things are going to unfold in the studio, I went in with every confidence in the talent of my two band-mates; based on Ed and my previous trip into the studio, we knew that if you are dutifully rehearsed, the odds are better of a smooth studio experience. Such was the case once again. We got all six songs laid down in three hours, with several making it in one take. Which is not to say that recording is an easy task. On the contrary. It's very exhausting. You get very focused because the more takes you have to do, the less spontaneity you get. The quality of the live performance, especially on my part as the lead vocalist, can quickly degrade. And if you lose the "fire" in the delivery, you've lost the song. Actually for one song we tried it twice without hitting the sweet spot, so to speak. Malony suggested we put it aside and go on to another and come back at it "fresh." We did just that. Two tunes later we revisited the song and the suggestion worked. One refreshed take and it was in the can. We also tried another song--"Six Feet Under"--at a slow bluesy tempo with some slide guitar This version did not rock the engineer's world, so we tried it again more up-tempo without the slide, and we got a thumbs-up from maestro Malony. We also trust the engineer, with his musician's, fresh ear, to give us the straight poop on a take.

So at 4:30 pm, we called it a session, happy with what we had accomplished. We'll go back for a brief session to put in a couple of backup vocals and some additional lead guitar work. Then our work goes into the engineer's hands to mix the material and gives us the final product. And as soon as that happens, we'll have our efforts available to you. We'll keep you apprised of availability.

Deja 1 signing off.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Upcoming Deja Blooze Dates

Hello Friends,
Here is the latest update on the Deja Nooze front. This summer is filling up nicely for lively Blooze around South Whidbey.

July 5th back in the studio for an upcoming CD.

Saturday July 11th Choochokham Arts Festival: 11:00 am to 11:45 am on the Main Stage in Langley. Free.

Saturday July 18th Concerts on the Lane, Island Angel Chocolates, Langley 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Free.

Saturday July 25th Freeland Eagles, Fundraiser & BBQ, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Sunday July 26th, One Song For Langley, Langley Park, 2nd & Anthes 12-5 pm Deja 1 will do a couple of tunes.

Saturday August 8 Fundraiser for Affordable Housing via Saratoga Community Housing organization. A "Blue-Luau" event held at the beautiful home of Laura and Steve Strehlau, overlooking Holmes Harbor. The Strelaus are the best party hosts on South Whidbey and last year's fundraiser was our best event ever. Tickets are $25 and should not be missed. Affordable housing is a great cause and there will be lots of tasty food, beverages and of course music by the Deja Blooze trio. Contact Sandra Stipe at 360.331.4248 to join us. You will not be disappointed.

That's it for now, but stay tuned...there's always more.

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Deja Blooze at Freeland Eagles Membership Drive Poker Run