Deja Blooze: February 2008

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.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Deja Boys Back from the Studio

Yesterday we wrapped up our second studio session at the Blue Ewe Recording Studio here on Whidbey. We laid down 9 tracks in a five hour period and were joined by mouth harpist David Gignac who sat in with us at our first Prima gig. Mr. Gignac blew some nasty licks on two tracks that will appear on our upcoming Deja CD. The majority of the material has just recently been added to the Deja repertoire, and we're looking forward to performing it live. David Malony (of Blue Ewe Studios) is working on the final mix, and we hope to have the CD available for our March 1st appearance at Prima.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Deja Blooze returns to Prima Bistro

Greetings Deja fans.

BACK TO PRIMA
Ed Newkirk and I (aka Deja Blooze) have been asked to reprise our inaugural appearance at the Prima Bistro earlier this month on a regular monthly basis. So on March 1st and the first Saturday of each month following (except May...that date to be announced), the Deja boys will be at the Bistro in Langley from 8 pm to 10 pm. Those of you who joined us for our first appearance heard mouth harp player David Gignac sit in with the Dejas for a rousing rendition of Spoonful. If David's travel schedule permits, he will join us again for the March gig.

THE DEJA BOYS PREMIER AT PRIMA BISTRO
Saturday February 2, 2008 marked the official launch of the blues duo known as Deja Blooze. By showtime, the restaurant was full of anxious music lovers, and Ed and I were ready to shake up the crowd with some fun blues renditions. Within a half hour of starting, it was standing room only with folks doubled up around the bar. It was reported that people were eating their dinner on the stairway because there were no tables available once the music started. We're sorry for the inconvenience to those diners; next time it might be good to book a table early and stay late. Restaurant staff estimates are that approximately 120 people packed Prima (which officially seats about 90) and finally extra chairs were brought in to accommodate late arrivals. The great turnout did the Deja boys proud. We heard that a Seattle couple who were just in the restaurant for dinner but stayed for the music called later to ask when the group would be playing again; when they were told of the March date the caller said she would call the Inn at Langley and book a room for that weekend. That's a fan. To say we were pleased to hear that would be an understatement. We were knocked out! Thank you to all of you who came out to welcome Deja Blooze to Langley's live music offerings. We are looking forward to an even livelier evening on March 1st. We hope to see you then.

DEJA BLOOZE CD SAMPLER
Last December, Ed and I went into David Malony's Blue Ewe recording studio in beautiful Greenbank and laid down 7 live tracks on a Sunday afternoon. Ed is a longtime veteran of studio sessions around here and previously on the East Coast, but it was my first time in a recording studio. Both Ed and David Malony made the pressure of recording as minimal as possible for this rookie. The tracks include: "Blow Wind Blow Wind", "Spoonful", "I've Had MyFun", "Walkin Blues", "Blues for Two", "Mind Your Own Business", and "First and Last Love". We have copies of the CD available for $10.

BACK INTO THE STUDIO
The Deja boys are heading back into the studio to add 7 more classic and lively blues offerings to our first efforts. We'll keep you updated.

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Robert Johnson

Blues Terminology

Blog Archive

About Me

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Monday, February 18, 2008

Deja Boys Back from the Studio

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Deja Blooze returns to Prima Bistro

Subscribe To

Followers

Deja Blooze Blog

Robert Johnson

Blues Terminology

Blog Archive

About Me

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Monday, February 18, 2008

Deja Boys Back from the Studio

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Deja Blooze returns to Prima Bistro