Synopses & Reviews
What is Gregg Allman talking about when he sings “The
eagle flies on Friday, Saturday I go out to play”? Guess
what? The Language of the Blues knows. Turns out “eagle”
represents the dollar that flies into a workers hand on payday.
Author Debra DeSalvo is ready to share her extensive
research, authoritative knowledge, and witty writing style
with every music lover whos ever tried to fake it through a
conversation at a blues club. A comprehensive A-to-Z
dictionary of blues terminology is supplemented by excerpts
from interviews with such legendary blues artists as Honeyboy
Edwards, Pinetop Perkins, and Sam Lay. Get your mojo
(we all know that one, right?) working, and soon youll be
woofin (boasting) with your cats (derived from the African
Wolof word “katt,” meaning an accomplished singer). See
how much youve learned already?
• Comprehensive dictionary of blues words
lets listeners understand what they hear in
blues songs and blues culture
• Great for music fans and anyone interested
in language
• Includes excerpts from original interviews
with Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Hubert Sumlin,
Jimmie Vaughn, Buddy Guy, and many others
About the Author
Debra DeSalvo, an associate editor
for Blues Revue and a columnist for
Rolling Stone Online, has interviewed
many blues legends and coauthored
five books. A professional guitarist,
composer, and singer, she lives in
Hoboken, NJ.