Barrelhouse Words: A Blues Dialect Dictionary

from University of Illinois press…

Barrelhouse Words:

A Blues Dialect Dictionary

An exhaustive, engrossing lexicon of blues idioms

“A valuable, unique work. No other book explains as many new, often subtle aspects of the blues language that Stephen Calt has lived with for over forty years.”

—Kip Lornell, author of The NPR Curious Listener’s Guide To American Folk Music

“Others have tried to unlock the meaning of the old blues, but Stephen Calt sets a new standard in this important work. His book will serve as an indispensable guide for blues fans and delight those who love the twists and turns of American vernacular language at its most creative. Whether you are a scholar or just a browser, this learned lexicon belongs on your shelf.”

—Ted Gioia, author of Delta Blues and The History of Jazz

This fascinating compendium explains the most unusual, obscure, and curious words and expressions from vintage blues music. Utilizing both documentary evidence and invaluable interviews with a number of now-deceased musicians from the 1920s and ‘30s, blues scholar Stephen Calt unravels the nuances of more than twelve hundred idioms and proper or place names found on oft-overlooked “race records” recorded between 1923 and 1949. From “aggravatin’ papa” to “yas-yas-yas” and everything in between, this truly unique, racy, and compelling resource decodes a neglected speech for general readers and researchers alike, offering invaluable information about black language and American slang.

Stephen Calt is the author or coauthor of the blues biographies I’d Rather Be The Devil:

Skip James and the Blues and King Of The Delta Blues: The Life and Music of Charlie Patton.

Barrelhouse Words:

A Blues Dialect Dictionary

Stephen Calt

Cloth, ISBN: 978-0-252-03347-6 $75.00

Paper, ISBN: 978-0-252-07660-2 $26.95

320 pages – Publication date: November 2, 2009

Contact: Michael Roux: mroux@uillinois.edu

International Blues Challenge – Jan. 20th to 23rd, 2010

The 2010 International Blues Challenge will be the 26th year of Blues musicians from around the world competing for cash, prizes, and industry recognition. The Blues Foundation will present the 26th International Blues Challenge January 20-23, 2010 in Memphis, TN. The world’s largest gathering of Blues acts represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to take their act to the international stage. In 2009, 100 bands and 60 solo/duo acts entered, filling the clubs up and down Beale Street for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday and the finals at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday. We will have at least that many in 2010.

26th International Blues Challenge announces Youth Showcase.

The 26th year of the International Blues Challenge will once again include a youth showcase for those under the age of 21. Smokin’ Bluz of Charlotte, NC has signed on again as the Presenting Sponsor. The 26th IBC will include an afternoon (Friday, January 22, 2010) of talented young people showcasing their talents for record labels, media, festivals, managers, talent buyers and the fans.

Visit www.Blues.org for more information, event schedule, etc.