Secret Language of the Blues: What the Lyrics Really Mean

For many years, Francis Wilford-Smith led a parallel existence as an internationally respected cartoonist/illustrator ('Selby'), and also as one of the world's foremost collectors of blues records and an acknowledged expert on blues piano. Whilst both sides of his life are celebrated in this memoir, it focuses mainly on the latter.

Motivated by a desire to preserve as much as possible of the music that he loved, Francis privately recorded several visiting blues pianists at his home, Trumpets Farm, in 1960 and 1961. Unfettered by commercial or time constraints, his guests had free reign to play whatever they wished and produced some truly unique and outstanding performances. The intriguing stories behind these groundbreaking recordings is to be found within these pages.

To accompany this book, vintage jazz and blues reissue label Frog Records have released a special 27-track companion CD, Trumpets Farm Blues, containing previously unissued material from these legendary sessions.

"A truly fascinating book, a must for any lover of blues piano".
Alan White, Earlyblues.com

Check out Music Mentor Books: http://musicmentor0.tripod.com/

Check out Frog Records: http://www.frog-records.co.uk/

Lil' Choo-Choo Johnson, Bluesman

Bryan’s Krull’s first novel is an imaginative journey through the world of the legendary bluesmen in the heyday of the 1920s to 1960s.  Drawing on facts that are well-documented and some well established traditional legends he adds his own spin through the invention of Lil Choo-Choo Johnson who was forced to leave home at the age of 10 armed only with a guitar and a formidable natural talent.  Working through the Delta Blues he plays with all the names you’d expect, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Muddy Waters et al.   At times it’s a slightly uncomfortable read as it’s not always clear how much is fact and how much is fiction but it’s entertainingly written and brings the world and characters of the Delta bluesmen alive.

Christine White, October 2010
 

"Scores of books and articles attempt to capture the story of Robert Johnson. But so much of his life remains unknown. This small book tries to fill in those holes based on the spirit of his music.

As a music reviewer for a newspaper in upstate New York covering nearly 50 shows a year, I still hear the Delta bluesmen in the bones of today’s commercial music.This book is for those who hear that too--who hear the echo of Mr. Johnson leaving town, leaving a woman, waiting for his train, sitting against a tree strumming his guitar quietly".
 - Synopsis from David's blogspot

“A heartening read, chock-full of poignant passages and insightful dialogue.”
- Kirkus Reviews