The word goofer comes from the Bantu kufua and the Ki-Kongo kufa. Both mean “to die.” But Goofer’s dust digs deeper than that. Find out what magic Ma Rainey and the early blues masters were talking about.
Search Results: Language of the Blues (345)
Musicians say the word thousands of times, but do you really know where the word “GIG” came from? Find out! From the man that knows everything… The NITE tripper… Dr. John.
A “gate” is 1920s slang, but went on to take on a greater meaning in the Louisiana area. Find out EVERYTHING about Gatemouth in this week’s edition!
Read about the particularly FIERCE creature that Blind Lemon Jefferson sang about!
Foot track magic is a hoodoo practice, and was talked about by Robert Johnson
The sometimes creepy, sometimes uplifting meaning of “Fix” in the blues has it’s roots in Voodoo… and junkies. Find out how!
Tommy Johnson sang about “Fat Mouth”, but the origins of the word run much, much deeper! Discover the story!
Pronounced “pharaoh,” faro is an old rural Mississippi synonym… discover the meaning behind what Mississippi John Hurt and Tommy Johnson famously sang about!
“Easy Rider” is one of the most common themes in the blues. Now find out exactly what it means and why!
“Stormy Monday Blues” contains the famous verse: “The eagle flies on Friday”