M u s i c R e v i e w How to Appreciate the Blues By Dave Stinton

What's he singing about? We know... With summer upon us, many major cities will sponsor outdoor "blues festivals" featuring the cream of the local blues crop. The Produce Section presents this handy guide to appreciating what you might hear. Take a listen to the lyrics. Any mention of food is usually a thinly veiled reference to sex. For example, take this tune from Lenny "Tomcat" Jackson, Carrot Cake: Got to get me some carrot cake. Got to get some that’s fine. Got to get me some carrot cake. Got to get some that’s fine. If you won’t give me some carrot cake, I’ll make someone else mine. Taken at face value, it is an ode to carrot cake. But try to imagine the carrot cake as a euphemism for a sex act. It may help to re-read the lyrics, replacing the phrase "carrot cake" with the phrase, "vigorous lovemaking." Also watch for references to laundry, as in the following song by Holland "Crawfish" Brown, entitled Spin Cycle: My woman’s clothes, they drenched with sweat. Load ’em up, get ’em hot and wet. Work up a lather, woman, twist and grind. Let’s see what kind of stains we find. In my spin cycle, yeah my spin cycle. You take all my quarters, your washing machine is mine. A little imagination, and you can tell this isn’t merely a song about laundry day! Sex is also hiding behind references to telecommunications. Willie "Mud Wren" Harmon sings in Long Distance: Baby press my buttons, Baby touch my tone. Baby we gonna spend a long time on the phone. Baby climb my pole, Baby call real late. ’Cuz during off-hours your service offers discount rates. References to water, carnival rides, furniture or carpentry, influenza, world travel, homeowner’s insurance, billiards, corrective eyewear, and the blues are also code for sexual activity. The rule of thumb: Listen carefully. If a song features words, those words are symbols for sex. But since it’s all in code, feel no qualms about letting the kids hear it! Pack some white zinfandel and some cucumber sandwiches, then head out to the band shell to appreciate the sunshine, fresh air, and some filthy, filthy music.