Debra Devi

4.6 Stars (60+ reviews) on Amazon 
4 Stars on Goodreads

"What a great resource, as fascinating as it is informative. Debra's passion for the blues shines through." 
— Bonnie Raitt      

"Debra's book will teach you what you need to know about blues history and where the blues are coming from."      
— Joe Bonamassa  

In The Language of the Blues, Debra Devi defines over 150 blues terms like mojo, hoodoo, buffet flat and killing floor with wild stories and fresh insights from her interviews with such blues stars as Hubert Sumlin, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Henry Gray, Little Milton Campbell, Bob Margolin, Jody Williams, Robben Ford, Jimmie Vaughan and more.

The Language of the Blues includes a foreword by Dr. John and is blurbed by Bonnie Raitt, Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Vivino, Bob Margolin, Hal Willner, Ed Sanders and Ministry singer Al Jourgensen. It received the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for Outstanding Book on Music.   

“A call to action for anyone who dares to dream big!” — Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary   

"If you are looking for a book that is truly moving and inspiriting, a book that will take you away to a place that you will never want to leave, then this is the book for you." — MSNBC  

"This is an important, compelling story. Readers interested in the reality of extreme poverty and violence will find it well written, terrifying, and finally uplifting." — Blue Ink Review   

"This book will have readers enthralled and turning the pages long past the time they thought they would be hitting the beach." — Chicago Tribune 

"GOODBYE HOMEBOY is bound to become a best seller - and could become a fine screenplay...this century's answer to Evan Hunter's BLACKBOARD JUNGLE! Highly Recommended." —San Francisco Review of Books   

"Jesse Malin delivers a raw New York memoir like no other ... Almost Grown reads less like a rock memoir and more like The Basketball Diaries with a guitar slung over its shoulder." 
— That Eric Alper

"Jesse Malin’s new memoir is raw and sweet and gritty―and surprisingly gripping. I’ve long been a fan of Jesse’s music, but I knew next to nothing about the man behind the songs until I read the dramatic and poignant NYC tale of his rise."
― Harlan Coben

"Almost Grown stands toe to toe with The Basketball Diaries as a story about growing up in New York"
― Lucinda Williams

"Only a brave artist can rise above the burden of being born one to become a truly great one. And no amount of method acting will ever replace a life of true grit spent with outlaws, poets, drunks, clowns, swindlers, and wild dreamers. If an army is only as strong as its soldiers, then New York City music will always be a genuine threat with Jesse Malin and his endless positive mental attitude on the front line. PMA, rastas!"
― Jakob Dylan

“[F]unny and candid, a slice of a downtown past as gritty as his songs" ― New York Times

"Jesse Malin’s story about a dreamer who never gives up on his dreams is riveting, hilarious, and deeply touching. He writes straight from the shoulder, pulls no punches, and always tells the truth. It’s one helluva ride."
― Jon Landau