As I write these words, spring is in full effect here in Southern California. As a result of our record setting rainfall this past winter we have something out here that is referred to as a “supper bloom” going on. Our native wildflowers are on display virtually everywhere you turn.

Baseball is already in full swing with six more months of baseball still ahead of us. I couldn’t imagine a more exciting, hopeful and uplifting time of the year and we are just getting warmed up. For me wildflowers and baseball will have to compete with great music. We’ve got plenty of that coming our way.

In the next few weeks we will be inundated with some great new recordings. Jimmie Vaughan, The Cash Box Kings and Duke Robillard all have albums coming out on May 17^th. You can expect to read my thoughts on these recordings in the May edition of BLUES JUNCTION.

In addition, the drummer of the Cash Box Kings, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, has a brand-new album. It is by his band called Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith and the House Bumpers. Their album, Drop the Hammer made it into our Recommended Listening feature here in April.  Check that out as well as other new albums that made the cut. In addition to that we will have a featured interview with Kenny in May.

We have already heard the brand-new side project of B.B. and the Blues Shacks, Bonita and the Blues Shacks' Sweet Thing. Look for my thoughts on that in the May edition of BLUES JUNCTION.

B.B. and the Blues Shacks from Hildesheim, Germany, will be returning to Southern California in May for a mini tour culminating at an unprecedented third appearance at the Doheny Blues Festival. We, of course, will be discussing that event in our May edition of our monthly on-line magazine. In the meantime, check out the Doheny Blues Festival poster.  Also, check out an interview I did recently with the Arlt brothers, founders of B.B. & the Blues Shack.

Two interesting recordings are also scheduled to be released in the next few weeks. Top Cat Records out of Dallas, Texas, is putting out a live Hollywood Fats Band album recorded at various locations in California (where else?) in 1979 and ’80. It is called By the Pound Volume 1.  

The singer and harmonica player in that great all-star band was Al Blake. He has a two album, 29-track, three-decade retrospective of his music, which includes 21 tracks that have never been released. These tunes are presented in acoustic, solo, duo and trio settings. While Blake’s guitar, harmonica and vocals take center stage, he is accompanied by the piano of Fred Kaplan and the harmonica of Kim Wilson on various tracks. The release date of that package has yet to be determined, but it would appear to be imminent. This package is entitled appropriately enough Al Blake presents XX Large Bag of Blues Volume One. I will keep you in the loop on both of these exciting releases.

Last week a couple of events happened which helped to buoy my spirit and bring a tear to my eye all at the same time.

Out of nowhere I was contacted by an old friend that I have never met and true inspiration took hold of my soul. I got some new unreleased music in the mail from a French musician named Thomas Hersch. He, of Thom and the Tone Masters fame, wanted me to hear some new original instrumentals he had just recorded with his band. I was floored once again by the artistry, creativity and the talent of a young man enthralled by the possibilities of American music. Hirsh’s original compositions found inspiration from some of my favorites including guitarists Tiny Grimes, Bill Jennings and organist Jack McDuff. Look for this material to appear on a full-length album later in the year.

Additionally, I attended a performance by Jimmie Vaughan and his great band. Read a rare live performance review in a feature entitled Jimmie Vaughan Live at the Belly-Up Tavern.

I read someplace that an entire day is to be set aside this month entitled National Record Store Day. That is no concern to us as every day around here is National Record Store Day. We, as you may already know, support the idea of physical media.

With that in mind we direct your attention to a couple of features starting with another installment of Charlie’s Re-Issue Rodeo. He discusses some great new/old noise which is available at his Bluebeat Music online record store.

Additionally, I wrote an editorial entitled Are CDs Obsolete? I urge you to read that and would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Remember we invite you to hold your breath and dive deep into the Archive section of the site. Swim around in there. There is no lifeguard on duty, so be careful…bring your reading glasses and leave a modest donation on your way out. As you know we are 100% reader supported, independent and advertising free.

Spring has and continues to be a time of inspiration, hope, renewal and rebirth and I’m feeling all of that at the moment. I hope you are as well. Until we meet again, be well and be in touch.

- David Mac



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