Welcome to the March/April, 2022 edition of BLUES JUNCTION.

I have been following the development and the creative process of a new album that I thought I would be discussing with you this month. It is a tribute to George “Harmonica” Smith entitled Good Thing. Six musicians from all over the world appear as special guests supporting six world class blues men from Ukraine including the man whose name appears on the front of the album, Konstantin Koleshnichenko.

On February 17^th, I heard an advance copy of the final mixes and even viewed the original artwork and production credits online. As you might suspect, that project has been put on hold.

For all practical purposes Konstantin has become a part time war correspondent and full-time hero, patriot and survivor. He lists his occupation on his Facebook page as 'Former Harmonica Player at Blues.' His singular resolve is amplified by his fellow countryman, whose collective courage should serve as an inspiration to all of us.

Konstantin Koleshnichenko stands in our Monthly Artist Spotlight. You can also read the interview I conducted with him back in 2016 upon hearing his music for the first time.

As always, we have a whole host of features, album reviews, recommended listening and interviews that might serve as a brief and welcome distraction from the horrors our news brings to us daily.  

Like many of you, my attention has been focused on the freedom loving people of Ukraine. The Russian invasion of that sovereign nation is a world-wide calamity. It is an epic tragedy on every level.

In visiting with Konstantin way back in 2016, we talked about a great many things including blues music of course but we also touched on other topics as well.

He said back then, “I think Ukrainians have a blues from their birth. You know our country always had troubles with our independence and we are a poor country. In Soviet times, about seven million people died of hunger extermination. That's why we have a lot of sad songs in our folklore. I can't be sure, but probably it's the reason why black (African-American) music is so close to me.”

He went on to say something that now seems kind of prophetic but as true and as real as a Russian tank.

“The revolution woke up the spirit of our country. It woke up people’s confidence and gave us faith in our country. It united us and showed how strong and unbelievable the people of this country can be. Unfortunately, we paid a big price for all the changes. We are still paying a big price.”

I have always contended and tried to convey, that we are all human beings first and fans of this music second. The music we love doesn’t take place in a vacuum but it is a reflection of our day-to-day experiences. Our observations and visceral feelings about the events big and small in our lives comes out in our music and impact our listening.

Be well and be in touch.

- David Mac