Welcome to our annual holiday extravaganza where we celebrate the sounds of the season. In keeping with this tradition, we have many features which speak directly to this special time of year.

We have two full album reviews of two recent Christmas CD releases. They are an all instrumental album from one of our favorite musicians, Joel Paterson. His album Hi- Fi Christmas Guitar features the mid-Century modern sounds with which fans of Paterson have become familiar. The other is a terrific Christmas album, Socks, by J.D. McPherson. This record features all new, all original Christmas songs which we can only hope become standards one day.

These CDs along with a whole host of other great albums sit in our annual Best Christmas Albums of All-Time feature.

There is a special album (CD) that we are making available to our readers. It is entitled Blues, Mistletoe and Santa’s Little Helper. It is a compilation album coming from the halcyon days of New Orleans’ Black Top Records Label. That album is reviewed here in this 2019 version of our holiday spectacular.  Check out this feature and find out how you can get your own copy of this long out of print gem.

We have a special 12 Albums of Christmas edition of Charlie’s Re-Issue Rodeo. Put some old noise under some new trees.

While this month’s Recommended Listening feature doesn’t have any type of Christmas spirit per se, one band stands out as their name evokes the majesty and mystery of Christmas. They are Jesus on a Tortilla. When I first heard of this band, I hit the Google in a quest to find out what I could about these cats. I had to wade through one article after another from newspapers around the United States about people who have experienced the glorious phenomenon and resounding affirmation of faith that comes with finding the image of the Son of God on a tortilla. I, of course, was so deeply moved by this information I wrote an essay on this subject. It seemed appropriate that I share with you my thoughts on this with our readers this time of year. 

Back by popular demand, we share with our readers the interview that I conducted with Santa Claus. The Grand Master Cringle, as one might expect, delivered the goods. He was honest, effusive and a lot of fun. I will always treasure the time I spent with the big man and am proud to share this exclusive interview with you.

In addition to our new articles that we share with you each and every month, as part of our feature driven, on-line magazine, we urge you to dive into the Archives section of our site.

As another year comes to a close, I want to remind you how much we appreciate your patronage. We appreciate hearing from you. Your feedback and suggestions mean a lot to us. One of the great joys of my life is corresponding with other thoughtful blues music lovers from around the world.

I wanted to remind you coming next month (January, 2020) will be our annual Best of… where we will be presenting the BLUES JUNCTION Productions Awards.

I hope each and every one of you has a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Until we meet again be well and be in touch.

- David Mac