Welcome to a new year and a new edition of BLUES JUNCTION. This is the January edition of our ezine and is the first of twelve installments for 2014. As is our January tradition, we take a look back at the past year. While most publications do this in their December issues, I like waiting until the year is actually over before I reflect on its passing.  Maybe I am just a huge fan of procrastination.  

We start out with The Best of 2013. In this feature we acknowledge the best recordings of year. In 2013   it was an absolute blast to be a fan of blues music as there were more very good and even great recordings this past year than in any year in recent memory. We then roll into our Monthly Artist Spotlight feature. We also have a couple of other pieces that help us put a wrap on 2013, starting with Dave’s Top Ten List of Top Ten Lists. We follow that up with Charlie Lange’s Re-issue Rodeo. The founder and president of Bluebeat Music shares his thoughts on twenty terrific re-issues which were released in 2013.

We also look back at a couple of very special performances which took place in the southland last month. First off was the West Coast debut of the Detroit soul singer Laura Rain. She traveled west with her musical partner, guitarist George Friend. Enjoy a photo essay by the great Alex Gardner that chronicles two of the Southland area shows by this scintillating live performer.

Alex also had his skills in full effect the following weekend as a very special concert took place at the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, California. On Saturday, December 14^th, The Igor Prado Band made their first Orange County appearance since their performance at the 2010 Doheny Blues Festival. Just like that Saturday afternoon in May three and a half years ago, the band was joined by vocalist and harp player Lynwood Slim and tenor sax man Ron Dziubla. However, the show last month turned into an event that is a musical experience no one in attendance will soon forget. Enjoy yet another terrific photo essay by Alex Gardner documenting this, the latest installment of John Reilly’s World Class Blues in the O.C. concert series.

Alex was actually doing double duty that afternoon as he put his culinary skills to work assisting Velinda The Taco Girl and even produced a traditional Brazilian dish in honor of the stars of the show.

As far as our modest little corner of the cyber world is concerned, 2013 marked another milestone. In July of last year BLUES JUNCTION had our first day where we had more than 1,000 unique hits to our site (1,127 to be exact). It is with equal parts surprise and joy that we have found so many discerning blues music fans who are attracted to our perspective on this quintessential American music.

There was a more personal milestone which took place last month. My mother officially announced her retirement from professional music. The 83 year old pianist and organist had worked for almost fifty years for the Catholic Diocese of Orange. On December 28^th, she played her last Mass.

After the service family and friends enjoyed a retirement party where I conducted my last interview with a musician in 2013. Actually it occurred to me while I was sitting next to her, I never knew under what circumstances her first professional gig took place and when. I have asked that question to countless musicians but never my own mother. So I asked. She went on to share with us that her first job was playing a Catholic Mass at a German prisoner of war camp in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois, in 1944. For some reason I can only envision that gig in black and white.

So a seventy year run isn’t too shabby. When asked to say a few words to the congregation after Mass she was in character which is direct and to the point she simply said, “I love it, but it’s time.”

For as long as I can remember I have heard her play. I suspect, I will again as the same baby grand piano that is in her home today was in the home in which I was raised. Music was always central to our family life. I credit my Mom for helping to instill the joy of music into my heart and soul. Thanks Mom. I love you.

- David Mac