Welcome to the July edition of BLUES JUNCTION. It is summertime and the living is easy. I actually wish it were easier for my fellow countrymen who live in the mid-west and eastern parts of the U.S.A. as they are suffering through an oppressive heat wave at the moment. My thoughts also go out to the folks in Colorado who are fighting enormous wildfires. I hope Mother Nature gives you a break in that battle as well.

Like I said, it is summertime and I have some thoughts on what is most likely the most recorded blues song of all time, Summertime. I dusted this article from our ever expanding archive section of the website that has something in the neighborhood of 200 articles, editorials, photo essays and reviews.

Our monthly artist spotlight in July shines on Lynwood Slim. The harmonica player, flautist and blues singer extraordinaire made his triumphant return to the concert stage on June 24^th at the world famous Tiki Bar. We have a photo essay that features the fine photography of Alex Gardner and Chris Corbett. I have some thoughts on this very emotional concert event.

Towards the end of last month I caught up with Slim and we talked about a great many things. Enjoy his thoughts on life and death and the blues.

Check out what is in store for the discerning blues fan this month by checking out the tab that reads, World Class Blues in the O.C.- Coming Attractions.

Another famous roots music act has made a return. I welcome back the Blasters to the recording studio. They have a brand new CD out on Rip Cat Records called, Fun on a Saturday Night. Read my review of the band's first studio recording since 2006.

This past spring, the music world lost two musical giants who have been my heroes for as long as I can remember. They were the great saxophonist, Andrew Love and bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn. Read my thoughts in an appreciation of these prolific musicians in a piece entitled, Sweet Soul Music: The End of an Era.

I have contended for some time that the de-evolution of blues music which continues to go virtually unchecked is due in large part to the fact we place a decreasing value on the actual sound that is created by the musicians themselves. When I listen to a new, or old recording for that matter, my mantra is something Ray Charles used to say when he posed the musical query, “What does it SOUND like Mother F*cker?” I am not for one second suggesting that myself or anyone else out there has the hearing acuity of Ray Charles but, like Ray I am not terribly concerned about the visual aspects of music. Read an editorial entitled, Getting Clipped. Your thoughts on this subject are welcome.

At the half way point of the calendar year I look back on my ten favorite songs from my ten favorite blues albums of 2012... so far. Check out the July Jukebox at the JUNCTION and let me know what I missed.

As always, we keep you abreast of what is going on in the Martelian world.  Check out the July 28^th blues show put on by long time blues impresario Art Martel. Find out what’s cooking under tab that reads, Straight Up Blues - Coming Attractions.

Just a few days ago we here in the states celebrated our Independence Day. It gave many folks in these parts a chance to reflect on our nation's public policies and how they have impacted our lives. Who am I kidding? We do what we have always done; drape ourselves in the flag and shoot explosives in the air. The entire ritual is designed to make us feel good about ourselves and scare the sh*t out of the rest of you.

I had some friends over and we listened to hours and hours of great blues music. Now, how listening to music that was born out of the American institution of slavery comports with the modern day traditions of the Fourth of July might be puzzling to some of you. Blues has always been about confronting life on your own terms. It is about overcoming adversity, redemption and the power of the human spirit. It is also about exceptional musicianship. Those items might not be a providence that is exclusively American, but I am most proud to be an American when I consider how blues music, the quintessential American music, and these values have been embraced though out the world. Happy Birthday, America.

Be well and be in touch.

- David Mac