This is such a wonderful time of the year. It is when the days are the longest and I like that very much. Here in June we celebrate the first day of summer. This of course gives me a chance to revisit the greatest summertime song of all-time, Summertime. Our monthly Re-Visited feature usually examines an album, but this time we take a look at a single song. Summertime is reputed to be the most recorded song in the history of music which makes me picking my top ten versions of Summertime a lot of fun.

It is also the time of year where the blues business heats up. In the case of 2018 and not a moment too soon I might add, our Recommend Listening feature is bursting with some absolutely outstanding new music.

One of these albums came to me from an artist with whom I wasn’t familiar and in fact I had never even heard her name. She is Marina Crouse and she has released an outstanding album entitled Never Too Soon that knocked me out. It sits in our Monthly Album Spotlight.  

Three of the new recordings that we discuss in our Recommended Listening column come from the Magic Productions label out of Sweden. It is none other than Lars Näsman who founded and runs this enterprise. Näsman, as many of our readers are aware, is the upright bass player with the international “super group” based out of Sweden, Trickbag. Lars and I have been discussing doing an interview for years now and that finally has come to fruition. I think the timing is perfect. Enjoy a conversation with an important figure in the ever growing and vibrant international blues music scene, Lars Näsman.

Here in June we also celebrate Father’s Day. As a tribute to my Dad who passed away in 1987, I share a personal story entitled Father’s Day with Be Bop Charlie.

One of the great joys of this time of year is attending the Doheny Blues Festival. Just one of the highlights of the two-day festival was the performance by Nikki Hill and her fine band. Read my review of that show.

This year Rich Sherman and his Omega Events pulled off a real coup. As many of you know they changed venues while remaining in the beach resort community of Dana Point in South Orange County. By all indications the event was a success. While I’m sure there may have been a few snags, none come immediately to mind. Yet, whatever those issues may be, it is nothing that Sherman and his team won’t address. They no doubt will continue to provide a premium festival experience. 

It was wonderful seeing so many of our readers out at the festival this year, who gladly made the transition from one idyllic park to another on Orange County’s fabled Gold Coast. The feedback I have received was generally positive. Thanks to those of you who took the time and trouble to come up to me and introduce yourselves. It is nice to put a face and a smile to our readers who otherwise I might not get to know. Your kind words and encouragement of our little dog and pony show is greatly appreciated.

BLUES JUNCTION continues on…independent, reader supported and advertising free. If you are so inclined to help out this labor of love, you are welcome to hit one of the PayPal buttons at the bottom of most of the articles. We hope that you, the discerning blues music fan, will want to insure you continue to receive entertaining, informative and enlightening content each and every month.

Until we meet again, be well and be in touch.

- David Mac



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