Welcome to the November edition of BLUES JUNCTION.

Yesterday, Sunday, November 2^nd, bluesman Finis Tasby passed away after a nearly two year battle with complications which were a result of a massive stroke he suffered back in December of 2012. You are welcome to read an appreciation of Finis and his music. As I have gone on record saying here, in our little corner of the cyber world, Finis Tasby is nothing short of a national treasure. We dedicate the November edition of our monthly ezine to his memory.

There is a young man who we have been following here at BLUES JUNCTION ever since he made a big splash on the California shore back in the winter of 2013. His name is Big Jon Atkinson and by now our readers are somewhat familiar with this musician who at the moment is still shy of his 26^th birthday. He is a man of immense talent, drive and determination. He also stands in our Monthly Artist Spotlight for the month of November. He has a brand new website and Jon was kind enough to ask me to write a bio for that site. I was honored to do so and this feature can be found on Big Jon’s website when that is completed. You will also be able to find Jon’s site on our links page.

There is another very young and extemely talented individual singing the blues out there who believe it or not is a few years younger than Big Jon. Her name is Ina Forsman and she comes to us from Helsinki, Finland, and was brought to my attention via blues veteran Helge Tallqvist. Helge and his great band back Forsman on their self titled album which came out in June of 2013. Enjoy a conversation I had with Helge where we discuss the Finnish bluesman’s life in music and this exciting young singer.

Stony Plain Records recently released an album that has become a favorite here at the JUNCTION. It is called, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold. It sits under the glare of our Monthly Album Spotlight. Read what I have to say about this CD.

The revamping of the archive section of our site continues as we have added an entire batch of album reviews. The response from our readers to the roll out last month indicates that people are now able to actually reference and find articles that heretofore have been really hard to find. Thanks to all of the readers who took the time and effort to contact me and give me feedback on the site improvements. I will continue to tweak the archive section and try and find a balance that makes the site as user friendly as possible, while still maintaining the huge amount of content.    

One of my favorite aspects of the new archive layout is I am able to reference some of my favorite articles written by others as these are listed alphabetical by author. I went into the vault and pulled out an old one written by harmonica player Dennis Gruenling.  It’s a wonderful piece on George “Harmonica” Smith. I thought the timing was right to again share this piece with our readers as Smith plays a big part in the career of Helge Tallqvist and part of our conversation centers around this important figure in the blues.

Last month marks the end of the Major League Baseball Season and for many, not a moment too soon. I have some thoughts on two of my favorite topics, Baseball and Blues Music. They have much more in common than you might realize.

For the second month in a row there were enough great records released that I was able to put together ten songs from ten albums that have been in heavy rotation on the Jukebox at the JUNCTION. Enjoy my thoughts on these mostly brand new and soon to be released CDs.

Just a few days ago many of us here in Southern California were rudely awakened by some sad and shocking news.  In the early morning hours of Friday, October 31^st, Mark Tortorici died as a result of an automobile accident which took place on his way home from a gig in Los Angeles. Mark was a genuinely affable guy who worked tirelessly to present blues music to audiences here in Southern California. He was 43 years old.

He put together a terrific "little/big" band known as the Hollywood Combo. He also fronted a band called, Mark Tortorici and the Torchlighters. His bands served as a platform for some of the great musicians here in the Southland. Mark was an entertaining front man who sang and blew harp. He also played piano and wielded a mean set of maracas. If Mark was on a bandstand there was a good chance he was the one who hustled the gig. He fought the good fight trying to bring great music to establishments whose owners seemed to be just as content to have Karaoke, trivia night, or UFC fights on T.V.

Mark always struck me as being a true professional and a real class act. His Hollywood Combo also provided great back up and support for rhythm and blues legends like Big Jay McNeely who Tortorici treated with the respect and dignity that these National treasures deserve.

Mark was always very gracious to me and was very supportive of our endeavors here at BLUES JUNCTION. That always meant a lot to me as I admired Mark a great deal. I will always be grateful to him for helping to facilitate an interview that I conducted and “published” with McNeely who is one of my heroes.

Mark was a fun guy. I always enjoyed his company. We could use more people with his taste, talent, energy and enthusiasm. I loved it when he would jump off the bandstand, grab a gal and dance. It was his way of saying, ‘Hey, this music is FUN. Have a good time.’ He did and we did too. He will be missed.

Never pass up the opportunity to share a kind word with those who have enriched your life in some way. I am forever humbled by the outpouring of affection our readers send in this direction as a result of what we offer up here at BLUES JUNCTION. You folks mean the world to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Until we meet again be well and be in touch.

- David Mac