Welcome to the September edition of BLUES JUNCTION. As the calendar turns the corner towards fall and the summer months fall behind us, I feel very thankful to have been born and raised in Southern California. There are so many opportunities for a variety of activities not the least of which are an abundance of entertainment options, many of those include the music that we celebrate here at the JUNCTION each and every day.

One of these, which I never miss, is coming up on Saturday, September 10^th in San Diego. It is the San Diego Blues Festival. It is one of the highlights of the busy blues calendar.

There was an event that took place which I wouldn’t have missed for anything. It was the live public performance debut of an eighteen year old blues man named Robert Eliff. The concert took place at Dyzzy on Vinyl in Long Beach on August 19th. Robert plays country acoustic blues guitar with authority. His singing voice has a self assured sense of authenticity which is startlingly real.

I first met Robert in the fall of 2011. He was introduced to me by his dad, Tommy Eliff, the world renowned blues singer of the Mighty Mojo Prophets. I had just met his dad in the spring of that year and we hit it off immediately.

In fact Tommy and his co-writing partner, co-leader and guitarist of the Prophets, Mitch Dow were performing on that hot Indian summer day in Costa Mesa. I had a chance to visit with the pre-teen. His dad had told me his son had just started playing guitar. So I asked the young lad if he had any favorite musicians and guitar players in particular. Without hesitation Robert said, “Lightnin’ Hopkins, Bernie Pearl and Mitch Dow.”

A few months after that in January of 2012, I ran into Mitch Dow at the NAMM show in Anaheim. We hung out as long as we could stand it and then split for a pod-cast that was taking place in nearby Orange. The program that afternoon featured James Harman along with Nathan James and was hosted by guitarist Tommy Harkenrider. 

We ran into Tommy and Robert Eliff. We were having lunch in the Chinese restaurant next door when Robert told me that on the first Monday of every month he finishes his lunch at school quickly and then races over to the library so he can read the latest edition of BLUES JUNCTION. He went on to tell me if he can’t get through the entire ezine in the time allotted to him, he goes to the library the next day to complete his reading. I was very moved and thought, ‘This is one intelligent, well rounded young man.’  

When the podcast started next door, inter-spliced with the performances, Harman fielded questions from the small assemblage. Robert who was seated next to me hurled one question after another at the veteran blues man. The loquacious Harman fielded these as quickly as Robert could toss them out there at Ice-Pick James. It was a wonderful experience.

Sometime later Robert informed me that he was taking lessons from Bernie Pearl. He also told me that he would be joining his dad and family on their trip to Memphis as the Mighty Mojo Prophets were nominated for a Blues Music Award. I asked Robert if he would be kind enough to share the experience of traveling to Memphis and all the comings and goings that take place at the BMAs with our readers. I gave Robert his deadline and he turned in a fully realized piece that was ready for publication two weeks in advance of my target date.

In the intervening years when I bumped into Robert I would inquire about his musical development and he was kind enough to ask me about a particular interview subject or the motivation behind a particular editorial. Mostly we talked about old blues guys and old blues tunes. 

Robert performed in front of an audience that included his mom, Michelle and his dad as well as two of the guitar players he mentioned to me on our first meeting five years ago, Bernie Pearl and Mitch Dow. While Lightnin Hopkins couldn’t make it in the flesh, his spirit hung over the proceedings like a thick central Texas ground fog. 

It was a thrill to see this musician at the dawn of what I hope is a marvelous career. It takes true courage for a young person to make this art form his life’s work. Congratulations Robert. I would like to personally and publicly wish you all the good fortune and happiness this world has to offer.  

While on the subject of the Eliff family our Monthly Artist Spotlight shines on Robert’s dad, Tommy and his partner in crime Mitch Dow. They lead the Mighty Mojo Prophets. They released a fantastic new album earlier this year, have launched a new website and have re-issued their new CD on vinyl. They are also in the process of re-mixing and re-mastering their first two CDs for a vinyl release as well.

Enjoy a conversation I had with both Tommy Eliff and Mitch Dow of the Mighty Mojo Prophets.

Our Monthly Album Spotlight shines on a familiar figure in the blues and a favorite here at the JUNCTION. The indomitable Duke Robillard and his brand new Stony Plain Records' release, Blues Full Circle, which is a beauty.

Our popular Re-visited feature examines one of the most rare blues CDs to be released in the post war era. It is Smokey Smothers Sings the Backporch Blues. It features an equally rare performance by Freddy King.

As per usual, we have rounded up some exciting brand new and soon to be released recordings for our monthly Recommended Listening column. In addition to that Charlie Lange presents us with yet another exciting edition of his Re-issue Rodeo.

We would also like to direct your attention to an interview I did with long time Southern California blues impresario, Art Martel. He is embarking on a new endeavor and leaving an old one behind.

I would also like to thank those individuals who have stepped up and contributed to the BLUES JUNCTION Productions website and are already sporting your brand new BLUES JUNCTION t-shirts. Thanks again for your loyalty, commitment and support. These t-shirts remain available to anyone who contributes $25.00 or more to the cause. This price includes shipping and handling anywhere in the U.S.

For our many readers all over the world, you are welcome to contact me and we can make arrangements to get these 100% cotton men’s t-shirts and woman’s tank tops to you.

Thanks always to all of you who have written to me with your kind words of encouragement. You are the best. Be well and be in touch.

Oh and before I forget, hey Robert get your dad to spring for a t-shirt. We have your size.

-  David Mac

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