On the Monthly Artist Spotlight – Al Blake

What a GREAT story on Al Blake. He really breaks it down and puts the truth out there. I would love to sit and talk to him about blues. He could really school me. Man, I love Al even more now. Keep up the great writing Dave. ~ Tommy, Long Beach, CA

One of my all time faves. He is very subdued and unpretentious, the way the blues is supposed to be !!! ~ Mark, Lombard, Il

Great interview with Al Blake! I enjoyed reading about a guy who is not afraid to speak his mind and actually has one. ~ Gary, Albany, NY

Thank you David for writing about and interviewing the people who know what the hell they are talking about. I am so sick and tired of reading about these assinine wanna be blues wankers who don’t know what the hell they are doing and writers who act like they are the next coming of Muddy Waters. Keep it up Bro!~ Bertrand, Baton Rouge, LA

On the Cash Box Kings album review: Holler and Stomp

Fabulous album! We spin it a lot.~ Bernhard,Wietmarschen,Gemany

How many different ways can you spell Paterson? ~Lavender, Chicago, Il

DM: I don’t know yet. But seriously there is no excuse for misspelling anyone’s name. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. It is fixed. How did you like the article otherwise?

Lavender: Thank you for such good words about the band and their individual and collective talents! I am partial to these guys. Joel Paterson.the guitarist is my son. My faves on the new CD are "That's My Gal', "Off the Hook"' (it really has a hook that can get stuck in your brain!), and "Hayseed Strut", and I'll have to give a nod to the "Black Lone Ranger," too, since the real Lone Ranger was one of my heroes!

I really appreciate the fact that when you do an occasional full album review, I know it is one worth picking up and you are not just trying to blow smoke up our skirts. After reading the review I went on-line and snagged a copy. You nailed it and so did the Cash Box Kings.~Tina, South Bend, IN

On Erwin Bosman’s piece entitled Blues is Good for your Mental Health

I loved the Erwin Bosman article,”Blues Is Good for Your Mental Health" as it really hit home for me. Calling blues music "equipment for living" put into words what I've always felt. Just the other day I had a little epiphany while listening to the radio at work. I suddenly found myself feeling really down, as though my life blood had been sucked right out of me. It was the music that had done it! The subliminal culprit was the supposed popular music that goes on and on about love and other sappy nonsense I don't want to think about while at work (or ever!). I laughed and shared with a co-worker, my lifeless body sprawled on the counter, how in that moment it hit me why I love blues music so much. She looked up and said "doesn't everybody love the blues? Isn't it the most popular music?" This made me laugh more. The truth is,it should be! It speaks with such honesty, and is more hopeful than the other forms of popular music. The article said it perfectly,"The blues believe that despite everything that one may do, failure can always be the outcome. But being hurt in love should not lead to demoralization".The direct quote from Professor S.I. Hayakawa very eloquently summed up my own thoughts that I hadn't been able to put into words: “Instead of the self-abasement that we find, the heartbroken men and women of the blues songs regroup their emotional forces and carry on without the breakdown of morale. There is the constant willingness to pursue life.” It is indeed that "willingness" that is so uplifting to me. I'm now so glad to learn that Professor Hayakawa felt it too back in 1954.~ Leslie, Santa Cruz, CA

On the article A Bump in the Road

What a wonderful publication! I loved the interview with Al Blake and the very straightforward commentary on the "scandal" in the Road to the Battle of the Blues Harps. It is nice to read something other than the typical "it's all good" pablum. BLUES JUNCTION even links to he Golden Gate Blues Society and we link to BLUES JUNCTION. How did I miss that? Love your photos too! An all-around great find, and I thank you!~ Deb, Belmont, CA

Dave once again you hit the nail on the head. Every contest that has anything to do with Southland Blues is a FREAKIN’ JOKE! Thanks again for what you do. ~Leonard, La Puente, CA

Contests are of course subjective and have much to do with personal taste and sometimes subliminal bias we all have. However some things are simply better than others. I attended every one of the “contests”. I don’t believe for a second that the judges are that clueless about blues music and blues harp music. If I am correct, then the “contest” organizers dragged some very talented musicians from all over Southern California to “compete” in what had to have been a pre-determined set up. They gave the cash prize to the band who is the most consistent advertiser in their mag. It is my understanding that one band even drove up from San Diego. They played for about 25 minutes and were quite good by the way. (I wish I could remember their name). The next band whose name I am trying to forget (and won’t mention) was just God awful and played for over an hour. Ruth Chris makes a better steak than Sizzler. That isn’t a matter of bias or personal preference, it is just a fact. I for one am glad someone went on the record and pointed this out. Kudos!~ Pat,Irvine, CA

DM: The band that drove up from San Diego is called The Red Lotus Revue. I agree with you Pat. They are quite good.