RIP James Mitchell Jr
Since today was Saturday downtown Santa Monica was packed with humans and cars; more so than usual, even, because it was quite a nice day indeed. All sorts of musicians were also out playing, but there was one missing: one fewer than there should have been. I know because I found out today the sad news that James Mitchell Jr, a singer and guitar player, died in March. Now I didn't know him at all, except to listen to him play a bunch of times and think his was about the best public music in town, so I can't claim to be personally affected, but it's still a sad story. He was only just short of his 62nd birthday, so he should have had lots more years of music-making.
His partner Mel, who joined him on electric guitar (Mr. Mitchell played rhythm on the acoustic), is still playing on Saturdays and it was him who told me the sad news. I have two of James Mitchell's albums, so let me know if you want to hear a track or two; or buy one of them for yourself from this site.