Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 
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Genesis of a Gospel Song: ‘Total Praise’

In his new series GENESIS OF A GOSPEL SONG, gospel editor BOB MAROVICH gets the inside story from RICHARD SMALLWOOD on how the latter wrote 'Total Praise,' one of the greatest contemporary gospel songs.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Bob Marovich’s Gospel PIcks

A collection of gospel gems from veteran and new artists alike, including GLORIA GAYNOR's towering 'Testimony'; THE MANY's 'Love>Fear'; a reissue of REBA RAMBO's acclaimed 'Lady'; RENEE SPEARMAN's 'I Love Him,' and others.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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In Heavy Rotation: Catching Up on the Blues

A sextet of 2024 blues releases new to our pages and worthy of widespread admiration...
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Stranger On the Shore

In 1962 British jazz clarinetist ACKER BILK penned a haunting instrumental for his daughter Jenny, changed its title and saw it sell a million copies. Here's how YouTube commenters remember it.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Working On a Building

In 1871 the JUBILEE SINGERS of Nashville toured the northern states in hopes of raising funds to build a college. Bucking daunting odds against them, they succeeded and made Fisk University possible.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Updike at Easter, 2026 Edition

Our 15th installment of Update at Easter, pondering the meaning and purpose of the literary giant's iconic poem about Christianity's signal event , with musical interludes by REGINA VANDERJEICK, ELVIS, MAHALIA, THE SENSATIONAL ...
by David McGee
 

 

 
UNCOVERED Vol. 1 Front Cover

A Fresh Perspective on the ‘African Mahler’

CATALYST QUARTET, a young American ensemble, explores the chamber music of SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR, works whose sophistication belies their early date
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Wounded Knee Update: Auction Set for Oct. 1

An update on the fate of WOUNDED KNEE, plus an unforgettable letter to the editor in response to Jim Czywczysnki's attempt to sell the land. Also: the Yin and Yang of wind farms
by David McGee