Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

The Murky Origins & Everlasting Life of ‘Jingle Bells’

In 1850 JAMES LORD PIERPONT, inspired by one-horse open-sleigh races in his home town, wrote a Thanksgiving ditty for his father's Sunday School class. Thus the humble origin of 'Jingle Bells.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Knowing Happiness Without Restraints’

Descended from Hindustani musical royalty, ANANDI BHATTACHARYA makes an impressive international debut on JOYS ABOUND, a celebration of 'knowing happiness without restraints.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

With Love, From Batman

Who knew the Dark Knight had such a soft heart? Some vintage Valentine's Day cards from Batman reveal the caped crusader's tender side. Copy, paste and send to your loved ones!
by David McGee
 

 
 

Updike at Easter, 2022 Edition

Our 11th annual installment of 'Seven Voices on Seven Stanzas' brings together new voices and those of earlier contributors to contemplate the greater meaning of John Updike's provocative poem, 'Seven Stanzas at Easter.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

Old-Time Good-Timey, with Hints of Grandeur

Nashville's THE HOWLIN BROTHERS are poised for greater things, if the trio's new Brendan Benson-produced album, HOWL, is any indication. John Hartford, for one, is smiling.
by David McGee
 

 
 

When Robert Mitchum Was Like So…

In 1957, while filming in Trinidad with director John Huston, ROBERT MITCHUM became obsessed with Calypso music, so much so that he made an entire album of it, for Capitol, with Johnny Mercer's blessing. It's good stuff. Let's ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Beautiful Restraint

POESIA by JOYCE MORENO & KENNY WERNER, and MÉLANGE by KARIN & MIKE KELLEHER are cross-cultural explorations that demonstrate the power of the less-is-more approach
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Unaccountably Odd’

'Unaccountably Odd': a musical and sexual adventurer, possibly a racist, and a composer ahead of his time, PERCY GRAINGER led a most unusual life, and now lives on in a new album by the BILDER DUO. A reconsideration is in order.
by David McGee