December 2012

THE SMALL ONE (1978)

From Disney and director Don Bluth comes the 1978 animated gem, THE SMALL ONE, the simple, sweet story of an unnamed Judean boy has the unfortunate task of having to sell his best friend, a playful but petite donkey named Small One. Then a man…

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Baby Penguins Everywhere!: A Chat with Melissa Guion

I welcome new-to-the-field illustrator MELISSA GUION. She’s here to share some of her bright, gentle watercolors and talk about her debut title, Baby Penguins Everywhere!, a picture book as much for the parents and teachers of this world as it is for children.

Border Crossings

A-Caroling They Go…

Everyone knows about 'A Child's Christmas in Wales,' thanks to Dylan Thomas's eloquence, but what exactly goes on in Wales at Christmas? Well, a lot of caroling, for one. This month's Border Crossings takes a look at "Christmas in Wales," and how Christmas past informs…

Reviews

At The Summit

Recorded live at the historic Bell Theater in Pineville, Kentucky, CHRISTMAS THE MOUNTAIN WAY is a bluegrass celebration of the Yuletide's true meaning, with a first-rate lineup of traditional bluegrass artists in peak form. Mark this CD/DVD combo as essential.

Talking Animals

Carole Baskin: No Pussycat

In this installment of TALKING ANIMALS, DUNCAN STRAUSS interviews Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue, a Tampa, Florida-based accredited sanctuary dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats. In this eye opening column, we also meet JOE SCHREIBVOGEL, whose 'pay to play' practices endanger…

Classical Perspectives

‘Mission’ Possible: Cecilia Bartoli Rules the Classical Roost

With Mission, her acclaimed new album of Agostino Steffani songs, CECILIA BARTOLI is not only getting the best reviews of her distinguished career, but says she is 'going against the typical cliche of a diva, of being beautiful all the time.' An interview with the…

Reviews

Informal, Intimate and Memorable: Edie Adams Celebrates the Season

Pieced together from audio clips Edie Adams paid a transcription service to record so she could tweak her performances on The Ernie Kovacs Show, The Edie Adams Christmas Album is informal, intimate and memorable--a raft of charming performances of Yuletide favorites by a woefully underrated…

Features / News

Peter Rowan Honors ‘Old School’ Bluegrass on 2013 Release

Bluegrass legend PETER ROWAN is in the studio with an inter-gernerational lineup of musicians recording his new album, The Old School, for a spring 2013 release. Session details and a teaser video from Compass Records comprise our album-in-progress report.

Features / News

What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Kumbaya?

Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN, surveying a raft of what he considers 'Kumbaya abuse,' says it's time to take the song back.

Features / News

Remembering Mr. Earl: They Often Called Him Speedo…

REMEMBERING EARL 'SPEEDO' CARROLL and MICKEY BAKER--Earl Carroll and Mickey Baker had but one big hit each, but both are major early rock 'n' roll hits. As a singer and showman, Carroll's influence extended into the dawn of soul music, whereas Baker was one of…