Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

The Mythic Weight Of Phil Spector’s Christmas Gift: A Semicentennial Reflection

November 22, 1963, was a horrible day for the nation, and for PHIL SPECTOR, a personal disaster as well, as his ambitious Christmas album arrived and was promptly forgotten. A semicentennial look back ensues.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Lyricist Yip Harburg’s Son Ernie: How My Dad Inspired Me to Become a Scientist (Part 1)

ERNIE HARBURG, son of the great lyricist YIP HARBURG, offers a two-part essay on life with father, and how father inspired son to become a scientist.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Palestrina

In his Memoirs, published in 1896, composer CHARLES GOUNOD reflected on the exalted heights PALESTRINA and MICHELANGELO reached in their respective arts and the points of similarity between the two geniuses.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Songs From The Heart and The Headlines

In laying out challenges and rewards for even a casual singer-songwriter fan, SARAH BEATTY'S 'BANDIT QUEEN' says much about her confidence in herself and in her audience.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Cleotha Staples, 78, Is Called Home

Remembering CLEOTHA STAPLES, Pops Staples' firstborn child and a vital element in the Staple Singers' success. Afflicted with Alzheimer's, Ms. Staples died in her Chicago home on Feb. 21.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Portrait of His Hungarian Soul

Gypsy music is pure passion, and that's what Hungarian-born violinist FERENC ILLENYI mines on his album GYPSY DREAM, in which he immerses himself in exploring all the varied facets of gypsy music.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Fine Place Worth Fighting For

A passion project about climate change, saxophonist ALISTAIR PENMAN's THE LAST TREE''s music is inspired by the words of Ghandi, Voltaire, Hemingway, Obama and others, and features his instrument solo, overdubbed 14 times.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Time, Time, Time, See What’s Become of Me

What's better than one new DONNA HUGHES album? Answer: two new DONNA HUGHES albums. The gifted bluegrass singer-songwriter is back with FROM THE HEART and FLY. We appraise, and praise.
by David McGee