Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

‘Grass Is the Forgiveness of Nature—Her Constant Benediction’

In 1872 Kansas Sen. JOHN JAMES INGALLS, one of the U.S. Senate's most eloquent voices, praised the vitality of the tallgrass prairie in IN PRAISE OF BLUEGRASS--and he wasn't talking music.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Existential Bluegrass

Bluegrass existentialists THE ROYS are back with THE VIEW, comprised of songs pondering the burden of memory as time marches on, along with philosophical appraisals of quotidian troubles and joys.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Bob Marovich’s Gospel Picks

Two extraordinary albums, one featuring prisoners at Parchman Prison, the other featuring largely Chicago gospel artists in intimate home settings
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Birmingham is not a dying city. It is dead.’

On Sept/ 15, 1963, the Ku Klux Klan set off a bomb at Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church, killing four young girls. On Sept. 16, civil liberties lawyer CHUCK MORGAN spoke out.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Seven Voices on ‘Seven Stanzas’

Our 2017 edition of 'Seven Voices on Seven Stanzas'--a septet of perspective on JOHN UPDIKE's famous poem 'Seven Stanzas at Easter
by David McGee
 

 
 

Hearts in Flux

On DULCIE TAYLOR's moving new album, ONLY WORN ONE TIME, the singer-songwriter offers Finely etched reflections on mortality, heartbreak, self-reliance, self-doubt, commitment and similar weighty topics.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Stop at Theresa’s

It was Junior Wells’s return to the Delmark fold; it was the titan Otis Spann’s last recording session. Buddy Guy was on guitar, Fred Below on drums. The spirit was that of Theresa's Lounge. Stop by.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Sorrow and Suicide

'Robin Williams's death has really stirred up a lot of stuff for me. Big time.' TONY CAPUTI reflects on his personal travails and gives thanks for the healing gifts a comic genius left us to savor.
by David McGee