lawrence spotlight 880x385

The Enigma Variations: Living with Lawrence

December 2012 was the 50th anniversary of David Lean's epic, Academy Award winning Lawrence of Arabia. Contributing editor Christopher Hill was nine when he first saw the movie. Herein he reflects on that life altering event.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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The Wonders of the Beggar’s Kingdom

With its 2012 album, The Wonders of the Beggar’s Kingdom, Lithuania's Sutaras went beyond cheery celebrations of its native land’s music and culture and addressed the reality of the outside world where most live in 'uncerta...
by David McGee
 

 

 
melody spotlight 880x385

Dietrich. Deneuve. Garbo. Gardot.

DIETRICH. DENEUVE. GARBO. GARDOT: In The Absence--the Deep Roots Album of the Year 2012--Melody Gardot, trading on mystery and control, is vibrantly present and just out of reach. That’s the point.
by David McGee
 

 
 
019

Winter in Verse

Shakespeare, Keats, Robert Burns, Thomas Campion and Robert Frost reflect on the modds of winter. Plus seasonal-oriented cartoons starring Mickey Mouse and friends and Woody Woodpecker. Bing Crosby makes an appearance too.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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The Strange Adventures and Alluring Music of Alessandro Stradella

An exhaustive appreciation of Alessandro Stradella, one of the most enigmatic, colorful and gifted composers of the 17th Century, from whom Handel borrowed for Israel in Egypt and whose amorous inclinations led to his assassina...
by David McGee
 

 
 
patti page spotlight 880x385

When Patti Page Left Her Mark On Me

WHEN PATTI PAGE LEFT HER MARK ON ME: A sweet childhood memory of a chance encounter with Patti Page--radiant, with a scent of roses--in front of her parents' home in Tulsa. By David McGee
by David McGee
 

 

 
karl jenkins spotlight 880x385

Karl Jenkins: The Path To ‘Peacemakers’

EXCLUSIVE: One of our Album of the Year honorees for his epic choral work The Peacemakers, composer/conductor/multi-instrumentalist Karl Jenkins discusses the making and meaning of the album, and his unusual career path.
by David McGee
 

 
 
Blake Shelton blake shelton 9706078 1707 2560

News & Notes – January 2013

In NEWS & NOTES: Gospel stalwarts unite on single to benefit MY SANDY HOOD FUND; 'CHINA BEACH' finally set for DVD release; BLAKE SHELTON consigned to Dunce's Corner, as RAY PRICE speaks out against ignorance; two SERENA MATTHE...
by David McGee
 

 

 
David Foster Wallace

The Quiet Heroism of ‘Right Living’

Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN reflects on the recent fall of 'self-appointed heroes' and the virtues of 'quietly going about one's business.'
by David McGee