Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

The Anti-Slavery Roots of ‘O Holy Night’

Attacked for his opposition to inequality, slavery, injustice and other kinds of oppression, French poet PLACIDE CAPPEAU insinuated his unpopular thoughts into an 1847 poem that became 'O Holy Night'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Beyond Arcady and Bethlehem

A must-hear event for choral music lovers: ONLY A SINGING BIRD by the NATIONAL GIRLS CHOIR of Scotland, with sensitively rendered songs by MICHAEL HEARD and others.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Music of Nature

Writing in 1878, author JAMES M. TROTTER, in his essay 'The Music of Nature,' observed what 'the great Author of harmony' had wrought in the natural world.
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
 

 

 

Swingin’ and A-Surfin’, All Summer Long

SUMMER BEACH PARTY offers 19 examples of the music featured in various Beach Party-style movies in the '60s. Not to worry--for every FRANKIE AVALON, there's two DICK DALES, or THE ASTRONAUTS, or JAN AND DEAN, or THE BEACH BOYS...
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 Orcas Go Postal: The Gravest Show On Earth

Duncan Strauss talks with author DAVID KIRBY about Death At SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity, his riveting exposé of SeaWorld’s disturbing treatment of killer whales, one of which killed its tr...
by David McGee
 

 
 

To Fresh Buds

Navona Records has issued a complete disc of composer GREGORY W. BROWN's music on MOONSTRUNG AIR, performed by NEW YORK POLYPHONY and THE CROSSING.
by David McGee