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'
David McGee
The Man With All the Toys
BRIAN SETZER and his ORCHESTRA return for his sixth Christmas blowout, ROCKIN' RUDOLPH, which lives up to the warm , virtuosic and rockin' high standard the Stray Cat has set for himself at Yuletide
Ding Dong, Merrily On High, Indeed!
Returned to print by Real Gone Music, THE THREE SUNS' amazing 1959 seasonal effort, A DING DONG DANDY CHRISTMAS, is lounge exotica run amuck, a genuine Yuletide gem.
The Big Land
Ever more ambitious, ALISON BROWN returns with THE SONG OF THE BANJO, with KEB' MO outstanding on 'What's Going On,' and our reviewer likening the instrumental portions to Smetana's 'The Moldau.' Really.
Consumed with ‘Kudo’: Real-Life Superhero Is Animal Abusers’ Worst Nightmare
When it comes to animal abusers, especially those running illegal slaughterhouses, RICHARD 'KUDO' COUTO is unforgiving and merciless in bringing the miscreants to justice. Exclusive interview.
The Common Language of the Heart
Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap are together again, now in a relaxed, refined, reflective and altogether classy survey of the songs of Jerome Kern, 'the angel at the top of the tree.'
Deep Roots
Deploying his vast collection of acoustic guitars, Duke Robillard and some high-profile friends (such as Maria Muldaur and Jay McShann) work out on some classic tunes from the '20s through the '40s.
Tested In the Furnace of Affliction
SAM BUTLER, former lead guitarist with the Blind Boys of Alabama, makes his solo debut with a most unusual spiritual album--with songs by Springsteen, Waits, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Cash, et al.
A Master In His Element, On Key, On Time & Wed To the Truth
Buddy Guy has been playing hot guitar for decades now, but the irony of his BORN TO PLAY GUITAR album is that it may well be his finest-ever set of end-to-end vocal performances.
You Can Get Anything You Want (including Alice) from Arlo This Month
ARLO GUTHRIE is delightfully omnipresent in November, with a PBS broadcast of his 50th anniversary 'Alice's Restaurant' show and a new children's book to boot.