Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 
Sing We Now of Christmas

The Murky Origins & Everlasting Life of ‘Jingle Bells’

In 1850 JAMES LORD PIERPONT, inspired by one-horse open-sleigh races in his home town, wrote a Thanksgiving ditty for his father's Sunday School class. Thus the humble origin of 'Jingle Bells.'
by David McGee
 
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Reviews

Like the Music, He Lives On

JEFF HEALEY, a remarkable artist by any measure, exercised his passion for vintage jazz and swing in his latter years and made memorable music. A new retrospective offers a stirring overview of some peak moments.
by David McGee
 
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Features / News

The Deep Roots Elite Half-Hundred of 2017 (Part 2)

Part 2 of the Elite Half-Hundred of 2017 features albums by JUNIOR SISK & THE RAMBLERS, DENNIS JOHNSON, DUDLEY TAFT, MUSICA SECRETA, RAPHAEL PICHON & PYGMALION, MAC WISEMAN and others.
by David McGee
 
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Sing We Now of Christmas

Animated Christmas Classics

Christmas classics from the inkwell including Peace on Earth (1939), The Insects' Christmas (1913), and the first Frosty (1953).
by David McGee
 
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Bob Marovich's Gospel Picks

Bob Marovich’s Gospel Picks

New picks include: HEAL: SONGS OF HOPE FOR OUR NATION, a reissue of DEE DEE SHARP's SONGS OF FAITH, and outstanding new releases by VaShawn Mitchell, Anthony Faulkner, Monae Miller, et al.
by David McGee
 
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Spotlight Album

‘Voices Raised in Determination and Triumph’

On this, its fifth CD, The Ebony Hillbillies' old-timey sound evokes, on the one hand, bygone eras in the jubilant bones- and fiddle-fired title track and horrific modern-day tragedies rooted in racial animus...
by David McGee
 
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Spotlight Album

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
 
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Spotlight Album

The Force is With Them

DAVE STRYKER and arranger-conductor BRENT WALLARAB play it again, Sam, in an album of movie themes.
by David McGee
 
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