David McGee

A Half-Century+ of Classic Animated ‘Rudolph’

On Dec. 6, 1964 NBC premiered an animated version of RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER with BURL IVES as host. It drew a 50 share and was an instant holiday classic. From a 50 share to 50+ years as a holiday staple, we pay tribute to…

Sing We Now of Christmas

The Deep Roots 2016 Yuletide Baedeker

A guide to the Christmas content published over the years in TheBluegrassSpecial.com and Deep Roots, including our 2016 Christmas album picks.

Spotlight Album

Très engagé E una gioia di vivere (or, You Go, Girl)

Exploring the vagaries of love in French and Italian songs, CATARINA ZAPPONI delivers a seductive gem on ROMANTICA, her first album since 2001 and well worth the wait.

Reviews

Finding the Fountain of Youth

Chicago blues veteran BILLY BOY ARNOLD teams up with producer DUKE ROBILLARD and band for a powerhouse set on THE BLUES SOUL OF BILLY BOY ARNOLD, one of 2014's finest blues releases.

Reviews

Hurricane Warning

Almost a half-century into his career. BOBBY 'HURRICANE' SPENCER delivers big-time on 'HURRICANE UNLEASHED,' singing some hard-luck blues but also revealing himself as a true romantic, in spite of heartbreak.

Reviews

Full-Bodied Blues

COME BACK BABY, LINSEY ALEXANER's second Delmark release, exceeds his 2012 effort in all respects--singing, playing and writing. It's an album for those who love their blues full bodied.

Reviews

Keeping the Faith and Keeping It Well

Seasoned and undiminished soul and gospel veterans, JOHNNY RAWLS and OTIS CLAY, finally get together for a rousing outing on SOUL BROTHERS.

Reviews

The Title Tells the Tale

ROB STONE is back with his fourth album as a bandleader. GOTTA KEEP ROLLIN' is, says our ERIC STEINER, an album 'fans of post-war Chicago blues will want on their CD shelves.'

Bob Marovich's Gospel Picks

Bob Marovich’s Gospel Picks

Gospel editor BOB MAROVICH's latest picks include new albums from LECRAE, DEBRA BLACK, NELSON LARKINS AND GOD'S POSSE, NATASHA GRAY and a vital retrospective of REVELATION RECORDS.

Classical Perspectives

Lara St. John and Friends Do Schubert Right

The talented eccentric, LARA ST. JOHN, is back with a group of formidable friends with a 'Schubertiade,' an exciting exploration of 15 tunes written by Schubert and scintillatingly rendered on disc.