Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

Jo: The Singular, Special Yuletide Gift

An appreciation of JO STAFFORD's holiday magnificence--the gift that keeps on giving.
by David McGee
 

 
 
Lord is There cover2

Deep Roots Albums of the Year, 2025

REGINA VANDERJEIK's gospel masterpiece leads the way. Joining her at the top: BUDDY GUY, DANNY GATTON, THE TWANGTOWN PARAMOUS, DUDLEY TAFT, SIERRA HULL, CHRISTOPHER TIN, LANCE COWAN, ABBA via RAMEAU, and PARCHMAN PRISON inmates.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A New Spin on the Old Chanson

On VINTAGE FRANCE, the classic French chanson is alive and hip in the hands of expert practitioners such as MADELEINE PEYROUX, JULIETTE GRECO and others.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Patti Smith’s Lightning Amid New Voices (Newport Sampler, 2016)

PATTI SMITH, an unadvertised KRIS KRISTOFFERSON and JOE ELY were some of the stalwart names at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival, but IRA MAYER found some new voices coming on strong too.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Little Lower in Volume, A Little Slower in Speed

A baker's dozen from the Pinecastle roster offering rootsy takes on the holiday season.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Video Moment for the Ages

From January 21, 1965, LESLEY GORE with a knockout performance of the Jeff Barry-Ellie Greenwich tune 'The Look of Love' and Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Hello Young Lovers.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

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
 

 
 

Jammin’ On the High Seas

Originally given away free as a collectible to patrons of the annual Rhythm & Blues Cruise , Robert Mugge’s hour-and-a-half documentary offers an in-depth look at the fabled after-hours jams sessions aboard ship, when...
by David McGee