Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

Clara Ward Abides

From Sweden's Gospel Friend label, a 27-track collection of rare and unreleased recordings dating from 1949 to 1971 featuring Clara Ward and the Ward Singers, including Marion Williams, in their peak years.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘How Inexpressibly Sad Are All Holidays’

1863. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW's wife had died in a fire, his son had been seriously wounded in the Civil War. The poet, in despair, still found a reason to believe and wrote the stanzas that later became a beloved seasonal s...
by David McGee
 

 

 

He Wrote ‘Two Steps from the Blues’

TEXAS JOHNNY BROWN, who died in Houston on July 1, will always be remembered for writing Bobby Blue Bland's classic "Two Steps from the Blues." But there was more...
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Soul Ever More Grateful For What It Knows Of Love

An updated review of a holiday classic: B.B. KING's A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION OF HOPE. Indeed it is.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Fisk Jubilee Singers: From Whipping Post to Throne Room

The early struggles and ultimate triumph of the FISK JUBILEE SINGERS, as reported by JAMES M. TROTTER in his 1878 book profiling 'remarkable musicians of the colored race.' '
by David McGee
 

 
 

Top of the World, Ma! (The Best Albums of 2014)

The Deep Roots ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2014 selections honor the artistry of ROSANNE CASH, SEAN COSTELLO, LISA MILLS, PETER ROWAN and JESSE WINCHESTER.
by David McGee
 

 

 
Chess Christmas featured2

Playing Chess at Christmas

Keep Christmas well--and for the duration--with 14 holiday gems from the Chess Records vaults, featuring CHUCK BERRY, MINNIE RIPERTON, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON, THE RASEY LEWIS TRIO, KENNY BURRELL, THE MOONGLOWS and other roster st...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Mendelssohn’s ‘Hymn of Praise’

GEORGE P. UPTON examines the life of FELIX MENDELSSOHN and the story behind the great composer's Symphony No. 2 ('Hymn of Praise').
by David McGee