Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

The Luxurious Perfection of Chanticleer: 35 Years of ‘Clear Singing’

The early music vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER is marking its 35th anniversary with a new album, The Siren's Call. Herewith a retrospective salute and a listener's guide to Chanticleer musts.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Seeking a Meaningful Acquaintance with Schubert

Classical contributor JOSEPH NEWSOME proclaims vocalist Philippe Sly and guitarist John Charles Britton's SCHUBERT SESSIONS: LEIDER WITH GUITAR, 2016's best lieder recording.
by David McGee
 

 

 

H.L. MENCKEN TO WILL DURANT

In 1933, WILL DURANT, author of The Story of Philosophy, asked H.L. MENCKEN, the Sage of Baltimore, to explain what meaning life held for him. Mencken was all too happy to write back.
by David McGee
 

 
 

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'
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Visit with Author/Illustrator Kristi Valiant

JULES chats with author/illustrator KRISTI VALIANT, whose new book PENGUIN CHA-CHA is picking up rave reviews everywhere.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Swingin’ and A-Surfin’, All Summer Long: Revisited

A fresh look at one of our 2014 summer picks, SUMMER BEACH PARTY, a collection of tunes from the beach movies of the '60s, with some curious omissions to account for.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Choogling On

Sagacious, well-traveled harp master Pierre Lacocque and his Chicago-based Mississippi Heat blues band offer Delta Bound, a thoroughly delightful hour of blues in various colors.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Jolly Holly Tunes Holiday

Guitarist WAYNE WILKINSON leads his seasoned trio through a mellow, invigorating jazz excursion, often improvisational , exploring the outer limits of some choice Yuletide evergreens.
by David McGee