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Contemporary Music

During a four-month concert tour of America in 1928, composer MAURICE RAVEL delivered a then-controversial lecture urging American classical musicians to incorporate African-American music into their compositions. Ahead of his ...
by David McGee
 

 
 
first thanksgiving

The First ‘First Thanksgiving’

THE FIRST 'FIRST THANKSGIVING'--More than half a century before the Pilgrims landed on American shores, Spanish settlers in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, celebrated a lavish Thanksgiving dinner celebration and Mass of Tha...
by David McGee
 

 

 
silly symphony logo featured

Animated Christmas Evergreens

A selection of vintage animated Christmas cartoons, from the 1930s to the 1990s, including the rare 'A Snow Man in July,' produced by the Nazi regime and seized by the U.S. during WWII.
by David McGee
 

 
 
gloria gaynor testimony

Bob Marovich’s Gospel PIcks

A collection of gospel gems from veteran and new artists alike, including GLORIA GAYNOR's towering 'Testimony'; THE MANY's 'Love>Fear'; a reissue of REBA RAMBO's acclaimed 'Lady'; RENEE SPEARMAN's 'I Love Him,' and others.
by David McGee
 

 

 
noam universal

Universal Truths

NOAM PIKELNY steps away from the PUNCH BROTHERS for his fourth solo album, UNIVERSAL TRUTH; and the truth is, it's just Noam, his instruments, his voice, and it's great.
by David McGee
 

 
 
 

‘You’ve Got To Chase the String While You Can’: Paula Poundstone Gains Wisdom From Her Vast Squadron Of Cats

Paula Poundstone has 16 cats. She loves cats. In the new installment of Talking Animals, the 'Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me' mainstay explains the invaluable lesson she's learned from her felines: 'You've got to chase the string wh...
by David McGee
 

 

 
rebecca frazier when

Into the Heaven-Sent Light

Between grieving for her deceased son and celebrating the birth of a new daughter, REBECCA FRAZIER wrote a batch of meaningful songs and walked into the light with WHEN WE FALL.
by David McGee
 

 
 
kathy kallick time

The Persistence of ‘Time’

Seventeen albums into her career, KATHY KALLICK is making some of the best music of her distinguished career. The folk-bluegrass epistle TIME will hook you and never let go.
by David McGee
 

 

 
blow purcell featured

Classical Perspectives: Richly Sophisticated

In life he was eclipsed by the shadow of his great pupil, Henry Purcell, and ensuing centuries have seen the 17th century composer JOHN BLOW nigh on to completely forgotten. Until this glorious moment.
by David McGee