Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

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
 

 
 

America’s Shame, Japan’s Gain: An Animatronic Ray Charles

Well, it's happened. Japan has beaten America to the technology punch again, this time with an animatronic Ray Charles singing away outside Osaka Castle Park. But who's that man the box over in the corner?
by David McGee
 

 

 

Dailey & Vincent & The L Word

Bluegrass superstars DAILEY & VINCENT return to the rock-solid traditional bluegrass that brung 'em to the dance, and they've got a concept going too. Read on...
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
 

 

 

Timeless Enya, for All Seasons

Irish enchantress Enya has offered not a Christmas album, but rather an album-length meditation on the Yuletide season, its sound, its totems, its joys, its summons to reflection and introspection.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Bob Marovich’s Gospel Picks

DA' T.R.U.T.H. rebrands powerfully by using his birth name, EMANUEL as the title of his stirring new album; quartets are alive and very well on the VOICES OF QUARTET, VOL. 1 anthology.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Gathering of Voices, in Celebration and Covenant

Continuing a journey embarked upon three albums ago, MOIRA SMILEY & VOCO and The Choir of YOU bring voices, instruments and a gumbo of American and Eastern European folk music together on LAUGHTER OUT OF TEARS.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Nature as The Ultimate Matchmaker

THE NORTH WIND WAS A WOMAN, comprised of three intriguing chamber works by DAVID BRUCE, features stirring mandolin work by AVI AVITAL. Review by ROBERT HUGILL.
by David McGee