It’s All Too Beautiful: Nellie McKay Sounds Off on…Everything

NELLIE MCKAY is never at a loss for words--about animals, the '60s, her new album (MY WEEKLY READER)--and she told it as it is in a lively TALKING ANIMALS interview with DUNCAN STRAUSS
by David McGee
 

 
 

Bully: A Visit with Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Pictured above is an early image from Caldecott Honor medalist Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s Bully, released in July from Neal Porter/Roaring Brook. A little birdie (named Neal Porter, in fact) told me months ago that Laura created ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Passionate Style

Italian composer, gambist, and singer Claudio Giovanni Monteverdi is often regarded as revolutionary in that his work marked the transition from the Renaissance style of music to that of the Baroque period. He developed two ind...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Everyday Violence of Indian Country’s ‘Bordertowns’

Red Nation Rising is the first book to investigate and explain the violent dynamics of bordertowns and the long tradition of Native resistance. Review by KALEN GOODLUCK from Deep Roots media partner HIGH COUNTRY NEWS.
by David McGee
 

 

 

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
 

 
 

When Jack London Rekindled Surfing in Hawaii

JACK LONDON REKINDLES SURFING IN HAWAII: A brief history of surfing in Hawaii from Captain Cook to Duke Kahanmoku, and how author JACK LONDON ignited the modern surfing era in the islands.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Wounded Knee Update: Auction Set for Oct. 1

An update on the fate of WOUNDED KNEE, plus an unforgettable letter to the editor in response to Jim Czywczysnki's attempt to sell the land. Also: the Yin and Yang of wind farms
by David McGee
 

 
 

As the Bluebird Flies…

MARVIN RAINWATER wrote and recorded many fine records in his career, and one perfect one: 1957's mega-hit 'GONNA FIND ME A BLUEBIRD.' Tribute must be paid.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Man With All the Toys

BRIAN SETZER and his ORCHESTRA return for his sixth Christmas blowout, ROCKIN' RUDOLPH, which lives up to the warm , virtuosic and rockin' high standard the Stray Cat has set for himself at Yuletide
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Beach Girls and The Monster (1965)

A lost beach classic is headlining at Deep Roots Theater: THE BEACH GIRLS AND THE MONSTER, with music by Frank Sinatra Jr. Also: Felix the Cat in 'April Maze' (1930)
by David McGee
 

 

 

Springing Into Spring with Leslie Evans

Spring has sprung, and so has some fine new work by illustrator LESLIE EVANS, in Carole Gerber's new book, Spring Blossoms. Stop in as JULES chats with Leslie and shows off her latest seasonal illustrations.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Equal Opportunity Vibe

Vintage Calypso is alive and well...in Berlin, where LORD MOUSE AND THE KALYPSO KATZ are packing 'em in with their swaying beats, hot horns and bold lyrics. Go Calypso is the group's new album, explained herein by Lord Mouse hi...
by David McGee