‘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
 

 
 

Of Heartbreak and Loss, 17th Century-Style

Countertenor RANDALL SCOTTING and lutenist STEPHEN STUBBS expressively offer songs of heartbreak and loss from yore.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The String and The Source

On Néo, KAORU WATANABE celebrates 'going upward, connecting to the divine...the unity that binds us to something greater.' It's the master Taiko multi-instrumentalist/composer's finest hour.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Night of the Blood Beasts (1958)

Deep Roots Theater presents a cheesy 1958 sci-fi chiller, NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST, from the brothers Corman. Selected short subject:; "Gertie the Dinosaur," the groundbreaking 1914 animated short from Winsor McCay.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Sergio Ruzzier Returns (And Brings a Legend With Him)

Famed illustrated SERGIO RUZZIER publishes a new book featuring a previously unpublished text by the legendary RUTH KRAUSS. JULES gets the inside story in an interview with Ruzzier.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Two Worlds Under One Sun

On THE SUN OF BOTH WORLDS: TRADITIONAL TURKISH SUFI MUSIC, Turkey's DÜ-ŞEMS ENSEMBLE demonstrates the musical interaction between its homeland and its neighbors. A review and band profile ensue.
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
 

 
 

A ‘Lost Galaxy’ Found, Sun Science Stamps Arrive

A galaxy far, far away, thought 'lost,' has been discovered via the Hubble Telescope. And the Postal Service is issuing a very cool set of Sun Science stamps. You'll never look at the sun the same way again. Well, you shouldn't...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Aesthetically Unified as One Romantic Brotherhood

On RHEINMÄDCHEN, France's all-female vocal chorus ENSEMBLE PYGMALION, conducted by RAPHAEL PICHON, assays, with an invigorating twist, Wagner, Schubert, Schumann, Johannes Brahms and others.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Tribes Nix Nugent

Placing principle above profit, two Native American tribes have cancelled concerts by TED NUGENT at Tribally-owned venues over the washed-up extremist rocker's racist, hate-filled remarks.
by David McGee
 

 

 

45 Years Later, Still Right on Time

The tipoff is in the title: MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH MARTY ROBBINS. One of country's greatest singers is intimately involved in the thoughtful songs he shares with us for the Yuletide including two of his own.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Tippi Hedren: Birds, Big Cats And Hitchcock

Actress TIPPI HEDREN had, at least, a complicated relationship with ALFRED HITCHCOCK, and for a few decades now has had a complicated relationship with big cats. A revealing interview by Duncan Strauss.
by David McGee