Lusitano: The First Known Black Composer, Acknowledged With Luminous Clarity

THE MARIAN CONSORT resurrects the Motets of VICENTE LUSITANO, the first known Black composer and a highly regarded 16th Century music theorist.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘We’ll Promise Not To Hurt Her Anymore’

Staring 2015 on a topical note, North Carolina singer-songwriter LAURELYN DOSSETT has posted a video of her new song, 'THE RIVER'S LAMENT,' inspired by the Dan River Coal Ash Spill of Feb. 2014
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘A Man to Evoke Respect and Love Under All Conditions’

From his 1899 book FAMOUS VIOLINISTS OF TO-DAY AND YESTERDAY, HENRY C. LAHEE offers a balanced profile of Norway's violin virtuoso OLE BULL, replete with musical excerpts.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Momo & OHora (& Frank Zappa) Before Breakfast

JULES interviews author-illustrator ZACHARIAH OHORA about his newest picture book, MY COUSIN MOMO, and shows some of his fine illustrations. FRANK ZAPPA and CAPTAIN BEEFHEART show up too.
by David McGee
 

 

 

What’s A Dog For?: John Homan’s Ambitious Journey Through The Canine World

In the new Talking Animals installment, Duncan Strauss chats with JOHN HOMANS, executive editor of New York Magazine and author of the fascinating 'What's a Dog For? The Surprising History, Science, Philosophy and Politics of M...
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘So Keith Richards Says to Me…’

On the advice of KEITH RICHARDS, KEVIN FITZGERALD transformed himself from Stones bouncer to superstar veterinarian. And standup comic. True that.
by David McGee
 

 

 

TO THE LAST MAN (1933)

DEEP ROOTS THEATER: Zane Grey's TO THE LAST MAN (1939), starring RANDOLPH SCOTT (with an unbilled SHIRLEY TEMPLE). Short subject: Superman in 'The Magnetic Telescope' (1942)
by David McGee
 

 
 

What Christmas Is As We Grow Older

Writing in his twopenny weekly, Household Words, in 1851, CHARLES DICKENS penned one of his most thoughtful Yuletide pieces, 'What Christmas Is As We Grow Older,' comprising thoughts arising against a backdrop of great personal...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Swingin’ and A-Surfin’, All Summer Long

SUMMER BEACH PARTY offers 19 examples of the music featured in various Beach Party-style movies in the '60s. Not to worry--for every FRANKIE AVALON, there's two DICK DALES, or THE ASTRONAUTS, or JAN AND DEAN, or THE BEACH BOYS...
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
 

 

 

Everything Old Is New Again

On CHRISTMAS, the platinum-plus Australian Christian artist PETER FURLER teams with Vintage Christmas aficionado DAVID IAN for a soothing, introspective, jazz-based seasonal rumination.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Mavs Make Christmas Merry

Ho-ho-ho, who wouldn't go...to hear MAVERICKS rock some new and some familiar Yule tunes? Count us in!
by David McGee