‘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
 

 
 

Hag Saw It All Coming

Originally issued on Capitol in 1973 as Merle Haggard's Christmas Present: Something Old, Something New, Merle Haggard's Christmas album has only 10 cuts, but all have a special--and many a prescient--feeling about them. Hag sa...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Where Western Classical Meets Native American Musical Culture

A citizen of both the United States and of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, composer JEROD IMPICHCHAACHAHA' TATE's music reflects his dual heritage. ROBERT HUGILL offers an informed perspective on this intriguing composer's art.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Helping Animals That Can’t Help Themselves

JULIE CASTLE, accidental employee turned CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, is spearheading a national movement to to persuade animal shelters to become no-kill by 2025. DUNCAN STRAUSS has the inside story.
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
 

 
 

Bryan Collier’s Trombone Shorty Moment

TROMBONE SHORTY is releasing a picture book autobiography next month, with superb illustrations by BRYAN COLLIER. JULES has the lowdown, and some pics.
by David McGee
 

 

 

All That Heaven Allows (1955)

No one made movies quite like DOUGLAS SIRK, and ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS is one of his landmarks. Also featured: the first MIGHTY MOUSE cartoons.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Los Grobo — A Farming Model of the Future?

The second largest grain producer in Latin America generates revenue of about $550 million USD per year, produces or handles more than 2.6 million tons of grain per year, farms more than 617,000 acres every year, employs 900 st...
by David McGee
 

 

 

MY DEAR SECRETARY (1949)

MY DEAR SECRETARY (1949) stars KIRK DOUGLAS in his first romantic comedy role and features delightful co-starring turns by LARAINE DAY and KEENAN WYNN. Short subjects: A selection of BEATLES cartoons.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Surf in Verse (2017 Edition)

Our annual roundup of poetry inspired by the surfing experience and largely written by surfers. The spirituality of the natural world comes alive in verse. With musical interludes to boot.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Ladders to Heaven: A Legend

Famous as a children's book author in the mid-1800s, JULIANA HORATIA EWING was also devoted to 'the practical cultivation of flowers,' as is evident in her paaen to lilies in 'Ladders to Heaven: A Legend,' published in 1891, f...
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