Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

The ‘Quiet Ecstasy’ of Harry Simeone’s ‘Little Drummer Boy’

The story behind THE HARRY SIMEONE CHORALE's classic 'THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY' begins in 1941 with KATHERINE KENNICOTT DAVIS'S 'CAROL OF THE DRUM' and includes a classic Christmas album featuring the oft-covered seasonal favorite.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Blustery Days? Only Enchantment Here.

Enchanted Places: The Complete Fraser-Simpson Settings of A.A. Milne, joins the burgeoning portfolio of Milne poems set to music.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Bluer Shade of Christmas

An update of our 2019 review of four essential Christmas blues anthologies: Volumes 1-3 of BLUES, BLUES CHRISTMAS and Legacy Recordings' DEATH MIGHT BE YOUR SANTA CLAUS.--a bluer shade of Christmas, if you will.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Fisk Jubilee Singers: From Whipping Post to Throne Room

The early struggles and ultimate triumph of the FISK JUBILEE SINGERS, as reported by JAMES M. TROTTER in his 1878 book profiling 'remarkable musicians of the colored race.' '
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Floating World

Can the Japanese today really look to Mother Nature to find out who they are? A visit to Hawaii spurs writer TOKUTA WONGSE-ONT to reflect on the lost 'floating world' that once was the Land of the Rising Sun.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Spreading Hope & Happiness (with Bunnies)

Welcome to Peacebunny Island, where 16-year-old CALEB SMITH and friends are spreading hope and happiness with their comfort rabbits. Yes, comfort rabbits. DUNCAN STRAUSS finds out what's up, doc.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Reflections on Barry Lopez

TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS honors her friend, the late, great nature writer BARRY LOPEZ
by David McGee
 

 
 

All in All, A Most Wonderful Time

A tasty selection of tracks from three of ANDY WILLIAMS's eight Yuletide albums, including several superb tracks with arranger-conductor-producer ROBERT MERSEY.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Long Time Gone: Neptune’s ‘Lost’ Moon Is Found Again

Naiad, NEPTUNE's 'lost' moon has been spotted for the first time in more than 20 years. Also: the sounds of Neptune, where the wind blows at 700 MPH, as recorded by Voyager 1 before it left the solar system.
by David McGee