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
 

 
 

‘Grass Is the Forgiveness of Nature—Her Constant Benediction’

In 1872 Kansas Sen. JOHN JAMES INGALLS, one of the U.S. Senate's most eloquent voices, praised the vitality of the tallgrass prairie in IN PRAISE OF BLUEGRASS--and he wasn't talking music.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Climate Conditions Determine Amazon Fire Risk–The Threat of ‘Understory’ Fires

'Understory' fires are destroying more of the Amazon rainforest than is being lost through deforestation, NASA scientists have determined.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Gone Home

A tribute to Alvin Lee, who walked away from the mammoth success of Ten Years After to pursue his solo muse. A true '60s guitar legend, Lee passed away on March 6.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Being About an Instrument ‘At Once Familiar and Unknown’

In ART OF THE MANDOLIN, AVI AVITAL offers a perspective on 300 years of music composed specifically for his instrument of choice. A range of perspectives--via reviews, interviews and first-person observations-help explain the a...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Deep Roots Video Holiday Card

From DEEP ROOTS to our readers, a holiday card of the video variety, featuring the ghost of Jacob Marley, Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners and Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong in memorable seasonal moments
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘I Always Thought SeaWorld Was a Happy Place’

An interview with documentary filmmaker GABRIELA COWPERTHWAITE on her eye opening documentary BLACKFISH about the mistreatment of Orcas in captivity.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Randall Goosby: Style, Soul, Virtuosity

Young violinist RANDALL GOOSBY's debut album, ROOTS, is one of this year's most exciting classical music events. Herewith a sampling of the across-the-board plaudits album and artist alike are receiving for this most striking r...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Our Shrinking Woods

In his essay 'Our Shrinking Woods,' guest columnist GREG KIELBACK considers how 'industrialized corporate farming techniques have altered the structure of agriculture and therefore our communities.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye

Sometimes the viewer comments on YouTube are surprisingly poignant and heartfelt. We found a few when we followed BOBBY VINTON's 'Blue on Blue' deeper into YouTube and deeper into sad songs.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Luxurious Perfection of Chanticleer: 35 Years of ‘Clear Singing’

The early music vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER is marking its 35th anniversary with a new album, The Siren's Call. Herewith a retrospective salute and a listener's guide to Chanticleer musts.
by David McGee
 

 
 

If the Magnificent Landscapes of Wales Sang…

JOSEPH NEWSOME of VOIX DES ARTS takes stock of a fine new setting of composer ALAN HODDINOTT's SONG CYCLES AND FOLK SONGS featuring NICKY SPENCE and CLAIRE BOOTH, among others.
by David McGee