What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Kumbaya?

Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN, surveying a raft of what he considers 'Kumbaya abuse,' says it's time to take the song back.
by David McGee
 

 
 

America’s Shame, Japan’s Gain: An Animatronic Ray Charles

Well, it's happened. Japan has beaten America to the technology punch again, this time with an animatronic Ray Charles singing away outside Osaka Castle Park. But who's that man the box over in the corner?
by David McGee
 

 

 

Beethoven Bids You a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

A happy St. Patrick's Day to our Irish friends, with additional greetings in song from none other than Ludwig Van Beethoven, who wrote 72 settings of Irish songs for voice, violin, cello and piano. Enjoy a couple of those setti...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Elite Half Hundred of 2014 (Part 1)

THE ELITE HALF HUNDRED OF 2014 (PART 1)--Numbers 1-25 of our half hundred best albums of 2014, excluding the Albums of the Year
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Heroic and Visionary Women of Passover

'At Passover, we must tell the stories of the women who played a crucial role in the Exodus narrative.' A reminder by JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG and RABBI LAUREN HOLTZBLATT
by David McGee
 

 
 

News & Notes – January 2013

In NEWS & NOTES: Gospel stalwarts unite on single to benefit MY SANDY HOOD FUND; 'CHINA BEACH' finally set for DVD release; BLAKE SHELTON consigned to Dunce's Corner, as RAY PRICE speaks out against ignorance; two SERENA MATTHE...
by David McGee
 

 

 

He Wrote ‘Two Steps from the Blues’

TEXAS JOHNNY BROWN, who died in Houston on July 1, will always be remembered for writing Bobby Blue Bland's classic "Two Steps from the Blues." But there was more...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Sorrow and Suicide

'Robin Williams's death has really stirred up a lot of stuff for me. Big time.' TONY CAPUTI reflects on his personal travails and gives thanks for the healing gifts a comic genius left us to savor.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Bells of Saint Thomas Wept

Remembering JOHN SCOTT (1956-2015), Music Director of Saint Thomas Church in New York City, who died suddenly on August 12. 'The only glory John sought was the glory of God.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Updike at Easter, 2021

Updated for Year II of the pandemic, 'Seven Voices on Seven Stanzas' presents a septet of viewpoints on the meaning and import of JOHN UPDIKE's provocative poem, 'Seven Stanzas at Easter.' Featuring Easter-themed videos by DOLL...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Rewarding and Unpredictable: An Appreciation of Elliott Carter (1908-2012)

ELLIOTT CARTER: AN APPRECIATION--America's greatest living composer died on November 5 at the age of 103. Herewith an appreciation of this visionary's rewarding and unpredictable music.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow’

George Morton came and went like a shadow, producing great '60s singles for the Shangri-Las and Janis Ian, and shortly thereafter, disappearing. But the Shadow left his mark. Remembering a pop great.
by David McGee