Dancing Bears: la danse de l’ours

Dancing bears have been around since at least the Middle Ages. Sheer Folk blogger SERGIO RIBNKIKOV GUNNARSON has been studying the rather obscure history of these mammalian hoofers and herein reports on his findings.
by David McGee
 

 
 

How to Win Charts and Alienate People

In this two-part excerpt from his memoir, JUST REMEMBER: FIELD NOTES FROM A MUSIC BIZ LIFE, MICHAEL SIGMAN recalls the fallout from Record World's decision to publish sales-based charts, and how The Who changed the magazine's f...
by David McGee
 

 

 

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
 

 
 

Forevermore

His voice belongs to the ages now: Cleveland Duncan, lead tenor of The Penguins, died on November 6, shortly after casting his ballot in the Presidential election. Remembering the great lead singer who made 'Earth Angel' immortal.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Bring ‘em Home: The Incompleat Listener’s Guide to Pete Seeger on Record

PETE SEEGER's album catalogue tally comes close to 100--so many we dare not suggest the 'essential' ones. So, how about some invaluable long players worthy of any collection? Part 2 of our Pete Seeger tribute.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Field Notes From a Music Biz Life (Part 2)

In Part 2 of his autobiography, MICHAEL SIGMAN recalls the 'extraordinary collection of minds, heart and ears' that gathered for Saturday night festivities at the Sigman household.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Breaking News: Chubby Checker Says Penis Measuring App Damages His Reputation. Question: What Reputation?

Chubby's riled up about the Chubby Checker App. He should be thankful for the publicity.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Mission’ Accomplished

On her vaunted new album, Mission, CECILIA BARTOLI (this is her--really, it is) fashions the music of Agostino Steffani into a conceptual work brimming with passion, politics and intrigue. It is the opera great’s finest hour.
by David McGee
 

 

 

This New Year’s, Resolve To Give Yourself a Break

'Shooting for the moon with our New Year's resolutions and then falling short is a fast track to aggravation, self-loathing and the joyless consumption of massive quantities of week-old fruitcake,' writes contributing editor Mi...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Updike at Easter, 2022 Edition

Our 11th annual installment of 'Seven Voices on Seven Stanzas' brings together new voices and those of earlier contributors to contemplate the greater meaning of John Updike's provocative poem, 'Seven Stanzas at Easter.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

Herb, Herby, Herbert. Daddy.

LIterate, witty, loving, insightful: a daughter remembers her unique father on the occasion of the centennial of his birth.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Pianist-Entrepreneur-Innovator

Pianist-entrepreneur-innovator LARA DOWNES is back with her most ambitious project, EXILES' CAFE, focusing on the concept of music written in exile. The album, though, is only the beginning.
by David McGee