Video Moment for the Ages

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, back home in NJ, August 20, 1978. 'Badlands." Rock 'n' roll at its apex. No further explanation necessary.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Turning 65 with ‘Crazy’

As his 65th birthday looms, contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN reflects on a classic song his father, CARL SIGMAN, wrote in 1949, 'Crazy He Calls Me.' It, like Michael, has led a charmed life.
by David McGee
 

 

 

For All He Gave, and For Giving His All

An in-depth tribute to one of the finest singers-songwriters-guitarists-producers of his time, JOE SOUTH, who died of a heart attack on September 5. He always said what he meant and meant what he said. Yeah!
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
 

 

 

Updike & Easter, 2014

Continuing our annual tradition, we present seven new voices commenting on the meaning and import of John Updike's oft-contemplated, much-debated poem, 'Seven Stanzas at Easter.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Factoid: Casablanca Is 70

On November 26, 1942, Warner Bros. premiered its new Michael Curtiz-directed film Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Hans Conreid. In 'Casablanca is 70," we reveal some fascinating factoids and falsehoods ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘The Cry of Anguished Protest, The First of Many Wrought From Me’

From The Bluegrass Special archives: an updated feature on the enigma that was the late BEVERLY KENNEY: Her voice was soft and cool, her eyes were clear and bright, but she's not there.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Video Moment for the Ages

In 'When a Soldier Makes It Home' ARLO GUTHRIE reminds us of meaningful matters, and our editor remembers his friends who served their country honorably.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Chuck Yeager Struts The Right Stuff At 89

This week, 89-year-old nonpareil badass Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first person to break the sound barrier, recreated his historic achievement of Oct. 14, 1947 on that very day in 2012. The right stuff indeed.
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
 

 

 

A Super Deluxe Charlie Brown Christmas

A 4-CD/1-Blu ray audio deluxe package featuring dozens of VINCE GUARALDI TRIO outtakes from the soundtrack sessions
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