Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

A Final Communiqué, Tough and Tender

The late Cesaria Evora, the 'barefoot diva' who put Cape Verde's morna music on the global map, is fully present on Mãe Carinhosa, a newly released collection of her final recordings.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Essential Sondheim

STEPHEN SONDHEIM's life and music, inextricably linked, are explored in captivating fashion in the new HBO documentary, SIX BY SONDHEIM, airing through December. Review herein.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Do You Believe in Magic?

A recently unveiled 45-year-old tape recorded in a tiny Milwaukee club in 1968 gives us a powerhouse live performance by MAGIC SAM in prime-time mode, both in voice and with his guitar, on LIVE AT THE AVANT GARDE.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Soul Stirring Joy

Gospel editor BOB MAROVICH weighs in on a new Soul Stirrers retrospective from the group's SAR Records years. Recommending this double-CD set: four previously unreleased Stirrers sides.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Right Where You Need To Be

On TURN TO JESUS, the newly minted DAVE ADKINS TRIO explains what it means to be known by God, to be held in God's gaze, to be 'right where you need to be.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

In Heavy Rotation: LIVEr Than Ever

Appraising new live albums by ERIC BIBB, JENNIFER LYNN and GROOVE REVIVAL and CHRISTINE SANTELLI
by David McGee
 

 

 

James Cotton, Fully Present

Cancer has robbed him of his singing voice but not his spirit or his ability to play blues harp like no else around. At age 77, JAMES COTTON is going strong, as his new album attests. Review by BILL DAHL.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Sing to Me, Sing to Me…

Having made so many memorable statements in her career, 84-year-old ANNIE ROSS delivers one of her finest on TO LADY WITH LOVE, in memory of her mentor-friend BILLIE HOLIDAY, with Pizzarellis Bucky and John on guitars.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Mystery Endures

MELODY GARDOT's brilliant CURRENCY OF MAN, finds this unique artist on intimate terms with 'chaos at any moment.' Dark, but empathetic, the new CD is all that, and more.
by David McGee