AJ Being AJ

For more than a decade ALAN JACKSON has been musing about making a bluegrass album. Well, he finally did it, and produced a certified AJ classic in THE BLUEGRASS ALBUM.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Exquisite

Jazz pianist THOMAS SNOW goes Americana on his memorable new album, FRIENDS, and gets a major assist in his efforts from singer-songwriter JONATHAN EDWARDS and mandolin master JOE WALSH. This is one of 2013's major roots finds.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Steffani’s ‘Stabat Mater’: Sophistication, Beauty & Originality

A new recording of Steffai's STABAT MATER is a triumph not only for CECILIA BARTOLI and conductor DIEGO FASOLIS but for the entire surrounding cast of stellar vocalists
by David McGee
 

 
 

Angels and Demons

Angels and Demons: TOO SLIM AND THE TAILDRAGGERS are back with vengeance on BLUE HEART. Nothing much is at stake her, other than Slim's soul.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Godfather II, Eric Brace & Peter Cooper & Me

ERIC BRACE & PETER COOPER have come up with a rootsy gem on their third duo effort, THE COMEBACK ALBUM. Stellar in all respects, it's one of 2013's finest long players.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Hope, Redemption and a Sky Big as God

Having conquered his demons, MIKE ZITO explains how it all happened and what brought him back from the abyss on his powerful new album, GONE TO TEXAS
by David McGee
 

 

 

Musical Echoes of Days Long Past

Musical echoes of days long past abound in THE BEAUTIFUL OLD and MIKE SCOTT & FRIENDS' HOME SWEET HOME: CIVIL WAR ERA SONGS. Plus: a James Cagney VIDEO MOMENT OF THE WEEK.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Of Secret Smiles and Unfinished Symphonies

RED RIVER DRIFTER may be MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY'S best yet. He's singing love songs again, but love songs of a different stripe, examining the emotion in all its complexity.
by David McGee
 

 

 

On Down the Line

After a year of personal misfortune, siblings ELAINE and LEE ROY, aka THE ROYS, have transformed their miseries into art on their new album, GYPSY RUNAWAY TRAIN, another stone-cold winner for the duo.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Under the Skin, Into the Heart

Nashville's McCrary Sisters--progeny of Fairfield Four founding member Rev. Samuel McCrary, have issued one of this year's most uplifting and stirring statements with their second album, ALL THE WAY. They'll take you there.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Offering God Beautiful Music from Hearts at Peace with Him

After topping the Classical chart last year, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles return with more stirring messages of faith. Also: an exclusive Deep Roots Interview with Sr. Scholastica Radel.
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