Enya And Winter Came

Timeless Enya, for All Seasons

Irish enchantress Enya has offered not a Christmas album, but rather an album-length meditation on the Yuletide season, its sound, its totems, its joys, its summons to reflection and introspection.
by David McGee
 

 
 
winchester college choir a winters night

Robert Hugill’s Classical Christmas Evergreens

ROBERT HUGILL'S CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS is a collection of must-read reviews of Classical Yuletide fare, from choral works to small vocal ensembles, as appraised by Mr. Hugill in Deep Roots from 2013 to the present day. All to make...
by David McGee
 

 

 
Jo Stafford Happy Holidays

Jo: The Singular, Special Yuletide Gift

An appreciation of JO STAFFORD's holiday magnificence--the gift that keeps on giving.
by David McGee
 

 
 
spector christmas1 featured

The Mythic Weight Of Phil Spector’s Christmas Gift

In 1963, PHIL SPECTOR thought his CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU album would be a career-defining event. Then a not-so-funny-thing happened to him on his way to musical world dominance. BILLY ALTMAN fills us in.
by David McGee
 

 

 
12 days1

Our Christmas Best to You

In the late '80s BONNEVILLE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS sent out a press-only holiday tape that is an unassuming classic of its kind--funny, moving and heartwarming. Hear this lost gem exclusively at Deep Roots.
by David McGee
 

 
 
ellington strayhorn featured

The Ellingtonian ‘Nutcracker’

An appreciation of THE NUTCRACKER SUITE as DUKE ELLINGTON & BILLY STRAYHORN reimagined it in 1960 and of a new take by THE HARMONIA ENSEMBLE conducted by STEVEN RICHMOND.
by David McGee
 

 

 
great miracle featured

Making A Great Miracle, From Scraps and Memories

In a Deep Roots exclusive, JEREMIAH LOCKWOOD reveals the backstory of his captivating new solo guitar album, A GREAT MIRACLE, subtitled Jeremiah Lockwood’s Guitar Soli Chanukah Record.
by David McGee
 

 
 
coventry carol pageant wagon

‘Coventry Carol’: The Darkest of All Christmas Songs

Lamenting the Slaughter of the Innocents in the 12th Century, “Coventry Carol” remains a somber standard.
by David McGee
 

 

 
george tammy featured

The Ol’ Christmas Yin-Yang

GEORGE JONES & TAMMY WYNETTE cut only one Christmas single as a duo, but solo, each artist made worthwhile contributions to seasonal music. This Classic more than earns its title.
by David McGee
 

 
 
marvin gaye contents

Marvin Gaye Sings a Christmas Song

The story behind MARVIN GAYE's 'I Want to Come Home for Christmas,' a Vietnam Vet's appeal.
by David McGee