chokepear featured

How Mr. Chokepear Keeps A Merry Christmas.

From a December 25, 1841 issue of the British humor and satire magazine PUNCH, a story satirizing a heartless one-percenter's self-absorbed Christmas rituals.
by David McGee
 

 
 
rudolph rankin bass featured

A Half-Century+ of Classic Animated ‘Rudolph’

On Dec. 6, 1964 NBC premiered an animated version of RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER with BURL IVES as host. It drew a 50 share and was an instant holiday classic. From a 50 share to 50+ years as a holiday staple, we pay tribute...
by David McGee
 

 

 
Wonderland Yulesville

Strictly Coolsville

A trio of brilliant holiday albums bearing title variations of WONDERLAND rank with the essential anthologies of seasonal fare. Released in 2003, the recordings range from rare to familiar, the artists from obscure to beloved. ...
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Hark the What? Ironies of a Beloved Carol

REV. MARK D. ROBERTS knows 'If you don’t want to tick people off, then don’t change the words of the hymns and carols.' As he explains, 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING' is a perfect example of this maxim.
by David McGee
 

 

 
The Road to Christmas cover2

To Dream Like an Angel

Under the direction of BERNARD LABADIE, LA CHAPELLE DE QUEBEC's THE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS will light your way, all through the days--nay, years--ahead.
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
 

 

 
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
 

 
 
Once in Royal Davids City cover

‘Once in Royal David’s City’

The journey of 'Once in Royal David's City' from an 1848 text to global processional hymn.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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What Becomes a Classic Most?

Streisand at her apex in recordings made almost three-and-a-half decades apart. Make no mistake--she’s the classic here, and a classy one at that.
by David McGee
 

 
 
1st Christmas Stamp Canada 85 featured copy

The First Christmas Stamps

It may seem like Christmas stamps have been around pretty much forever in some form, but in fact the U.S. did not issue a Yuletide stamp until 1962. Canada, in 1889, beat everyone to the punch with its Queen Victoria-approved C...
by David McGee
 

 

 
B.B. Christmas Celebration

A Soul Ever More Grateful For What It Knows Of Love

An updated review of a holiday classic: B.B. KING's A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION OF HOPE. Indeed it is.
by David McGee
 

 
 
Peggy Lee Christmas Carousel cover

In Praise of Those Who Keep Christmas Well

Believe the Hype: Wherein we appraise four truly classic Christmas albums + one bonus, by ELLA FITZGERALD, PEGGY LEE, CHARLES BROWN, STAN KENTON & SIDNEY BECHET
by David McGee