David Foster Wallace

The Quiet Heroism of ‘Right Living’

Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN reflects on the recent fall of 'self-appointed heroes' and the virtues of 'quietly going about one's business.'
by David McGee
 

 
 
marsha genensky featured

Anonymous 4: The Exit Interview (Sort of)

An interview with ANONYMOUS 4's MARSHA GENENSKY (above) and SUSAN HELLAUER, reflecting on the Early Music quartet's groundbreaking career in this, its 30th and final year on stage and on disc.
by David McGee
 

 

 
paul laurence dunbar

At Thanksgiving, ‘Signs of the Times’

'Signs of the Times'--Paul Laurence Dunbar's dialect poem in honor of Thanksgiving, originally published in his 1897 book of verse, Lyrics of a Lowly Life.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Sail On, Friend, Sail On

PHILIP CHEVRON, guitarist-songwriter for THE POGUES, lost his battle with cancer on Oct. 8. Herewith a friend reflects on the remarkable heart that made this Irish bard someone special indeed.
by David McGee
 

 

 
passover2 featured

The Deep Meaning of Passover For Us All

For MIA SHERWOOD LANDAU, Passover 'is more than a holiday to honor history.' For her, it's an opportunity to 'celebrate my own personal freedom from spiritual oppression.' Allow her to explain.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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‘Perhaps the Richest Body of Stories by Any North American Writer of His Generation’

THE LIBRARY OF AMERICA is publishing a two-volume set of John Updike's Collected Stories. CHRISTOPHER CARDUFF, the estate-appointed editor of Updike's posthumous publications, discusses the project.
by David McGee
 

 

 
wexler featured

Field Notes From a Music Biz Life (Part 2)

In Part 2 of his autobiography, MICHAEL SIGMAN recalls the 'extraordinary collection of minds, heart and ears' that gathered for Saturday night festivities at the Sigman household.
by David McGee
 

 
 
shadow featured image

‘Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow’

George Morton came and went like a shadow, producing great '60s singles for the Shangri-Las and Janis Ian, and shortly thereafter, disappearing. But the Shadow left his mark. Remembering a pop great.
by David McGee
 

 

 
imani spotlight 880x385

Singing the Travels: Imani Uzuri Finds the Bold Heart and Global Soul of Home on The Gypsy Diaries

The mysterious figure on the moonlit railway platform, the passersby on the dusty road are not strangers; they are friends and fellow travelers. And to stunning vocalist and thoughtful, globally inspired composer Imani Uzuri, t...
by David McGee
 

 
 
bobby sharp2

Bobby Sharp, Heart Unchained

Remembering BOBBY SHARP, who passed away on January 28. Sharp wrote Ray Charles's #1 R&B/#9 pop hit of 1962, the classic 'Unchain My Heart.'
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
 

 
 
magic slim1

Silenced: Magic Slim’s ‘Raw, Unadultered Chicago Blues’

Remembering MAGIC SAM, keeper of the flame of 'raw, unadulterated Chicago blues,' who passed away on February 21.
by David McGee