• The Deep Roots Yuletide Baedeker 2024
    David McGee, November 15, 2024
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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
 

 
 
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The Dark Saint Rises

A genuine Statement record, IVY FORD's CLUB 27 finds the gifted Chicago-based blues artist-singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist--coming into her own in a powerful way. One of the year's best here.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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The Luxurious Perfection of Chanticleer: 35 Years of ‘Clear Singing’

The early music vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER is marking its 35th anniversary with a new album, The Siren's Call. Herewith a retrospective salute and a listener's guide to Chanticleer musts.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Singing Little, but Saying Oh So Much

In Newfoundlanders DUANE ANDREWS and CRAIG YOUNG the guitar duo is alive and well, even more so than the ivory-billed woodpecker, and their CHARLIE'S BOOGIE album is the undeniable proof.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Long Ago, Far Away, Ever Relevant

Exploring songs associated with the great female blues and jazz vocalists of the '20s and '30s, ROBERTA DONNAY & THE PROHIBITION MOB BAND sound ever-relevant on A LITTLE SUGAR
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Kinda Memorable Bluegrass for Christmas

This year’s crop of new holiday releases has been one of the weakest in recent memory, but even in the strongest years THE ROYS' delightful BLUEGRASS KINDA CHRISTMAS would be a standout.
by David McGee