Recent Articles
 

 

It’s All Too Beautiful: Nellie McKay Sounds Off on…Everything

NELLIE MCKAY is never at a loss for words--about animals, the '60s, her new album (MY WEEKLY READER)--and she told it as it is in a lively TALKING ANIMALS interview with DUNCAN STRAUSS
by David McGee
 

 
 

TBGB Music Hour Special–Christmas Gospel Songs

At his Black Gospel Blog, BOB MAROVICH, Gospel Editor of Deep Roots, has launched his annual online Music Hour Christmas Special. One click and you're transported...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Voicemail Transcriber Gives New Meaning to Pop Lyrics

As currently constituted, voicemail transcription, a promising but troubled technology, is giving new meaning to pop lyrics. Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN files a first-person report on same.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Rhonda’s Revenge

Though she says it was inspired by George Jones, Rhonda Vincent's ONLY ME, a double-CD release containing one side of country and one of bluegrass, has n other message to send. Call it Rhonda's Revenge.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Passionate Style

Italian composer, gambist, and singer Claudio Giovanni Monteverdi is often regarded as revolutionary in that his work marked the transition from the Renaissance style of music to that of the Baroque period. He developed two ind...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Brooklyn, Blintzes, Baseball and Ballads With Johnny Mercer (Field Notes From a Music Biz Life)

In chapters 6 and 7 of his memoirs, MICHAEL SIGMAN recalls his father CARL SIGMAN's songwriting apprenticeship with JOHNNY MERCER and how the rocky course of his adolescent years seemed to parallel his dad's hit songs.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A New Opera for the 21st Century Canon, By Way of Willa Cather

WILLA CATHER'S short story 'Paul's Place' has been transformed into an opera event by GREGORY SPEARKS and KATHRYN WALAT. Our JOSPEH NEWSOME ranks it 'amongst the finest recorded opera performances of the 21st Century.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

THE DARK CORNER

First-class film noir here starring LUCILLE BALLS, CLIFTON WEBB, MARK STEVENS and WILLIAM BENDIX, directed by HENRY HATHAWAY. Also: the debut of HECKLE AND JECKLE in THE TALKING MAGPIES.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Biologist’s Folk Songs

Inspired by Moravian folk songs transcribed by Dr. Vladimir Ulehla, DAVALA--the duo of ARAM BAJAKIAN and Dr. Ulehla's daughter, JULIE ULEHLA--reinvigorate those songs for modern ears.
by David McGee
 

 
 

2013’s Elite Half-Hundred – Part II

Part II of 50 keepers from the year since passed: Selections include albums by CLAIRE LYNCH, FRANK SOLIVAN & DIRTY KITCHEN, BOBBY RUSH, MARY J. BLIGE, SAMANTHA FISH, et al.
by David McGee