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Venture Forth!

Filmed during the band's 60th anniversary year, THE VENTURES: STARS ON GUITARS is a loving, long-overdue tribute to rock 'n' roll's greatest instrumental group.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Stranger On the Shore

In 1962 British jazz clarinetist ACKER BILK penned a haunting instrumental for his daughter Jenny, changed its title and saw it sell a million copies. Here's how YouTube commenters remember it.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Remembering Jeff Golub, 1955-2015

Remembering Jeff Golub: Honoring the life and celebrating the music he made before leaving this mortal coil on New Year's Day.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye

Sometimes the viewer comments on YouTube are surprisingly poignant and heartfelt. We found a few when we followed BOBBY VINTON's 'Blue on Blue' deeper into YouTube and deeper into sad songs.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Dame Kiri Turns 70, Bids Farewell to Opera (But That’s Not All, Folks)

Celebrating her 70th birthday today, DAME KIRI TE KANAWA is appearing at Covent Garden in a Donizetti farce--her last opera role, she says. But it's not the last we'll hear of her. Deep Roots pays tribute to a great.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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From Matt Monro With Love (and tears) on Valentine’s Day

Love songs of tears and joy for Valentine's Day and beyond, courtesy the late, great MATT MONRO, who was championed and produced by GEORGE MARTIN. A profile with music.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Animated Christmas Evergreens

A selection of vintage animated Christmas cartoons, from the 1930s to the 1990s, including the rare 'A Snow Man in July,' produced by the Nazi regime and seized by the U.S. during WWII.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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As the Bluebird Flies…

MARVIN RAINWATER wrote and recorded many fine records in his career, and one perfect one: 1957's mega-hit 'GONNA FIND ME A BLUEBIRD.' Tribute must be paid.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Softly, As She Leaves Us

Style and Substance: Remembering EYDIE GORME + a potpourri of her essential recordings
by David McGee
 

 
 
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‘He Brought a Certain Level of Class to the Blues’: Remembering Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, 1930-2013

American music lost a giant with the passing of BOBBY 'BLUE' BLAND. Our tribute offers an overview of his career and a guide to his essential recordings.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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‘A Perfect Blue-White Diamond, And Just As Rare’

Remembering the silver screen's, and one of the 20th Century's, greatest vocalists, DEANNA DURBIN, 1921-2013, plus a guide to her essential recordings on CD.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Saluting Jonathan Winters

We lost a true original with the April 11 passing of JONATHAN WINTERS, an improvisational comedy genius (and author, actor, artist). In VIDEO FILE, we look back on a few of his many special moments.
by David McGee