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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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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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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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‘I Try To Write a Terrific Song’
Hal David: In His Own Words

Saluting the magnificent artistry of the late HAL DAVID, who, with and apart from Burt Bacharach, spoke volumes about the human condition in his captivating, unforgettable lyrics—truly a voice for all time.
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 Classic Animated Christmas

From the vaults, classics indeed: 1939's 'Peace on Earth,' the only cartoon ever nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize; from 1913, Ladislas Starevitch's pioneering and amazing stop-motion animated 'The Insects' Revenge' (plus a pr...
by David McGee
 

 
 
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When Patti Page Left Her Mark On Me

WHEN PATTI PAGE LEFT HER MARK ON ME: A sweet childhood memory of a chance encounter with Patti Page--radiant, with a scent of roses--in front of her parents' home in Tulsa. By David McGee
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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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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Always Sweethearts In Song

As The Canadian Sweethearts, Bob Regan and Lucille Starr never had big hits during their prime years of 1963-1967, but they made wonderful records in a folk-country vein, with some straight-ahead honky tonkers spicing up their ...
by David McGee
 

 
 
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A Thanksgiving Celebration in Song

Reflections on Thanksgiving in song. Music by Larry Yazzie and the Native Pride Dancers, Douglas Spotted Eagle, Johnny Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter, George Winston, Celtic Women and, by way of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Vince...
by David McGee