Just got back from a business trip followed by a vacation to Chicago. Weight loss is going great…58 pounds lost and only five more to go. Tonight I’ve got a great combination of one of the premier fingerpicking guitarists I’ve ever seen and a great zinfandel at an outstanding price.
Tommy Emmanuel is a fingerpicking demon! He moves fast and furiously and his arrangements are amazing. In concert, he’s quite the comic too. Check out his stuff! It goes well with the muscular Ridge Zinfandel reviewed here.
Guitar Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbvSBNLLoo
Two versions of Classical Gas, one of my favorite songs ever written for guitar. Used to be able to play it, but alas, no more.
Version 1: Classical Gas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX0eTp7SoNU&feature=related
Version 2: Classical Gas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQJ1k2HMoRU&feature=related
Somewhere Over the Rainbow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZNJf-h7F8s&feature=related
House of the Rising Sun: Nice vocals! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIWSVTaytOw&feature=related
Warm and Windy: A Chet Atkins classic and Tommy does it more than justice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzTx8cBKIc8&feature=related
Here Comes the Sun: This is an incredible medley. When he goes into Daytripper, you’ll want to get up and dance. And if that doesn’t move you, Lady Madonna will! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOw6gCPDEQ8&feature=related
Tonight I’m featuring a 2006 Ridge Vineyards "Three Valleys" Sonoma Zinfandel Blend ($18.00-$20.00) to accompany Tommy Emmanuel. This was on special at my local wine shop, and since Ridge Vineyards is known for its excellent zinfandel’s, I picked up a couple of bottle. It’s a blend of zinfandel, petite sirah, syrah, and grenache. Ridge has about a dozen vineyards and this wine combines grapes from 10 different sites. I later learned that Wine & spirits Magazine rated it as one of the best buys of 2008. Very easy drinking wine with a bouquet of blueberries, ripe plums, and berries. Focused black cherry and black raspberry flavors with spicy overtones and good tannins. A very muscular wine. I realize it’s summertime, but this wine would go great with barbecue or a good steak. However, it’s just fine for sipping alone as I usually do. Excellent wine, especially for the price.
The Death Whisperer Series
The Death Whisperer Series available at https://www.amazon.com/author/dmichaelolive
2 comments:
Great to see this on your site! Anytime Ridge and fine guitar go together, I'm a happy fella!
Regards,
Christopher Watkins
Tasting Room Manager
RIDGE Vineyards/Monte Bello
I like the first version of Classical Gas, that's an incredible performance. I saw another video on the sidebar of YouTube that shows how to play it, so I had to pull out my acoustic and give it a whirl. It's recognizable, but not the same standard as Tommy Emmanuel!
Another favorite of mine for fingerpicking is Little Martha by The Allman Brothers. You need to tune to open E for that one, so I don't play it very often.
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