Dave Mathews & Whitehaven Pinot Noir

Dave Matthews is in Omaha this week so I thought I’d do a bit of his music tonight. He really doesn’t fit the category of an “up-and-coming guitarist/performer.” He’s more of an OMG-it’s-DMB type. He plays a lot of closed chords, that is, he picks the strings he fingers without allowing the open strings to augment his sound. Some of his chords are killers on your hand. I once heard someone comment that they though he wasn’t a very good guitarist. Well, try playing a few of his songs and singing at the same time. I think you’ll find he’s quite good.


Tripping Billies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYqsz-THH0c

Ants Marching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUpec0kwCfo&feature=related

Grey Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkP7yBTu80Y&feature=related

One Sweet World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUnsqFPTBQo&feature=related

Stuck on you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBWLq_rh_i8&feature=related

Gravedigger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzJXr8kuefY

Crash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiiT7xCCsME&feature=related

Crush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVMdt7Jf16A&feature=related

#41: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amvtyb-efbU&feature=related

Jimi Thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRnpYdKYgZg&feature=related

Two Step: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5MSFTDy5p0&feature=related

Seek up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwrk9xU7hgs&p=FD7A79B544BD66A2&playnext=1&index=3 1

Typical Situation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJy3ip5u-I&feature=related

Christmas Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbdylEE-0e4&feature=related

Went to a Pinot Noir tasting last night where the wines ranged in price from $15.00 to $60.00 a bottle. I found it very interesting in that the ones I personally liked the best were all under $30.00. In fact, the three pricy-est ones didn’t thrill me at all. One was rated a 94 by several reviewers but tasted strongly of alcohol with very little fruit/cherry character so characteristic of Pinots. Another that cost about $45.00 and was rated 91, had no bouquet. Really. No aroma, and that’s not my allergies talking. I’ll review them through the week, but I thought I’d start with one I really love that was not offered. I’ve reviewed it before, but it’s the best Pinot I’ve tasted. It’s a 2007 Whitehaven Pinot Noir from New Zealand, usually about $30.00 list price but I get it on sale for $23-$24.00. Beautiful bouquet of bing cherry and strawberry that follow on the palate. It’s a delicious, light, easy-drinking Pinot with just enough oak to compliment the fruit and an impressively long finish. Enjoy a bottle as you listen to Dave.

Cheers!