The Great White North, aka Canada, seems to be a breeding ground for fantastic acoustic guitarists. Of course, when the temperature drops below zero Fahrenheit and the snow is measured in feet during the winters, I guess you have a lot of time to practice. So, tonight I’m featuring someone with a unique approach to classical guitar and one of my favorites, namely Kelly Valleau. Kelly started playing electric guitar at the age of 15 and made his first Indie CD at the age of 21. He was playing professionally at the age of 22, but a few years back he did something very odd, at least for a rock guitarist. He hung up the electric, took up a classical nylon-stringed guitar, and entered the Canadian Fingerstyle Championships where, much to his surprise, he placed second.
While he excels on classical compositions, his uniqueness arises from his ability to translate rock classics onto the classical guitar. That probably stems from his early guitar influences that included David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Tommy Iommi, Randy Rhoads, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett. He fuses those sounds with his later influences that include Agustin Barrios, Beethoven,, J.K. Mertz, and Roland Dyens to create a unique style and sound, and one that I love. I think you’re gonna like him. Enjoy!
Tears for Fear’s Mad World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJXJX2EzK4&feature=related
Mason William’s Classical Gas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7pdDRZaUWc&feature=related
Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gInwUzAOxj8
Metallica’s The Unforgiven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfsHNbhlCXA
Requiem: classical style; nice use of harmonics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JONge97uH2o
Kansas’ Dust in the Wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlD6oVNmDLA&feature=related
Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUpfEMQpi-k&feature=related
Beethoven’s Für Elise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpxFIDerL28&feature=related
Radiohead’s Kharma Police: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kiMsxLrEvo&feature=related
Owl City’s Fireflies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jxakXPNIHI&feature=related
Supertramp’s The Logical Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZPPCYnNJ98&feature=related
Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgrG4bu2JeQ&feature=related
Coldplay’s The Scientist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sLH1MeXnUY&feature=related
Aerosmith’s Dream On: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aGbcbEstPw&feature=related
Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVTwe85mFNE&feature=related
Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sni0J8xXec&feature=related
Blackeyed Peas’ I Gotta Feelin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjnzBcbwNVg&feature=related
Kelly Valleau calls for a classic wine, so I suggest a 2006 Monte Antico Toscana ($11.00). This wine was #61 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009 and at $11.00 a bottle, it’s an icredible value. The wine is a blend of 75% Sanviovese, 15% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon derived from vines that are at least 25 years old. Dark fruit aromas lead to a taste of plums, black raspberries, and nice acidity, all for eleven bucks! Grab a bottle, sit on the deck and imagine yourself on the hills of Tuscany listening to the music of a marvelous classical (?) guitarist. Enjoy!
Cheers!
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