Favorite Acoustic Performances &Talbott Pinot Noir

I’ve been out on business for some time and unable to blog. So tonight, I want to review some of my favorite acoustic performances. John Gomes rendition of the Chaka Khan song is amazing and what can I say about the late George Harrison, Eric Roche, and Michael Hedges? Steve Winwood’s version of John Barleycorn has always been a favorite that I used to play in coffee houses back in my college days as was JT’s Something in the Way She moves, always nice to sing to a lady friend. Richard Thompson’s Vincent Black Lightning was the first song of his that I learned and one of these days I’m going to work out my own version of Sting’s Fragile. Hope you enjoy these.

Jon Gomes:

Ain’t nobody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vCcZIARw9k

George Harrison

Here comes the sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGKPHFrHVVY

Michael Hedges:

All along the Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5vRLeMFm8Y

Indigo Girls:

Closer to fine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228

James Taylor:

Something in the way she moves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvZd27-uT1s

Mike Dawes:

Somebody I used to know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1bzUaf_gvU

Adam Rafferty:

Superstition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVvfFtb3Y9s

Eric Roche:

She drives me crazy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-tO6IFwBXI

The Eagles:

Hotel California: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIPu92RddRA&list=PL562C3B2F05BE7907

Eric Clapton:

Layla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbLvltFS7yM

Steve Winwood & Eric Clapton:

Can’t find my way home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAL8qZyeciI

Steve Winwood:

John Barleycorn must die: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8878chOvfI

Jackson Browne:

In the shape of a heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgy3f6TNcoY

Crosby, Stills, and Nash:

Suite Judy Blue Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVUwrifwKrI

John Mayer:

Neon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHfzrRE0Kc

Bonnie Rait:

Love me like a man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXVoOgwiYc8

Richard Thompson:

Vincent Black Lightning 1952: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0kJdrfzjAg

Kelly Valleau:

Message in a bottle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4kxOoJ2xi8

Sting:

Fragile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKq2_Mz6HMA

Monte Montgomery:

Moonlight tango: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fR0z7_qYrs&feature=related

Zach Deputy:

Tube Steak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rACg0n1B7B0&feature=relmfu

Pete Townsend:

Won’t get fooled again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5yymadwxj8

Bruce Cockburn:

Get up Jonah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bwlLGsl-TY&feature=related

Andrew Winton:

Number’s down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKnngyCIctA

Eric Mongrain:

Airtap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfwaUYpf3lo

Paco De Lucia, John McLaughlin, & Al DeMeola:

Mediterranean sundance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cadbYIzhqQ

Although we’ve gotten 7 inches of rain in the last four days, at least it’s spring, so I’m breaking out my favorite type of wine, namely Pinot Noir. Tonight I recommend a 2010 Talbott Pinot Noir Kali Hart Monteray ($17.00). The nose if full of strawberry and rhubarb aromas. The taste is smooth with nice cherry and vanilla flavors. Its finish transitions to a bit of blackberry and lingers moderately long. Very nice for welcoming spring indoors out of the rain.

Cheers!

Kelly Valleau & Earthquake Petite Sirah

Kelly Valleau is one of my favorite guitarist not only because of his technical prowess, but because he has a unique ability to translate rock classics to solo fingerstyle guitar. He started playing electric guitar at the age of 15 and made his first Indie CD at the age of 21. His early influences were David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Tommy Iommi, Randy Rhoads, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett.

About ten years ago, he hung up his electric guitar and devoted much of his time to traditional classical guitar studies. Much of his early acoustic work was very classical/Spanish. Then in 2006 he attended the Canadian Guitar Festival and the performances by Don Ross and others grabbed his attention. He moved into the contemporary acoustic world incorporating percussive techniques into his music, although his tunings are still standard. He’s also moved from playing classical nylon stringed guitars to steel string, which he finds a more moving instrument.

The selections I’ve included below reflect his more recent ventures. So sit back and enjoy one of the premier solo acoustic guitarists on the scene today.

Fused: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1XdxZqqZQ0

Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBKXkKQf_nQ

Anubis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuPjRyrKenE

The Unforgiven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6imqOqVsn8

Sultans of Swing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI8tvq_b2vQ

Message in a bottle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4kxOoJ2xi8

Sweet Home Alabama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KagFJDhtUA

Cthulhu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_sIAEPOYME

Stremnaya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82rqhR1-xqg

Heart-shaped Box: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ur0WqqqeUI

Mad World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJXJX2EzK4

Smooth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmBfmtyLG78

The A Team: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu9BWJ-rzas

I’m pairing Kelly with a 2009 Michael David Earthquake Petite Sirah that I bought on sale for $23.00. Michael David Winery makes some of my favorites that include Petite Petite Sirah and Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel. Earthquake is the reserve level wines from the vineyard. There’s a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon blended into the wine that gives it a mouthwatering palate of blackberries, chocolate, coffee, and Christmas spices. Same goes for the aromas. It finishes strong, but beware, this one’s 15% alcohol, so don’t plan on driving. Then again, with Kelly’s music, why would you want to go anywhere. Enjoy!

Cheers!