Don Alder & Chateau d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé Provence

To kick off the week with a bang, I’m featuring an amazing guitarist. In fact, I haven’t seen anyone close to him since I discovered Tommy Emmanuel years ago. Don Alder is an award-winning fingerstylist with a style that resembles Jimi Hendrix’ aggressive approach more than the usual acoustic guitarist. Stemming from his rock roots, he’s developed an unorthodox, aggressive right-hand technique that involves pulling the strings rather than plucking them. Because he doesn’t anchor his pinkie, it allows him to swing his wrist when he plays so he can use up and down strokes when he picks. He also does a lot of frailing like a banjo player and although it allows for fast picking, it kind of compromises his tone, which is why he uses the percussive techniques to fatten it up. Make sure you check out Choiwaru or Rogue. He wrote it in the key of E without tapping or any other augmentation. Some pretty cool shredding.

Alder is actually portrayed in the movie Heart of a Dragon (released last year in the U.S.A.), and he plays guitar on the soundtrack. It’s about a car accident Alder was in with friend Rick Hansen that left Hansen handicapped. As a result, in 1985, he put his music career on hold to assist his lifelong friend with his quest to create awareness for the potential of people with disabilities and to generate funds for spinal cord research. The World Tour inspired millions of people throughout the 34 countries visited and raised 26 million dollars. Today, Don still works with Rick in a vital role at the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, which has had an impact of over 200 million dollars in the field of spinal cord injury.

Alder has won some very prestigious competitions including:

1st - 2011 Gutiar Idol Worldwide - held in London UK


1st - 2010 Guitar Player Magazine, Gutiar Superstar Contest - North America 


1st - 2007 Inernational Fingerstyle Championships Winfield, Kansas

As you listen, you’ll see why. Hope you enjoy him as much as I do,.

Into to Acoustic funk Guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKRl-e-tyko

Choiwaru: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8OMPAZy1iA

Blue shift principle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP2E2nSTSlk

Vancouver City Limits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyc-m-Iqu5c

He said she said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVTQGrRmz48

Not a planet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-buc1T1Lr80

Circuitous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQuy2g5iOH8

Ms. Diana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao8FDKvgAaM

Funk on a Wingert Guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUPjIK_659o

Man from Lady Lane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwSXAWQAYsU

Double cappuccino: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMzjQU5HAAk&list=PL08F2A5A0592AE1F1

Finger’s fingers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bR3Jghrfc

The wine I have for you tonight is a summer favorite. Pale salmon in color, the 2012 Chateau d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé Provence is delicate and fresh with plenty of strawberry fruit and a long finish. It’s 73% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8.5% Syrah, 5.5% Mourvedre and a fabulous Rosé.

Chateau d'Esclans is found nestled in the depths of Provence, home of the finest Rosés.  The winemaker at the helm of this gorgeous property in Provence is Sacha Lichine (son of Alexis Lichine). The wine is vinified in temperature controlled stainless-steel vats without barrel fermentation to keep the freshness and all the vivid berry fruit flavors.

Intensely perfumed aromas of redcurrant, strawberry, blood orange and rhubarb, with sfloral and mineral overtones, it displays a sense of power behind the delicate flavors of dried cherry, licorice, cream and spice and finishes with notes of dried mango and hints of honey and at $$18.00 it’s a steal. You’ll love it with Alder’s music. Enjoy!

Cheers!