Sonny Landreth & Girard Petite Sirah

Sonny Landreth, born 2/1/51 in Canton Mississippi, is one of my favorite slide guitarists, and I dare say he’s one of the best in the genre. I love the way he frets chords and chord fragments behind the slide. His right hand technique employs a flat thumb pick that allows him to pick a melody line while using his fingers for his slide technique. Notice he also uses all of his fingers to pick. The pinky doesn’t get left behind. He’s got a new album out called Elemental journey on which he’s joined by Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani for a couple of numbers. Satriani’s solo on Gaia Tribe is ferocious. Don’t miss the modified G3 band with Satriani and Davy Knowles, the later a real up and coming blues man. His duet with Eric Johnson on Milky Way Home is also very nice. All around one of the best. Enjoy!

The KDHX Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRwV-Y-V_7M

Cherry Ball Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFBEP4q9_bY

Forgotten Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaJRJW8ibF0

Wonderide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc_MsBCrqAw

Mountain Stage Concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjHO_wB8FPI

Broken hearted road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3x0WizSAHk

Hard Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0yzYV-ZZ0

Gravy Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOJHSrxHNhw

World Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGKI5oHl3GU

Backstage Shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moMTtJEHmZQ

Crossroads Solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfhxsy13WYk

Hell at Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMagLZPMiOM

Gaia Tribe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KozQkUlEs44

Milky way home (with Eric Johnson): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K5a8cSp8b8

Goin Down with Satriani and Davy Knowles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANiuAKr2j0U

Listening to Landreth’s slide guitar conjures up images of sittin on porch in the hot and steamy Louisiana bayou where he lives, sippin rot-gut whiskey. Unfortunately, I don’t like whiskey, so instead I suggest a bottle of the 2011 Girard Petite Sirah ($18.00 at CostCo).  Let this one breath for about a half hour to an hour before you drink it as it’ll really open up. The wine is dark purple with aromas of berries and peppery spice. The taste is full of black raspberries, dark plums, and chocolate. Finishes like a Sacher torte (for those of you who’ve never tasted one, it’s full of dark chocolate and raspberry jam). It’s a wine to stand up to the slide guitar and blues of Sonny.

Cheers! 

AC/DC Live Concert & Chateau de Laubade Armagnac

Okay, I’m back and feeling feisty. Been very busy with consulting gigs and grant writing and tonight I need to blow off steam for the upcoming week. Maybe you feel the same? So tonight it’s a full concert by AC/DC. Nothing short of brains against the wall rock and roll. Forget the wine, go out an get yourself a bottle of Chateau de Laubade XO Armagnac, It’s about $69.00 but you’re not going to drink the whole bottle at once…at least I don’t recommend it. Pour three fingers into a big snifter, kick back, and get ready for tomorrow. Monday will ook better if you’re pumped and ready to hit the ground running. Back in black & kicking out the jams!

AC/DC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWnG_5obvLo

Cheers!

The Scorpions Unplugged and Estancia Pinnacles Pinot Noir

The Scorpions have long been one of my favorite heavy metal/rock bands. Formed in 1965 in Germany, their membership has varied over the years with the exception of Rudolf Schenker, their rhythm guitarist who launched the group, and vocalist Klaus Meine (I love his vocals). They are best known for their 1980s rock anthem, “Rock You Like A Hurricane” as well as “No One Like You,” Send Me An Angel”, “Still Lovin You”, and “Wind of Change”. They ranked No. 46 on VH1’s Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and “Rock You Like A Hurricane” came in at number 18 on the list of 100 all time greatest hard rock songs.

The pinnacle of their career, according to the critics, was the release of their 1979 album “Lovedrive" that contained fan favorites such as “Loving You Sunday Morning,” “Always Somewhere,” “Holiday,” and “Coast to Coast,” which epitomized their style of hard rock songs and melodic ballads.

The concert I’ve included below is from their all acoustic album “Acoustica,” which, although many fans didn’t like, wanting a new studio album instead, is to me one of their best. Hope you enjoy them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7yG07Md1ww

The heat index in Lincoln has been running around 100 degrees this week, and when it gets this uncomfortable, I can’t drink a heavy red wine, so I suggest the 2011 Estancia Pinnacles Pinot Noir  ($11.00). The wine is ruby red with a nose full of tart cherries and baking spices that lead to a palate full of more cherries, cranberries, and spices. Its finish is medium long, but the thing I really like is it’s perfect for a hot summer evening. Light, elegant, and wonderful with this almost two hour concert of one of my favorite rock bands. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Acoustic Bon Jovi & Domaine Magellan Vin de Pays de L’Herault Grenache Blanc/Roussanne

I always amazes me when you take a hard rocking song, take away the Marshall amps, screaming guitars, and turn down the volume, and play it acoustically how beautiful a rock anthem can sound. Tonight I’m featuring an unplugged concert by Bon Jovi, one of the classic rock bands whose music is timeless. You can actually hear that Richie Sambora is a very good vocalist in addition to his guitar prowess. Check out “You give love a bad name” and don’t miss Lenard Cohen’s “Hallelujah. But for heaven’s sake, make sure you listen to Jon Bon Jovi and Lee Ann Rhimes, one of the best vocalists in the business, sing “Till we ain’t strangers any more.”  Bon Jovi’s lyrics speak to the heart and the music is impeccable. So kick back and listen to one of the all time great rock bands in a completely different light.

Full Concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1Hji2MIUk

01:06 - Living on a Prayer,

05:52 - Who says you can't go home,

10:13 - Lost Highway,

14:56 - You give love a bad name,

20:10 - It's My Life,

26:32 - Hallelujah,

32:50 - Till we ain't strangers anymore,

38:22 - You want to (make a memory),

42:48 - Closing.

To compliment this acoustic gem, I suggest trying a 2012 Domaine Magellan Vin de Pays  de L’Herault Grenache Blanc/Roussanne ($16.00). I bought it on line from Moore Brothers and it’s a perfect match for the music. The color is like gold-tinted Granny apple green with aromas of lime, pineapple, and, of course, green apples. The palate follows the nose with a bit of honeydew mellon, golden honey and delightful minerality. Perfect for a warm summer night under the stars with one of the premier bands of all time serenading the tensions of the week away. Enjoy!

Cheers!