Frank Gambale & Château Panchille Bordeaux Supérior

Frank Gambale (born 22 December 1958) is an Australian fusion guitarist, known for his sweep picking technique. He’s a graduate of the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood and taught there between 1984 and 1986. He started out on the jazz club circuit then recorded his first album, “Brave New Guitar” in 1985. That same year he was invited to tour with Jean Luc Ponty and following the tour, began a six-year stint with Chick Corea’s Elektric band. He recorded five albums with them and shared a Grammy. He’s played with numerous musical greats including bassist Alain Caron, drummers Steve Smith and Billy Cobham, and key board player Tom Coster (formerly with Santana).

He also had a really cool collaboration with Smith and bassist Stu Hamm that should not be missed. Don’t miss the two acoustic numbers with Alain Caron, the links for which I’ve provided below. Just a bit of a comic aside, Gambale looks remarkably like Uncle Festus in the old Adam’s Family TV show in the two acoustic numbers. Many of you may be too young to remember it, but it was one of my favorites.

To help you unwind without having to switch back and forth between videos, the last link is a one hour reunion concert with Return To Forever featuring Gambale, Corea, Ponty on electric violin, Lenny White on drums, and Stanley Clark on bass. Have a good weekend.

6.8 Shaker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXp7pgxUu2E

Yang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X48DXt8Jn7M

High 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjyqMZKeaPM

Got a match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLC5k0DbWQM

Little Charmer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g82ojCrkiLk

Acoustic Improvisation (Alain Caron on bass): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmJn0Ga6Krs

Samba di Somewhere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp7sLaq64g4

D-Code: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2rKGbausl0

Natural High Trio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNh_IQFXtEs

Stratus (with Billy Cobham): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF64qcwReMI

Felicidad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzwd_a5W1lo

Beyond the bridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAu8ZyfVvPc

The Italian Job: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aliCTM7lss

Return to Forever IV (Corea, Ponty, Clarke, & Gambale): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoOYWPkSaf4

My wife and I decided to open a good bottle of wine for the 4^th of July (instead of quaffing from a wine box), so, knowing she likes the heavier reds, I opened my last bottle of the 2009 Château Panchille Bordeaux Supérior ($15.00). The wine is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. I used a Vinturi aerator because it was a last minute decision and I recommend letting any French red breathe for a bit before imbibing. The first think you notice is its deep purple color, followed by heavenly aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and chocolate. It’s a concentrated wine with flavors of blackberry, cassis, and that touch of chocolate. The tannins were smooth, and the mouth feel rich. The finish lingers for a long a long time. I only wish this wasn’t my last bottle. Wonderful for sitting on the deck watching my neighbors blow up their money with thousands of dollars in fireworks. Goes great with Frank’s music, too.

Cheers!

John McLaughlin & Chateau La Tour De Bessan Margaux

Today I’m going back to one of my all time favorite guitarist, John McLaughlin. I discovered his music at the tender age of 18 and really fell head over heels for it when I heard the Mahavishnu Orchestra, a group that featured Chicago rock violinist Jerry Goodman, Billy Cobham on drums, and Rick Laird on bass. McLaughlin writes and plays some of the most complex music I’ve ever tried to play. His blistering arpeggios are jawdropping. In fact, I saw them in concert with Frank Zappa, and I was close enough to the stage that I could see McLaughlin put some kind of oil on his fingers, probably to keep them from burning up with the friction off the strings.

Although his electric work is amazing, I am most attracted to his acoustic pieces. His duets with Paco de Lucia and Al DiMeola are legendary. McLaughlin also has a knack for discovering budding young bass guitar virtuoso’s like Dominic Di Piazza, Kai Eckhardt, and Jonas Hellborg as well as the most brilliant percussionist in the world, Trilok Gurtu. He gets his “bass kids” when their barely out of the teens, lets them hone their skills with him for a year or two then turns them loose. You’ll see the proof in the videos below. Enjoy!

With Paco de Lucia:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1IJcmxOa2k

Meeting of the Spirits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot5eXqhRs9I

With Dominic di Piazza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qst0kTzfW8w

With Jonas Hellborg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhdZDrjwE6I

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat with Jonas Hellborg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSybXLofaDM

Pacific Express with Jonas Hellborg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asNcg5YOtIw

With Kai Eckhard & Trilok Gurtu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7w8njCYZ9s

John McLaughlin calls for elegance, and I’ve got just the wine. The 2010 Chateau La Tour De Bessan Margaux ($22.00) is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine has a nose full of dark berries and cassis. If you've never had French Bordeaux, you'll find the taste is quite distinct from the big bold Cabernet’s from California. It’s rather subtle, very dry, and, for lack of a better word, classy. The wine evolves in the glass exhibiting complex flavors of blackberries, currents, and spices. It’s a smooth finisher and an excellent wine for sipping as I lament the fact that it’s mid-April and snowing…again.  I guess I’ll turn on the fireplace, listen to some blistering guitar and bass and work on a National Cancer Institute grant that I’m writing. Hope it’s warm wherever you are.

Cheers!

Alain Caron & Chateau La Tour de Bessan Margaux

I’m going to take a break from the blues and move to something equally near and dear to my heart, namely great bass playing. Alain Caron is a French Canadian jazz bassist who first picked up the instrument at the age of 11. Three years later, he discovered jazz and was hooked on the genre. He started out as a self-taught musician, learning primarily through correspondence courses, but later attended the Berklee School of Music. He returned to Montreal, joining the group UZEB and focused on “jazz-fusion with a melody.” UZEB released 10 albums and toured internationally until 1993 when Caron went solo and released the first of seven solo albums. More recently, in 2007, the University of Quebec bestowed an honorary doctoral degree on him, and he is the only musician to ever receive the honor. He was ranked the No.1 bass player for 10 straight years by the magazine The Jazz Report. Most importantly, he’s one of my favorites.

  

Slam the clown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkOYGlI-zoo

Turkey loose on the kit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5uin7Clzs4 

1-4-U: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ8jzp1WbU0

D-Code: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2rKGbausl0

Uzeb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY6Fgda55NQ

Pole position: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT7mXkW1qx8

Freedom Jazz Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8DHbv1i2ug

All blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8Qd6yWPWhQ

I.C.U.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaqSo154uN0

Little Miss Match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vDKMkpz6z0

Devil Shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhhBsph3Ikk

No Way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqbIjrdMoo4

Fat Cat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHYqu9fzZsI

Flight of the beebop bee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwiM7mbLz_k

Sitting here watching a spring blizzard from my home office window made me think I need a hefty wine for the evening. So I recommend a fantastic bargain, if you can find it. I bought the 2009 Chateau La Tour de Bessan Margaux ($19.00) from PJ’s wine (www.pjwine.com). It has wonderful aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and violets. The taste is full of dark berries, crème de cassis, and a bit of peppery spice. The tannins don’t overpower (a characteristic I prefer) and slide smoothly into a long finish. I like this wine so much, I think I’m going to open a bottle this afternoon and sit by the fire proofreading my latest novel while I listen to the music of a fantastic bassist. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Acoustic Blues Mix &Chateau Panchille Bordeaux Superior

Hump day’s past and I’ve got some tasty acoustic blues to help you get through the rest of the week. These are some, but not nearly all of my favorite artists. If you like pure acoustic guitar blues, you’re gonna love this set. Downhill to the weekend!

Eric Bibb

Destiny Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giWcm0fp0rk&feature=related

Don’t let nobody drag your spirit down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEUNeMXiQI

Keb Mo

Dirty, lowdown, and bad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSEz8A0EnXs

Hand it over: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiDjkajIPkQ

Rollin & tumbling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSoLqo_mM_w

Suitcase: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEnqOjSvyvk&feature=related

Rory Block

Crossroad Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTUoV67M60

Stand by me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKYfFnqC3Y

If I possession over judgment day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV43q_XZCPY

Alvin Youngblood Hart

Illinois Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nhk2GJAfvg

Pony Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf3HJvLALR0

Guy Davis

Saturday Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYONhrGinhw

Matchbox Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_q1x9FcOpQ

Martin simpson

Walkin Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHY74AjKRjI

Highway 61: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V65fRKYJ90E&feature=relmfu

Chris Smither

Train Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipfZ7QGjZL8

Jailhouse Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYO9LrQokic

Statesboro Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igMOZuh99bs

Kelly Joe Phelps

Hellhound on my trail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clnMRT-VK74&feature=related

Go there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmut5WhT3cI

Spit me out of the whale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGj4wK1RkUQ

Tommy Emmanuel

Guitar Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QXQUHsOgbo&feature=related

Stevie’s blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h3ePiTlitI&feature=related

Workin man blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vAsLPi9v7E

With this kind of music, we need a robust red, so I suggest a 2009 Chateau Panchille Bordeaux Superior. The wine is inky purple in the glass with ruby highlights as you swirl the glass and hold it up to the light. Let it breath for two hours and you’ll be rewarded with explosive red and black fruit aromas, complimented by a bit of dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is a wonderfully concentrated mixture of black fruit and cocoa, echoing the nose. The tannins are velvety smooth and give rise to a long-lived finish. Great night to fire up the deck fire pit, watch the moon and stars, and enjoy some of the best acoustic blues guitarists out there.

Cheers!

Bruce Cockburn & Château Cadillac Cuvée du Pin Franc

Bruce Cockburn, born May 27, 1945, is one of the finest folk singer/guitarists of the modern day. His style ranges from jazz to rock to folk and is infused with poignant lyrics that harken back to the days of protests against the Viet Nam war. But he pushes the concept farther to protest the stupidity of any war.   

Raised as an agnostic, Bruce became a devout Christian early in his career and many of his recordings from the 70s refer to his Christian beliefs, which forms the core of his concerns for human rights and environmentalism expressed in his later works. Through the 1980s Cockburn's songwriting became more urban, more global, and then more political; he became heavily involved with progressive causes. These concerns became more evident in 1984, with Cockburn's US radio hit, “If I Had a Rocket Launcher.” He wrote the song a year earlier following a visit to Guatemalan refugee camps in Mexico that were attacked by Guatemalan Helicopter gunships.

More recently, Bruce added two more awards, contemporary album of the year and solo artist of the year, to his long list of honors. And lastly, for you guitar buffs, Bruce plays acoustic guitars custom made by fellow Canadian Linda Manzer.

Pacing the cage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAcqr3MYMmM

The last night of the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02TUsZzF6es

If I had a rocket launcher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOjHior0RfU&feature=related

Lovers in a dangerous time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKjgJ3oLJqE&feature=related

Iris of the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XCw4juhAdI&feature=related

Call it democracy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68zccrskOqQ

After the rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ8X8YvKLAY&feature=related

Incandescent blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URRkJv2RY_E&feature=related

Wondering where the lions are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL4CdHd9ma4

Night train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvPYnYup47I&feature=related

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

Maybe the poet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcUiOADXfsI&feature=related

Drive away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGQL21dIUAA&feature=related

Château Cadillac has become one of my favorite Bordeaux Supérieur producers. The estate crafts excellent-quality wines for the price, but its 2009 vintage stands out as one of its recent best. This wine has an abundance of fruit and spice and the perfect balance of concentration and complexity. Unfortunately, it’s not often found in the U.S., but check on line as I did/do.

Cadillac's wines are Merlot driven, 70 percent in this case, with smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon (28 percent) and Cabernet Franc (2 percent) rounding out the blend. Given the spectacular 2009 vintage, the fruit was more complex and intense than usual, allowing winemaker Patrick Soye to use a higher percentage of new oak barrels for this wine, providing great spice and long, gorgeous length.

While its price ($16.00) may imply that it's a Tuesday-evening sipper, this Bordeaux is really much more. Pair this at your next dinner party with steak or duck, gift it to a good friend and certainly park a few bottles in your cellar for savoring later.

The 2009 Château Cadillac Cuvée du Pin Franc is a dark brick-red, with an intense, spicy nose of plum, cherry, boysenberry, anise and earth. It’s a medium-bodied wine, soft on the palate, with round, berry-fruit flavors complemented by vanilla, cocoa and a touch of oak. Soft, silky tannins lead to a smooth, round finish on black cherry flavors. It’s a great choice for kicking back on the weekend with the music of Bruce Cockburn.

Cheers!