Dylan Ryche & Dierberg Three Saints "Steak House" proprietary red

Something about Canada seems to draw amazing acoustic guitarists. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s so stinkin cold during the long winters that there’s nothing else to do but sit in front of a fireplace and practice. Interestingly, Dylan Ryche is originally from toasty warm Melbourne, Australia.  Growing up in the 80’s the big hooks of rock n’ roll prompted him to take some guitar lessons and learn a host of Poison, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, and Bad English riffs. He had a dream of one day becoming a longhaired, tattooed, hard rock shred guitar superstar and felt more of a connection to the music of Yes, Queen, and Kiss than the popular music of the day. However, he became attracted to the solo acoustic guitar playing of Yes guitarist Steve Howe, which led him to pick up a Tommy Emmanuel book and study the acoustic guitar more seriously. But it wasn’t until he heard Don Ross’ “Klimbim” that he realized the full potential of solo acoustic guitar playing.

He relocated to Canada (brrr!) and released his first fingerstyle record entitled Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar in 2011. In 2012 he won the Canadian Fingerstyle Fingerpicking Competition held annually at the Canadian Guitar Festival. He teaches guitar via Skype lessons (he’s open for students right now) and is a regular columnist for Fingerstyle 360 magazine. The first two songs below are the compositions he played at the Canadian Fingerstyle competition. Hope you enjoy his music.

Mulberry Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hmJjhvc8gA

A thank you in fives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIDJXaB1EaM

I love my life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H30gBiEm8kQ

Platypus in sheep’s clothing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkDIRF5cclI

Toronto sky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWMTsvT7QKg

Believe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF-ILQPUZlA

A new leaf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNZ3dfvtiOc

Let me count the ways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y4lWBmLWKU

Smoke signals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdsyrgaJLKE

The rollercoaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dky5lb2UFrY

Space dye vest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C6zbACGGU4

The fate of comets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6feCHtRxNA

The wine I suggest to pair with Dylan is something of a conundrum. The story goes that back in 2011 a prominent steakhouse chain requested wine samples from the top California Cabernet Sauvignon producers with the intent of marketing their own special house wine. Dierberg Vineyards was selected and the buyer in charge committed to a few thousand cases. Unfortunately, three months into the program, the buyer left for another job, leaving Dierberg without a buyer.

Enter WineAccess. I bought a case of Dierberg’s “Steak House” proprietary red ($144.00 or $12.00/bottle) from then during their special offering and I’m immensely pleased that I did. The wine is a blend of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (64%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Merlot (13%), Malbec (7%), and Petit Verdot (1%). It’s bright ruby red with aromas of tart cherries and black raspberries with flavors that follow the nose. It’s medium-bodied, supple, and has a vibrant finish. You can find it online, but it’ll run you about $20.00 a bottle, still an excellent value. It’s a perfect compliment to Dylan’s music.

Cheers!

Robbie McIntosh & Arietta's Quartet

Robbie McIntosh (born October 25, 1957), is an English guitarist who started out as a session guitarist and member of the Pretenders from 1982 to 1987. In 1988, he joined Paul McCartney’s band and was a featured guitarist until 1994. More recently he worked as a sideman with John Mayer as well as touring with his own band, the Robbie McIntosh Band.

He started playing guitar at the age of ten and his early influences were the Beatles, the Stones, the Spencer Davis Group, the Kinks, and Jimi Hendrix. Later, his father’s influence exposed him to Django Reinhardt and other jazz greats. He joined the Pretenders in 1982 and took a short detour in 1985 to play on Roger Daltrey’s sixth solo album, “Under a Raging Moon.”

He was the featured guitarist with McCartney’s band and recorded on his albums from 1989 to 1993. In 2004, he toured with Nora Jones then joined John Mayer’s tours from 2006 through 2010. He is one of the premier slide guitarists and a favorite of mine. I think you’re going to like him.

Best of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkW9Q6lXJ9k

I saw three ships: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31uz8lkLLBY

Demo #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxA1Id09SXY

Stone Cold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf621Zd2rpc

Dueling with Derek Trucks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g2-8lAjubk

Talking guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ReEBOTrpwI

Robbie’s bit with Paul McCartney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BORQTtjscTg

Blues Slide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuSjelpUj9Y

Medley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIft1yp29H4

Biodegradable man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHysjOEkbV4

Off the ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eqqKxZ1jXE

Pick up the pieces: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdTTnh4vJlc

Coffee cup with Scott McKeon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJSxgGheVL0

Hang me on the line: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ML1EL8YVT8

I’m in San Francisco this week on a consulting gig and at dinner with the research team, one of the wines we sample was Arietta’s “Quartet”, a superb blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Now, this wine is outside of my usual price range (~$60.00), but I thought since it was such a wonderful wine, I’d review it anyway. Besides, it didn’t cost me a thing.

The wine is deep garnet with aromas of blackberries, mocha, pepper, and coffee. The palate is full of dark fruit, cassis, and chocolate. It’s a very smooth wine with mild tannins and a touch of oak. Very nice, as you’d expect for the price, but then again, if someone else is buying, it’s a great choice.

Cheers!

Dominic Miller & Newton Red Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Dominic Miller is a little known, but fabulous Argentine-born English guitarist who has played on every Sting album and tour since 1990. In fact, he’s co-written many of Sting’s songs, including “Shape of My Heart.”

He was born March 21^st, 1960 and lived in Argentina for the first ten years of his life. His family moved to Wisconsin for two years then settled in London. He comes from a musical family and became a serious guitarist by the age of eleven. He has studied at London’s Guildhall School of Music as well as Boston’s Berklee College of Music.

His influences are diverse ranging from classical guitarist John Williams to Lindsey Buckingham to the late Jerry Garcia. If you didn’t know about him before this blog entry, I recommend you download some of his work with Sting as well as his solo stuff. He’s gem.

Rush hour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ovO9Feykc

Fragile/Bring on the night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eNYBFIzNEU

Shape of my heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqzFcOWPlWc

Gut Feeling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyeCkpAJ__0

Air on a G string: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIeao201JIo

Brand new day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mbqeEXvHb4

Ripped nylon riga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0-dovqisO4

Fields of gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0-FPLiJiQY

Meeting point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3eYohCekIA

Adagio in G minor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFpA_UFk3ok

Catalan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYr-93MlO8c

If only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tFgr4N_-GE

Do you want me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE9YrNMm44s

Lullabye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d57_GJpSv2Q

Scan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peYGJkbYHfg

I suggest trying the 2010 Newton Red Label Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.00 at Costco) as you listen to Dominic’s music. The wine is deep purple in the glass with aromas of blackberries and herbs. The palate follows with more blackberry, cassis, a bit of toasted oak (not overpowering) and tannins that don’t suck in your cheeks. My wife and I think this is one of the best cabs we’ve had in a long time. The price varies, as at my local wine shop it was selling for $26.00, so Costco was definitely a find. And paired with Dominic Miller, it makes for a very nice evening by the fire.

Cheers!

Eric Clapton & Casarena Cabernet Sauvignon

Since I love the blues (duh!), about once a year I feel I have to feature the music of my all time fav guitarist, Eric Clapton. No, he’s not God, but I believe even God loves his music. From his early days with the Yardbirds and Bluesbreakers to his solo  work, both electric and acoustic, he is like a bottle of fine French Burgundy that just keeps getting better with age. The first numbers below are electric while the last few are acoustic. All blues, what else would you expect from the blues meister? Enjoy!

Every day I have the blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnjSQGKuarM

Groaning the blues:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxTWQD91b5c

Have you ever loved a woman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VukiMyI45sA&feature=related

Driftin blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4yI-F0Dz8

Double Trouble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugB2PGnlvTw&feature=related

Ain’t gonna give up on love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGPQ_YPDbU&feature=related

Hold on:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6fljxCXuh0&feature=related

Same old blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA-0BbHeRS8&feature=related

Outside woman blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oarej9z--E

Stones in my passway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UH6co6Va3g&feature=related

Ramblin on my mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8FyHMI8W4A&feature=related

Key to the highway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oei5PTADpPM&feature=related

Before you accuse me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31zuGwu3Jxc&feature=related

Can’t afford that fine French Burgundy that goes for more than $500.00 a bottle on average, but I can recommend a really nice, affordable 2010 Casarena Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza. The wine is deep ruby color with a bouquet of blackberries and dark chocolate. The taste is a mouthful of blackberries and cassis with a hint of chocolate, mocha, and just a touch of sweetness. It finishes long and spicy with smooth tannins. At $15.00 a bottle, I don’t think you’ll find a better bargain. So uncork a bottle and hit the deck to enjoy one of the premier blues guitarists of all time, Mr. Eric Clapton.

Cheers!

Alain Caron & Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

I feels like this week just keeps dragging on and on, so who better to kick us through the last two days of the week than one of my favorite bassists, namely the Canadian Alain Caron. Alain’s career took off when he won an amateur music contest at the age of 11. At the age of 14 he discovered jazz, the musical style that became his passion in life.

In 1977, he began playing with a group of musicians who eventually formed the super fusion band UZEB. The group called Montreal its home and Alain began doing side work as a studio musician and jamming in jazz clubs when the group was idle. Eventually, this self-taught musician found his way to Boston’s Berklee School of Music where he performed nightly with the likes of David Kikovsky, Tom Harrell, Sal Nestico, Frank Tiberi, Jerry Bergonzi, and Bob Moses.

He returned to Montreal to focus mainly on UZEB as the group gradually evolved into a more mature band, playing sophisticated fusion. Between 1981 and 1990 UZEB recorded ten albums and sold over 400,000 copies, performing concerts in more than 20 countries.

Caron has toured with Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Tiger Okoshi, Billy Cobham, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Dennis Chambers, Alex Acuna, Don Alias and Gino Vannelli performing concerts in more than 30 countries

In 2007 The University of Quebec, awarded him an honorary doctorate and he is the only musician to have ever received this honor. As of today, Alain has released more than 20 records, solo or with the group UZEB as well as 25 recordings with collaborators or as a guest artist. He was ranked Best Bass player for 10 years in the row by magazine The Jazz Report. I could go on and on, but I think his music says it all. Enjoy!

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

No left turn on Tuesday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Vbc4MOsq0&feature=related

Signal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mhfXJp-y4&feature=related

Slam the clown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bu8TVgRJtk&feature=related

D-Code: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL1Vc5-YHh4&feature=related

Solitude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ZuraldENM&feature=related

Trouble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxwU0T52aY4&feature=related

Feel the bass day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR-oOUFWzxE&feature=related

Grand Café: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92j-4PSjd6g&feature=related

Cross Checking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4c_BlnZHVg&feature=related

The Bump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-XoF9P9Cm4&feature=related

Donna Lee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4Z1JFUX-g&feature=related

I’m pairing Alain with a 2009 Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Napa Valley. Chad makes spectacular Cab’s and this one is especially good. The deep purple wine explodes with a bouquet of raspberry and boysenberry. It’s dense on the attack with lots of purple fruit, cassis, and supple tannins.  I bought a case of it thinking it would last through the winter. It won’t. It’s a wonderful pick-me-up for a dreary week, especially paired with the music of Alain Caron. Enjoy!

Cheers!