Alex Hutchings & 2012 Eroica Riesling

UK based guitarist and composer Alex Hutchings has extensive experience in playing rock, funk jazz and R'n'B and has toured throughout the UK, Europe and South Africa. He also composes music for BBC TV and radio, working on programs such as Big Brother and Brainiac.

Alex Hutchings is described as a guitarist possessing an immaculate technique that places him in a different league to his contemporaries. His playing has an authenticity and passion that is similar to that of Larry Carlton. He’s has played in many top venues in and around the country, as well as festivals and clubs abroad. Some of these include the Sha la la music Club Cypress, Austrian festivals, Cannes Film France, Gibraltar Tri-centenary events as well as the Green Dolphin club (South Africa) and the coco blues club (Thailand).

In 2004 Alex co wrote the smash hit theme from the Brainiac series now in its fourth series, as well as being released on various DVD's. 2005/6 saw Alex perform live on various radio stations as well as two global TV appearances, and audience figures were in the millions.

He’s a heck of a Jazz-Fusion guitarist and I hope you enjoy his music..

Cantelope Island: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNRqs5jGr7k

Just cruising: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZGjMPiKjlg

To cry from joy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nJYZSrufjM

Eight String Jam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAQ0HXAEAxk

Sophisticated blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO1ZfK8NzOs

Room 335 with Jess Lewis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRTD12fl6Mo

Night train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19zfs3-5GrE

Funky strut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M7rJjPQJP4

Timeless journey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxxbufWqydk 

Feelin fine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pznzcvh_XYA

Ice cold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et5EwhNWoO0

It’s all good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMFC7TI9Ujw

Rock and a hard place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKh7uPXCdP0

Happy as Larry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I0kjUWJaII

In my opinion one of the top Rieslings in the U.S. is Chateau St. Michelle’s Eroica, born of a collaboration between Gemany’s Dr. Loosen and Chateau St. Michelle vinters in Washington. The 2012 Riesling Eroica offers up aromas and flavors of star fruit, citrus rind, green apple and solid minerality on the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, off-dry through the mid-palate and clean and fresh on the finish. It’s a delicious, textbook Riesling that’s downright seductive with nuanced flavors of crisp baking apple, mineral, and a touch of cinnamon, with notes of lemon verbena and bay leaf. Great wine and a great guitarist. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Jimi Hendrix & Eroica Riesling

A couple of days ago, I was listening to Jimi Hendrix playing “Who Knows” and realized I’ve never done a full review of him and his music, so tonight, I’m rectifying that omission. He was born Johnny Allen Hendrix (later changed to James Marshall) on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. He learned to play guitar as a teenager and grew up to become a rock guitar legend.

Hendrix had a difficult childhood, sometimes living in the care of relatives and family friends. 

His mother, Lucille, was only 17 years old when Jimi was born. She had a stormy relationship with his father, Al, and eventually left the family after the couple had two more children together, sons Leon and Joseph. Hendrix would only see his mother sporadically before her death in 1958.

Music was a sanctuary for him. He was a fan of the blues and taught himself to play guitar. He got his first electric guitar at the age of 15 and eventually played with two bands - the Rocking Kings and the Tomcats. Struggling in school, but excelling in music, Hendrix dropped out of high school in 1959. He worked odd jobs while continuing to follow his musical aspirations.

 In1961 he enlisted in the army and trained at Fort Ord in California to become a paratrooper. Even as a soldier, he found time for music, creating a band named The King Casuals. Hendrix served in the army until 1962 when he was discharged due to an injury. 

After leaving the military, Hendrix pursued his music, working as a session musician and playing backup for such performers as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, and the Isley Brothers. He also formed a group of his own called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, which played gigs around New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood.

In mid-1966, Hendrix was discovered by Chas Chandler, a former member of the Animals, who became his manager. Chandler convinced Hendrix to go to London where he joined forces with musicians Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell to create The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The band continued to tour until it split up in 1969.
 That same year, Hendrix performed at the Woodstock Festival where his rock rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was one of the high points of the festival.

After disbanding the Experience, Hendrix tried his luck with another group, forming Band of Gypsys in late 1969 with his army buddy Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles. The band never really took off, and Hendrix began working on a new album tentatively named First Rays of the New Rising Sun, with Cox and Mitch Mitchell from the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Unfortunately Hendrix didn’t live to complete the project. He died on September 18th, 1970, from drug-related complications. He was only 27 years old at the time of his passing, but left his mark on the music world as his songs are considered required material for any guitarist worth his salt.

Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AuxJH2Mj30

Purple Haze: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OJqYCgl1z0&feature=related

Hear my train a comin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX0V9UlwuLM&feature=related

Who knows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1714By_5xk&feature=relmfu

Machine gun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9AaQQbvT4M&feature=related

Red House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weBioUKEnGc&feature=related

Izabella: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcyPmOF4BMA&feature=related

Voodoo Child: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC-bm5MHYUM&feature=related

Wild Thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB31q-Ap-RE&feature=related

Hey Joe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6z4qSdtkWc&feature=related

Hear my train a comin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaJefMdAyAc

1969 Concert, Stockholm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeZ9OOAe1Ho&feature=related

Actually had some decent weather this weekend with temps in the 80’s during the day and 60s at night. Great weather for a summer wine like an Eroica Riesling ($18.00 at Costco) that originates from a partnership between Dr. Loosen of Mosel, Germany and Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington State. It’s one of my favorites. Light straw-colored, with a beautiful floral and honeysuckle bouquet, followed by crisp flavors of melon, peach, and pineapple. It has excellent balance, and a long, pure, refreshing finish. Not too sweet, but rather semi-dry and it’s a wonderful accompaniment to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Enjoy!

Cheers!