Michael ackson Tribute & Ken Wright Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Having a really bad day today. Big disappointment at work. My company put me in a compromising situation and I have to deal with some difficult decisions. So, I think tonight, I’m going to offer an assortment of guitarists playing the music of Michael Jackson. His music really lends itself to translation on the guitar and the players I’ve listed below are geniuses at the art. Gareth Pearson is my favorite young guitarist. I’d suggest downloading his music at CandyRat.com. And of course, Adam Rafferty is phenomenal, but don't miss the guitarist playing Black & White. Amazing! The music is kind of a pick me up, for me, at least, and I find it easier to think through decisions listening to it, especially with a glass of Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir…or maybe the whole bottle. Enjoy!

Gareth Pearson

Billie Jean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e64DJemlUec&feature=relmfu

Thriller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhzisgnORT0

Khan Manuel

Man in the mirror: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiWFzBJsLeA

Adam Rafferty

Rock with you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWz9y9k7DIo

The way you make me feel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T10El7IG1VE&feature=relmfu

Off the wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP0T7-M_wWM

I want you back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x6GhwQjvo0&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL0EDBFD34E63F0BAC

ABC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aYrcpSrYhE&feature=relmfu

Igor Presnyakov:

Smooth criminal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYsNPCfmyKo

SamboRay Jr

Black or White: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rw_AT_Flno

Sungha Jung

They don’t care about us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJFzwHlf3ls

Don’t stop till you get enough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7GdENQRt1Y&feature=relmfu

Orianthi

Stranger in Moscow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6UzGG_fxWU

Jennifer Batten

Michael Jackson Tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4UNf3407Q4&feature=related

The 2009 Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($25.00) is one of my favorites from Oregon. It’s a blend from nine different Willamette Valley vineyards. It truly embodies everything I love about Oregon Pinot Noir. It’s bright red in color with a bouquet filled with cherries and wild flowers. It’s bursting with flavors of tart cherry, vanilla, and a touch of baking spice and mild tannins followed by a long, lingering finish. It’s a great wine for stimulating the neural synapses when I want to think. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Gareth Pearson & Chateau Maine-Pascaud

For Gareth Pearson, it all started just before Christmas 2002, when, bored and sitting at home, he put on one of his Dad’s videos of Tommy Emmanuel performing Classical Gas. From that moment, he knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up. Tommy changed his life.

The first tune Gareth learned to play was Tommy’s version of Windy and Warm and in March 2004, Gareth finally got to meet Tommy and talk with him back stage before a concert. Tommy had him play for him then advised him on what he should do to be a better player. He’s stuck to his advice.

Gareth is now considered a virtuoso in the field of finger style guitar, even though he’s barely out of his teens. He has a distinctive style to his playing that has earned him accolades from world-renowned players. Jan Akkerman has called him a genius, and his idol, Tommy Emmanuel, was inspired to write a song about him, which he named The Welsh Tornado.

In less than five years, he has grown into a full-fledged professional who now performs in many parts of the World. With influences such as Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, and of course, Tommy Emmanuel, Gareth’s arsenal of styles runs a broad gamut, even if you can’t see his fingers move as they dance across the strings with amazing fluidity. Don’t miss his arrangement of “Billie Jean.” It’s the best I’ve ever heard. I think you’ll like him. Enjoy!

Beauty of Discipline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNKs6fU7X6g

Billie Jean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e64DJemlUec&feature=relmfu

Adrenaline Rush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4L6Iz7VQt8&feature=relmfu

Paranoid Android: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiC35isSciM&feature=relmfu

Buddy Holly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s_nA2orgms

Chinese Whispers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxYOUKWaVr8

The Claw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uithq_Vy5T0

Little Bit of Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNRAj0DVXo4&feature=related

Blue Smoke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I46zwqmGn0E&feature=related

5 Hour Shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dDxUaKJIbY&feature=related

Little Rogue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2-4Gx0hzXc&feature=related

Such Great Heights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NoNc8840tw&feature=related

Time to Pretend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koT9hnzXcp4&feature=related

Family Guy theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hu-UM2GNzw&feature=related

I Want You Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQqunj7Vad8&feature=related

It’s a beautiful autumn day today. There’s crispness in the air and brilliantly colored leaves cover my deck, so I’m going to feature a European wine, more specifically one from France. The 2007 Chateau Maine-Pascaud ($16.00) is 50% Merlot 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Cabernet Franc. It’s very reasonably priced and a good value. Its color is deep ruby with a bouquet of blackberry, cherry, and wild flowers. Its palate is full of dark berry, cassis, and a touch of vanilla. It has a big mouth feel for a wine at this price. So, welcome fall with a bottle of Chateau Maine-Pascaud and the music of a phenomenal young guitarist. Enjoy!

Cheers!