Kelly Valleau & Earthquake Petite Sirah

Kelly Valleau is one of my favorite guitarist not only because of his technical prowess, but because he has a unique ability to translate rock classics to solo fingerstyle guitar. He started playing electric guitar at the age of 15 and made his first Indie CD at the age of 21. His early influences were David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Tommy Iommi, Randy Rhoads, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett.

About ten years ago, he hung up his electric guitar and devoted much of his time to traditional classical guitar studies. Much of his early acoustic work was very classical/Spanish. Then in 2006 he attended the Canadian Guitar Festival and the performances by Don Ross and others grabbed his attention. He moved into the contemporary acoustic world incorporating percussive techniques into his music, although his tunings are still standard. He’s also moved from playing classical nylon stringed guitars to steel string, which he finds a more moving instrument.

The selections I’ve included below reflect his more recent ventures. So sit back and enjoy one of the premier solo acoustic guitarists on the scene today.

Fused: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1XdxZqqZQ0

Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBKXkKQf_nQ

Anubis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuPjRyrKenE

The Unforgiven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6imqOqVsn8

Sultans of Swing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI8tvq_b2vQ

Message in a bottle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4kxOoJ2xi8

Sweet Home Alabama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KagFJDhtUA

Cthulhu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_sIAEPOYME

Stremnaya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82rqhR1-xqg

Heart-shaped Box: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ur0WqqqeUI

Mad World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJXJX2EzK4

Smooth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmBfmtyLG78

The A Team: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu9BWJ-rzas

I’m pairing Kelly with a 2009 Michael David Earthquake Petite Sirah that I bought on sale for $23.00. Michael David Winery makes some of my favorites that include Petite Petite Sirah and Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel. Earthquake is the reserve level wines from the vineyard. There’s a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon blended into the wine that gives it a mouthwatering palate of blackberries, chocolate, coffee, and Christmas spices. Same goes for the aromas. It finishes strong, but beware, this one’s 15% alcohol, so don’t plan on driving. Then again, with Kelly’s music, why would you want to go anywhere. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Kelly Valleau & Monte Antico Toscana

The Great White North, aka Canada, seems to be a breeding ground for fantastic acoustic guitarists. Of course, when the temperature drops below zero Fahrenheit and the snow is measured in feet during the winters, I guess you have a lot of time to practice. So, tonight I’m featuring someone with a unique approach to classical guitar and one of my favorites, namely Kelly Valleau.  Kelly started playing electric guitar at the age of 15 and made his first Indie CD at the age of 21. He was playing professionally at the age of 22, but a few years back he did something very odd, at least for a rock guitarist. He hung up the electric, took up a classical nylon-stringed guitar, and entered the Canadian Fingerstyle Championships where, much to his surprise, he placed second.

While he excels on classical compositions, his uniqueness arises from his ability to translate rock classics onto the classical guitar. That probably stems from his early guitar influences that included David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Tommy Iommi, Randy Rhoads, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett. He fuses those sounds with his later influences that include Agustin Barrios, Beethoven,, J.K. Mertz, and Roland Dyens to create a unique style and sound, and one that I love. I think you’re gonna like him. Enjoy!

Tears for Fear’s Mad World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJXJX2EzK4&feature=related

Mason William’s Classical Gas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7pdDRZaUWc&feature=related

Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gInwUzAOxj8  

Metallica’s The Unforgiven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfsHNbhlCXA

Requiem: classical style; nice use of harmonics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JONge97uH2o  

Kansas’ Dust in the Wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlD6oVNmDLA&feature=related

Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUpfEMQpi-k&feature=related

Beethoven’s Für Elise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpxFIDerL28&feature=related

Radiohead’s Kharma Police: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kiMsxLrEvo&feature=related

Owl City’s Fireflies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jxakXPNIHI&feature=related

Supertramp’s The Logical Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZPPCYnNJ98&feature=related

Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgrG4bu2JeQ&feature=related

Coldplay’s The Scientist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sLH1MeXnUY&feature=related

Aerosmith’s Dream On: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aGbcbEstPw&feature=related

Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVTwe85mFNE&feature=related

Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sni0J8xXec&feature=related

Blackeyed Peas’ I Gotta Feelin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjnzBcbwNVg&feature=related

Kelly Valleau calls for a classic wine, so I suggest a 2006 Monte Antico Toscana ($11.00). This wine was #61 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009 and at $11.00 a bottle, it’s an icredible value. The wine is a blend of 75% Sanviovese, 15% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon derived from vines that are at least 25 years old.  Dark fruit aromas lead to a taste of plums, black raspberries, and nice acidity, all for eleven bucks! Grab a bottle, sit on the deck and imagine yourself on the hills of Tuscany listening to the music of a marvelous classical (?) guitarist. Enjoy!

Cheers!