Electric Blues Guitar Mix & a nice summer wine from Trader Joe's

It is stinking hot here in Lincoln. Temperatures are 100+ with the kind of humidity that makes you feel like a self-basting turkey. So, since I did an acoustic guitar mix last week, I think tonight we’ll go electric focusing on some of my all time favorite guitar songs, including a couple from up-and-comers Andrew Winton and Davy Knowles. David Gilmore plays THE most tasteful leads I’ve ever heard. Eric Clapton is peerless at the blues. When I saw Albert Lee doing “I’m going Home” in concert, I was blown away. I’ve chosen some of Jimmy Page’s more bluesy numbers with the exception of Stairway, which if you’re a guitarist and can’t play it, then you’re really not a guitarist. Went with more blues from Jeff Beck and Johnny Winter. Is there a trend here? Hmm, might as well complete the trend with a little Larry Carlton, Robben Ford and Eric Johnson. Enjoy!

David Gilmore/Pink Floyd

Another Brick in the Wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZbM_MIz4RM

4.52 Comfortably Numb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ohZFToI-os

Eric Clapton

Crossroads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_aw0Mu0Wus

Sunshine of your love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwDo0JUeKqM

Albert Lee

I’m going home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFpfureaCVs

Woke up this morning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXjxnaH8Yk&feature=related  

Jimmy Page

Since I been loving you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZEwimJ3GZE

Dazed and Confused: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94IE0J6L-FU

Stairway to Heaven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcL---4xQYA&feature=related

Jeff Beck

Drown in my own tears:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reuK2msTzec

Superstitious:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyyhm1D7zlI&feature=related

Johnny winter

Be careful with a fool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tyg5SJDpiQ

Dust my broom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIpmUroL2D4

Joe Bonamassa

Blues Deluxe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn09Xn9JF5s

Acoustic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRxqYoZiYPU&feature=related

Stevie Ray Vaughn

Crossfire:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsHXd4rQnW0

Superstitious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX-GJ46kiCo&feature=related

Eric Johnson

Cliffs of Dover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15eu7ar5EKM

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sb8WpmDVcM&feature=related

Larry Carlton

Larry’s blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKgniw1Rmho&feature=related

Don’t give up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a23R6DYXWQI

Robben Ford

Start it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIi0GF6K3yE

Little red rooster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuAGtJItvHI 

Andrew Winton

Numbers Down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKnngyCIctA

Pink Palace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THsXXBPERC0&feature=related

Jeff Healy

See the light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H0gvJPwf90&feature=related

Roadhouse blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acD6Yy_FeDk&feature=related

Davy Knowles

Saving myself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swU5og9-UaE

Come home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgYAScGdd9Y&feature=related

Outside woman blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZXLuY6EIic&feature=related

Ain’t no city: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7PtSsbkGdM&feature=related

 Although I am a wine lover, I ain’t no snob. I try to blog about what tastes good and, of course, is affordable. To really put that to the test I want to review a great summer sipper/quaffer, Dr. Beckermann’s Piesporter Michelsberg…from Trader Joe’s. It’s a steal at $6.00. It’s semi-sweet with a floral nose. Honey, apples, and lemon come through on the palate with a slight bit of fizz. Very nice for sipping on a warm summer evening. And as a dining tip, Piesporter Michelsbergs, Rieslings, and Gewurztraminers go great with spicy food. So, while you’re at Trader Joe’s picking up this wine, don’t forget the stuffed jalapenos!

Cheers!

Fourplay & Domaine Corsin Puoilly-Fuisse Vielles

Fourplay is one of my favorite contemporary jazz quartets. Founded in 1991, the original members of the group were Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitars), Nathan East (bass), and Harvey Mason (drums). Ritenour left the group in 1997 and was replaced by Larry Carlton. Carlton played with the group for the next thirteen years and left in 2010. He was replaced by Chuck Loeb, and occasionally Abe Laboriel sits in in place of Nathan East.

Their music, a mix of jazz, pop, and R&B, has appealed to millions and has received several Grammy nominations. Ritenour and Carlton are two of my favorite jazz guitarists, although Carlton plays a mean blues too. Chuck Loeb has a slightly different style from Carlton, more similar to Ritenour, but excellent in every way. Their music is just plain great listening. Hope you enjoy it.

After the dance (Ritenour): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_rbZUanRoo&feature=fvst

Eastbound (Ritenour): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUb_TaUOTaA

Chant (Ritenour): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP9ZRiKxzvI

Wish you were here (Ritenour): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5CI_yoNZd4

Summer Child (Ritenour): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0UPszRKrg&feature=related

Blues 4orce (Carlton): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9K6qwB75os

Double Trouble (Carlton): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MSPbZhcwYQ&feature=related

Max O Man (Carlton): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqW1nTGfZMw&feature=related

Fields of Gold (Carlton): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nixcKTdosSQ&feature=related

Blues (Carlton): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5cpWaCUhkw&feature=related

Bali run (Carlton): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twlLB4ebnbg&feature=related

3^rd Degree (Loeb): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIaw7J0kmWI

Live in Tokyo (Loeb): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS3wt1ixjSk

Westchester Lady (Loeb): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SURsODaMMU

Pinapple Getaway (Loeb): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpGN4E7V8U8&feature=related

Wine-wise, I’m taking a different tact tonight. If you look back at the history of this blog, you’ll find I never review Chardonnays. I’ve just never been fond of the “buttery” taste that’s often characteristic of these wines. But keeping an open mind, I bought a couple of bottles of a 2009 Domaine Corsin Pouilly-Fuisse Vielles Vignes, thinking I’d give it a shot. Steven Tanzer, the Burgundy afficianado, rated this a 92, so I thought it would be a good example of the type. Its bouquet and flavors have notes of honey and apples tinged with citrus…but it also has a touch of butter. I can’t really comment on whether this is a good example of Pouilly-Fuisse because, as I said, I don’t care for Chardonnay-based wines, but this one isn’t bad. Would I buy it again? No, I’d much rather have a Sancerre, Albarino, or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but then, I’m biased. If you’re a lover of Chardonnay, try this one. You may agree with Tanzer, however this is a prime example of drinking what you like, not what the experts recommend. Enjoy the music.

Cheers!

Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and Rockledge Pinot Noir

Tonight, I’m featuring the music of two of my favorite guitarists whose styles compliment each other beautifully. Robben Ford blends blues and jazz. Although his first instrument was the saxophone, which he played into his twenties, he began teaching himself guitar at age thirteen after hearing the two guitarists from The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Michael Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop. He toured with blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon and later with jazz saxophonist Tom Scott and the L.A. Express. He caught the attention of George Harrison who invited him to join him on his "Dark Horse" tour of the U.S. and Canada, raising his musical profile even further. He went on to tour with the Yellowjackets, Michael McDonald, and Miles Davis. After all that jazz, he returned to his roots, namely the blues, forming his group the Blue Line.

Larry Carlton, also known as Mr. 335, for the trademark Gibson ES335 that he often plays, has had an equally illustrious career. Interestingly, his early career included a stint as the musical director for an Emmy-nominated children’s show, Mrs. Alphabet, where he also performed as one of the characters, Larry Guitar. He performed and recorded extensively with the Jazz Crusaders and became one of L.A.’s most in-demand session players, backing stars from every imaginable genre, ranging from Sammy Davis, Jr., and Herb Alpert to Quincy Jones, Paul Anka, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Jerry Garcia and Dolly Parton as well as playing many of the leads on the rock group Steeley Dan’s albums. He has more than 3000 studio sessions under his belt and by the early 1980s had picked up four Grammy nominations. In 1981, in collaboration with Mike Post, he won one for the theme to Hillstreet Blues.

While working on one of my favorite albums, Solid Ground, Larry was the victim of random gun violence, and was shot in the throat by gun-wielding juveniles outside Room 335, his private studio near Burbank, California. The bullet shattered his vocal cord and caused significant nerve trauma, but through intensive therapy and a positive frame of mind, Carlton completed work on Solid Ground in 1989. He bounced back stronger than ever forming the non-profit group, Helping Innnocent People (HIP), which aids victims of random gun violence and his guitar playing is as smooth and mello as ever.

The duo of Robben Ford and Larry Carlton blend blues and jazz at its best. So, kick back and enjoy some smooth blues.

Unplugged: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I25qKgzaqLY&feature=related

Encore Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2ip-vigDxw&feature=related

Burnable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiK0ET0CwaY&feature=related

Cold Gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3NnRN6rO1A&feature=related

Live in Tokyo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVR_IEvoKNI&feature=related

Opening in Tokyo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SN7BiULT3Y&feature=related

Derek’s Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSqWwYKORIo&feature=related

Cold Cold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfJZoQdm-cM&feature=related

Cordoba Guitar Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0HsB3eMtzc&feature=related

Put it where you want it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpiDJ16BW0s&feature=related

The Prince:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjT_vEskaKk&feature=related

Blues Project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbTn59ejgaE&feature=related

With this smooth blues duo, I suggest a 2010 Rockledge Pinot Noir ($20.00). It’s a deep ruby color with a powerful nose of cherries, raspberries, and cinnamon. The palate reminds me of a French Burgundy, rich with a surprisingly long finish. It’s great for a summer evening tapping your feet and nodding your head in time to the smooth blues music of the Carlton-Ford duo. Enjoy!

Cheers!