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!

Favorite Acoustic Performances &Talbott Pinot Noir

I’ve been out on business for some time and unable to blog. So tonight, I want to review some of my favorite acoustic performances. John Gomes rendition of the Chaka Khan song is amazing and what can I say about the late George Harrison, Eric Roche, and Michael Hedges? Steve Winwood’s version of John Barleycorn has always been a favorite that I used to play in coffee houses back in my college days as was JT’s Something in the Way She moves, always nice to sing to a lady friend. Richard Thompson’s Vincent Black Lightning was the first song of his that I learned and one of these days I’m going to work out my own version of Sting’s Fragile. Hope you enjoy these.

Jon Gomes:

Ain’t nobody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vCcZIARw9k

George Harrison

Here comes the sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGKPHFrHVVY

Michael Hedges:

All along the Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5vRLeMFm8Y

Indigo Girls:

Closer to fine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228

James Taylor:

Something in the way she moves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvZd27-uT1s

Mike Dawes:

Somebody I used to know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1bzUaf_gvU

Adam Rafferty:

Superstition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVvfFtb3Y9s

Eric Roche:

She drives me crazy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-tO6IFwBXI

The Eagles:

Hotel California: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIPu92RddRA&list=PL562C3B2F05BE7907

Eric Clapton:

Layla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbLvltFS7yM

Steve Winwood & Eric Clapton:

Can’t find my way home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAL8qZyeciI

Steve Winwood:

John Barleycorn must die: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8878chOvfI

Jackson Browne:

In the shape of a heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgy3f6TNcoY

Crosby, Stills, and Nash:

Suite Judy Blue Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVUwrifwKrI

John Mayer:

Neon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHfzrRE0Kc

Bonnie Rait:

Love me like a man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXVoOgwiYc8

Richard Thompson:

Vincent Black Lightning 1952: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0kJdrfzjAg

Kelly Valleau:

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

Sting:

Fragile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKq2_Mz6HMA

Monte Montgomery:

Moonlight tango: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fR0z7_qYrs&feature=related

Zach Deputy:

Tube Steak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rACg0n1B7B0&feature=relmfu

Pete Townsend:

Won’t get fooled again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5yymadwxj8

Bruce Cockburn:

Get up Jonah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bwlLGsl-TY&feature=related

Andrew Winton:

Number’s down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKnngyCIctA

Eric Mongrain:

Airtap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfwaUYpf3lo

Paco De Lucia, John McLaughlin, & Al DeMeola:

Mediterranean sundance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cadbYIzhqQ

Although we’ve gotten 7 inches of rain in the last four days, at least it’s spring, so I’m breaking out my favorite type of wine, namely Pinot Noir. Tonight I recommend a 2010 Talbott Pinot Noir Kali Hart Monteray ($17.00). The nose if full of strawberry and rhubarb aromas. The taste is smooth with nice cherry and vanilla flavors. Its finish transitions to a bit of blackberry and lingers moderately long. Very nice for welcoming spring indoors out of the rain.

Cheers!