Joss Stone and Stolpman Vineyards Rose Santa Ynez Valley

I realize tonight’s  featured artist isn’t a guitarist, but there’s some very nice guitar in the videos I’ve linked to below.  Jocelyn Eve Stoker (born 11 April 1987), better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is in my humble opinion, the finest blues/soul singer working today (apologies to Adel). Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, “Soul Sessions.” She was born in Dover, Kent, and spent her teen years in Ashill, a small villiage near Cullompton in Devon. She attended the Uffculme Comprehensive School, but left at the age of 16, as she says, not because she was stupid, but because she suffered from dyslexia and as a result was more artistic than academic.

Her soulful singing style developed as she grew up listening to a wide variety of music including 1960s and 1970s American R&B and soul music performed by such artists as Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin, the latter one of her idols.

Her second album, “Mind, Body, and Soul” debuted at number one on the U.K. charts and she became the youngest person to ever top the British charts. She’s had a varied career touring, recording, acting, and producing, yet she’s only 26. Yikes! She’s gonna be a monster…as if she’s not already. Hope you enjoy one of the best soul vocalists on the scene today.

Here comes the rain again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmduDP-JNLQ

Karma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ6xjTA8VoA

You had me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytsHaxV0SKM

Tell me ‘bout it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhUmko2z_ds

Fell in love with a boy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDU2EXsW9tA

Teardrops: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os2Wch10W3k

Tell me what we’re gonna do now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwynr6vCcgk

Right to be wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcpEte4plbw

The high road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0SnOpT6R8g

Dirty man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtLvw78HXMQ

This is a man’s world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svf5N8QSGA8

Summertime (with LeAnn Rimes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn6nuqC6cFA

People get ready (with Jeff Beck): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ECdYboOVA

I put a spell on you (with Jeff Beck): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNgWCP9Oqs0  

Stop dragging my heart around (with Rob Thomas): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYyWdw-0IyI

Hot legs (with Rod Stewart): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bPCz_rYRSM

Joss Stone’s cool rendition of summertime with LeAnn Rimes calls for a cool wine and I suggest a 2012 Stolpman Vineyards Rose Santa Ynez Valley ($17.00). I am a big fan of Stolpman Vineyard’s Syrah, one of the best I’ve ever tasted and at a price that can’t be beat. Likewise, this rosé, a blend of Grenache (60%) and Sangiovese (40%), can’t be beat for a fantastic summer wine. The wine is rose colored with Ferrari red highlights. It’s filled with aromas of strawberries, rhubarb, and a touch of citrus. The flavors follow the nose with loads of berries and a hint of cinnamon spice. It’s a fresh, fruity wine, very refreshing chilled, which you’ll want when you hear the hot soulful voice of Joss Stone. Enjoy!

Cheers! 

David Lindley &Domaine du Carrou Sancerre Rosé.

David Lindley is a multi-instrumentalist whose expertise includes the acoustic and electric guitar, upright and electric bass, banjo, lap steel guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, Weissborn guitar, zither, oud, cümbüs (a Turkish banjo), charango (a Bolivian ten stringed instrument the size of a ukulele whose back is traditionally made from the shell of an armadillo), a hardingfelle (a Norwegian violin) and a host of other instruments that I’ve never heard of. Although he’s notable for his work with Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, and other rock stars, he’s known for his work as a session musician with an enormous list of credits.

In these days where a good acoustic guitar can run upwards of $3,000, Lindley is known for his use of cheap instruments purchased from such illustrious sources as Sears and intended for amateurs. Personally, I love his slide work. In fact, Ben Harper credits Lindley’s distinctive slide guitar style as a major influence on his playing and in 2006, Lindley sat in on Harper’s “Both Sides of the Gun” CD.

Between his solo recordings and his session work, David has a discography as long as my arm. He’s unique, and I hope you like him.

Mercury Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr3Jp_aF1Ok

Cat food sandwiches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXHlBkg3Mzk

Burnaby blues festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJw7EeozDIY

King of the bed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX_5d1-Jek4

All night long: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYepBEoyyos

Well, well, well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jru7SV7jjFk

Revenge will come: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7y8WJEDf-g

Boy who wouldn’t hoe corn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG_3U3axuqQ

Soul of a man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cb5SajtwdU

Death have mercy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3T2WPpPPRk

Brass monkey tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh6MKCBBaj8

Brothers under the bridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieflqGN0lBc

Talk to the lawyer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mNgU7fj5l4

For a unique musician like Lindley, I suggest an equally unique wine, namely a 2011 Domaine du Carrou Sancerre Rosé. I love Sancerre, which is a French version of Sauvignon Blanc, but this is the first Sancerre Rosé I’ve ever tasted. The color is brilliant salmon pink which was appropriate since I drank it with grilled salmon. The nose is amazing and reminded me of my Thanksgiving favorite, cranberry-orange sauce, and a breakfast fave, pink grapefruit. The palate follows with the addition of strawberries and nice minerality. A very crisp, refreshing wine and one that I hope to drink often. It complimented the salmon and the music of David Lindley perfectly. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Zach Deputy & a Summer Rose

Since this is a holiday/party week with the Fourth of July falling in the middle, I thought I present a really different sort of artist tonight. Zach Deputy is literally a one-man band. He hails originally from the coast of South Carolina with family roots in Puerto Rico and St. Croix. He grew up listening to Cruzan rhythms, folk songs, blues, and American roots music, which he’s fused into a unique musical form. To bring this sound to the stage, he uses looping technology to transform his “band” into a one-man dance party playing what he calls "Island-infused, Drum 'n' Bass, Gospel-Ninja-Soul."

While others may employ similar technology, I’ve never heard anyone quite like Zach fusing thumping rhythms, funk guitar, beat box, and a soulful voice with a 4+ octave range. He looks like he’s having a lot of fun during his performances and it’s infectious.

His base is in Hilton Head, South Carolina, but playing 250-300 shows a year means he lives mostly out of a small box truck because he plays almost every night of the year and with that kind of a schedule, he’ll probably be playing a gig near you one of these days. Don’t miss him!

Magic Carpet Ride/Sex Machine/Give Up The Funk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJmQ7kdBodA&feature=relmfu

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

Put it in the Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXaIFV_KaXc&feature=fvwrel

Coconut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRF7VuJNKRY&feature=relmfu

Little bit of you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnv1nLFSxtk&feature=relmfu

That Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k5RLXV1jHs&feature=relmfu

Rescue Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmkE2mEJ90A&feature=related

She Says: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWCS7H1X6e0&feature=relmfu

Act that way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6zhUX0-IYI&feature=relmfu

Twisty Twisty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NcnZyJI1l8&feature=fvwrel

Let’s Dance, Let’s Shout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jf85tlkRHo&feature=related

Summer has hit Nebraska with a vengeance with temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s and dew points approaching 80 degrees. That means it’s Rose time and tonight I have a very nice one, especially at $6.00 a bottle. The 2011 Marques de Caceres Rosé is 80% Tempranillo and 20% Grenache. It’s a great warm-night quaffer with aromas of strawberries, raspberries and lavender. It’s a crisp, balanced wine with lots of strawberry juiciness. Very refreshing and remember to serve it cold. I found it at Trader Joe’s. So head on out to the deck tonight with a bottle of Marques de Caceres Rosé and boogie along with Zach. I’ll just tap my toes as my new deck has some very cool lights and I don’t want the neighbors to be damaged for life watching me dance. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Don Ross & Chateau Sainte Marguerite Cru-Classe Grand Reserve Rosé

Tonight, I’m featuring one of my favorite super-human acoustic guitarists. Donald Ross was born November 19, 1960 in Montreal, Quebec to Scottish and Mi'kmaq parents. He’s a Canadian virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist noted for the emotion and intensity of his playing as well as his use of extended techniques like taping, slapping, and all around murdering his guitar.

Ross's style, which he describes as “heavy wood,” borrows from blues, jazz, folk and classical music. Ross is the only person to twice win the Winfield U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship (1988 and 1996). Bruce Cockburn has said, "Nobody does what Don Ross does with an acoustic guitar. He takes the corners so fast you think he's going to roll, but he never loses control."

Ross studied composition at the music department of York University in Toronto with David Mott, James Tenney and Phil Werren. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music in 1983, he studied philosophy at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, Massachusetts while living at San Damiano Friary in Holyoke, Massachusetts, then started his novitiate for the Canadian custody of the Conventual Franciscans of Immaculate Conception Province at St. Francis Friary in Staten Island, NY. However, the call of music was too strong and he decided to leave that pursuit and become a musician.

In 2001 his wife Kelly died from breast cancer and Ross was left as a single Dad with his kids. But he met up with fellow musician, Brooke Miller, a singer-songwriter from Prince Edward Island, touring with her and in 2005 married her. Ross performs most of his concerts solo, but has also regularly performed with Andy McKee, Brooke Miller, and bassist Jordan O'Connor. As of 2010 Ross is now a Dalhousie University professor teaching history of guitar and techniques, while still travelling extensively for music. All of his stuff is amazing, but in particular, don’t miss Kilmbim, Michael Michael, and Crazy. He’s one of my favorites and you’re gonna see why when you give a listen. Enjoy!

Klimbim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBwM9VqmxQE

Tight Trite Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OYyIJUTKEI&feature=relmfu

Three Hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ3lc953eS8&feature=relmfu

Crazy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKupfayqB00&feature=relmfu

From France to India: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUj0cFczB_8&feature=relmfu

It’s your favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np9YfcIdddA&feature=relmfu

Thin Air: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZx_ckGDa64&feature=related

Loaded, Leather, Moonroof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip111lXjDSs&feature=fvwrel

Blue Bear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-SWy-sU8cE&feature=relmfu

Jesse Helms Night in Havana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJFnqDy8VWQ&feature=relmfu

Robot Monster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3ODopN4XBw&feature=relmfu

How to eat an avalanche: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr5h6aq_y2Q&feature=related

With you in mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWvjno3yyos&feature=related

Michael, Michael, Michael: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkidVP0AcQ8&feature=related

The way Don plays, I’m surprised his guitar doesn’t catch fire, so let’s cool it off with a bottle of Chateau Sainte Marguerite Cru-Classe Grand Reserve Rosé (2009; $20.00). The castle of Sainte-Marguerite is located in an idyllic and beautiful region of Provence, France where, at least in this particular vineyard, the grapes are produced organically. In the U.S., people often associate Rosé with cheap, sweet wines from either a box or something akin to two-buck Chuck, an impression that couldn’t be farther from the taste of a true French Rosé. A true Rosé is actually quite dry and complex, the perfect wine for summer. Sainte Marguerite is a Cru class wine, French legalese for a vineyard historically identified as being of exceptional quality. The Chateau Sainte Marguerite Rosé is a salmon pink with a delicate nose of strawberries, currents, and wildflowers. In the mouth, the finesse and delicacy found in the nose is backed by flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and orange peel with good minerality and a long finish. An elegant wine that will keep you cool while you listen to Don Ross burning on the guitar. Enjoy!

Cheers!