Blues & Slide guitar montage and some great summer Rose wine

I’m on a montage roll right now and having done an acoustic and electric collection of guitar greats, I thought tonight I’d hit one of my favorite styles, namely the pure blues and the slide guitar. Gotta start out with two ladies, who in my opinion, are two of the finest blues & slide guitarist to ever pick up the instrument, namely Bonnie Raitt and Rory Block. But the talent doesn’t slack off in the least with guys like Martin Simpson, Kelly Joe Phelps, Roy Rogers, and Ry Cooder. As I was surfing for their songs, I came across a very rare version of Robert Plant doing and acoustic version of “Whole Lotta Love,” in a blues style. Don’t miss it. Hope you enjoy these gals and guys as much as I do.

Bonnie Raitt

That’s just love sneakin up on you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adfhyvjR69M

Born in the country: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5FlQWJ3K6g

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

Rory Block

Crossroad blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaK4x7TLQ3E&feature=related

Preachin blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ_PKvC4v7k

Stand by me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKYfFnqC3Y

Kelly Joe Phelps

Down to the praying ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iasKATAEArA

Hard time they never go away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wajUg7LJIw&feature=related

Go there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmut5WhT3cI&feature=related

Martin Simpson

Walkin blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHY74AjKRjI

Highway 62 medley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V65fRKYJ90E&feature=relmfu

Louisiana 1927: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3nv4vdASBQ&feature=relmfu

Masco Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRH27vlxKvo&feature=related

Killing the blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZRd6OIaT7o&feature=relmfu

She slips away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQELHWJTdRU

Ry Cooder

Slide man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REBIm8jMrSA&feature=related

Mercury blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPpJYvLsBco&feature=related

Roy Rogers

Walkin blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW08Rc802MQ&feature=related

Terraplane blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do-7ruWrKUI&feature=related

Devil got my woman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZIfMj4Zf_k&feature=related

Money Maker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2e7aB0t8I&feature=related

Robert Plant

Whole lotta love (acoustic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQvp8qDsDqA&feature=related

Hoochie Coochie Man:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv11xRQ8sWo

Since tonight’s the first night of summer, we need a classic summer wine to compliment some hot slide guitar, and nothing says summer better than a Rosé. Some may be under the misconception that a Rosé is a sweet, syrupy wine, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Rosés are full of strawberry and cherry fruits with good acidity. They are light and crisp, the perfect accompaniment to all kinds of foods. I was at the Society for Nuclear Medicine Meeting in Miami last week, staying at the Fountainebleau hotel, which, by the way, is a fabulous place to stay—great pool, beach access, and incredible restaurants. While I hung out at the bar late one afternoon working on my new novel and waiting for one of my research collaborators to show for dinner, I had a couple of glasses of a Palais Cote du Provance Rosé that reminded me how much I love these wines. This particular version was like a strawberry patch on the nose with cherry and strawberry fruit flavors complimented by a touch of orange citrus and vibrant acidity that led to a wonderful finish of fruit. If you haven’t tried a French Rosé, I strongly recommend you do so. They’re usually priced in the $10-$15.00 range which makes them a perfect summer wine suitable for something off the grill or just sitting out in the evening on the deck listening to some excellent slide guitar. Enjoy!

Cheers! 

Ry Cooder & FlipFlop Riesling

Ry Cooder is one of my favorite eclectic guitarist, singers, and composers. He is known for his slide work which is among the best that ever played. He has a keen interest in roots music from both the U.S. and the world and had collaborated with musicians from a plethora of countries. His solo work is eclectic, encompassing folk, blues, Tex-Mex, soul, gospel, rock, jazz, and just about every style you can name. He was ranked 8^th on Rolling Stone’s list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He’s played with way too many artists to mention including the Muppets (see Pigfoot Shuffle). I find his music to be playful and just downright fun. He was also the guitarist who played for Ralph Machio in his duel with Steve Vai in the movie Crossroads. Hope you like him.

Crossroads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28XK3V3ACzc

Feelin Bad Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIwYGZlBw9Y

The Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0bijVr4Y3E&feature=related

The Bourgeois Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoIKiw2PV7Q&feature=related

Police Dog Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6L4PU6kTSQ&feature=related

Diddy wah diddy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEs--oXEa5w&feature=related

Pigfoot shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQaSGAxIGkc&feature=related

Jesus on the Mainline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebj_e4VagcA&feature=related

Crazy about an automobile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LHno7Qambk&feature=related

Mercury Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPpJYvLsBco&feature=related
Vigilante Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KmbUCwkyE&feature=related

Waitin for some girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mcO_E4Z1VQ&feature=related

Crossroads Duel with Steve Vai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atw6F47UCYM

I’m going to pair Ry with a wine that I would term “fun”. Flipflop wines come in several varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Moscato and are priced at $7.00 a bottle. I’ve had all of them and can attest they’re great quaffing wines. What’s a quaffing wine? These aren’t wines you’ll find in a Michelin three star restaurant, rather these are wines when you come home midweek after a long work day and want something to put the fun back in life.  And at this price, they’re great value, especially since for every bottle of FlipFlop sold, Soles4Souls provides a pair of shoes to someone in need. So you can relax over a glass and know that you’re providing something for someone less fortunate. Tonight I’m reviewing the Reisling. It has a honey and peach aroma that’s followed by similar flavors augmented by a touch of apricot and citrus. Sitting out watching the stars, listening to the crickets, with a bottle of FlipFlop Riesling and the music of Ry Cooder is a great way to end the day. Enjoy!

Cheers!