Keb Mo & Domaine et Janine Crochet Sancerre

Kevin Moore, alias Keb’ Mo’ (born October 3, 1951), is one of the smoothest blues men on the scene today. He started his career playing steel drums in a calypso band, but soon migrated to blues and guitar. He made his first recordings at the age of 21 when he was hired by former Jefferson airplane violinist Papa John Creach to play in his band and on his records. In 1994, Keb' Mo' released his self-titled debut album, Keb’ Mo’, that featured two Robert Johnson songs, Kind Hearted Woman and Come On My Kitchen. He was collaborated on and was featured in the Martin Scorsese miniseries The Blues, and states that one of his greatest influences was the music of Johnson. He’s won three Grammy Awards, scored films, television shows, and collaborated on too many projects to mention. One of my favorite of his songs, Hand It Over, first appeared on the TV show, Touched By An Angel. In fact, that was the first time I’d ever heard his music. I immediately went out and bought a couple of his CD’s. Later I even bought his teaching tape for blues guitarists, which I enthusiastically recommend to anyone wanting to improve their blues guitar. I’ll shut up now and play the music. Enjoy!

Come on in my kitchen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Tvj5u1SOg&feature=related

Lullaby Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59FfyEbDPAw&feature=related

Kind hearted woman blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZgOKm5SfSs

Suitcase blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEnqOjSvyvk&feature=related

Perpetual blues machine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9yiEM9qXDU&feature=relmfu

Folsom Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWoGA1X0YCc&feature=related

Government Cheese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7PWH8NXxEc&feature=related

Rollin and tumbling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSoLqo_mM_w&feature=relmfu

Angelina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxKIeFE5TmY&feature=relmfu

Hand it over: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiDjkajIPkQ

She just wants to dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVx7InnsH8o&feature=related

Dirty lowdown and bad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDvlqfYqcWw&feature=related

Just like you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5KJU9O1Xqs&feature=related

I’m on your side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3MzflEIdA&feature=related

No getting over you (with Bonnie Raitt): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iMadZk9o_U&feature=related

Shave you legs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooPYUw6T8bk&feature=related

Anyone who’s read this blog for any amount of time knows I love Sauvignon Blanc,  especially those from New Zealand and France. Tonight’s recommendation is great for kicking back on a warm summer night and enjoying the blues. The 2010 Domaine et Janine Crochet Sancerre (~$16.00) is one of my favorites. French Sancerre is different than the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which tends to be dominated by citrus and grapefruit. This wine is pale gold with aromas of green apples. It almost makes your mouth pucker with its succulent green apples, honey, and lemon flavors and wet stone minerality. Great with fish or, as I said, just kicking back on the deck and watching the stars.  I’ve got two cases in the cellar and with the blues of Keb’ Mo’, I’m set for summer.

Cheers!

Peter Luha & Laurent Riverdy Sancerre

Peter Luha is a 37 year old guitarist from Slovakia with one of the most diverse styles I’ve ever heard. Of course that’s probably a product of his influences that  include Deep Purple, Van Halen, the Beatles, Queen, Guthrie Govan, Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, Tommy Emmanuel, and Victor Wooten. He plays play a number of instruments including bass guitar, which is apparent in the first song, Slap. But don’t miss the sweep picking workshop video. Malmsteen, move over! I’ve tried to give a representation of his range of styles below, including funk, jazz, and classical selections. Of course, as a former bassist, Slap and Jump to Spain are my favorites. Enjoy!

Slap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0PkfqGmIE

March in Catalonia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlyluQnHFNs

Jump to Spain:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgDdQqCyVBw

Boss Loop Contest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efVbZ5hl5Mc

Rondo ala Turka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puWJ27Vwf_E

Lonely day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_09JmsvNrw&feature=related

My Memories of Andalusia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S-yIPRJRjE&feature=related

Flight of the bumblebee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSs90q9RLeg&feature=related

Romance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRJX-9GmmnQ&feature=related

Sweep picking workshop ala Malmsteen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je7YRdfFmQA&feature=related

Classical Breeze: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV0pnZ7T8ms

Caprice No. 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUu54DuJEAs

Partita: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu592o6T1mY

Midnight Atelier in Paris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9tVR3L10wA

Minuet in G: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP_IfNLm-co

Bouree: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsTSzWHDqks

I love Sauvignon Blancs, especially Sancerres. The latter can be a bit pricey, so imaging my surprise when perusing the wine offerings at Trader Joe’s, I found a Sancerre from Laurent Reverdy for $13.00. I figured at that price I couldn’t go wrong and I was pleasantly surprised. This is not a special occasion wine, rather it’s a Tuesday-night-quaffer. It’s light golden colored with aromas of lemon and fresh grass. The palate has more citrus with a bit of white pepper. It’s tart, but with a balanced finish. It isn't nearly as interesting as some of the higher priced Sancerres that I’ve had, lacking the subtlety and depth that this varietal is capable of showing, but still, given its price, it's hard not to appreciate it for what it is: Great mid-week sipping. Enjoy!

Cheers!