The Scorpions Unplugged and Estancia Pinnacles Pinot Noir

The Scorpions have long been one of my favorite heavy metal/rock bands. Formed in 1965 in Germany, their membership has varied over the years with the exception of Rudolf Schenker, their rhythm guitarist who launched the group, and vocalist Klaus Meine (I love his vocals). They are best known for their 1980s rock anthem, “Rock You Like A Hurricane” as well as “No One Like You,” Send Me An Angel”, “Still Lovin You”, and “Wind of Change”. They ranked No. 46 on VH1’s Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and “Rock You Like A Hurricane” came in at number 18 on the list of 100 all time greatest hard rock songs.

The pinnacle of their career, according to the critics, was the release of their 1979 album “Lovedrive" that contained fan favorites such as “Loving You Sunday Morning,” “Always Somewhere,” “Holiday,” and “Coast to Coast,” which epitomized their style of hard rock songs and melodic ballads.

The concert I’ve included below is from their all acoustic album “Acoustica,” which, although many fans didn’t like, wanting a new studio album instead, is to me one of their best. Hope you enjoy them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7yG07Md1ww

The heat index in Lincoln has been running around 100 degrees this week, and when it gets this uncomfortable, I can’t drink a heavy red wine, so I suggest the 2011 Estancia Pinnacles Pinot Noir  ($11.00). The wine is ruby red with a nose full of tart cherries and baking spices that lead to a palate full of more cherries, cranberries, and spices. Its finish is medium long, but the thing I really like is it’s perfect for a hot summer evening. Light, elegant, and wonderful with this almost two hour concert of one of my favorite rock bands. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Rock gone acoustic & Heron Pinot Noir

Nothing stretches an electric guitarist more than playing a brains-against-the-wall rock tune unplugged. It’s much harder to disguise screw-ups when you’re playing acoustic. So, tonight I thought I’d take a look at some serious rock tunes played by their respective bands in an acoustic format. It amazes me how beautiful some of these songs sound unplugged. Listen to Stevie Winwood playing “Can’t Find My Way Home,” the Eurythmic’s “Here Comes The Rain Again,” or the Scorpion’s “Send Me An Angel” as examples. Others seem more amenable to toe tapping and a nodding one’s head such as “Panama” by Van Halen or catch Joe Perry’s slide work on “Monkey Off My Back.” Very cool. Some very nice guitar work here. Hope you enjoy it.

Eagles

Hotel California: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYf4kqnAWos

Bruce Springsteen

Thunder road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-hF_QrvfR0

Steve Winwood/Blind Faith

Can’t find my way home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoSn2Y-b6wI

Eric Clapton

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

Bon Jovi

Wanted dead or alive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWVgbTBlH9M

Van Halen

Panama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0c6naJkYEE

Jethro Tull

Life’s a long song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE8YLPHZImw

Aerosmith

Monkey off my back/Love me two times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM04A9HZfxA

Brian May (Queen)

39: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqOdu2xjlBA

Kansas

Dust in the wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQem15Ow6hw

Cheap Trick

Flame: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3xPO5f0ks

Scorpions

Send me an angel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ZQ8cIE_6Q

Eurythmics

Here comes the rain again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYeIyR2hzdo

Yes

Roundabout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riE2xHDgODg

The Pretenders

Back on the chain gang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_UjjQq_ZxI

My favorite reds for summer are Pinot Noirs. They’re light, fruity, and wonderful. So tonight, try a 2011 Heron Pinot Noir ($15.00). Heron winery is out of San Francisco and isn’t a vineyard. Rather, they buy grapes from all over the world to make one fine wine. For a Pinot at this price point, it’s stunning. The wine is bright ruby red and quite complex with aromas of cherries, vanilla, and a touch of pepper. It’s more like a French Burgundy with flavors of red cherries, cranberry, and vanilla and higher acidity than a California Pinot Noir. For $15.00, you can’t beat it. Enjoy it with some very tasty acoustic rock.

Cheers!