Shredders & Gnarley Head Zinfandel

I’m sick and tired of cold weather and feeling rather rambunctious tonight, so I’ve put together music to match my mood. I can’t even begin to describe each guitarist, but all of them are icons of the business. Rather than write a lot of commentary, I suggest you crank up the volume and psyche up for the coming week.

Joe Satriani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo6LXD7uzn4

Steve Vai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ7vyFnLvjw

Michael Firkins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ_dawPc3Xw

Gary Hoey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7mq0g6Tp9Y

Orianthi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cLZSn4B7uQ

John Petrucci: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5VwPfyEq3w

Yngwie Malmsteen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbHc5i4O2tc

Joe Stump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EneQUjwMTE

Shawn Lane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbq3y1TcALM

Paul Gilbert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPGA3vjMLgE

Guthrie Govan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LY8sok2RgE

The power of tonight’s music calls for a powerhouse wine. Last week I reviewed Brazin zinfandel, one of my favorites. Tonight, I suggest trying its little brother, the 2011 Gnarley Head Zinfandel ($10.00). While Brazin is considered a super premium Zin (although I bought it for $14.00), its little brother Gnarley Head is the largest selling Zin in the United States. It even has its own Facebook page in Sweden. They’re made by the same vinter so it’s not surprising that there’s a strong family resemblance.

Gnarley Head has wonderful aromas of dark berries and spice. It’s a mouthful of blackberry jam accented with vanilla and a peppery finish. It’s also 14.5% alcohol so don’t plan of leaving home after you try it. Instead, sit back, blast the music, and hope it scares the snot out of this linger winter enough to finally let spring arrive.

Cheers!

G3 Concerts & Bodegas NQN Malbec

Hump day and it’s down hill to the weekend. I need something to pump me up for th last two days so I’m featuring a couple of the G3 concerts. The G3 events were organized by Joe Satriani and began with a lineup of Joe, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson. The members varied from year to year with Satriani and Vai the main staples while Johnson was replaced by Yngwe Malmsteen, John Petrucci, and others. They also included some of the greatest rock bassists including Stu Hamm and Billy Sheehan. The concerts were always brains-against-the-wall shredding, except when Eric Johnson took the stage. He is one of the most lyrical and complex guitarists ever to pick up the instrument. Playing along with him is a most tasteful bassist, Roscoe Beck. Contrast that style with the high caffeine insanity of Malmsteen. I can’t see Malmsteen and Johnson playing together on the same stage. At any rate, I’ve included two full concerts below. You can use the sliders to pan through the artists if it gets too intense. Hope you enjoy them.

Satriani, Vai, Johnson:

Full Concert:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDbGpgJMK_s&feature=related

Satriani, Vai, Malmsteen:

Full Concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U_Q-M8Bnvw

You need a dense wine with this musical line up so I suggest trying a 2009 Bodegas NQN, Malma Malbec from Argentina (~$22.00). With a bouquet of blackberries and spice followed by dark berries, curants, black pepper, and a hint of cinnamon, this wine stands up strong against the shredders. You might want to use a thicker glass when you pour it as the music can be a bit hard on the crystal. Enjoy!

Cheers!