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!

Walter Lupi & Brazin Zinfandel

While stumbling around YouTube looking at different versions of Bob Dylan’s Watchtower, I tripped over an Italian guitarist named Walter Lupi. When I researched him a bit further, I discovered he not only has one of the best versions of the song I’ve ever heard, he has videos galore demonstrating an incredible ability and style of guitar. The frustrating thing, however, is that there is very little I could find on him through the internet. I did find one interview, which gave me hope, until I realized it was in Italian. The only things I know in Italian are words like lasagna, spaghetti Bolonesi, etc. Not much help.

I did learn he was born in 1960 and began playing at the age of ten, completely self-taught. However, later he enrolled in the Conservatorio di Alessandria and received a diploma with a concentration on music theory, harmony, and classical guitar. That’s it. So, rather than agonize over the details, I suggest we just listen to and enjoy a remarkable guitarist.

Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7MXr8hIzNA

Acoustic Franciacorta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISLpfOzEr6c

Acoustic fatigue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KHUndNPOEM

Experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOKoGgaIGPE

Sunshine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkzVUTkv-i0

Mi ritorni in mente: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyFYLzxx7Hs

Anjori: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs9nIM-uzjo

Gioia Latina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crsrqsW6wzw

Quandro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT9YYfkrTp0

Nastro Rosa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9jVIn9hzqM

Aquila: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYK73V1qQ6k

Little wing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okbTa4ha5H8

I’m pairing Walter with one of my favorite zinfandels. Brazin Old Vine Zin ($14.00) has a powerful nose full of dark berries, coffee, and chocolate. The flavors follow the palate adding a touch of vanilla. This is a very versatile wine. It goes great with a steak off the grill or even a pizza. But it’s also a great stand-alone sipper. And at this price, it’s one of the best values on the market. So grab a bottle and listen to a fantastic guitarist who, unless you understand Italian, will have to stand on his ability alone. Not a bad thing either, since he’s quite good.

Cheers!

Jimmy Wahlsteen & Brazin Zinfandel

I thought I’d bring back a young man I reviewed about two years ago, namely Jimmy Wahlsteen. There’s very little biographical information on him, but I actually found some tidbits about him this time around. He calls Stockholm, Sweden home. Although he has quite an accomplished musical resume, I have to confess I know nothing about many of the artists with whom he’s performed. He studied music in school and in 1998 went on his first international tour  with Emilia and the “Big Big world.” That got the attention of musicians in Sweden and Jimmy rose to be one of the most sought after session and studio musicians in the country. Since then, Jimmy played with prominent European artists like Heather Nova, Westlife, Eskobar, Laura Pausini and Titiyo. He has two CDs out on CandyRat records. I hope you like him.

Halifaxation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT3J7iXqTAs

Rapid Eye Movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97czMjuAnSA

Shifts of Attention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kKR5XuYL9c

Hitched for Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaUknuzWolE

It’s Your Favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IsoYmy4-BE

You’ve Got to run Real Fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FthNo2gCI98

Trickle Down FX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yMFtHb6_A

181^st Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjEbO2HvBuM

Tranquility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty6VneesLiI

My Three Page Memo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x60yXSQpmCU

With Don Ross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-pVXtK0nIM&feature=related

With Don Ross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B2pWP6Bh2M&feature=related

Untitled: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHHT-ItlY5Q&feature=relmfu

1998: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWGXsBqx7Kk&feature=related

It’s a bit chilly tonight here in Lincoln so I’m pairing Jimmy with a 2009 Brazin Zinfandel, one of my all time favorite Zins and only $14.00 at Costco. Make sure you’re sitting down when you taste this wine because it’s going to blow your senses. Aromas of black fruit and mocha mixed with exotic spices start you off on a sensory extravaganza. A core of blackberry, vanilla and coffee dominate the intense palate, but are balanced by good acidity and soft tannins. This is a very complex Zin that pairs wonderfully with a variety of summer foods off the grill and, of course, the music of Jimmy Wahlsteen. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Steven Laury & Teira Sonoma County Zinfandel

I’m going to be traveling on business in Europe next week, so before I disappear, I thought I’d present one of my favorite jazz guitarists for your consideration. Steven Laury first caught my attention as the lead guitarist in the jazz group Fatburger. What really hooked me was his tone and style. You’ll hear a lot of Wes Montgomery in his flawless octave work.

Laury was born and raised in Vineland, NJ and began to seriously study the guitar and a career in music at the age of 16. His early influences were B.B. King, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Herbie Handcock, and Chic Corea. But he was also heavily influenced by Brazillian musicians such as Oscar Castro-Neves and Carlos Jobim.

He moved to first to Los Angeles then to San Diego where he became a founding member in Fatburger.  After five successful years with the group, he left to pursue a solo career where he’s found equal acclaim as one of the premier guitarists on the West Coast jazz scene today. He is truly a guitarist’s guitarist.

Somewhere the sun shines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsosR1C1DFU

Steppin in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ELUDCWSJA

Walk your talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK5nnVbDaro

Tears in the rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViVMPIqOlRc&feature=related

59^th Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2qTAOe5p5Y&feature=related

Skyline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNhP2wQm0P4&feature=related

All the way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKWFHhg9ZFU&feature=related

In my dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32R1mX4FRgg&feature=related

One summer night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLwW2oSxwdw&feature=related

All because of you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAUL8naoJPI&feature=related 

Passion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHL8c4LWgY&feature=related

Streets of gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9AnjM6HSaQ&feature=related

Sultry eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj93l-hHj1g&feature=related

Catch the wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSHtuwOO6vA&feature=related

Getaway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK7rnrKjwOM

I’ve got a tremendous wine to pair with Steven, namely the 2009 Teira Sonoma County Zinfandel. It’s not your typical Zin, rather it’s more like a rich Pinot Noir. The color is garnet red with a light bouquet of red fruit and spices, but it’s the palate that sent me over the edge. It’s full of strawberry-cherry goodness, rather than the brambly black raspberry, plums, and mocha that one most often tastes in a California Zin, and the red berry palate persists for a long time. This would be a great summer red and at $19.00 a bottle and the music of Steven Laury, you can’t go wrong.

Cheers!