Acoustic Bon Jovi & Domaine Magellan Vin de Pays de L’Herault Grenache Blanc/Roussanne

I always amazes me when you take a hard rocking song, take away the Marshall amps, screaming guitars, and turn down the volume, and play it acoustically how beautiful a rock anthem can sound. Tonight I’m featuring an unplugged concert by Bon Jovi, one of the classic rock bands whose music is timeless. You can actually hear that Richie Sambora is a very good vocalist in addition to his guitar prowess. Check out “You give love a bad name” and don’t miss Lenard Cohen’s “Hallelujah. But for heaven’s sake, make sure you listen to Jon Bon Jovi and Lee Ann Rhimes, one of the best vocalists in the business, sing “Till we ain’t strangers any more.”  Bon Jovi’s lyrics speak to the heart and the music is impeccable. So kick back and listen to one of the all time great rock bands in a completely different light.

Full Concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1Hji2MIUk

01:06 - Living on a Prayer,

05:52 - Who says you can't go home,

10:13 - Lost Highway,

14:56 - You give love a bad name,

20:10 - It's My Life,

26:32 - Hallelujah,

32:50 - Till we ain't strangers anymore,

38:22 - You want to (make a memory),

42:48 - Closing.

To compliment this acoustic gem, I suggest trying a 2012 Domaine Magellan Vin de Pays  de L’Herault Grenache Blanc/Roussanne ($16.00). I bought it on line from Moore Brothers and it’s a perfect match for the music. The color is like gold-tinted Granny apple green with aromas of lime, pineapple, and, of course, green apples. The palate follows the nose with a bit of honeydew mellon, golden honey and delightful minerality. Perfect for a warm summer night under the stars with one of the premier bands of all time serenading the tensions of the week away. Enjoy!

Cheers! 

Brooks Williams & Benoni Pinot Noir

The heat has broken and it’s a great night for sitting on the deck with a glass of wine, watching the full moon and a spectacular meteor shower here in Nebraska. So, I’d like to introduce you to Brooks Williams, a blues/slide/folk guitarist and one of the premier players on the Americana roots & blues scene. He’s been named one of the top 100 acoustic guitarists with a style that draws you into the music of plain folks, expressing the emotions of life. When you see him play, it’s almost like he’s sitting beside you telling you stories around a campfire. I think your going to like him, and if you’ve ever seen the movie “Crossroads,” you’ll recognize the Slide Blues tune, as it’s one of the tunes that Ralph Machio “plays” when his girl leaves him. By the way, if you haven’t seen it, look up the guitar duel between Machio (Ry Cooder is doing the guitar playing) and Steve Vai (ripping it up as usual). Oh heck. Here it is. Enjoy! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2532824540210704919 .

Highway 61: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgVUp02zLwU&feature=related

Rich tonight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAC3WIt7M6I

Belfast Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woVUDven6tM&feature=related

Dancer’s Delight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjfWiSoh7go&feature=related

May you never: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2VLdEhZhVk&feature=related

Statesboro Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOOjh-ayEHA&feature=related

Slide Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SbrpR9W0pI

Southwell fold Festival #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA9YN99jQOw&feature=related

Watersong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLMVdioRkgQ&feature=related

Everywhere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5oTP1JN6sU&feature=related

Don’t get around much anymore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H49hJ6FUfrA&feature=related

Johnny’s farewell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpeXFSdK6Vg&feature=related

I’m pairing Brooks with a 2010 Benoni Pinot Noir ($18). I love Pinot Noir in the summer. They’re light and fruity, perfect for watching the stars. This one of the best I’ve tasted. It’s a brilliant ruby color with an explosive nose of elegant cherries and red raspberries. The taste is filled with cherry goodness, red berries, a touch of vanilla, and just the right amount of spice that persists into a long, luscious finish. It’s a perfect wine for a summer evening, enjoying the music of Brooks Williams.

Cheers!

Peter White & Le Bouc Sauvignon Blanc

It’s a beautiful late spring evening here in Nebraska so how about we slide into the week with the smooth guitar sounds of Peter White. He grew up in the sleepy little English town of Letchworth Garden City in the 1960s, and first got interested in music while listening to the Beatles on the radio. His parents bought him an acoustic guitar when he was eight and he taught himself to play. One day in 1967 he heard the Jimi Hendrix song “Purple Haze” and since he’d never heard sounds like that coming out of my acoustic guitar, he switched to electric. He studied the works of Hendrix, Clapton and Page, but his rock star dreams were put on hold when his was burned in a fire. With few alternatives, he returned to playing acoustic guitar and developed a love for the instrument, a feeling that continues to this day. He found inspiration in the music of Crosby Stills and Nash, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell who were all playing acoustic guitar based music.

In 1975, at the age of 20, he was recommended to Al Stewart who asked him to join his band on tour. That summer he spent considerable time at Abbey Road studio in London, working with Al on the “Year of the Cat” album, which became a million seller. It was the beginning of a musical collaboration that was to last 20 years, during which time they wrote and recorded many songs together, including Al’s 1978 Top Ten hit “Time Passages”.

As well as recording his own music, Peter has performed on recordings by many jazz greats including Dave Koz, Gato Barbieri, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Craig Chaquico, Jeff Golub, Lee Ritenour, Third Force, The Rippingtons, Kirk Whalum, Boney James and Marc Antoine. I find his music a balm for the soul and so will you.

Caravan of Dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPUuN9Ft4rI&feature=related

Midnight in Manhattan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hApx-ufwmpg&feature=related

Promenade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLPPPR35Rq0&feature=related

Who’s that Lady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jTrZnpA3Zs&feature=related

Bullseye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCe_ozy84Q0&feature=related

San Diego: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoahSOL5chc&feature=related

Papa was a Rolling Stone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA0BlmcMQWc&feature=related

Walk on by: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xui0gl6mikE&feature=related

What does it take: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPEiJAMa_j0&feature=related

Bright: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwy-oeCtR_g&feature=relmfu

Dreamwalk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ChG_0kPOzw&feature=relmfu

Coast Road Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxpN9Dezic&feature=relmfu

The weather and music calls for a light summer wine, so tonight I’m drinking a 2009 Domaine Vincent Ricard "Le Bouc" ($14.00). This is a French Sauvignon Blanc, pale.green-yellow color, with citrus, peach and green apples on the nose. Lively on entry with a beautiful mouth feel full of green apples and citrus. Nice minerality leads to a mouthwatering finish with excellent persistence. Very crisp and refreshing. A great wine for relaxing on the deck with a sky full of stars and the sounds of Peter White drifting on the cool spring breeze. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Richard Thompson & Stolpman Vineyards Syrah

Tonight I’m featuring a musician whose guitar skills rank with the likes of Clapton and Page and whose song writing is on par with Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Richard Thompson has long been a favorite of mine. Born in 1949 and influenced by Django Reinhardt, Fats Waller, Les Paul, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, he started his career as one of the founding members of the 1960’s folk/rock group Fairport Convention. His songs are poignant, provocative, and a life full of experience. His style ranges from traditional English Celtic to rocking blues. One of my all time favorite songs that he performs is 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, with its intricate Appalachian-style guitar work and mournful tune. It’s often at the top of internet polls for folk/rock ballads. I’ll let his music tell the rest of his story. Enjoy!

1952 Vincent Black Lightning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lCH5JgWCZY&feature=related

Beeswing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HApy-Xoix-g&feature=related

I misunderstood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gyWTihnVjQ&feature=related

Persuasion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3DS6xglAfQ

Woodstock Tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h54rRq2SAv0

Black Crow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-T_mvE8slk&feature=related

On Austin City Limits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M799A4Hc4Y&feature=related

Waltzing for Dreamers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9-lAOdQrGo&feature=related

Cooksferry Queen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGKkhUkxvc4&feature=related

Sunset song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucboYlQrv9o&feature=related

Turning of the Tide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THkeSeWg0eI&feature=related

Oops, I did it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAS4ltt7DzI

Where the drunkards roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arqRV1RWXGI&feature=related

Dad’s gonna kill me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyV8gV7HYp4&feature=related

When the spell is broken: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dk2G0yCvR8&feature=related

Dimming of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC-5vpJNlUk

Complimenting Richard, I suggest a very special wine, a 2009 Stolpman Vineyards Syrah Estate Grown Santa Ynez Valley. I bought four bottles through WineAccess for about $22.00 each. This is a deep purple wine with a nose of wildflowers and raspberry and succulent flavors of red current, cassis, and black cherry. It was great from the bottle, but really opened up after an hour. Wonderful wine if you can find it and it perfectly complements the rich textures of Richard Thompson’s music. Enjoy!

Cheers!