Pump It Up Music & La Vielle Ferme Rose Ventoux

It was 105^o in Lincoln today. That makes the 20^th day of 95^o+ weather we’ve had in a row and the 7^th time we’ve hit the century mark in the last two weeks. It makes it difficult to want to do anything, let alone head off for work on a Monday knowing the temperature’s gonna make Hell look like the North Pole. So to motivate and pump you up for the week, I’ve assembled a collection of my favorite “Pump-Up songs. 

What do I mean by a pump-up song? It’s a song you want to listen to when you’re in the gym and feeling the strain of lifting weights or running on a treadmill or cross trainer. It’s a song that keeps you going when you’re out on a 5 mile run in the heat. It’s a song when you’re traveling cross-country and need a boost to stay awake. And it’s a song when your job sucks and you need something to get you through the drudgery, i.e. I’ve had some really sucking experiences at my job lately and as I listened to my Pandora channels, on two consecutive mornings, AC/DC’s Highway to Hell came on. Ironic? 

These are songs that you crank, that you tap your toes, or feel your body sway to the music. One of my all time favorites is Dire Strait’s Money for Nothing, but all of these will get you going. One caution, be careful if you listen while driving as the next thing you know, you’re 25 over the speed limit and there are flashing blue and red lights in your rearview mirror. Pump it up!

ZZ Top:

Sharp Dressed Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn2-b_opVTo

Gimme all your lovin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4VFFBCa5Aw

Metallica:

Enter Sandman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPJKuygePHk

Aerosmith:
Sweet Emotion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V87ZNemLyRk

Walk this way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av2dUXjarX4

Scorpions:

Rock you like a hurricane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI2COawqMJQ

AC/DC:

Highway to hell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n_yvrROCtU&feature=related

Back in black: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gComM_ASfuM

Cream:

Sunshine of your love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16h6vLy6n4A&feature=related

Crossroads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=becWr0vc6cA

Van Halen:

Panama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-NshzYK9y0

Jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq0lYB3iSM

Orianthi:

Highly Strung: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7b-_YcACuQ

Joe Satriani:

Summer Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vp7TmTfVZI&feature=fvst

Satch’s boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzQb79IhoRE

Eric Johnson:

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYKxXc2D4I

Zenland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txp2FwL9bE4&feature=related

Stevie Ray Vaugh:

Scuttle Buttin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHEVIWpX2XM&feature=related

Crossfire:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsHXd4rQnW0

Led Zepplin:

Whole lotta love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mln0RciE2o0&feature=related

Dire Straits:

Sultans of Swing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxsnIRpy2E&feature=related

Money for Nothing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlPjxz4LGak

The weather begs the question, “Why does anyone live in Nebraska?” My wife and I have asked that question a lot lately. Maybe it’s time to move to cooler climes. But when it’s this hot, it calls for something refreshing, like a 2011 La Vielle Ferme Rose Ventoux, Rhone Valley ($10.00). It’s produced by the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel fame. It’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. Beautiful strawberry pink color with aromas of strawberries and cherries that follow on the palate. It’s a very rich, balanced wine that refreshes on a hot summer evening (it’s still above 100 as I write this at 7:15 PM). So grab a bottle and hit the floor with some great music. In fact, play it while you’re getting ready for work tomorrow morning. Anything to get you going! Enjoy!

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!

Year End Guitar Review and Champagne

Last blog of the 2011 year calls for a review of some of my favorites that I’ve reviewed in the past 12 months. I’ve included a mix of styles, genre’s, acoustic, and electric. There’s a lot here (47 songs) so take your time, grab some champagne, and welcome the New Year in with some of the best guitarists around.

Davy Knowles

Saving myself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swU5og9-UaE

Come Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgYAScGdd9Y&feature=related

Riverbed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyJSduGyy1w&feature=related

Mark Kroos

Indigo Child: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2p0RAPR9js

The demons were gone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikuLzJmx9QM&feature=related

Guthrie Govan

Wonderful Slippery Thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc1tFoxTepM&sns=em

Orange Jam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71izserFcek&sns=em

Funky Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEubiUaDq0o&sns=em

Kelly Valleau

Mad world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJXJX2EzK4&sns=em

Dust in the wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlD6oVNmDLA&feature=related

Don’t stop believing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sni0J8xXec&feature=related

Eye of the Tiger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgrG4bu2JeQ&feature=related

Michael Hedges

Jitterboogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnaEZaUMk-s&feature=related

Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqGHE5GqZ44&feature=related

Gimme Shelter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prF59Qp1mTc&feature=related

Tim Hawkins

Dog’s on fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O5cGUs2OM4&feature=related

Old rock stars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxKeCmTCDV4

Things you don’t say to your wife: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK2OakMoW_c&feature=related

Don Ross

Michael Michael: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkidVP0AcQ8&feature=relmfu

Klimbim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBwM9VqmxQE&feature=relmfu

Tight Trite Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OYyIJUTKEI&feature=related

Alvin Youngblood Hart

Illinois Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nhk2GJAfvg

Hellhound on my trail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lgFAwbjYsU&feature=related

Gallows Pole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_T89f6IVxw

Roy Rogers

Walkin blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW08Rc802MQ

The sky is cryin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rZVz3O47yo&feature=related

Money Maker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2e7aB0t8I&feature=related

Matt Schofield

Lay it down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag14mqNPJiU

Black cat bone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj0STCuNamI&feature=related

Gareth Pearson

Billie Jean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e64DJemlUec&feature=relmfu

Beauty of discipline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNKs6fU7X6g&feature=relmfu

Paranoid android: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiC35isSciM&feature=related

Steven King

Rhapsody in blue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XzZJ8pIr3M&feature=related

Blue Rondo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tRoJjw_9bA&feature=related

Birdland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nleBVdSSDrY&feature=related

Preston Reed

Ladies Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=356ViUx1Ktc

Shinkansen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5dtkIXBKes&feature=related

Eric Johnson

Classical Soul: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAhtFjetqdc&feature=related

Song for life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMK0ybEaDaI&feature=related

Song for George: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z7_QRTM96M&feature=related

Lawson Rollins

Fire Cadenza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ9PRzIyzFA

Persian Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZS1Dsk2GPU&feature=relmfu

Ben Lapps

Phunkified: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQS27yQZYY

Going to California: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Xo8iYn16Q&feature=related

Joe Robinson

Fireflies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41MGqy9-wGA&feature=related

Emily: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7ZyHxVrDyc

Classical Gas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiLDGDcyRiU

So, it’s New Year’s Eve and what are you drinking? Beer…pullease! A fru fru martini? Get serious. New Years Eve calls for sparkling wine and lets face it, when it comes to sparkling wine, there is champagne and then there is everything else. The others are good, but they're not champagne.

But champagne is usually associated with megabucks, something that for most of us in this economy isn’t feasible. For that matter, it’s never feasible for me. No wine region in the world has done a better job than Champagne of creating a mystique about itself. The one common feeling associated with champagne is joy and happiness. But the trick is getting that happy feeling without breaking the bank while at the same time finding something that’s good.

Champagne is no sure thing. Producers baby their more expensive vintage Champagnes using the best grapes, grown in the best soils while basic champagnes may receive the consideration and resources of a neglected child. But fear not, there are good ones that are reasonably priced and consistent from year to year.

At the top of the price list, I recommend Pol Roger Brut Réserve ($35). This is a very consistent champagne and great value from one of the premier small Champagne houses. It’s medium bodied and well balanced.

One of my favorites, Nicolas Feuillatte, is a particularly reliable Champagne, a good value at almost every price level. The brut is full bodied, with lingering flavors and, although not completely dry, well balanced. It costs around $28 a bottle. I prefer the Rose ($39.00), which has delicious strawberry fruit overtones.

Lanson Black Label (~$30.00) has juicy acidity complemented by mineral and citrus flavors. Likewise, Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Cru NV (~$29.00) is full-bodied with a creamy texture and persistent flavors.

Depending upon your tastes, you may prefer a little sweetness in your champagne. If so, try Moët & Chandon's White Star  (~$28.00) that’s specially formulated for the American market, which is thought to prefer some sweetness. It’s labeled Extra Dry, which paradoxically is a step sweeter than brut.

But just to be fair, California produces some excellent sparkling wines (only a wine made in the Champagne region of France can truly bear the moniker champagne) and many of the great French champagne houses have California properties that turn out great wines at great prices. Two examples are Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley (~$20.00) and Chandon Blanc de Noir ($20.00). The former is from the makers of Cristal, the champagne of Rock Stars and starts off with a bit of toasted brioche that transitions into flavors of citrus, green apples, and pears. The latter is from the makers of Dom Perignon and features the crispness of Chardonnay and deeper flavors of tart cherries and strawberries from Pinot Noir. It’s a wonderful wine that my wife and I love to drink just because.

I’m posting this early so you have time to pick up a bottle that suits your tastes in time for New Year’s Eve. So forget the other stuff and pick up a bottle or two from one of these producers and get happy for the New Year. Stay safe!

Cheers!

Acoustic Eric Johnson & Château Majoureau, Bordeaux Supérieur

Tonight, I’m featuring an all-acoustic set by one of the worlds greatest electric guitarists, none other than Eric Johnson. Born August 17^th, 1954 and hailing from Austin, Texas, he best known for his electric work, especially his incredible tone. His repertoire incorporates jazz, fusion, rock, gospel, country, and western into a unique and wonderful style. Guitar magazine called him one of the most respected guitarists on the planet.

Although he’s had his own group and recorded solo for many years now, in a past life he was quite the session guitarist and played with artists like Cat Stevens, Carol King, and Christopher Cross.

His own work has included several critically acclaimed works including the Grammy nominated song, Zap, of his 1986 Tones album and his 1990 Grammy winning song Cliffs of Dover off his Ah Via Musicom. His music is a great way to decompress from the week. Hope you enjoy him!

Classical piece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsTHAJnaHJE&feature=related

Classical Soul:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAhtFjetqdc&feature=related

Song for Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMK0ybEaDaI&feature=related

I’m finding you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHzD7DgsH9I&feature=related

April come she will: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxbG9sZY7eI&feature=related

Tribute to Jerry Reed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVg2vCEReQ&feature=related

Song for George: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrtGQ_0-m0&feature=related

Acoustic in Alabama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pQ9O1meQo0&feature=related

Once upon a time in Texas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7pvXEpSpiQ&feature=related

Promised man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2SGoJRAz-I&feature=related

The world is waiting for the sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOvLSxthEB8&feature=related

Guitar Masters, Johnson, Peppino D’Agostino, & andy McKee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rzXfa0vtZY&feature=related

 I’m pairing Eric with a 2008Château Majoureau, Bordeaux Supérieur, ($15.00). This is a red Bordeaux blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc. It’s a great wine, especially for the price. Rich, black cherries and blackberries flood the nose. The taste was brimming with blackberry, dark plum, and spice.  For the price point, this wine is very complex. The acid is in harmony with the spice and fruits with a clean, fruit and mineral finish. All in all, a very nice wine and paired with an acoustic concert by Eric Johnson, it’s a great way to kick off the week end. Enjoy!

Cheers!