Ben Howard & Trousse-Chemise Pinot Noir

Ben Howard was born in West London in 1987. His family moved to Totnes, Devon when he was eight. His parents, musicians themselves, surrounded him with music as he grew up and exposed him to singer-songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s like Joni Mitchel and Simon and Garfunkel. Two of his biggest musical influences were John Martyn and Nick Drake.

Ben began writing his own songs when he was around ten, using the guitar as his composing vehicle. He attended Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and King Edward VI Community College then went on to study journalism at the University of Falmouth. But six months shy of getting his degree, he decided to make music his full-time career focusing on the folk-style genre made popular by Nick Drake. His guitar style is a blend of fingerpicking, standard tapping, and lap-tapping. His lyrics are full of imagery, some of which is rather dark. He released two EPs before signing with Island Records. His debut CD, Every Kingdom, went gold in the U.K. and is gradually gaining traction in the U.S. due to a recent tour.

In 2013, he won BRIT awards for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Solo Male Artist. His voice and guitar have a haunting quality to it that I hope you like. Enjoy!

The Fear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnxCxHLAqn8

Depth over Distance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phktiVZqUbQ

Old Pine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzzCthKw_C0

Soldiers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWhm-H7M8Us

Live Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58xfJLrRr4U

Eurosonic Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW2kUiQh9Kk

I’m pairing Ben with the 2012 Trousse-Chemise Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Oregon, and particularly the Willamette Valley region, produces some of my favorite Pinot Noirs. This one is bright cherry red with a nose of red raspberries and cherries. The palate follows the nose with rich fruit and a fresh vibrant finish. It’s a nice wine to enjoy with a good book while listening to the music of Ben Howard.

Cheers!

Indigo Girls and Saint-Amant Grangeneuve

Although I was a professional bassist when I was younger, I took up the acoustic guitar because playing the bass by myself was boring. I used take my Martin D-35 and play regularly at a particular coffee house in college. So, although I’m a jazz/blues musician by training, I have always loved the folk scene.

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers make up what I consider to be one of the premier duos to ever hit the music scene—the Indigo Girls. The only other due that comes close to their melodies, harmonies, and lyrical beauty is Simon and Garfunkel. They first met at Laurel Ridge Elementary School near Decatur, Georgia. They didn’t become friends until high school because Emily was a year older than Amy. While attending Shamrock High School, they recognized their musical love and started performing together, first as “The B-Band” then as “Saliers and Ray.”

After graduating, they went their separate ways, Saliers to Tulane University and Ray to Vanderbilt. Both became homesick and returned to Georgia where they attended Emory University and reunited as a musical duo. They needed a name and began going through the dictionary looking for words that struck them. Indigo was the winner and they began performing publically under the name Indigo Girls.

Around 1988, the duo seemed to fit into the category of “the next big thing,” following the success of artists like Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega. As a result, Epic Records signed them to their first major recording contract. Their first release, “Indigo Girls” contains one of my all time favorites, “Closer to Fine.” The album won a Grammy award for best folk recording.

While their guitar and vocal harmonies are captivating, don’t miss the poetry of their lyrics starting with “Closer to Fine.” Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Closer to fine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228

Galileo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI1keSSwdcI

Least complicated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOBZ_dkGpJ4

Power of two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj0yVN8pFNw

Blood and fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIDyGTD6EZw

Prince of darkness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY9-98tkfvg

Hammer and a nail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTI2GGNFR_U

Romeo & Juliet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEcMzxLxSgo

Chickenman/Bitter root: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-rxBU5p2cs

Tangled up in blue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PKoMxd3Idk

Share the moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBGPAwHHHpQ

Bus bus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ZMkqdgzI8

Opened a bottle of one of my favorite wines recently, which is very appropriate since the Indigo girls are one of my favorite folk groups. The 2009 Saint-Amant Grangeneuve Beaumes-du-Venise is a Southern Rhone crafted from 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 5% Viognier. In the glass it’s dark purple with aromas of red raspberries and spice. Its tastes like a bowl full of raspberries and cherries with a bit of pepper due to the Syrah. At $17.00, it also a bargain. Get your local wine shop to order a case and enjoy it with the music of the Indigo Girls.

Cheers!

Sam Pachetti & Baigorri Tempranillo

Sam Pacetti is quite a talent on the guitar. His picking style is reminiscent of Leo Kottke and Chris Proctor while his vocals remind me of the coffeehouses where I used to play back in the early 1970s. He debuted his first recording, “Solitary Travel” at the age of 22.  He learned to play the guitar from his flamenco-playing Cuban grandfather then went on the pursue classical guitar studies.  He fuses American traditional folk music with English reels and ballads, following in the footsteps of the great English guitarist Martin Simpson whose songs he often plays. He’s a storyteller as well as a musician and listening to him is a great way to kick back and unwind. My Dad used to play "Eight More Miles to Louisville" and this brings back fond memories of him. Enjoy.

Drowned Lovers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2vopYMiXe4

That’s all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLBNdxN_2ZY

Shawnee Town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dFLhF1RGeg

At the Warehouse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwtT5S73GO0&feature=related

Eight more miles to Louisville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf4BqlQkS7k&feature=related

Layover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpLzv6BS59Y&feature=related

Only then will your house be blessed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPG0y8whpjQ

Richland Woman Blues, Jelly Roll, Back porch boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Dawyltou4&feature=related 

See you in my dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQEVBkXBPnI&feature=related

Bach Prelude #1 in D minor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGGIcwgcRkQ&feature=related

Augustine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FdzSn95jWM&feature=related

Christians and the Outlaws: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-rnX1H_7k4&feature=related

Medley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu3dOLHoxOM

While I was in the Netherlands staying with a friend, he opened a bottle of Bodegas Baigorri 2005 Crianza made of 100% Tempranillo. About $15.00 in the U.S. The wine is aged for 12 months in new French oak and has a nose of spice, black cherry, blackberry and subtle note of oak. The palate is juicy with layers of cherry, raspberry, and vanilla with a long spicy finish. This is an elegant Rioja with excellent structure and balance. A great wine for listening to some excellent guitar as the weekend winds to a close.

Cheers!