AC/DC Live Concert & Chateau de Laubade Armagnac

Okay, I’m back and feeling feisty. Been very busy with consulting gigs and grant writing and tonight I need to blow off steam for the upcoming week. Maybe you feel the same? So tonight it’s a full concert by AC/DC. Nothing short of brains against the wall rock and roll. Forget the wine, go out an get yourself a bottle of Chateau de Laubade XO Armagnac, It’s about $69.00 but you’re not going to drink the whole bottle at once…at least I don’t recommend it. Pour three fingers into a big snifter, kick back, and get ready for tomorrow. Monday will ook better if you’re pumped and ready to hit the ground running. Back in black & kicking out the jams!

AC/DC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWnG_5obvLo

Cheers!

Stu Hamm & d'Arenberg Stump Jump Shiraz

Stu Hamm was born inNew Orleans, but spent his childhood and youth in Champaign, Illinois where he studied bass and piano, played in the stage band at Champaign High School, and was selected to the Illinois All-State Band. Following high school, he attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he met guitarist Steve Vai and, through him, Joe Satriani. Hamm played bass on Vai's debut solo album, Flex-Able, which was released in 1984.

Stu has performed and recorded with Steve Vai, Frank Gambale, and Joe Satriani, with whom he is most frequently associated. It was playing on tour with Satriani that brought Hamm's skills to national attention. Subsequent recordings with Satriani and other rock/fusion artists, along with the release of his own solo recordings have solidified his reputation as a bassist, composer, and performer. He’s one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Count Zero: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQuZrJtXLa0

Black Ice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkIVRVdQGo&feature=related

Obligatory Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v11t2Rcb3c

Call Of The Wild: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSYmejnAE5s&feature=related

I want to Know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD-kwrYy634&feature=related

Geo 100: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LERgQ1mwEyA&feature=related

Flow My Tears: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqADj5SuKJE&feature=related

Driving at Night with Satriani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO7bQAjMWV0&feature=related

Linus and Lucy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F47nSQuDfnE&feature=related

Going to California: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUYuK0qkuAw&feature=related

Stu Hamm himself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Q_J2fIKPI&feature=related

Flying in a blue dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I56Ar4lDxNw&feature=related

Summer song with Satriani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAHRoeiOt-s&feature=related

Stu deserves a powerhouse wine to match his music, so I suggest the 2008 version of  d’Arenberg’s Stump Jump Shiraz ($10.00). The name 'Stump Jump' relates to the South Australian Stump Jump plough. This plough became a popular piece of machinery for plowing fields because of its ability to ride over stumps, gnarled Eucalyptus roots, and snags, saving valuable time and resources by not stopping the draught horse.

The wine has abundant plum and raspberry aromas that leap out of the glass enveloping your nose in a heavenly pot-pourri. The palate is juicy with cherry, raspberry, and red currents along with the spice typical of Shiraz. There’s an underlying earthy complexity that’s evident throughout. This is an incredible wine for ten bucks and was rightly placed in Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines for 2010. So, kick off the week with the driving rock of Stu Hamm and open a bottle of Stump Jump to jumpstart the week. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Van der Kamp's Tandem Pinot Noir and Rush

Friday night and I’m ready for some classic rock, so I’m featuring Rush, a Canadian power rock trio composed of Alex Leifson (guitars), Getty Lee (Bass & vocals),  and Neil Peart (Drums & lyricist). The band is known for its musicianship, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, as well as addressing humanitarian, social, emotional, and environmental concerns. All three members were and still are virtuosos on their respective instruments. Rush's music style has changed over the years, beginning with blues-inspired heavy metal on their first album, then encompassing hard rock, and progressive rock. As a group, Rush possesses 24 gold records and 14 platinum (3 multi-platinum) records. Rush's sales statistics place them third behind the Beatles and Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band.

Leifson and Lee are a powerful combination. Leifson’s ability to wail on the electric, then move to melodic classical styles is incredible. And as a bassist, trying to sing complicated lyrics AND play dynamic bass parts as Getty Lee does, is quite a daunting task. Trust me, I’m a bassist. If you’ve never heard of Rush, but like an edgier sound, I think you’re in for a treat.

Tom Sawyer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNZru4JG_Uo&feature=related

Spirit of Radio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPuOGaoDeIE&feature=related

Limelight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUNxqE_3N0c&feature=related

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

Closer to the Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEgXe-gQxX4&feature=related

Trees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhFsQxl2M8o&feature=related

YYZ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbpzJRWz6rg&feature=related

Red Barchetta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djVGhqvl_8A&feature=related

Xanadu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTD1QW3SM60&feature=related

Show of Hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEmQN0IJyc&feature=related

In the Mood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUGoJ5W1KfM&feature=related

Finding My Way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mav12Hm8fSs&feature=related

Farewell to Kings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu1UIEQ5QGs&feature=related

Circumstances: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49q59A8OhM8&feature=related

Anthem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbAho8V3tUE&feature=related

Garden Road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_2cgHHK3fc&feature=related

Van der Kamp’s Tandem 2007 Pinot Noir. The Van der Kamp vineyard is the highest on Sonoma Mountain, and contains some of California’s oldest Pinot Noir. In case you haven’t heard, 2007 was as near-perfect a vintage as anyone is likely to see and the Van der Kamp Vineyard outdid itself. The aromatics of the Tandem yield all kinds of savory spices and floral notes that complement the bright red cherry and berry fruit, but it’s the texture and savory fruit flavor that is really compelling. Deep cherry/berry flavors, racy acidity, and soft tannins make this a wine that had me glad I bought four bottles. Definitely a classic wine for a classic rock group. 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!

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson has probably the most unique and beautiful tone of any electric blues and rock guitarist I know of. He’s not a shredder like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, or Yngwie Malmsteen, but he’s very quick on the fretboard. His picking and chording patterns are quite complex. His style ranges from rock (Cliffs of Dover) to jazz (Manhattan, Tribute to Wes) to blues (E Blues Shuffle) to country. But again, what sets him apart is his tone(s). They are gorgeous. Hope you enjoy him.

Manhattan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL8aeeSTthQ

SRV: this is a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYKxXc2D4I

Cliffs of Dover: Catch his signature tone. It’s unique and beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sh1P0earDU&feature=related

Desert Rose: Favorite of mine and my two sons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CHAN2a9F-8&feature=related

Bossa nova jam: Really cool jazz sound. Very listenable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi0rVYHl3Jk&feature=related

Tribute to Wes: A tribute to the great jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. The octave work was Wes’ signature and Eric really demonstrates just how versatile he is on this and the previous number.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyDYgl-rN8&feature=related

E Blues Shuffle: Ripping good ride! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEKf5sCb8ww&feature=related

Cheers!