Fun Songs and Beckman Vineyard's Rosé

So, did you survive another Monday? Great day here in Nebraska cause it rained all day and only reached 66^o for a high, a record for us, but nobody’s complaining because we don’t usually see this kind of weather until October. So, how but some fun music? The blog tonight contains some of my favorite songs, some of which are the greatest ever. Lot’s of good guitar “Check out the tasteful bridge by Huey Lewis’ guitarist on Small World), but mostly just great songs  by some stellar groups and people. It’ll get your blood pumping for the rest of the week.

The criteria were the sentiment, the beat, i.e. does it pump you up, and do I just plain love the song. I purposely ended with two of the greatest dance songs by Gloria Estafan. Interesting when you look at these old videos. Beyoncé stole a couple of dance moves from her. See if you can get into her groove and dance. Blast it at the office and see if you can get the whole place moving. It’s a great way to start the day. Enjoy!

Sweet Freedom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-xetxYwyak

Danger Zone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK0P1Bk8Cx4

Small World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Kga9Onc60

Jesus is just all right: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwbGjzF3mB0

Footloose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjqfGe_80Ck

I keep forgetting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY0--b6DLqQ

Don’t stop believing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcjzHMhBtf0

Fragile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB6a-iD6ZOY

Old time rock and roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQswfILThsY

Takin care of business: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybtl9qVFAjc

Turn the page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3khH9ih2XJg

Southbound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loieSYMoLLs

Mississippi Queen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhM1XZsh6o

Can’t find my way home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoSn2Y-b6wI

Badge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3nPXFcARkA

Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw0Gd8uiM5s

Every breath you take: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzs

Sunshine of your love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhzF2K2b7Xo

While my guitar gently weeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3RYvO2X0Oo

Jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap2J9RbXaP4

Desert Rose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3lWwBslWqg

Let it be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Z8t8X2KCo

Smooth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-y2LUh-9AA

Summer of Sixty-nine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2tOoBd9RP8

Conga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww4Mil9GMJ4

Rhythm is gonna get you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr1Isgg7F7U

Since this entry focuses on fun, how about a  2012 Beckman Vineyards Grenache Rose ($18.00). Like Stolpman  Vineyards, Beckman’s “Le Bec” is one of my favorite Syrah’s and this Rosés is out of this world. “What is it with Syrah Vinyards? They seem to make incredible Rosés. The color is coppery red, almost orange and has an aroma of oranges, strawberries and fruit candies. Strawberries dominate the palate, but there are notes of citrus and herbs with a mineral berry finish. Lovely for sipping by itself, although it goes great with grilled teriyaki salmon. It’s just the ticket for the tonight’s musical selections.

Cheers!

Eric Gales & Starmont Rose

Born October 29, 1974, and originally from Memphis, TN, Eric Gales is a kickass blues-rock guitarist. Gales picked up the guitar at age four and was hailed as a child prodigy. His first teachers were his older brothers Eugene and Manuel who taught him licks from Hendrix, Albert King, B.B. King, and a host of others. One oddity about his style is that although he is not left handed, he plays a right-handed guitar "upside-down" (with the E-bass string on the bottom), due to the fact that his left-handed brother taught him much of his technique and it was easier to copy his style than transpose it to a right hand version.

Guitar World magazine's Reader's Poll named Eric as "Best New Talent", in 1991. In addition to his own band, he’s performed with guitarists Carlos Santana, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II as well as drummers Mitch Mitchell (Hendrix) and Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughn). He’s been hailed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix and like Hendrix, his singing is marginal, but his guitar playing is phenomenal.

Sign of the Storm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB5A8E1BRVE

Trampled Underfoot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMgXBDRAKOE&feature=fvwrel

Waterfall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_5FvYidt-I

I pity the fool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG87i4yPgKY

The Liar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6OD9_fR0Lc

Superstitious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77dOUr9lhD8

Sea of Bad Blood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0tpkeD9k_s&feature=related

Resurrection: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D21ShGlkYsA&feature=related

Little Wing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmC-rxAs-ow&feature=related

When You’ve Got No Place To Go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmp4Byhx1Zk&feature=related

Block the Sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h25rSHvbU18&feature=related

Make it There: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OCDgooyZrc&feature=relmfu

Transformation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMdBbM7-jK8&feature=related

I’m really sick of 100 degree weather, but at least it gives me an excuse to drink lots of one of my favorite summer wines, namely Rosés and tonight’s Starmont 2011 Rosé ($15.00) should hit the spot as I sit on my deck and offer a sacrifice to the sun gods in order to get them to back off.  Vibrant ruby in color, this varietal blend starts with a nose of fresh strawberries, pink grapefruit, and vanilla. The palate offers up flavors of ripe cherry, strawberry, red raspberries, and tart rhubarb balanced with crisp acidity. For a Rosé, it has an unusually long finish. Hot music with a cool wine. Enjoy!

Cheers!

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!

Elmore James & Chateau Routas Rouvier Rose

Elmore James (January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963) was one of the most influential blues guitarists, singers, and songwriters of our time. Artists like Eric Clapton, Rory Block, the Allman Brothers Band, Cream, Johnny Winter and a host of others have covered his songs. He was known as "the King of the Slide Guitar." He was the illegitimate son of 15-year-old Leola Brooks, a field hand. His father was probably Joe Willie "Frost" James, who moved in with Leola, and so Elmore took this as his name. Elmore began making music at the age of 12 using a simple one-string instrument ("Diddley Bow or jitterbug) strung up on a shack wall. As he matured, he was strongly influenced by Robert Johnson, even though Johnson died in 1938. 

During World War II, James joined the U.S. Navy, was promoted to coxswain and took part in the invasion of Guam against the Japanese. Upon his discharge, Elmore returned to central Mississippi and eventually settled in Canton with his adopted brother Robert Holston; it was at this time he learned that he had a serious heart condition. Working in Robert's electrical shop, he devised his unique electric sound, using parts from the shop and an unusual placement of two D'Armond pickups.

James's demise may have been hastened by his lifelong taste for, and manufacture of, moonshine whiskey, to which he was introduced at an early age. He died of his third heart attack in Chicago in 1963, just prior to a tour of Europe with that year's American Folk Blues Festival. He was buried in the Newport Baptist Church Cemetery in Ebenezer, Mississippi. See how many tunes you recognize and extra credit goes to those who can identify the modern day bands that have re-recorded his songs.

Dust my broom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKo80b-QfK0

The sky is cryin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKEdlSTHjtU

It hurts me too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBA2REoRD98

Blues before sunrise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_aZ0jPPiao&feature=related

Rollin and tumbling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsgZ5IDQu80&feature=related

Every day I have the blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJCH3xO-mYQ&feature=relmfu

Shake your money maker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn77rGEV6XM&feature=related

Done somebody wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNBk1faWI-k

I need you baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVp3VnCjLEE&feature=related

Fine little mama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZStV6Cd8uQ&feature=related

Knockin at your door: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ9eXuBSFlE&feature=relmfu

Something inside me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRXnmjFEWDo&feature=related

Hand in hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQb5udtkI-E&feature=fvwrel

Goodbye baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIEjoz6TFg8&feature=related

My wife and I were visiting Boston last week and after a day of walking around all day in Boston’s heat wave didn’t feel like venturing too far from our hotel for dinner. So we hit Brasserie Jo’s in the Colonade Hotel. Turned out to be a good choice because we had one of the best salmon dishes I’ve ever tasted. The fish was baked perfectly and covered in a beurre blanc sauce (very unhealthy, but wonderful) on top of kalamata and green olives and chantrelles. We needed something refreshing so I ordered a 2010 Chateau Routas Rouvier Rose from the Provence region of France. Provence is famous for its Rose’s and this one didn’t disappoint. The wine was a pale pink (which matched the salmon) with aromas of strawberries and herbs. The flavor followed the nose with accents of cherry and lime. It’s a zesty, refresher that compliments many foods as well as the slide guitar of a classic, Mr. Elmore James.

Cheers!