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!

Rock gone acoustic & Heron Pinot Noir

Nothing stretches an electric guitarist more than playing a brains-against-the-wall rock tune unplugged. It’s much harder to disguise screw-ups when you’re playing acoustic. So, tonight I thought I’d take a look at some serious rock tunes played by their respective bands in an acoustic format. It amazes me how beautiful some of these songs sound unplugged. Listen to Stevie Winwood playing “Can’t Find My Way Home,” the Eurythmic’s “Here Comes The Rain Again,” or the Scorpion’s “Send Me An Angel” as examples. Others seem more amenable to toe tapping and a nodding one’s head such as “Panama” by Van Halen or catch Joe Perry’s slide work on “Monkey Off My Back.” Very cool. Some very nice guitar work here. Hope you enjoy it.

Eagles

Hotel California: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYf4kqnAWos

Bruce Springsteen

Thunder road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-hF_QrvfR0

Steve Winwood/Blind Faith

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

Eric Clapton

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

Bon Jovi

Wanted dead or alive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWVgbTBlH9M

Van Halen

Panama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0c6naJkYEE

Jethro Tull

Life’s a long song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE8YLPHZImw

Aerosmith

Monkey off my back/Love me two times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM04A9HZfxA

Brian May (Queen)

39: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqOdu2xjlBA

Kansas

Dust in the wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQem15Ow6hw

Cheap Trick

Flame: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3xPO5f0ks

Scorpions

Send me an angel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ZQ8cIE_6Q

Eurythmics

Here comes the rain again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYeIyR2hzdo

Yes

Roundabout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riE2xHDgODg

The Pretenders

Back on the chain gang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_UjjQq_ZxI

My favorite reds for summer are Pinot Noirs. They’re light, fruity, and wonderful. So tonight, try a 2011 Heron Pinot Noir ($15.00). Heron winery is out of San Francisco and isn’t a vineyard. Rather, they buy grapes from all over the world to make one fine wine. For a Pinot at this price point, it’s stunning. The wine is bright ruby red and quite complex with aromas of cherries, vanilla, and a touch of pepper. It’s more like a French Burgundy with flavors of red cherries, cranberry, and vanilla and higher acidity than a California Pinot Noir. For $15.00, you can’t beat it. Enjoy it with some very tasty acoustic rock.

Cheers!

Guitar Power Songs v2 & Bota Box Riesling

Power Riffs #2

Tonight I’m continuing the Guitar Power Songs. To recap, the songs were selected by several criteria. First, was there a great hook or guitar part that sticks in your mind like a worm devouring your gray matter? Songs like “Frankenstein,” “Smoke on the Water,” or “Jump,” are representative of this category. Second, did the song have such an impact that it’s been re-recorded or covered numerous times? I can’t even count the acoustic guitar versions of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” that I see on YouTube (the one by Eric Roche is the best). Third, were they just real guitar anthems like “Thunderstruck” or “Cat Scratch Fever?” Fourth is a miscellaneous category. The song defined an era (think “Hotel California,” and ‘Teen Spirit”). And last but not least, fifth, I just plain liked it.

Tonight I’ve got some of my all time favs like Frankenstein, Jump, Smuggler’s Blues (heard on Miami Vice), an all acoustic Hotel California, and one of my favorite guitar riffs, Enter Sandman. Have a rocking Saturday night…after the football game.

Edgar Winter & Rick Derringer

Frankenstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1mV_5-bRPo

Rock and roll hoochi koo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdHnGyU1yJQ

Aerosmith:

Walk this way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx9YrvIZUPg

Nirvana

Smells like Teen Spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg

Survivor:

Eye of the tiger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4

AC/DC

Thunderstruck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

Highway to hell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJQp7Id2ywE

Van Halen

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

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

Eagles

Smuggler’s Blues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUFFakjZqFA

Hotel California: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYf4kqnAWos

Bon Jovi

Livin on a prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk

It’s my life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2u5uUu3DE

Deep Purple

Smoke on the Water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mCK05dgwgU

Ted Nugent

Cat scratch fever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me4pO9cqcmU

Derek & the Dominos

Layla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTETsS5Lk7M

Metallica

Enter Sandman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD-E-LDc384

One of my favorite wines for anytime drinking is Riesling. With so many songs, you’re going to need a lot of it. So keeping with last night’s theme, I suggest the Riesling from Bota Box (3L/$17.00). It’s an off dry style with flavors of sweet apricots, lemon, and honeyed apples. It’s clean with good acidity and it’s a good sipper or quaffer. Enjoy it with some great guitar classics.

Cheers!

Nostalgia, Anniversaries, and Shramsburg Blanc de Noir

Feeling nostalgic this week as my wife and I celebrated our 36^th anniversary. In honor of that, I’m revisiting some of the guitar greats of the past. The 60s, 70s, and 80s saw some great guitarists hit the stage. Those were boom years when guitar technique blossomed from hard driving rock to shredder to more melodic forms. While everybody has their own opinions, the guitarists listed below can be found on many of the “top 100” lists, including mine. There are some great songs here, too. So, to end your week on a high note, I give you some of the greatest guitarists to ever pick up the instrument.

Nancy Wilson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whXeb7Ohfkk

Joe Walsh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rlaF16gLF4

Tommy Iommi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9jqcgnpGKw

Brian May:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYabmM-uxdE

David Gilmore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N82TLB03Vk&feature=related

Paul Kossoff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNVMJdqs5XE

Gary Moore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbJI1y0i1mk&feature=related

John Sykes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnzfE8war2w

Van Halen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpX3NhpRGdE

Steve Howe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNsbtnMeGbU

Richie Blackmore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFH36je9Hro

Jimmy Page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS5R42ZWe8A

Robin Trower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tLsFsGxLmE

Rory Gallagher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxiEMpcI83E

Duane Allman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6mwOixCObc

Eric Clapton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9N8Qi6zLSU

Leslie West: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMXeZWv6AS0

Alvin Lee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYwfZKl1BzY&feature=fvst

Jeff Beck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZlFTbvfKPE

Celebrated our anniversary with a great champagne. Well, actually it’s classified as a sparkling wine since it didn’t come from the Champagne region of France, but I’m not a snob.  The wine is a Blanc de Noir from California’s Shramsburg Estate. Shramsburg has a long, very interesting history detailed on it’s website, and the estate is actually a state historical landmark. They pioneered Blanc de Noir (“white of black”) made primarily from Pinot Noir, in the U.S. with the first release in 1967. The wine is pale gold colored with aromas of toasted almonds, peaches, and orange peel. It has a creamy texture and subtle flavors of red fruit, orange, and almonds with a citrus finish and perfectly balanced acidity. It’s about $32.00 a bottle, a little above my usual $25.00 limit, but hey, it’s our anniversary, and we’re worth it. So enjoy a blast from the past and try a wonderful sparkling wine to go with it.

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!