Russ Freeman & Girard Sauvignon Blanc

Russ Freeman is the founder and leader of the contemporary jazz group, the Rippingtons. He was raised in Nashville and started playing the guitar at the age of ten under the tutorage of one of his father’s friends who was a Nashville session musician. By the age of sixteen, Russ was also playing sessions. At the age of eighteen, he left Nashville for Los Angeles where his first gigs were playing the background music for Jane Fonda’s workout videos and commercials featuring Anne Murray and Englebert Humperdinck.

In 1986, he formed the Rippingtons, originally conceiving it as a changing lineup of jazz musicians drawn from top session players. The first version featured one of my favorite pianists, David Benoit along with Brandon Fields, Dave Koz, and Kenny G on saxes. By 1993, the band solidified into a six-piece group with Dave Kochanski on keyboards, Jeff Kashiwa on sax, Kim Stone on bass, Tony Morales on drums, Steve Reid on percussion, and of course, Freeman on guitar.

The Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards honored Russ with a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as Producer of the Year in 2001. In 2000, Billboard BET chose the Rippingtons as best group and Oasis gave them the same award for 2001 & 2002. Russ and the Rippingtons are one of the most listenable groups I’ve ever heard and his guitar playing is definitely smooth. Great music to listen to while I work on my consulting projects. Enjoy!

Larry’s World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-ng9JJAStY

Topaz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHTl7VWJHPE

Aspen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prx-5eIDdqI  

Jamaican nights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EHMHwaf2rA

East River Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh3InUdZvBs

Brighter Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0v5vTm_1_k

Cool in the shade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uXMutSU8XA

Soul Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMuyLC_SJ4w

Guitarland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0MvqxY9II

Moving violation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N4yYsA7dqk

Palmetto Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq5yXYLviL8

Urban Wanderer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ga5f_1PBjA

Angel Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orHVogWmMKk

My wife and I got a Groupon to our favorite local restaurant this week and enjoyed a bottle of the 2011 Girard Sauvignon Blanc ($18.00 in stores) with our salmon. I’m a huge fan of Girard wines, particularly their Petite Sirah, but this was the first time I’ve tasted their Sauvignon Blanc. Its aromatics were full of citrus, lemon peel, and a tropical fruits. The taste was a mix of citrus and mango, slightly dry, yet tart. It has a nice softness on the tongue and bright acidity makes for a clean, crisp finish. I can see enjoying a bottle of this when the weather turns warmer as I sit on my deck, watching the stars and listening to Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons.

Cheers!

Michael Bloomfield & Christian Moreau Chablis

Michael Bloomfield was born into a wealthy Jewish-American family on the north side of Chicago, but preferred music to the family catering equipment business. He became a blues devotee as a teenager and spent time at Chicago's South Side blues clubs, playing guitar with some of the greatest black bluesmen

Al Kooper, Bloomfield's later collaborator and close friend, wrote the young guitarist's talent "was instantly obvious to his mentors. They knew this was not just another white boy; this was someone who truly understood what the blues were all about." Among Bloomfield’s early supporters were B.B. king, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, and Buddy Guy.

During his tenure in the Chicago blues clubs, he met Paul Butterfield and Elvin Bishop. Bloomfield recorded a few sessions for Columbia in 1964 (which weren't released until after his death), but ended up joining the original Paul Butterfield Blues Band, which included Bishop, Howlin Wolf rhythm section alumni Sam Lay, and Jerome Arnold.

Bloomfield tired of the Butterfield Band's rigorous touring schedule and, relocated to San Francisco to create his own group, Electric Flag in 1967. The band was intended to feature "American music," a hybrid of blues, soul, country, rock, and folk, and incorporated an expanded lineup complete with a horn section. The inclusion of drummer Buddy Miles gave Bloomfield license to explore soul and R&B. Electric Flag debuted at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and issued an album, A Long Time Comin', in April 1968, one of my favorites.

Later, Bloomfield joined with al Kooper, with whom he recorded the Super Session album in 1968. It was a jam session that spotlighted Bloomfield’s guitar skills on side one. It’s still a classic to this day. Bloomfield's chronic insomnia caused him to repair to his San Francisco home the second day of recording, prompting Kooper to invite Stephen Stills to complete the album. It received excellent reviews and became the best-selling album of Bloomfield's career

The exact events and circumstances that led to his death are not clear. What is known is that Bloomfield was found dead of a drug overdose in his car on February 15, 1981. The only details (from unnamed sources) relate that Bloomfield died at a San Francisco party, and was driven to another location in the city by two men who were present at the party.

Drinking wine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smRXnyUWktg

Long time comin-Full album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfX7vn_c2z4

One way out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw2fqDcLitU

Blues for Roy:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXE8u_HRpls

Blues in B flat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qib48Sw6Q94

Blues on the west side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaKCLve_XDs

Stop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIArmP6HcZk

Albert’s shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSqlUYkx8d0

Blue trouble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyf3_k1Cyus

Driftin Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3LEhfbKCSc

Long Distand (with Muddy Waters): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSVuEjvLjFE

Paul Butterfield Reunion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps3x-_JdIeg

I recommend a 2010 Christian Moreau Chablis while you listen to Michael. Chablis is arguably the most famous white burgundy appellation on earth, and rightly so. The wines also see relatively less oak influence than most regions working with Chardonnay. In the case of Christian Moreau’s basic 2010 Chablis ($25) one sees aromas and flavors of lemon and honey with a bright hint of minerality. I’m trying to force spring here by recommending Chablis, a wine I usually drink in warmer weather. Hopefully it works.

Cheers!

Boyce Avenue & Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

You do not want to miss tonight’s feature. Boyce Avenue is a Puerto Rican-American acoustic rock group consisting of the brothers Alejandro, Daniel, and Fabian Manzano. They’re named after a combination of two streets they lived on as kids. 

They formed in 2004 after Daniel (bass and percussion) moved back to Florida after graduating from Harvard law School. Alejandro (lead vocals and guitar) and Fabian (guitar and vocals) were attending the University of Florida, but dropped out to form the group. Since 2007, they’ve been posting videos of both original and covers of popular songs, many of which have received over 10,000,000 views and have been released as digital EPs by their own independent record label, 3 Peace Records. They have over 700,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel (including me).

They’re firm risk-takers and believing in the strength of their online presence, they booked a solo show in New York in January 2009. It was their first ever performance in the city and surprised label and industry experts who thought it was a huge gamble, because the show was a sellout. Later in the year, the group performed for an estimated 25,000 fans in the Philippines and followed with a successful whirlwind tour of the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

They are, in my opinion, one of the finest acoustic rock groups to hit the scene. Alejandro’s guitar and vocals are amazing and the percussion accompaniment by Daniel and the augmenting guitar of Fabian plus several outstanding guest guitarists, vocalists, and pianist, makes them one of my favorites. Hope you like them as much as I do.

Payphone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lejDw3dtsw

Faithfully: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALph_u2iee8

Heaven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0wW9RwpG7M

With or without you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGqN9PpW5Ic

Fast Car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGqN9PpW5Ic

Last Kiss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kALSETZ9ngk

For the first time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=341vSMO5ISU

Fix you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ETxBHYBAU

She will be loved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzDm2vMHabE

Drops of Jupiter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ING1C747Y

Iris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwAhNy0w5oE

Here without you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxWEvV9zYj4

Wherever you will go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_BU8YCjV1M

A thousand years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIj07LL57RA

Set fire to the rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9o64xyjGWA

I want it that way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwnGM_I2WPk

A thousand miles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h297vLkHijQ

Someone like you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzC2-GJu1Q8

Rollin in the deep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7JF6tf7OSQ

Call me maybe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAIsqvK1Pr0

Somebody I used to know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBYymaN338E

Since the Boyce Avenue is one of my favorite acoustic groups, I’m pairing them with one of my all time favorite New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, namely the 2011 Dog Point wine. 
Beautifully aromatic with a crisp aromas of grapefruit and green pepper nose, it has a palate of citrus, grapefruit, and green apples with crisp acid and minerality. It’s full, but not too full with an elegant, refreshing finish. It’s a great wine to enjoy while relaxing to the music pf what I consider one of the premier acoustic groups in music today. Enjoy!

Cheers! 

Acoustic Bon Jovi & Domaine Magellan Vin de Pays de L’Herault Grenache Blanc/Roussanne

I always amazes me when you take a hard rocking song, take away the Marshall amps, screaming guitars, and turn down the volume, and play it acoustically how beautiful a rock anthem can sound. Tonight I’m featuring an unplugged concert by Bon Jovi, one of the classic rock bands whose music is timeless. You can actually hear that Richie Sambora is a very good vocalist in addition to his guitar prowess. Check out “You give love a bad name” and don’t miss Lenard Cohen’s “Hallelujah. But for heaven’s sake, make sure you listen to Jon Bon Jovi and Lee Ann Rhimes, one of the best vocalists in the business, sing “Till we ain’t strangers any more.”  Bon Jovi’s lyrics speak to the heart and the music is impeccable. So kick back and listen to one of the all time great rock bands in a completely different light.

Full Concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1Hji2MIUk

01:06 - Living on a Prayer,

05:52 - Who says you can't go home,

10:13 - Lost Highway,

14:56 - You give love a bad name,

20:10 - It's My Life,

26:32 - Hallelujah,

32:50 - Till we ain't strangers anymore,

38:22 - You want to (make a memory),

42:48 - Closing.

To compliment this acoustic gem, I suggest trying a 2012 Domaine Magellan Vin de Pays  de L’Herault Grenache Blanc/Roussanne ($16.00). I bought it on line from Moore Brothers and it’s a perfect match for the music. The color is like gold-tinted Granny apple green with aromas of lime, pineapple, and, of course, green apples. The palate follows the nose with a bit of honeydew mellon, golden honey and delightful minerality. Perfect for a warm summer night under the stars with one of the premier bands of all time serenading the tensions of the week away. Enjoy!

Cheers! 

Jazz Fusion Greats & Saint-Amant Cotes du Rhine La Borry Blanc

I found tonight’s video while doing some late night browsing. It’s a concert recorded in 1992 in Sevilla, Spain by the guitar legends listed below. It’s a mind-blowing collection of jazz fusion talent that goes for about an hour and a half. As just a little teaser, I had the honor of playing bass with one of the featured artists, however, I will not reveal which one. Check out Dom di Piazza’s bass guitar work with John McLaughlin on Que Alegra. He’s one of my all time favs. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8PqzFvPuUc

1) GEORGE BENSON - All Blues



2) JOHN McLAUGHLIN - In A Silent Way



3) LARRY CORYELL - So What



4) PACO DE LUCIA - Concerto De Aranjuez



5) STANLEY CLARKE - Tutu



6) STANLEY CLARKE & LARRY CORYELL - School Days



7) LARRY CORYELL - Bolero



8) PACO DE LUCIA - El Panuelo



9) JOHN McLAUGHLIN - Que Alegria



10) JOHN McLAUGHLIN & PACO DE LUCIA - Zyryab



11) RICKIE LEE JONES & LARRY CORYEL - Dat Dere



12) GEORGE BENSON - Valdez In The Country



13) GEORGE BENSON - Being With You



14) EVERYONE - Eighty One

And for the wine to accompany, I suggest a 2012 Saint-Amant Cotes du Rhine La Borry Blanc ($15.00). Saint-Amant is one of my favorite French vineyards and I make it a habit to jump on a case of every one of their offerings regardless of whether it’s a red, white, or rose, although I’ve never seen the latter. The wine is a pale green-yellow with aromas of peaches, citrus, and honeysuckle. The palate follows with yellow plums and peaches touched with lemons and limes. Very nice minerality and acidity. Perfect for some great guitar and a warm summer evening.

Cheers!