Davy Knowles & Castle Rock Pinot Noir

Davy Knowles (born 1987) is one of my favorite young blues guitarist and singers with a voice that sound like he’s a lot older than his is. His band, Back Door slam was  a great blues/rock band, but now he works as a solo artist. With Back Door Slam, he played lead guitar and sang on their debut album, Roll Away. Knowles drew his musical influences from blues musicians that he grew up listening to such as Mark Knopfler, Peter Green, and Eric Clapton. In April 2009, Knowles toured with Jeff Beck on his American tour as the opening act. He also toured with Joe Satriani in a modified G3 tour with Sonny Landreth and later with Chickenfoot in the United States through December 2009. He’s only twenty-nine, but in my opinion he’s one of the best up-and-coming young blues guitarists on the scene today. Hope you enjoy his music.

It’s what you’re made of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDQzQfKhm-c

Comin up for air: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv2N6fBR1Ks

Acoustic Lift up every stone & Riverbed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7jXP_BClUk

Come home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urGWq-e5qZI

Riverbed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtgJ-yLXrIU

Outside woman blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTb-Chljqvs

In a little while: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xw1CGgUvIE

Roll away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwiszfRd9X4

Hear me Lord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3RJJ9JxGrw

Tear down the walls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOhLwuee6no

Gotta leave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZekYkYUE9c

Heavy on my mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggzsbdSvCH4

Tonight, I’m pairing Davy with a 2009 Castle Rock Pinot Noir ($10.00).  Castle Rock Winery makes high quality wines at affordable prices and they have become one of the fastest growing wineries in the industry. You can always find this wine for 10 dollars or less and I have even seen it on sale for closer to seven. The Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir gets its grapes from Northern California, a prime growing region for the finicky Pinot Noir where the climate matches that of the Burgundy region of France. The wine is delicate yet complex with a silky long-lasting taste of black cherries, strawberry, and raspberry. It starts out with a perfumed floral aroma of roses complimented by brambly fruit and cherries. The entrance is full of bright cherries and strawberries lingering through the mid palate to dry, silky tannins and a dark fruit finish. It’s a perfect wine to compliment Knowles rockin blues and the first days of fall. Enjoy!

Cheers!

John Knowles & Valduero Crianza

John Knowles is an American fingerstyle guitarist and one of only 5 people in the world to receive the CGP(Certified Guitar Player) Award, from the late great Chet Atkins. Atkins only gave the award out to guitar playing musicians who were at the absolute top of their craft. And those who have received it are among the best guitarists in the world.

John started off as a child, picking out melodies on the piano. He switched to the accordion then took up the ukulele. When John was 13 he discovered the music of Chet Atkins. He thought it was impossible to play guitar like Atkins, but immersed himself in Chet's style. His later influences included Christopher Parkening, Pepe Romero,and Robert Guthrie.

John is a master chord soloist and single string improvisor. His repertoire is quite diverse and includes everything from Christmas songs, traditional folk, piano rags, classical, and pop tunes. Although his guitar style is heavily jazz-influenced, there are traces of a classical guitarist in his style, too.

One of the most interesting facts about John, at least to me as a scientist, is that he has a Ph.D. in physics from Texas Christian University that he earned while playing music on the side. I can empathize with that. Hope you enjoy his music.

Coastin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA73xtt5bts&playnext=1&list=PLBA1F2EB271C9B939

House of the risin sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-9YAgYZUEk&feature=related

Two hearts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx5fCKjyd0A&feature=related

Vincent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EuFkL1hyBo&feature=related

It had to be you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCfIXk6SEzQ&feature=related

Struttin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2Vc3VU4AE&feature=related

Cafe of Dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i9OJBlnJGw&feature=related

Back home in Indiana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_F8kfRjzrM&feature=related

Somebody stole my gal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMDfv62U024&feature=related

Danny boy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNbJlJ-cnmM&feature=related

Drakesboro Saturday Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSYPdILvT9k&feature=related

Central City Flyer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1WmrfUeoZ8&feature=related

Blackbird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRtH0mkwsM8

I suggest a 2007 Valduero Crianza from the Ribero del Duero region of Spain to accompany John. This dark ruby wine made from the Tinto Fino grape is bold and full bodied. The wine spent 15 months in French and American oak, so I suggest airing it for at least an hour before you drink it as the substantial barrel tannins will soften considerably, revealing an aromatic core of black cherry fruit. It’s elegant on the palate, with a velvety texture, intense flavors, and excellent balance, just like the music of John Knowles. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Four of the best young guitarists & Siduri Pinot Noir

Saturday night and I feel like revisiting four of my favorite young guitarists. Two girls and two guys to keep it even. Being a gentleman, I’ll let the ladies go first. Enjoy!

Nori Bucci

Getting Funky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2RPPzGJcdA

Let me dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CbA81YWqi4&feature=related

Recurring Nightmare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfFYTygzIEc&feature=related

With Gamalon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkcM3NJ9Xuc&feature=related

Orianthi

Now or Never: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBtzmfwONkU&feature=related

With Steve Vai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7b-_YcACuQ&feature=related

According to you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu1aQvm5MrU&feature=relmfu

Missin You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3wlbYI033o

Steffan Schackinger:

Electricguitartistry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH-ksko-2HQ&feature=fvsr

Perfect Waves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX61Jlvd-Yw&feature=fvwrel

Time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWYeU25fA5Y&feature=relmfu

Bulldog Bite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTgxkQnQKjw&feature=relmfu

Davy Knowles

Saving Myself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swU5og9-UaE

Riverbed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyJSduGyy1w&feature=related

Come Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgYAScGdd9Y

Outside Woman Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZXLuY6EIic

With these fine young guitarists, I suggest a fine young wine, namely a 2009 Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Ruby red with a bouquet flowers and cinnamon, it hits your mouth with a burst of cherry and raspberry flavors. It’s young, yet has nuances of future complexity. Alcohol content is below 14% so don’t worry about having more than one glass. Enjoy!

Cheers!