Chicago Blues CHapter 2 & Bodegas Vina Magana Dignus

Tonight is the second installment of my Chicago Blues series and the featured artists are Magic Slim, Mike Morgan & The Crawl, James Harman, Fenton Robinson, Maria Muldaur, John Katke, John Studebaker & The Nighthawks, and Lonnie Brooks. Brings back fond memories. So give a listen to some blues, Chicago style.

Chicago Blues volume 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgZ4pPnGgdQ

If you finished the three-liter box of Octavin Pinot Grigio I suggested on Monday, you probably don’t need any more wine this week. But in case you took it easy, here’s a great Spanish wine to sip while you listen to tonight’s installment of Chicago blues. The 2007 Bodegas Vina Magana Dignus ($19.00) is a blend of 50% Tempranillo, 25% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Apparently their Merlot vines are taken from cuttings shared by Chateau Petrus, whose wine, if you’re an oenophile, you’ll know goes for about $2000/bottle. The wine is deep purple with aromas of blackberries, coffee, and chocolate. The flavors are dominated by blackberry and black cherry, a very full mouth feel.  It’s a very nice choice for sipping along with the blues.

Cheers!

Sam Pachetti & Baigorri Tempranillo

Sam Pacetti is quite a talent on the guitar. His picking style is reminiscent of Leo Kottke and Chris Proctor while his vocals remind me of the coffeehouses where I used to play back in the early 1970s. He debuted his first recording, “Solitary Travel” at the age of 22.  He learned to play the guitar from his flamenco-playing Cuban grandfather then went on the pursue classical guitar studies.  He fuses American traditional folk music with English reels and ballads, following in the footsteps of the great English guitarist Martin Simpson whose songs he often plays. He’s a storyteller as well as a musician and listening to him is a great way to kick back and unwind. My Dad used to play "Eight More Miles to Louisville" and this brings back fond memories of him. Enjoy.

Drowned Lovers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2vopYMiXe4

That’s all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLBNdxN_2ZY

Shawnee Town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dFLhF1RGeg

At the Warehouse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwtT5S73GO0&feature=related

Eight more miles to Louisville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf4BqlQkS7k&feature=related

Layover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpLzv6BS59Y&feature=related

Only then will your house be blessed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPG0y8whpjQ

Richland Woman Blues, Jelly Roll, Back porch boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Dawyltou4&feature=related 

See you in my dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQEVBkXBPnI&feature=related

Bach Prelude #1 in D minor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGGIcwgcRkQ&feature=related

Augustine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FdzSn95jWM&feature=related

Christians and the Outlaws: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-rnX1H_7k4&feature=related

Medley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu3dOLHoxOM

While I was in the Netherlands staying with a friend, he opened a bottle of Bodegas Baigorri 2005 Crianza made of 100% Tempranillo. About $15.00 in the U.S. The wine is aged for 12 months in new French oak and has a nose of spice, black cherry, blackberry and subtle note of oak. The palate is juicy with layers of cherry, raspberry, and vanilla with a long spicy finish. This is an elegant Rioja with excellent structure and balance. A great wine for listening to some excellent guitar as the weekend winds to a close.

Cheers!