Ry Cooder & FlipFlop Riesling

Ry Cooder is one of my favorite eclectic guitarist, singers, and composers. He is known for his slide work which is among the best that ever played. He has a keen interest in roots music from both the U.S. and the world and had collaborated with musicians from a plethora of countries. His solo work is eclectic, encompassing folk, blues, Tex-Mex, soul, gospel, rock, jazz, and just about every style you can name. He was ranked 8^th on Rolling Stone’s list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He’s played with way too many artists to mention including the Muppets (see Pigfoot Shuffle). I find his music to be playful and just downright fun. He was also the guitarist who played for Ralph Machio in his duel with Steve Vai in the movie Crossroads. Hope you like him.

Crossroads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28XK3V3ACzc

Feelin Bad Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIwYGZlBw9Y

The Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0bijVr4Y3E&feature=related

The Bourgeois Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoIKiw2PV7Q&feature=related

Police Dog Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6L4PU6kTSQ&feature=related

Diddy wah diddy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEs--oXEa5w&feature=related

Pigfoot shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQaSGAxIGkc&feature=related

Jesus on the Mainline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebj_e4VagcA&feature=related

Crazy about an automobile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LHno7Qambk&feature=related

Mercury Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPpJYvLsBco&feature=related
Vigilante Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KmbUCwkyE&feature=related

Waitin for some girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mcO_E4Z1VQ&feature=related

Crossroads Duel with Steve Vai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atw6F47UCYM

I’m going to pair Ry with a wine that I would term “fun”. Flipflop wines come in several varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Moscato and are priced at $7.00 a bottle. I’ve had all of them and can attest they’re great quaffing wines. What’s a quaffing wine? These aren’t wines you’ll find in a Michelin three star restaurant, rather these are wines when you come home midweek after a long work day and want something to put the fun back in life.  And at this price, they’re great value, especially since for every bottle of FlipFlop sold, Soles4Souls provides a pair of shoes to someone in need. So you can relax over a glass and know that you’re providing something for someone less fortunate. Tonight I’m reviewing the Reisling. It has a honey and peach aroma that’s followed by similar flavors augmented by a touch of apricot and citrus. Sitting out watching the stars, listening to the crickets, with a bottle of FlipFlop Riesling and the music of Ry Cooder is a great way to end the day. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Paul Gilbert & Lattanzio Family Syrah

Paul Gilbert, born November 6, 1966, is an American shredder guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr. Big, as well as many solo albums and numerous collaborations and guest appearances with other musicians.

He was voted # 4 on GuitarOne magazine’s list of the "Top 10 Greatest Guitar Shredders of All Time", and holds a spot in Guitar World’s list of the 50 Fastest Guitarists of All Time. His guitar playing is reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen, with his fast-driven solos and extreme-level technique. Gilbert gained recognition as one of the fastest guitar players in the world due to incredibly technical pieces like "Technical Difficulties" "Frenzy", "Scarified", "Y.R.O." and "Scit Scat Wah".

In 1988 he left Racer X to join with Billy Sheehan in forming Mr. Big. Gilbert continued playing in Mr. Big until the late 1990s. He left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career. Although he’s a shredder, he has an interest in classical pieces, which he adapts to his guitar style, several of which are included below.  This is “pump it up” music to get you up for the weekend, so let’s get to it. Enjoy!

Viking Kong:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dNxshHlp4w

Scarified: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9FOCJE3WKc&feature=related

The Echo song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2EyupH54Bs&feature=related

Bach Partitia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCwRHgCyIjA&feature=related

Bach Prelude No. 15: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-A7zVhWqkI&feature=related

Prelude in D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKSJ1-c4k94&feature=related

Bach Cello Suite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u7k8xpeiDk&feature=related

2 become 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84l3AvsShwc&feature=related

To be with you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ligr9aMFcQ

Flamingo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11KaKhGAa3I

Hayden Symphony 88: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnlkku8d8VU

The Gargoyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9AvK-Cq_eQ&feature=related

Satch’s Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk_ktOylvVI&feature=related

Scuttle buttin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLIRLi9A-4w&feature=related

Bach Invention for harpsichord #8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk1_S-2aZW4&feature=related

Technical Difficulties: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES1RypBww_g

Red House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miLvfZ4DupE&feature=related

I’m pairing Paul Gilbert with a 2007Lattanzio Family Syrah, Sonoma Valley. This wine is sourced from fruit taken from Fedrick Ranch, a Syrah vineyard planted with clones from the great appellations of France’s Northern Rhône – Cornas, Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. These cool-climate appellations produce the world’s greatest Syrahs.

It’s a vivid, deep purple and from beginning to end the wine has a fragrance of blueberries, blackberries, and violets with flavors that match the aroma. Its taste will send shivers down your spine as the first burst of sweet dark fruit combines with the fresh spiciness that makes up one heck of a bottle of wine. As the wine breathes, the spiciness grows in classic Syrah fashion. It’s a muscular wine to go with the muscle guitar of Paul Gilbert. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Eric Mongrain & Chad Cabernet Sauvignon

Erik Mongrain is a Canadian composer and guitarist. He uses a unique acoustic style with a wide array of different techniques, approaches and textures reminiscent of Michael Hedges. Erik taught himself guitar from the age of 14, beginning initially started with an electric guitar. But he developed an interest in classical and acoustic guitar after hearing the work of Bach. He taught himself to read music and began composing.

Early on he was inspired by the work of Metallica, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain, but when he was 18, he heard the work of guitarist Don Ross, which was a new revelation and he realized he’d found his niche. As he focused on a solo acoustic style, he was heavily influenced by the work of Michael Hedges and began to experiment with a technique known as lap tapping in which the player lays the guitar across their lap, and taps the strings on the fret board with both hands. He is one of the most unique guitarists on the musical scene today.

Airtap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfwaUYpf3lo

PercusienFa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S59a2xvzZQk&feature=related Fusions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FiLM4wI3_M&feature=related

A Ripple Effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsstjT0Kb40&feature=related

Raindigger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8645NXG-iII&feature=related

Pandora’s Box: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezRiiVpSmKc&feature=related

Equilibrium: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHjuExoxvxI&feature=related

Confusion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzgF-LO211A&feature=related

I Am Not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RkT4nvi8K4&feature=relmfu

Maelstrom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZkQtG2pgaU&feature=related

Silent Fool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFdzl0DKFSk&feature=related

I’m pairing Eric with a Chad 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.00). It’s a blend of California Red Hills and Howell Mountain Cabernet. The latter region generates some of the most expensive, yet fabulous Cab’s to come out of California. The Chad has a dark ruby color that explodes with red berry aromas and a sweet red raspberry and cassis palate. The long ripe berry finish leaves your mouth watering for more, just like the music of Eric Mongrain. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Kenny Burrell & Mollydooker Two Left Feet

Kenny Burrell was born on July 31, 1931 in Detroit. He began playing guitar at the age of twelve, influenced throughout his life by Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, and Wes Montgomery. He made is recording debut as a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s sextet in 1951 and later toured for a year with Oscar Peterson.  He has recorded over 100 albums that have included a host of jazz luminaries.

He is a master player of bebop style guitar with flawless technique and was reputed to be Duke Ellington’s favorite guitarist. He is also an accomplished composer whose songs have been recorded by great artists such as Ray Brown, Jimmy Smith, Grover Washington Jr., John Coltrane, June Christy, Frank Wes and Stevie Ray Vaughn and include the 1998 Grammy Award winning song, “Dear Ella”, performed by Dee Dee Bridgewater. Listening to his music is a great way to ease through the week. Enjoy!

Summertime with Grover Washington: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jKP1zss3EE&feature=fvst

All Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1ipftv39YU

Midnight Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wAmxuHt5nw

Jeannine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g74Q07Uu-lo

Freight train with John Coltrane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1ghVUwj-pU&feature=related

Blue Bossa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftE9SMZVFjw

Moon and Sand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPp5iHukYKA

Listen to the Dawn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZhjqmQSuoc&feature=related

Autumn in New York: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vef9dp-Qc2o&feature=related

Spring can really hang you up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlcgvjppfSE&feature=related

Be Yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygTTKWg6P84&feature=related

Blue Bird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO-EfImbs4s&feature=related

I’m pairing Kenny Burrell with a 2008 Mollydooker Two Left Feet, a blend of 68% Shiraz, 17% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 11 months in 50% new French and American oak. It’s an opaque purple color that emits an enticing aromatic array of blueberries, blackberries, and spice. Two Left Feet is dense, sweet, and layered on the palate, with flavors of dark plums, blackberries, chocolate, and silky tannins. It has a dense texture characterized by a well-rounded mouth-feel and a silky finish. Simply put, it’s delicious. The combination of this wine with the music of Kenny Burrell is a sensory samba. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Richie Havens & Rockledge Pinot Noir

Tonight I’m featuring one of my favorite folk/guitarists from the 70’s, namely Mr. Richie Havens. Born in Brooklyn on July 21^st, 1941, Havens was the eldest of nine children. At an early age, he began organizing his neighborhood friends into street corner do-wop groups and was performing with The McCrea Gospel Singers at 16. At age 20, Havens left Brooklyn, seeking artistic stimulation in Greenwich Village. He saw the Village as a place to escape to, in order to express himself. He had first went there during the beatnik days of the 1950s to perform poetry, then drew portraits for two years and stayed up all night listening to folk music in the clubs. It took a while before he thought of picking up a guitar.

Havens' reputation as a live performer earned him widespread notice. His Woodstock appearance proved to be a major turning point in his career. As the festival's first performer, he held the crowd for nearly three hours (in part because he was told to perform a lengthy set because many artists were delayed in reaching the festival location), and was called back for several encores. What is incredible to me is that the song, :Motherless Child/Freedom that became both Havens and a Woodstock anthem was completely improvised after he ran out of tunes

Following the success of his Woodstock performance, Richie started his own record label, Stormy Forest, and delivered Stonhenge, one of my favorite albums of the 1970’s. Havens uses open tunings and, although his chords are not difficult, his rhythms are incredible. You might notice, as I did when I sat ten feet from him at a concert he gave at my alma mater, DePauw University, that he sings without his upper false teeth. It’s an interesting little fact, but doesn’t diminish the virtuosity of one of the great folk guitarists of modern times.

Woodstock opening:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1pMeyy__r0

Freedom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA51wyl-9IE

Here Comes The Sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBbXKsKXyNU

Fire and Rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol4O61bxzoA&feature=related

What You Gonna Do About Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxahJlMI6NQ&feature=related

Wonder Child: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdCx-1afCgM&feature=related

I Can’t Make It Anymore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpfpFKzA4h8&feature=related

Handsome Johnny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyBS39ybcEE&feature=related

License to Kill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JltNLkh03ME&feature=related

All along The Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEEtohsNX0E&feature=related

High Flying Bird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hptrdJ7Xvic&feature=related

Lady Madonna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg7fYblgnNk&feature=related

What About Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZmkIa89SgQ&feature=related

Tombstone Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOQXvUiKnYM

I’m going to pair Richie with a 2010 Rockledge Pinot Noir ($20.00). This is a concentrated wine with Burgundian balance rarely found in a Carneros Pinot Noir. It’s deep ruby color explodes with a nose of cherries, raspberries, and cranberries, while the palate is full of intense red fruit. Nice long finish with moderate alcohol content. Very nice for listening to vintage folk guitar on a cool night that signals the end of summer. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Blues Saraceno & Benoni Pinot Noir

Blues Saraceno is an American rock guitarist, composer, and music producer who currently resides in Los Angeles California. Saraceno was a first call guitar sideman and session musician, most often recognized from his time playing w/Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker as well as his brief tenure with the band Poison. Saraceno's early success in the music industry eventually blossomed into a career in producing and composing for television and film.

As a child he was surrounded by music and often credits his parents, both of whom were musicians, this for his initial interest in becoming a professional musician. He started to play guitar at the age of nine, but didn't take it seriously until the age of thirteen, when a fall from a go cart resulted in a broken elbow. Saraceno asked the doctor to position the cast so that he could remove it from his sling and practice guitar during his recovery period.

His professional career began one week after his 16th birthday when his manager sent a demo tape to Michael Bolton who decided to enlist Blues' guitar skills on a Cher song. That late night session which included songwriter Desmond Child resulted in a release on Cher's "Heart of Stone" record. Word quickly spread and other producers soon followed suit.

His success landed him an audition with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in New York City. Despite blowing the amp up during the audition, Saraceno was offered the gig. After two successful US tours Saraceno was quickly becoming referred to as the "kid that replaced Eric Clapton". After another year of overseas touring, Baker departed and was replaced by Simon Phillips (Who, Toto) and eventually Gary Husband (Level 42). In 1994 Saraceno left Jack Bruce to fill in as lead guitarist and songwriter for the band Poison after guitarist Richie Kotzen was fired. After a short overseas tour, Saraceno's playing was recorded for the Poison album Crack a Smile.

In 2000, he founded the band Transmission OK, which served as a platform to showcase his lead vocal abilities and songwriting skills as well as demonstrate a lot of the recording techniques that he had picked up over the years of doing sessions. Transmission OK offered the opportunity for Blues to step out from under the "guitar hero' moniker and started his venture into the world of record producing. Still, he’s a heck of a guitarist and I hope you enjoy him.

Que Te Pasa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs3WbBCq3yU&feature=related

Before the Storm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cpcQOY74Zc&feature=related

Rabbit Soup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdf92K0XH7Q&feature=related

Funk 49: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9uvybdPYX4&feature=related

Full Tank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgrZUzycbfU&feature=related

Shakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McNp3sRmj3U&feature=related

The Scratch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHYofViIAq0&feature=related

Fat Padding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6-x8EhmBb4&feature=related

Chewing on Crayons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heqjMkJSBIk&feature=related

Never Look Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-sw1QdWzZU&feature=related

Jay Walkin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3zlIIxJU_c&feature=related

Live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWaQUZv-hnw&feature=related

White Room with Jack Bruce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBiM9kn8pg4&feature=related

I’ll pairing Blues with a 2010 Benoni Pinot Noir ($20.00), one of the best Pinot’s I’ve tasted in recent years. So good, in fact, that I order four more bottles. Its nose explodes with raspberries and wild cherries. Rich core of cherries, raspberries and a hint of vanilla. Very persistent finish. A perfect match for Saraceno’s blues and a warm summer night. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Matt Scofield and Yering Station Shiraz Viognier

Matt Schofield was born in Manchester UK in 1977. From an early age he was immersed in the blues thanks to his Dad’s record collection. He became a professional guitarist at the age of 18 then spent four years with British Blues Diva and David Bowie prodigy Dana Gillespie, touring the UK, Europe and as far a field as India.

Seven years into his professional career, he formed his own band - a trio - with Hammond organist, Jonny Henderson and drummer, Evan Jenkins (now with BBC Jazz Award winner, Neil Cowley). The trio was unconventional in having no bass player, bass duties being handled on the Hammond organ, a format favored over the years by American bluesmen such as Albert King and Jimmie Vaughan. These days, however, Schofield has a bass player.

Schofield's seamless playing emulates the great styles of American blues guitar. He’s one of only two living British artists to be given a four star (excellent) rating in the Penguin Book of Blues Recordings and in 2007 Guitar and Bass Magazine picked Schofield as one of the "Top 10 British Blues Guitarists of All Time".  If you’re a blues guitar fan, you’re going to like him.

Lay it down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag14mqNPJiU

Black cat bone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSMOGTVFVP8&feature=related

2010 Montreal Jazz Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV-VJtYyWJI&feature=related

Siftin through ashes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5z8tjhVIRY&feature=related

Ear to the ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjiV_9KQiNs&feature=related

On my way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhLu9iW3Rqg&feature=related

Betting man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytcoLz__yE&feature=related

Don’t know what I’d do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3cA1GkG0VY&feature=related

Funky blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILJ1KpoQGgg&feature=related

Uncle Junior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfi9fKpm3yU&playnext=1&list=PLCCFD2B765C0C6A74

I’m pairing Matt with a 2006 Shiraz Viognier from Yering Station in Australia. Deep purple color with a perfumed bouquet of dark fruit and violets, the latter due to the 5% Viognier. The palate shows blackberry and cassis flavors, firmed by supple tannins, that add grip to the back end. This wine clings to the palate, leaving a dark berry preserve quality behind. It received ratings of 92 and 91 from International Wine Cellar and Wine Spectator respectively, and at $20.00 a bottle, it’s a steal. So kick off the Monday with some great blues and a wonderful wine. Enjoy!

Cheers!