Rory Block and Novy Syrah

Well, I have to apologize for my absence the past two weeks. I've been traveling on business and haven't had the time. However, tonight I'm featuring one of my favorite artists and an excellent Syrah to go with her music. What? You didn't know certain wines go with particular types of music? Well check this out.

Tonight, I tip the hat a lady: Rory Block. She is, in my opinion, the best interpreter of Mississippi blues today. Her voice weaves a spell on the listener, her guitar playing is peerless, and her song writing speaks of a lifetime. She is also an outstanding teacher. I have two of her teaching videos and she explains and illustrates things with a clarity I’ve not found in any other teacher. So, if you want to learn some blues, pick up her videos. And for heaven’s sake, get a few of her CD’s. Mine are heavily worn and several I’ve had to replace for the obvious reason that they get a lot of play time. She is the definition of musical finesse and grace. Check her out at http://www.roryblock.com/

Crossroad Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTUoV67M60

Terraplane Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmR0_epz5OQ

If I had Possession over Judgement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV43q_XZCPY&feature=related

Preachin Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ_PKvC4v7k&feature=related

Travelin Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk0J1ZOBobE&feature=related

Ramblin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP6s1EfhD_A&feature=related

Silver Wings: Rory’s voice can move me to tears. She expresses so much emotion, it sends chills down my back, and complimented by her guitar work…there ain’t none better! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C58CGPMyFyM&feature=related

And speaking of finesse and grace, while you’re listening to Rory, open a bottle of 2006 Novy Sonoma County Syrah (~$19.00). Its nose is full of berries and plums. It has pepper, spice and delicious currant, blueberry, and plum flavors with a long, elegant finish. The Novy Syrah is a wonderfully balanced wine full of finesse and grace…just like Rory Block’s music. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Best Red Wine of the Year & Guitarist Larry Carlton

Got a couple of treats for you tonight. First, an incredible Pinot Noir under $25.00. In the fall of 2008, the Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 was named the world’s Top Red Wine, beating 31 other red wine trophy winners at the International Wine Challenge, the world’s largest competition. It opens with a burst of dark fruit aroma heavily leaning toward jammy black raspberry and cherry and follows closely with the same on the palate with a touch or exotic spice. It’s a richly textured wine with a long finish. And at $24.00 at my local wine shop, this is one you’ve gotta try! New Zealand does it again. Maybe I’ll have to retire there.

And while your sipping a glass of this ambrosia, let me introduce you to Mr. Larry Carlton. Larry has long been one of my favorite guitarists. He played some of the guitar solos for the group Steeley Dan and I’ve included his version of Josie below. He was one of the premier session guitarists in L.A. for years before striking out with a number of different bands and ensembles. He is both an outstanding acoustic guitarist and electric guitarist. Originally a Stratocaster man, as his career progressed he began playing more and more on a Gibson ES335. In fact he’s called the 335 Man. He has a mello tone that’s very distinctive and recognizable. He can often be found playing with the group Fourplay, who, if you’ve never heard of them, would definitely be worth a listen. Many of the videos below are from his early career and one of my all-time favorites is “Don’t Give It Up." In fact, I like it so much, I’ve included two versions. Also, check out the dynamite duets with Robbin Ford, another of my favorites. Hope you enjoy Larry as much as I do.

Bubble Shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOn4AsqQSP0&feature=related

Smiles and Smiles to Go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH8TJVwF1Yg&feature=related

Layla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqie9Q1qAuE&feature=related

Josie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhbETnpuFx0&feature=related

Mr. 335: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS1t8cSEtJA&feature=related

Minute by Minute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnnBYUGxau0&feature=related

Don’t Give It Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mffJZ2WR42o&feature=related

Don’t Give It Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a23R6DYXWQI&feature=related

Oui Oui Si: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD_GyIwaneo&feature=related

Duet with Robbin Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBS7BEPb1Jk&feature=related

Duet with Robbin Ford; Burnable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwt9eKDxbbM&feature=related

Duet with Robbin Ford; Put it Where You Want It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpiDJ16BW0s&feature=related

John Goldie and some Golden Wines

Well, I've now lost 44 pounds on my diet and am only sixteen pounds away from my goal. And they said it couldn't be done. Hah! However, every once and awhile I find a glass of wine in my hands. Wonder how that got there? Oh, well, can't pour it back so I've got two wines and a fabulous guitarist for you tonight. First the wines.

Acacia Pinot Noir $23.00: Nice fruity nose with hints of violets and touch of vanilla. Flavors follow the nose adding blueberry, plum, and strawberry to its complexity. Very elegant, smooth wine with a just enough oak and tannins for balance. Very nice wine.

Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc $18.00: I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. The ones from Marlborough are some of the best. Unlike their California counterparts, they lack any trace of bitterness. Matua Valley is typical of NewZealand wines from the Marlborough region. Distinctive aroma of grapefruit and other citrus. The taste hints of lime, grapefruit and tropical fruits . Well balanced and refreshing. Lingering finish. Did I mention how much I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs?

And while your sipping one of those, check out John Goldie, a British acoustic jazz guitarist whom I dearly love. One of my favorite songs to play was/is "Summertime" from the musical Porgy and Bess. John does a fantastic rendition. He is one of the most listenable guitarists I know of and I love having his music on in the background while I write. Check out the videos then go buy his CD's from his website: http://www.johngoldie.co.uk/

Don’t shave much anymore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saEBZQz-MYE&feature=related

Summertime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHUHT95agXg&feature=related

I heard it through the grapevine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN9OJOfWSU4&feature=related

It’s not unusual: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZjeNQU-ZBg&feature=related

Paper Moon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnIFFcJPvjw&feature=related

Revelation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USuR3qDX7Fg

Cheers!

Lap Tap guitarist Eric Mongrain

Tonight I've got a really special guitarist for you. Erik Mongrain is a truly excellent guitarist in the traditional sense, but he sometimes switches from the traditional style where the guitar is held against the player's chest to laying it horizontally across his lap. It's called lap taping and he's one of the finest of the genre. I've included videos of both his traditional and lap tap style below. You can also find more information on his website: http://www.erikmongrain.com
If the links don't take you there directly, cut and paste them into your browser. Alternatively, just go to his website as many of his videos can be viewed there. I hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

Cheers

Air Tap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbndgwfG22k&feature=related
Just a Jam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0hIlo2qp8w&feature=related
Lisbon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC6kI1VXvkU&feature=related
PercusienFa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUQzXQhAgvw&feature=related

Non-lap tapping:
Fusions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDGXs3wuaPQ&feature=related
Timeless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38HLaFnhEmg&feature=related
Equilibruim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKT7dOEqkyM&feature=related
Pandora’s Box: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezRiiVpSmKc&feature=related
Raindigger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8645NXG-iII&feature=related
A Ripple Effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdgeG8QpxcM&feature=related

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson has probably the most unique and beautiful tone of any electric blues and rock guitarist I know of. He’s not a shredder like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, or Yngwie Malmsteen, but he’s very quick on the fretboard. His picking and chording patterns are quite complex. His style ranges from rock (Cliffs of Dover) to jazz (Manhattan, Tribute to Wes) to blues (E Blues Shuffle) to country. But again, what sets him apart is his tone(s). They are gorgeous. Hope you enjoy him.

Manhattan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL8aeeSTthQ

SRV: this is a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYKxXc2D4I

Cliffs of Dover: Catch his signature tone. It’s unique and beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sh1P0earDU&feature=related

Desert Rose: Favorite of mine and my two sons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CHAN2a9F-8&feature=related

Bossa nova jam: Really cool jazz sound. Very listenable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi0rVYHl3Jk&feature=related

Tribute to Wes: A tribute to the great jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. The octave work was Wes’ signature and Eric really demonstrates just how versatile he is on this and the previous number.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyDYgl-rN8&feature=related

E Blues Shuffle: Ripping good ride! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEKf5sCb8ww&feature=related

Cheers!

A really good Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, as times would have it, we had to buy a new car last Saturday. My car was just getting too expensive to maintain so we popped for a new one. Later, as I perused my local grocery store, I noticed a wine on the very bottom of the overstock clearance rack, tucked behind a load of beer cases yet to be unloaded. The wine was a 2002 B.R. Cohn Olive Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon priced unbelievably at $25.00. I say unbelievably because this wine usually goes for somewhere between $53.00 and $58.00 locally. B.R. Cohn has consistently produced premier Cabernets from the Olive Hill Vineyard. So, I says to myself, “Self, you just bought a new car. How about we celebrate?” I couldn’t resist so we drank it that night.

The bouquet is pure fruit with a solid dose of black cherry, French oak, and a hint of mint. It’s a luscious wine with flavors of cherry, berries, and cassis with nicely balanced tannins that don’t overpower. Good complexity with an elegant, long finish. It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open for bargains like this. The B.R. Cohn was an incredible steal. I saw it tonight at my wine shop on sale for $50.00. The taste says it’s definitely a premier wine. If you happen to get lucky and see this one, grab it. You’ll love it!

Cheers

Winfield Fingerstyle winner Dan Alder

Don Alder is my featured guitarist for tonight. He has awards galore that include place second at the 2006 Winfield International Finger Picking Championships and winning it in 2007. He has an explosive style as you will hear when you view the videos below. He can range from sweet melody like “The Wall,” to the frenzy of Double Cappucino, which sounds exactly what I feel like after drinking an entire pot of French press coffee. Rather than expound further, I will direct you to his website, http://www.donalder.com/ and let you listen to the music.

The Wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8HJwTX9LXU&feature=related

Wild and Wicked Batman: Slapping and tapping frenzy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl6kXtt7Bqs&feature=PlayList&p=AF725144B0818FDF&index=21

Double cappuccino: I never imagined anyoe could capture the feeling one gets after a double, but here it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMzjQU5HAAk&feature=related

Ballad: After the previous number, this is just what you’ll need to mellow out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srzJB7muK-U&feature=related

Cheers!