Willie Porter & Snoqualmie Gewurtztraminer

If you have never heard of Willie Porter before, you are in for the musical discovery for a lifetime. He’s an acoustic picker with a style blending the best of Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Richard Thompson and Lindsey Buckingham bolstered by rootsy vocals and twisting, offbeat lyrics that evoked John Hiatt.

Porter released his debut CD, The Trees Have Soul in 1990. Back then he traveled in a Volkswagen selling discs out of his trunk, mesmerizing audiences with his guitar chops and original tunes. He’s release a bunch of follow-on CD’s including Dog Eared Dream, Falling Forward, a self titled disc, Willie Porter, High Wire Live, Available Light, and How to Rob a Bank and has toured with Jeff Beck, Tori Amos, and Jethro Tull. In fact, after hearing him play, Ian Anderson commented, “Thank God he doesn’t play flute.”

Moonbeam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK5eP1kes0A

Paper Airplane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEVSdVVmgvQ&feature=related

Unconditional: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DLkwGMUEJ8&feature=related

Angry Words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsoHxgnW5Ck

Breathe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua48yO6kDCI

You stay here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEdMVhdrPH4&feature=related

Hard Place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcsS69Bf5C8&feature=related

Fear only fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR_ebn88EN0&feature=related

Sowelu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYZfW8sixjI&feature=related

Mystery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDMM73yuU6A&feature=related

Available Light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBnh9VWVXV4&feature=related

Cut the rope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i19Lp-RQMYg&feature=related  

Sister: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKJKdnpItH4&feature=related

Loose gravel & interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhu_NwT8m4I&feature=related

How about a Gewurtztraminer to go with Willie’s music? The 2004 Snoqualmie Naked Gewurztraminer ($13.00) is golden straw in color with subtle aromas of pear and honeysuckle, but not the heavily perfumed spiciness that is often characteristic of this varietal. It has a juicy viscosity that clings to your tongue bursting with flavors of sweet apple and peach, and finishing with a honeyed note. I think it would have been even better with very spicy Indian or Thai cuisine, but it’s also an excellent aperitif, or just darn good for enjoying with the smooth music of Willie Porter. Gonna be out of town for a while as I’m taking a week of vacation. See y’all when I get back in a week. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Eric Bibb & Whitehall Lane Merlot

Got a treat for all you acoustic blues fans. Eric Bibb is one of my favorite guitarist/singers in the genre. He comes from a family rich in musical tradition. In addition to having a musician for a father, his uncle was the jazz pianist and composer John Lewis, of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Eric studied Psychology and Russian at Colombia University but couldn’t see the point since none of the Ivy League kids knew anything about where he came from, so he left for Paris, met up with guitarist Mickey Baker, and focused his interest on blues guitar. His talent for both performing and songwriting has been recognised with a Grammy Nomination (for Shakin' a Tailfeather) and four W.C. Handy nominations (for the albums Spirit and the Blues, Home To Me and A Ship Called Love; for 'Kokomo' as Best Acoustic Blues Song of the Year, and for Best Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year). Take a seat on the front porch steps, kick back, and let the world pass you by as you listen to his music.

In my father’s house: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TUp7FiWRgc&feature=fvst

Goin down slow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz-RfuiqiWE&feature=related

Don’t let nobody drag your spirit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEUNeMXiQI&feature=related

Destiny blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giWcm0fp0rk&feature=related

Kokomo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVrv1wevcuE&feature=related

Stagolee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAade95uIKw&feature=related

Got to do better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVmLZqnlJRs&feature=related

Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0tiBmQxG-0&feature=related

Durham Blues Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUnIPBv4I74&feature=related

Needed Time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3pvIhYlJRA&feature=related

To know you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt5YhyrkaG0&feature=related

Water: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35HmHFutL8k&feature=related

Want your love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmgmU8187QQ&feature=related

I heard the angels sing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WDTtIeSAI&feature=related

I had a business dinner earlier this week and went to an Indian Restaurant. Being the author of a wine blog, I was given the honor of choosing the wine. Indian food is one of my favorite cuisines. My dish for the night was Salmon Madras, chunks of succulent, perfectly cooked salmon in a Madras sauce that was spicy without causing my glasses to melt. A perfect wine that stands up to the challenge of not being overwhelmed by the food was a 2003 Whitehall Lane Merlot. I’ve purchased this wine for under my $25.00 limit on sale at my local wine shop. The color is deep purple hinting at loads of dark fruit. The bouquet exploded with blackberries and raspberries. I liked the aroma so much, I almost forgot to taste it. Fortunately, I remembered as it bursts with more blackberry, cherry, and vanilla. I love this wine and it went perfectly with the meal. My business associates agreed. But it’ll go great on a cool summer evening tapping your feet to music of Eric Bibb, so get yourself a bottle and enjoy.

Cheers!

Alvin Lee, Ten Years After, & Cambria Pinot Noir

I was a freshman in college back in 1970 when I saw the Woodstock movie. To this day, I think it is the most incredible music movie/video ever produced. Of all the incredible artists who played at the festival, one in particular stood out, namely Alvin Lee and Ten Years After. My fellow musicians spoke about the blinding speed of Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, but this guy was greased lightning with five fingers and a pick. The song that made me fall out of my seat was “I’m Goin Home,” which I’ve included below. Although he started out as a jazz guitarist, Alvin is pure rock and roll. If the week is dragging a bit, his music ought to kick you back up a couple of notches. Enjoy!


I’m Goin Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFpfureaCVs&feature=related

Keep on Rocking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIlzEGS4EhY&feature=related

Long Legs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BfjfuyrpZE&feature=related

Choo Choo Mama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD-72N_2bNg&feature=related

Good Morning Little School Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcyrpmVGD-o&feature=related

Hey Joe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8YsX_w17Wg&feature=related

Johnny B. Goode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td3dsl2W-8o&feature=related

Bluest Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPLi0dq0tOk

Slow Blues in C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdltHgMMrqc&feature=related

Detroit Diesel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u_x_3nQVr0&feature=related

With Leslie West: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqUTB5bflCM&feature=related

Victim of Circumstance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFhz_A2G8ZU&feature=related

Had kind of a dilemma deciding what to pair with Alvin, but I’ve decided to go with a 2006 Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir($18.00). Its cherry red color prefaces a bouquet of red fruit. The taste is a blend of cherries, strawberries, vanilla, and just a touch of oak. Cambria Pinot Noir is a silky, medium bodied wine with a light, but long finish. It’s guaranteed to pull you over the Wednesday hump as you rock out to Alvin Lee.

Cheers!

Matt Schofield & Seghesio Zinfandel

Readers of this blog will know that I love the blues. Every once and a while, a young gun comes along with claims of being the next Stevie Ray Vaughn or Eric Clapton. Well, in my humble opinion, tonight’s guitarist can take his place next to those two giants. Matt Schofield is one of finest blues guitarists to come along in years. He’s rated one of the top ten guitarists of Great Britain and rightfully deserves the accolades. Born in 1977, he’s been in the business since he was 18 and has been immersed in the blues all his life. While some guitarists seek to emulate the greats, Matt has his own powerful style. His music should get you through the Monday blues with a bang and launch you into the week riding the notes of his wailing guitar. Enjoy!


Black Catbone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZZpezJcPl0&feature=related

Uncle Junior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfi9fKpm3yU&feature=related

Shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMMrRq9L5mM&feature=related

Leaving town blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOzidloxo2g&feature=related

Fight the power: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVaFUTK_iT4&feature=related  

Siftin through the ashes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGSdEmW58cQ&feature=related

Heart don’t need a companion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO4Od-68LPk&feature=related

At the Q-bus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYFtX-DxWU&feature=related

If I had possession: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13lrdpMnf_s&feature=related

At the Gailburg Blues festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_D5NiMzmNI&feature=related

Antwerp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh3JbkNq83A&feature=related

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

Slow Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHMGtbfs2ZI&feature=related

I need a powerful wine to accompany Matt so I recommend Seghesio’s 2007 Sonoma County Zunfandel ($24.00). The wine is sultry and sexy like a slow blues with black cherry and blueberry aromas followed by a palate of raspberry, blueberry, and peppery spice. Seghesio is known for its Zins and one thing I find especially appealing is they aren’t overly oaked. The wine has a silky refined texture, perfect for the smooth blues guitar of Matt Schofield.

Cheers!

Ulli Bögershausen & Brancaia Tre

Ulli Bögershausen is a guitar painter who creates soulful, sometimes melancholy pictures as the notes flow from his guitar. One of my favorite songs is “Mad World “ and his renditions is beautiful. For me, his guitar makes me smile as his notes sooth away the stress of a hectic day. His style blends classical training with folk and pop sounds that merge into a unique kaleidoscope of colors. His technique is flawless, his interpretation without peer. I hope you enjoy him as much as I do.


Valpolicella Express: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1h3nNlpNGo&feature=related

Time after Time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASzwTX2TVtY&feature=channel

Right Here Waiting for You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFWZk6jbVtE&feature=channel

Kiss From A Rose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1YmgWXU1Bw&feature=channel

More Than Words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QK_-8a-v3g&feature=channel

Eleanor Rigby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW9yi_O-LnE&feature=channel

Norwegian Wood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjC7_VlzjDI&feature=channel

Hit The Road, Jack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkkyg6iXhQ8&feature=channel

Groove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-UsSHvuKno&feature=channel

Tango: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6FBtFULz9E&feature=channe l

Spider’s Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STm3EfsCfkE&feature=channe l

Mad World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5AXoP0s5rQ&feature=related

With a peerless guitarist, I’ve got to have a wine of equal quality, so tonight, I pairing Ulli with the #10 wine in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2009, namely the 2007 Brancaia TRE ($18.00). It’s a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wonderful bouquet exploding with dark fruit and violets followed by a palate that coats your mouth with crushed raspberries and blackberries. Velvet tannins with a soft finish bursting with more fruit. Wine Spectator rated it a 93. I agree. In fact, I bought three more bottles. Try it while you listen to Ulli. Heavenly!

Cheers!

Billy Gibbons & Eos Petite Syrah

I’m in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire as I write this, attending a science conference and missed my usual Sunday nite kickoff to the week. So, gotta kick it into high gear going from zero to 60 in under three seconds, and what better guitarist to do it than Mr. Billy Gibbons and that lil ole band from Texas, ZZ Top. Although the band went through a period where commercialism almost killed them, Gibbons, consummate blues and boogie guitarist that he is, brought them back to their roots. He’s known for playing a Gretsch Jupiter Thunderbird guitar (“Billy Bo”) and a signature 1959 sunburst Les Paul named “Pearly Gates.” He’s the composer of many of their songs, most of which call for cranking the volume and shuffling around the room. At least, that’s about the extent of my dancing abilities. If you’re so moved, feel free to join me. Kick out the jams, brothers & sisters, tomorrow is hump day so the weekend can’t be far behind!


Sharp Dressed Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_EFdod4YDo

Legs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH85zttgbGg&feature=channel

With Brooks & Dunn; Gimme All Your Lovin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmWKJlahO_M&feature=related

La Grange: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjERS4v4QYI&feature=related

Jailhouse Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6R-yD2RgDU&feature=related

Stop Breaking Down Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBxY-n8YTn4&feature=related

Poke Chop Sandwich: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U3xHY-Bxdg&feature=related

Blue Jean Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYjSiXutRWA&feature=related 

Nasty Dogs & Funky Kings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l3mkNl-rgQ&feature=related

What’s up with that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cia98Oirb18&feature=fvw

Tube Snake Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW3NkXEzjek&feature=related

Future Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa95d29kmjg&feature=related

With Buddy Guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upwty6ye6hg&feature=related

With Jeff Beck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfMGH5OuLzA&feature=related

With the Allman Brothers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2cyTsAoP9w&feature=related

Blues Lesson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34wNfmpYrb8&feature=related

Tush with Brooks & Dunn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyMGafk6sO4

I need a bold wine with Billy, so I’m pairing him with a 2006 Eos Estate Petite Syrah. Petite Syrah was originally cultivated and labeled as such only in California. For a long time, its origins were unknown, but with the emergence of molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing, evidence from research led by Dr. Carole Meredith at the University of California at Davis has confirmed most plantings to be the Durif grape.

Most of today’s plantings of Petite Sirah were made before the 1960s. Field-blending was the norm during that time, with many varieties often interplanted. As a result, few Petite Sirah vineyards are "pure." Vineyard blocks are often intermingled with vines of Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, Peloursin, or Zinfandel. So the wines from these vineyards labeled "Petite Sirah," at least to some degree, are blends.

Petite Sirah has always been an important blending grape, prized primarily for its deep color and intense tannin. It is most often chosen to blend into zinfandel for added complexity, body, and to tone down the tendency of zins toward "jammy" fruit.

On its own, the appeal of Petite Sirahs are usually high in pigment and tannin. Young wines may show dark berry fruit characteristics augmented with black pepper spice. While perhaps not highly distinctive, I find them delicious, and tonight’s selection is no exception.

The Eos opens with raspberry, plum, blueberry, and spice. It’s dark purple in color with cherry, black currents, and blackberry flavors and a silky feel in the mouth. It has a fair amount of complexity and a long finish that makes you want more. Very well balanced, and at $18.00 it’s a good deal. So, boogie to the blues of ZZ top and be careful with the Eos as you dance around the room.

Cheers!

Franco Morone & Paraduxx

Franco Morone is known as the “Italian Poet of the Acoustic guitar.” His melodies have a beautiful and distinctive style that I would classify as Italian-Celtic fusion that paint pictures evoking a myriad of emotions. The intricacy and texture of his fingerstyle playing is huge, haunting, and takes you on a trip to heaven. Of course, as a blues fan, I included two outstanding numbers in the genre, namely Celtic Dog Blues and the Gershwin classic, Summertime. Trust me, you’re gonna to like him!


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

Blind Mary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMX8PwpKdTU&feature=related

Carolan’s Concerto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF617yFUews&feature=related

Mex Passage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIGMzoFmQQI&feature=related

Flowers of Edinburgh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AlUcnriZYk&feature=related

The Blarney Pilgrim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuNOeqoXtDk&feature=related

Tarantella: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v4fN0Nvx10&feature=related

Star of County Down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQMs36-4N4g&feature=related

Kesh Jig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRkaCno8szQ&feature=related

Nebbi alla Valle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH6uUYsTjs0&feature=related

Flowers from Ayako: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjt77Dpxcbg&feature=related

Turkey in the Straw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Q3kuGh1AY&feature=related

Scarborough Fair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N-6L4gYwqU&feature=fvw

Summertime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g6dvPrXmwk&feature=related

Fiuggi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcvourOaUb4&feature=related

Donna Lombarda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OK6SdABVGo&feature=related

Last weekend was my 34th wedding anniversary. God is good and it takes a remarkable lady to live with me that long. We celebrated with a wine that is normally way out of the $25.00 price range (~$50.00) but I got it on sale for $30.00 and it’s a good wine for a special occasion. The wine is a 2006 Paraduxx from Duckhorn Vineyards. It’s a blend of 64% Zinfandel, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The color is dense cherry with aromas of plum, cherry pie, and chocolate, accented by hints of cinnamon spice, vanilla, and violets. It bursts with red fruit flavors of Bing cherries, strawberries, and raspberries with a contrasting layer of blueberry and mocha. Smooth tannins with a long red current finish. If you have a special occasion, this is a great wine to celebrate…or for just kicking back and listening to the mello sounds of Franco Morone. Enjoy!

Cheers!