Bert Jansch & Michel Sarrazin’s 2009 Bourgogne Pinot Noir

When I was in high school back in the 60s, I discovered a group called Pentangle. The group was composed of Danny Thompson on double bass, Terry Cox on drums, Jacqui McShee on vocals and was anchored by two brilliant guitarists, John Renbourne and Bert Jansch. Bert shared vocal duties with Jacqui and his voice embodied everything one can imagine in a British troubadour. His guitar playing was brilliant and over the course of the years he was a major influence on the guitar playing of artists ranging from Simon and Garfunkel to Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Page recorded Bert’s song, “Blackwaterside,” renaming it Black Mountain Side. It was a clear case f copyright infringement but Bert didn’t have the money to pursue the case in court, so it was never pursued.

Jansch was strongly influenced by Davy Graham and began incorporating many of his altered tunings into his own music. I find his sound to be very soothing. He died a year ago on October 5^th, so I thought it appropriate to recall one of Britain’s finest guitarists.

Angie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOIt7fOgeFk&feature=related

Blackwater Slide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkX7Q2J7k48

Blues Run The Game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MO_Xxq3LVw

She Moved Through The Fair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsb4TzzzSGI&feature=related

Moonshine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN8rvFgj_mg&feature=related

One For Jo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAuHUOfaWqY&feature=related

Reynardine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmVA7BHsF1I&feature=related

Rosemary Lane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ymZDtgV58&feature=related

I Have No Time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSNuclN_w8E&feature=related

Running From Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3mGV5pDDsM&feature=related

Bird Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ60SDWAdDc&feature=related

Wayward Child: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdNQ9B6IzAI&feature=related

October Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD03hcvyL54&feature=related

Listening to Bert’s light touch calls for an equally light but wonderful wine, so I suggest Michel Sarrazin’s 2009 Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Its color is ruby red with a bouquet of cherries, herbs, and a touch of vanilla. It’s a medium bodied wine with a palate full of tart cherry, red currants, and that hint of vanilla. Soft tannins and a nice long finish make this a bargain at $15.00 and it beautifully compliments the guitar of Bert Jansch. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Acoustic Blues Mix &Chateau Panchille Bordeaux Superior

Hump day’s past and I’ve got some tasty acoustic blues to help you get through the rest of the week. These are some, but not nearly all of my favorite artists. If you like pure acoustic guitar blues, you’re gonna love this set. Downhill to the weekend!

Eric Bibb

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

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

Keb Mo

Dirty, lowdown, and bad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSEz8A0EnXs

Hand it over: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiDjkajIPkQ

Rollin & tumbling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSoLqo_mM_w

Suitcase: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEnqOjSvyvk&feature=related

Rory Block

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

Stand by me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKYfFnqC3Y

If I possession over judgment day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV43q_XZCPY

Alvin Youngblood Hart

Illinois Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nhk2GJAfvg

Pony Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf3HJvLALR0

Guy Davis

Saturday Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYONhrGinhw

Matchbox Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_q1x9FcOpQ

Martin simpson

Walkin Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHY74AjKRjI

Highway 61: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V65fRKYJ90E&feature=relmfu

Chris Smither

Train Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipfZ7QGjZL8

Jailhouse Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYO9LrQokic

Statesboro Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igMOZuh99bs

Kelly Joe Phelps

Hellhound on my trail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clnMRT-VK74&feature=related

Go there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmut5WhT3cI

Spit me out of the whale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGj4wK1RkUQ

Tommy Emmanuel

Guitar Boogie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QXQUHsOgbo&feature=related

Stevie’s blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h3ePiTlitI&feature=related

Workin man blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vAsLPi9v7E

With this kind of music, we need a robust red, so I suggest a 2009 Chateau Panchille Bordeaux Superior. The wine is inky purple in the glass with ruby highlights as you swirl the glass and hold it up to the light. Let it breath for two hours and you’ll be rewarded with explosive red and black fruit aromas, complimented by a bit of dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is a wonderfully concentrated mixture of black fruit and cocoa, echoing the nose. The tannins are velvety smooth and give rise to a long-lived finish. Great night to fire up the deck fire pit, watch the moon and stars, and enjoy some of the best acoustic blues guitarists out there.

Cheers!

Andy Timmons & Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Andy Timmons was born July 26, 1963 in Evansville, Indiana. His music career began at age 13 with a rock band called Taylor Bay. His early influences were Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton, two outstanding session musicians.

Following in the footsteps of Lukather and Carlton, he developed quite a career as a session musician backing the likes of Simon Phillips, Olivia Newton-John, Kip Winger, Paula Abdul, and Paul Stanely in addition to playing alongside Steve Vai & Joe Satriani (G3 tours), Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, and Pierre Bensusan. On several of the videos included below, his tone is reminiscent of Eric Johnson.

His journey into the world of session players led him to serious music studies that included classical and jazz. He ended up in Texas, which has a vibrant studio scene. In 1988, he formed the Andy Timmons band, which attracted the attention of the members of the pop-metal band, Danger Danger, with whom he toured the world,

opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper. He’s sold over a million records and has a repertoire that ranges from blistering instrumental guitar to blues to the Beatles.

In 1993, after four years with Danger Danger, he returned to his studio career in Dallas where he’s released eight CD’s, all to critical acclaim. He has been consistently voted a Top 20 Best Guitarist in several publications and was voted Musician of the years four years in a row in the Dallas Observer Music Awards. He’s a fantastic musician and a great listen on a cool autumn Saturday night.

Cry for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaVVZYOvMFY

Ghost of you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqQwWvIt81I&feature=related

Lydia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwH85PjDbhY&feature=related

Beware dark days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl7eVbz0iTc&feature=related

Helipad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USTWe3asA6A&feature=related

Electric Gypsy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93cuDyqXQm8&feature=related

Gone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04ufLAs_y3c&feature=related

Beautiful, Strange: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrnjr-Mhnb4&feature=related

Redemption:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsf7wXppEC4&feature=related

Move on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kk2sC1Ogys&feature=relmfu

Deliver us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVob6skLMA&feature=relmfu

Headed for the ditch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC-NVauJ7y8&feature=related

With Steve Vai, Beat it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53b4ArjE5tI&feature=related

Resolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_zNHuZST0I&feature=related

It’s finally cooled off here in Nebraska, but I can’t let go of summer just yet, so I suggest a 2011 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (~$14.00). If ever there was a classic example of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, this is it.  Aromas of citrus and lemon explode on the nose. Bright, clean flavors of grapefruit, lime, and tropical fruit stun the palate followed by a zesty finish. It’s my favorite summer wine and goes great with fish or chicken and, of course, the guitar of Andy Timmons. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Jimmy Wahlsteen & Brazin Zinfandel

I thought I’d bring back a young man I reviewed about two years ago, namely Jimmy Wahlsteen. There’s very little biographical information on him, but I actually found some tidbits about him this time around. He calls Stockholm, Sweden home. Although he has quite an accomplished musical resume, I have to confess I know nothing about many of the artists with whom he’s performed. He studied music in school and in 1998 went on his first international tour  with Emilia and the “Big Big world.” That got the attention of musicians in Sweden and Jimmy rose to be one of the most sought after session and studio musicians in the country. Since then, Jimmy played with prominent European artists like Heather Nova, Westlife, Eskobar, Laura Pausini and Titiyo. He has two CDs out on CandyRat records. I hope you like him.

Halifaxation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT3J7iXqTAs

Rapid Eye Movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97czMjuAnSA

Shifts of Attention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kKR5XuYL9c

Hitched for Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaUknuzWolE

It’s Your Favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IsoYmy4-BE

You’ve Got to run Real Fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FthNo2gCI98

Trickle Down FX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yMFtHb6_A

181^st Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjEbO2HvBuM

Tranquility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty6VneesLiI

My Three Page Memo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x60yXSQpmCU

With Don Ross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-pVXtK0nIM&feature=related

With Don Ross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B2pWP6Bh2M&feature=related

Untitled: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHHT-ItlY5Q&feature=relmfu

1998: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWGXsBqx7Kk&feature=related

It’s a bit chilly tonight here in Lincoln so I’m pairing Jimmy with a 2009 Brazin Zinfandel, one of my all time favorite Zins and only $14.00 at Costco. Make sure you’re sitting down when you taste this wine because it’s going to blow your senses. Aromas of black fruit and mocha mixed with exotic spices start you off on a sensory extravaganza. A core of blackberry, vanilla and coffee dominate the intense palate, but are balanced by good acidity and soft tannins. This is a very complex Zin that pairs wonderfully with a variety of summer foods off the grill and, of course, the music of Jimmy Wahlsteen. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Royal Southern Brotherhood & Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

      The Royal Southern Brotherhood is a fusion of some great musical names. Cyril Neville is one of the Grammy Award winning Neville Brothers, a percussion master with a soulful voice and the heart of a poet/philosopher. Devon Allman is the son of Greg Allman of the Allman Brothers fame. His guitar style was influenced by the likes of Dickey Betts, Carlos Santana, and several blues guitarists. Mike Zito is a winner of a 2009 Blues Music Award. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO he grew up listening to Van Halen and Led Zepplin and it wasn’t until later he became interested in the great blues men. At various points in his life he was homeless and an addict, but cleaned up and moved to Texas where he’s livin the clean life playing some mean blues.

Catch the multitude of songs as Zito and Allman dual each other on a cover of the Allman Brother’s “One Way Out.” They’re just a fun lovin bunch of southern blues men. Hope you enjoy them.

One way out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ii_J7J3dZU

Fired up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUFVU-nVBAo&feature=fvwrel

Gotta keep rockin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xHZiNGd6OE

Bad ass rhythm section: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neSdngQMY4g&feature=related

Could get dangerous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RKhI0vBaR8&feature=related

Pearl River: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26TA9vRymdg&feature=related

New horizon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOmPOWoE-So

Moonlight over Mississippi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6McpGtRMSI

Fire on the mountain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc6IIBC0n3E

Graveyard Trio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44BiBhqJuN8

Ways about you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WL5Y9jhyto&feature=related

Southern blues calls for a refreshing drink out on the deck watching the stars and listening to the crickets as they chirp along to the music. A 2010 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc ($15.00 from Costco) is just the ticket, especially when the temperature has finally gotten to bearable levels here in Nebraska. It’s straw green with an explosive aroma of green apples and citrus. The flavors follow the nose adding notes of grapefruit and tangerine with bright minerality and a long, satisfying finish. I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and this is a great one. Perfect for an evening with royalty. Enjoy!

Cheers!