the greatest love of all.

Feb 142012
 

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It seems only fitting that my first entry after having a baby would be about a song called “The Greatest Love of All”, I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of being a first time mommy; overwhelming and terrifying but by all means absolutely the greatest feeling, the greatest love in the world.

Who knew that two little eyes looking up at you could melt your heart, like this. It’s only been 4 weeks but I’ve never felt so whole in my life. I fall more in love, every passing minute; AND I cannot believe that I made this little guy (I’m not one to brag, but this is my biggest and best accomplishment ever)!

When I found out that I was pregnant, I swore that the one lesson, above all, that I’d teach my baby was to always believe in and love himself. Self confidence, albeit something that my parents fought insanely hard to instill in me,  is something that I struggled with for a long time; I know, first hand, that lack there of is the worst thing you could ever feel. It’s something that I never want my beautiful baby boy to ever have to deal with.

I’m  a true believer that you can go anywhere in life. The world is your oyster, with some limitations (paying taxes) as long as you trust and believe in yourself.

And just as the song says:

The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

Unfortunately many times this is a lesson that is easier said then done. Some people learn it later then others, and some dont at all.

When I heard about the untimely passing of Whitney Houston, tears came to my eyes. Not only because I felt a personal connection (this was MY generation, after all) “Whitney” was one of my first cassettes and probably more influential in my music career than I realize; and not only because one of the best voices of all time has been silenced forever. And although my heart aches for the little girl she leaves behind who, at 18 still and always will need her mommy; what kills me (bearing in mind that no one knows for sure what did and did not play a part in her passing just yet) is that regardless of accident or overdose, here is a woman who abused herself. Someone who didn’t see what the rest of us saw, in her, and someone who let her demons outweigh her greatness.

She lost track of the lesson that she sang about in that song.

It’s unfortunate irony.It’s the saddest story one could ever tell.

I use this quote a little too often in my writings, but those eight words Sonny utters in a Bronx Tale, seem only too fitting in an instance like this “The saddest thing in life [truly] is wasted talent”

So on that note, this blog entry (sorry no pairings with this one), is for anyone who’s ever struggled with self confidence, your not alone, but please don’t let it get the better of you.

It’s for the great Miss Whitney Houston who will always live on in her music, and although shes not with us anymore, maybe she finally found peace….

Most importantly, its for my  Nicholas Joseph, a little boy who bring so much joy and so much love… my one wish for you is to grow up believing in and loving yourself as much as I do you… That simple and you will go very far in this life.

I have no doubt you will.

I love you always.

- mommy

whats your holiday season song/album?

Dec 242011
 

Whatever your religious beliefs are, you most likely have one song, one album that epitomizes this season for you.

for instance, I heard a certain DJ friend (who shall remain nameless) talking about how his family plays N’Sync’s “Merry Christmas” every year, and that’s their little tradition; so when he hears it, that song always takes him back.

On the other hand, my husband’s childhood memories revolve around the Elvis Christmas album. I played it for him last night, while wrapping gifts under the tree, so that he could reminisce.

Now, for me, nothing defines Christmas more than the Phil Spector Christmas album (Hey, the guy may be a nutcase, but you have to admit, he’s a musical genius of a nutcase)… it reminds me of my oldest memories trekking across the Outer Bridge (and in earlier times the Verrazano, as well) listening to WCBS fm and hearing not only Dominic the Donkey on a constant 30 minute cycle, but my mom singing along to the Ronettes “Frosty the Snow Man” and, of course, Darlene Loves classic rendition of “White Christmas” . Even though we’ve maybe had a total of 1 or 2 actual White Christmas’ in my 31 years, I can still relate to the song, and the album for that matter.  It’s simple, its classic its pure it says “family” and it’s everything that this season should be.

Try it along with a nice classic Bordeaux (my pick is something sophisticated but not overpowering like a 2005 Chateau Quinault L’Enclos) by the fireplace on a cold December night… but don’t forget to leave some for Santa.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, and to those who don’t, have a very happy and healthy December 24th!

 

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 + = 

 

 

sad day… resurrecting an old post

Aug 232011
 

I have always said that, in my opnion, Leiber and Stoller were THE  greatest songwriters of all time (you’ll see many refrences throughout this blog). Their music transcends decades, and will always be among the most popular and highest regarded classics (and a big reason i got into this business). I wrote this post, ironically 1 year ago tomorrow, and want to repost it after hearing of the passing of a legend… RIP Jerry Leiber. Your music and influence live on in all modern American music.

Original link: http://vinostereo.com/?p=144 (8/24/2010) 

leiber & stoller; pinot & noir

It takes a very special wine to be compared to the greatest songwriters of all time. So, why am i not writing about the ’03 Henry (Lagarde) Private Reserva Cab (Mendoza), you ask?… Because, it’s not “Poppy” enough, so to speak. The 2007 Lynmar Zephyr Farms Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley/Sonoma Coast), however, is.

I know we’ve spoken about Lynmar before (“Thought of the Day” July 12, 2010), however this bottle is completely different. With a distinct Cherry-Cola-Candy-Meets-Floral-Rose nose, and a beautiful ruby color, you can automatically guess that this is not going to be your average Pinot Noir. Rich and luscious, silk cranberries combined with complexities such as vague hints of oak (not over powering, for those of you oak haters) and exotic, almost curry-like, spice, are just a few of the qualities that make this wine, so special.

However, the thing that REALLY gets me about this particular bottle is that it’s very structured. It has more depth then you’d expect out of your average “Joe Schmoe Pinot” but at the same time, it isn’t too intense, and over powering like a California Cab. the Zephyr Farms Pinot is light bodied (and light-hearted), but has more substance than “bubblegum pop”. It’s a wine that everyone can enjoy, on a number of levels. Call it, “Love Potion #9“………

If you ask me, there is no greater time, in the history of American Pop Music, then the 1950′s. Rock N’ Roll became a household term, and like it or not, the big band days of old were gone. America had found its defining music; and it was founded on a blend of R&B (“Race” Music) with guitar-heavy Bluegrass, and mixed with influences of, well, EVERYTHING.

In brief, (because I can go on about this for hours) Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote, arranged and produced countless recordings during this time, including some of the most notable and memorable rock and roll songs of all time. “Leiber and Stoller advanced rock and roll to new heights of wit and musical sophistication…They brought a range of stylistic flavor to their story songs, which ranged from wisecracking, finger-popping hipster tunes to quieter love ballads”, http://rockhall.com/inductees/jerry-leiber-and-mike-stoller/bio/

From “Hound Dog” & “On Broadway” to “Spanish Harlem” & “Stand By Me”, they took chances and it paid off tenfold.

Constant, Structured, Hooky-Pop, yet with depth and meaning. that’s the business that Leiber and Stoller were in, and that’s the business that they perfected. It doesnt get any better than that!

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vino/stereo gets some love from our dj friends!

Aug 112011
 

I was recently interviewed for the program at the Promo Only Summer Sessions 2011 (a fantastic yearly convention in Atlantic City, NJ). To my surprise, the interviewer (dancemusic.about.com‘s own DJ Ron) did his homework and included vino/stereo in his questions….. It was an honor to be able to pair one of the nicest, most hard working and dedicated duo out there (if you don’t yet know who NERVO are… take note because they are on the verge of very well deserved super stardom)…. and what a great pairing it turned out to be!

 

Copy:

There is a lot of buzz around Nervo being the ultimate quadruple threat – producers, DJs, singers and songwriters. If you were going to pair them with a wine / mixed drink like you often do on vinostereo.com, which would it be and why?

I’m going to say a rosé for sure. Peju winery in Napa make a Provence (unlike traditional rosés, this one is actually made half from white and half from red wines). Just like the Girls, it’s versatility makes it stand out. It’s fun and flirty, but packs a powerful punch with some deep tones (it pairs equally great with a caprice salad at it does with strawberry cheesecake). A feminine wine that’s not too girly for even the macho-est o men to love.

 

for more on NERVO click here …. and follow them on facebook and twitter - you wont regret it!

and learn more about Napa’s Peju Provence Winery Here

not nuYorican, but i love their soul!

Apr 252011
 

Back, and just in time for spring in NYC, i thought we’d shake things up a bit by adding a Latin flair (no, not another Tempranillo pairing) to the mix….

When i think warm weather, i think dance music. Fun times, nothing deep, just simple care free party music. The stuff that makes you want to be outside, weather it be a barbecue, a day at the beach or just cruising with the windows rolled down. Dancing, being one with the music and having a blast.

A personal favorite of mine (and one album that i cant seem to put down lately, although released in 1997) is the Latin House-Jazz-Hip Hop fusion venture NuYorican Soul. The pet project of House music producers, Masters at Work (Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez and “Little” Louie Vega) splices Latin jazz legends with newer soul and hip hop talents in a celebration of jazz, R&B, and, of course, dance music.

One thing that makes the album stand out, from a lot of the newer dance music, is the use of instruments over synthesizers; bringing a warm inviting, disco-esque appeal to a more modern audience.

Perfect for a beautifully sunny day… with a beautifully sunny “wine cocktail”, perhaps one native to Spain (no, not sangria).

Tinto de Verano….

or “Summer Red Wine”, is the common wine drink of Spanish locals (where as tourists drink Sangria). It is a refreshing “spritzer” of equal parts red wine and gaseosa or casera (a lightly sweetened lemonade soda) topped off with a lemon wedge.

In the states, gaseosa can be substituted for any sparkling lemonade (think San Pellegrino Limonata) OR lemon-lime soda, diluted with a bit of seltzer. And as for the wine, well ask any Spaniard and they will tell you that it, quite frankly, has to be cheap. Inexpensive table wine, which should, however, be medium to full bodied. A cheap (yes, hear we go again) Tempranillo will do.

You may want to try a personal “go to” of mine, Protocolo Tinto (traditional Tempranillo: musky and floral with black cherry and vanilla undertones).

Protocolo Tinto is just the type of wine that Tinto de Verano calls for; and the perfect pairing for a warm day and some Latin Jazz/Dance music fusion.

Try it and let me know what YOU think!!!!!

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Tinto de Verano….
Ingredients:
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup sparkling lemonade, such as San Pellegrino Limonata
ice
slice of lemon

Directions:
In a tall glass, place 3-4 ice cubes.
Add red wine and soda.
Garnish with a lemon slice

Enjoy!

 

for more on NuYorican Soul click here

don melchor.

Mar 082011
 

Music and wine are, both, universal languages that appeal to the senses. They certainly appeal to mine (hence vino/stereo), and probably yours (why else would you be checking out this blog); and to further prove this theory, I found the hidden gem, below, on the Don Melchor website.

For those of you who aren’t familiar, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro was the founder of the well known Concha Y Toro winery in  Chile in 1883.  In the 1960′s Viña Concha Y Toro acquired land in Puente Alto, located on the foot of the Andes in the Maipo Valley; and in the mid 80′s the investment paid off, with a little help from the French. Concha y Toro’s dream to produce high quality (Cabernet Sauvignon to be specific) wine took shape under the name of (who else), founder: Don Melchor.

“For Concha y Toro, the origin of wine is born in the vine. Don Melchor faithfully expresses Cabernet Sauvignon from a specific terroir, the Puente Alto vineyard. It has been divided into parcels of homogeneous growth that are tended independently to achieve even development of each of its vines and parcels“.- www.donmelchor.com

The result, a Chilean cab that is out of this world. Think fleshy ripe plum meets vanilla with tobacco undertones and a hint of oak. Highly aromatic and sustainable; everything a big cab should be. This attention to detail and perfect balance is what Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker have continuously rated past vintages in the mid 90′s.  

It would probably take me a minute to find the perfect music pairing to match this very elequent vino, but it looks like Concha y Toro they did the hard work for me; and indeed, it’s the perfect blend.

Enjoy!

click here for more on Don Melchor

tempranillo/bomboleo

Feb 142011
 

My friend, Cheryl, is a big fan of the Gipsy Kings, so when she suggested that I do a pairing of their authentic flamenco infused pop sounds, better known as rumba catalana; which are native to Spain & later Latin America (although the band originated in the south of France), I knew EXACTALY what i was going to do.

Bamboleo is quite possibly the Gipsy Kings most recognizable (if not one of) song, & my personal favorite (outside of their remake of “Hotel California”, which i strongly suggest you check out). First released independently, in 1987, Bamboleo; which is  a reworking of Simon Diaz’  “Caballo Viejo” (a Venezuelan folk song); quickly became a worldwide hit.

Traditional Flaminco meets afro-cuban meets rock & roll is a sound that the Gipsy Kings do best. Infusing a little of the old world into the new, & making fans in the most unlikely of places.

From TV commercials & shows, to radio & even a music video played on VH1, the song gained popularity, peaking at number six on Billboard Magazine’s Hot Latin Tracks. Their debut international album, subsiquently rose to the top in both the US & UK (markets which are traditionally unreceptive to international music).

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Speaking of things that originated from Spain, I LOVE Tempranillo! The grape varietal is typically found in traditional style big reds (think Rioja), however is making its way into the mainstream and gaining the attention of some new world winemakers, from the US all the way to Thiland (where the grape is increasing in popularity).

My  favorite Tempranillo embodies the light &  jammy old world-ness, with that nutty oak that you see in modern wines. it’s clove driven oak on the nose & midpalet are spicey enough to warm your bones, during the winter, while friendly summer fruit (think bluberries) give way in the back end.  It’s the 2006 Bodegas Arrocal (spain)- 100% Tempranillo (4 months aged in New & used American & French Oak).

A great value at about $13-$15, there is something so festive about this glass. Its a wine that makes you feel like your a part of an old tradition, while creating a new tradition. Old World meets New world, for you to enjoy!

click here for more Gipsy Kings music

click here for info on Bodegas Arrocal

for amateurs; experts.

Jan 252011
 

A co-worker of mine, introduced me to the amazing Italian Wine Merchants  for the first time, about a month ago; and we were so intrigued by the salesman’s pitch of the 1996 Rocche dei Manzoni: Bricco Manzoni that we, both, bought a bottle on the spot.

Do you remember the fruit snack “Gushers”? Do they sill make them? Well, this is how I’d always imagined them tasting, yet, in wine formation (and not as sappy sweet).

20% Barbera + 80% Nebbiolo (think Barolo) = as my friend Arielle likes to say, a “fruit bomb”. Once you get past the mounds of sediment (thank you sediment cap) and the ridiculously long cork, you are overcome by a mouthful of ripe jucy plum and cherry, which last well into the mid pallet of this ruby red concoction. Strong and distinctly Italian (Piedmont to be exact), soft tannins and light acidity give way to a short-ish, yet nonetheless, substantial finish. Even more surprisingly, at 15 years old this is ripe for the picking, but rumor has it, can still be enjoyed 5 years from now.

The thing that I like most about this wine is that it’s simple and  yet complex; you don’t have to be an expert to like this glass but still, even the most knowledgeable of wine experts won’t be bored. On paper, this one’s a strong contender for the title of perfectly made, well  balanced vino. 

While we’re on the subject of things that can be enjoyed by the full spectrum (in this case from the most amature of music tastes to the biggest power popping alternative retro hipster) there is ONE band that comes to mind when i drink a wine like this (and they’re not Italian)…..

San Francisco based 90′s underground pop outfit Jellyfish wasn’t the longest lasting of bands, nor were they a band that defined generations, but they sure did leave their mark. Simple (juicy) pop hooks, with complex and witty lyrics energized this band in what can easily be called some of the best crafted pop songs of their generation.

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For its simple complexity, I chose to pair this particular wine, with a song that is notoriously Jellyfish. Bubble Gum chords and juicy melodies will keep it in your head for hours, yet with lyrics so deep that you’d have to dig in and over-analyze to realize this track far from your power pop love ballad. I give you “The Ghost at Number One”.

So Amateurs and Philosophers unite….. and enjoy!

click here for more Jellyfish music.

click here for more Bricco Manzoni’s from Italian Wine Merchants.

the best.

Jan 032011
 

Happy 2011!

It’s been a while & though I was contemplating the idea of keeping with the theme of my previous 2 holiday blogs, by doing the 12 days of Christmas (it’s currently day 10), I got so bogged down with the holidays this year that I had a hard time remembering to send out cards, let alone do my  homework to come up with twelve holiday appropriate wines & which songs to pair them with. Needless to say, I really must start doing my homework, now,  for next years blog (any/all suggestions are welcome).

In the mean time, I’ve been stressing, for a long time (as some of you know) about the absolute PERFECT song to pair with the mother of all cabs and my love “Henry” (Lagarde winery) ’03 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza); and I honestly don’t know why I didn’t think of this, almost obvious pairing, sooner.

One thing about the Henry is that it’s not a household name. it’s not Cakebread or Silver Oak, or even Trapiche for that matter. Just towing the line of under the radar, except to the true cab lover, the simple fact is…. its absolutely delicious! Silky Smooth and just plain good.

I remember my first time with Henry. It was about 3 years ago and just below 10 degrees, mid-winter in Jersey City, NJ. As usual, I was at our local wine bar, City Vino, with my friend Cheryl (shout out to Grapedeals). I asked the owner for the oakiest, warmest, most full bodied- but yet not too over the top, glass that he had. Just what I needed to warm my bones on a bitter cold evening.  Thus started my love affair with “Henry”… As the owner poured us both, a glass, he made us promise to drink it last of all the things we ordered, because it was, without question, the biggest the bar’s selections….

Henry did no disappoint. A lot of dimension, in this traditional style Cabernet Sauvignon, its the perfect balance of  plum, tobacco, dark chocolate, spices & (of course) smoked oak. But not overbearing, there is a richness to the wine, that cant really be described in words. The finish & subtle tannins are just long enough to sustain you to your next sip. This is my kind of wine. Plain and simple, the “Crem Della Crem” as per Elena, so to speak.

Sometimes, it takes a tragedy to come up with the best pairings; to hit you on the head and give you that “ah ha” moment, so-to-speak…. Did that make any sense?

Anyway, on the evening of December 26th, I was sitting on my Father-in-Laws couch, watching the DIY network, when i got a CNN Breaking news alert email…. “– Teena Marie, an award-winning singer-songwriter known for her R&B performances, has died, her manager said.”

Like the Henry Cab, Teena Marie was not much of a household name,with the exception of my household. She was my version of the “Crem Della Crem” of singers. Consider a voice that was so silky smooth and on point, that the biggest of R&B fans would be put to shame. This is “real music”. THIS is what got me into music in the first place. THIS is why I do what I do today.

Teena Marie was an amazingly gifted musician who, not only, had a golden voice- which oozed passion, but who composed, arranged  & played multiple instruments on her songs, as well. In fact, it is her rich vocals & solid arraignment on the hit ”Ooh La La” heard here, which pair phenomenally well with the smooth goodness of “Henry”, that made her the first white female recording artist to score a number one hit on Billboard Magazine’s Rhythm & Blues Chart.

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Now, I could probably tell you about the first time I heard a Teena Marie song (“Lovergirl” on WPLJ circa 1984), & how to this day, when I’m in a “funk” the one thing that will always snap me out of it is blasting “Square Biz” on repeat;  but this blogs getting wordy, so at the risk of sparing you, the reader. I’ll end this by having a glass of one of the most underrated Cabernet Sauvignion’s and listening to one of the most underrated singer of her time;  & by toasting to the life and times of Miss Lady Tee!

 

for all things Teena Marie, click here; for her greatest hits, click here

for more on Henry, click here

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