A Pairing Party - It's Happy Hour!

 
By Allison Elder

One type of music that I think is great fun is the kind that I hear and think, "This would be great at a cocktail party." Sometime the cocktail party might actually be just a little happy hour at home, celebrating the end of the work week with my husband&or it might be we have friends coming over and we feel like having a drink and putting on something snappy to set the mood. In recent years, I've come to enjoy some music of this type that is produced with a cross-cultural and cross-generational flavor. Two favorites of mine are Pink Martini and Paris Combo. These groups are a great starting point for a compare and contrast pairing party. Pink Martini has three CDs out, and all of them are great. This group is out of Portland, Oregon, and has been an international touring sensation in recent years. Pink Martini is a large group, and many of the members are classically trained musicians. Their lush arrangements cover a variety of musical territory - for example, the first album contains both Ravel's "Bolero" and "Que Sera Sera." The wonderful lead vocalist, China Forbes, sings in several languages. Paris Combo has a nifty, swinging French or European vibe. Again, their songs cover a broad musical spectrum, with unique instrumentation and many languages. One moment is a classic sounding piece, the next might be a French café type song, and the next, a lively tune with a polka feel. A variety of wine pairings would work for this music - but it would be particularly appropriate to choose Williamette Valley Oregon wines in honor of Pink Martini, and French wines as a nod to Paris Combo. Brie or Camembert cheese along with some summer fruit and baguette slices or crackers, good wine, and this fun, lively music will jump start your happy hour - or your happy evening!

Wines: Oregon Red - Fiddlehead Pinot Noir, Oldsville Reserve 2001; French Red - Hugel et Fils Pinot Noir Jubilee 2003; Oregon White - Ponzi Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve; French White - Las Heritiers du Comte Lafon Macon Chardonnay Clos del la Crochette

Music: 1) Pink Martini - "Sympthique," "Hang on Little Tomato" or "Hey Eugene!" and 2) Paris Combo - "Attraction" or "Motifs"

A Pairing Party - Champagne and Soul

 
By Allison Elder

They say that everything old is new again, and this saying seems to hold true with music. Old favorite songs and classic artists long remain in our hearts. In addition, I often find that I like something new because it gives me a pleasant memory of something familiar. Here are some examples of this phenomenon that you can mix up for a pairing party featuring classic soul and a couple of more contemporary companions. First up, check out the sounds of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings on "100 Days 100 Nights." This record is fairly new - but it will sound like you've known it forever. It is enjoyable, energetic and fresh - yet somehow familiar. My pick for a pairing is the classic female Motown choice - the Supremes. You can't go wrong with any of their greatest hit type collections and your guests will surely sing along. Another musical pairing would be James Hunter, who I stumbled upon at the outdoor stage one enjoyable afternoon at the Monterey Jazz Festival last year. This soulful singer/guitarist has a real classic soul groove, and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand that day. For the pairing comparison, I'd suggest Ray Charles. Your choices here are also numerous, and it is hard to go wrong. This music is lively, but comforting and familiar. We played it recently to jump start a small dinner with friends. We served champagne and light appetizers to kick off the party and establish the tone for a festive evening. One easy and slightly retro appetizer is to cut bite-size celery wedges and fill them with a spreadable herbed cheese (such as the Boursin or Rondele brands). Along with the champagne, it is fun to serve fresh raspberries and orange wedges that guests can add to their drink if they like. A dash of Chambord raspberry liquer is also a nice addition to champagne. If you like, compare French champagne to domestic champagne-style sparkling wine - or pair a basic bottle with a more expensive one. You'll surely enjoy the combination of some soul and champagne - and savor the familiar with a fresh twist. See which combination you and your guests prefer between the drinks and the music, and let us know your results by visiting our blog page.

Champagnes: For a solid basic choice - Piper Sonoma, Domaine Chandon or Gloria Ferrer; For a special choice - Schramsberg Vineyards premium label J. Schram; For something French - Blason de Bourgogne, Cuvee Brut Cremant de Bourgogne

Music: 1) Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - "100 Days 100 Nights" and Diana Ross and the Supremes - "The Supremes - The Ultimate Collection" 2) James Hunter - "People Gonna Talk" and Ray Charles - "The Best of Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years"

A Pairing Party - Blended Wines, Blended Music

 
By Allison Elder

Lately, I've become captivated with musical blends&recordings that mix elements of different styles. Mix it up for a pairing party by inviting your guests to experience a spectrum of musical genres to compare and contrast. Some of the most interesting music to emerge recently blurs the boundaries between classical and jazz. One great choice would be to play off the classic and familiar John Coltrane "A Love Supreme" recording with a fresh counterpart - the same work as interpreted by the Turtle Island Quartet on their new recording. These four young classically trained musicians have been pressing the boundaries of their tradition with improvisational music for some time, but their newest recording is a true accomplishment. It reinterprets "A Love Supreme" in a unique and lovely way. Another pairing would be to check out emerging pianist Gabriela Montero on her "Bach and Beyond" recording. Montero verges into her own territory with beautiful improvisations on well-known material. For comparison, you might listen to the more straight classical variety Bach...his solo cello suites are wonderfully played by Janos Starker. The pairing of classical and jazz blended music would work particularly well for a late weekend brunch. Serve quiche, a bowl of mixed fresh fruit (I like sour cream mixed with a little brown sugar as a topping), perhaps a simple green salad, and you are set for food. Add some blended wines (see the recommendations below) and you're ready to go. You'll surely enjoy discussing these interesting wines and the genre-bending musical choices. See which combination you and your guests prefer between the wines and the music, and let us know your results by visiting our blog page.

Red Wines: 2003 Joseph Phelps Insignia (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec and Merlot); 2003 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Meritage (44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc)

White Wines: 2004 Treana White (39% Marsane, 69% Viognier); 2004 Joseph Phelps Pastiche (a Meritage, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) Music: 1) John Coltrane - "Love Supreme" and Turtle Island Quartet - "A Love Supreme - The Legacy of John Coltrane" 2) Gabriela Montero - "Bach and Beyond" and Janos Starker - "J.S. Bach Suites for Solo Cello"

Click Here For "Love Supreme: The Legacy of John Coltrane" By the Turtle Island Quartet

Pairing Party - Different Styles - Different Tastes

 
By Allison Elder

A fun way to plan a pairing party and generate interesting conversation and musical comparisons is to feature artists who have recorded in different musical styles - and compare which sound or style you enjoy more and which music pairs most effectively with the wine choices you are trying. One great choice is to listen to a few recent recordings by Diana Krall. Her latest is "From This Moment On." It has a smooth, sultry and jazzy mood and makes an easy and enjoyable listen. Diana does a number of standards, some lesser known, on this very solid album, and she's joined by some fabulous musicians - the Clayton /Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. "The Girl in the Other Room" is quite a different record - jazzy, but almost more pop - an edgier and less traditional style with some original compositions by her husband, fellow musician Elvis Costello. Finally, you might try giving Sting a fresh listen. His greatest hits effort features familiar and well-loved tunes from 1984-1994, but his brand new effort, "Songs from the Labyrinth" is really something quite different. Sting has spent the last few years working with the music of the famed English songwriter John Dowland (circa 1600) and has been working on learning to play the lute. This melodic medieval music is really intriguing - yet delivered by Sting, somehow it seems almost familiar. Serve a bowl of grapes, some hard cheese, and perhaps some sliced summer sausage along with a baguette from the grocery and you're ready to go. Just add the wine and you'll enjoy an interesting evening of debating the various choices and combinations. For this warm and thoughtful music, we suggest Merlot for those that favor red wine and Sauvignon or Fume Blanc for those who prefer white wines. See which combination you and your guests prefer between the wines and the musical choices, and let us know your results by visiting our blog page.

Wines: Franciscan Merlot (Red); Wente Crane Ridge Reserve Merlot (Red); Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc (White); Simi Sauvignon Blanc (White)

Music: 1) Diana Krall - "From This Moment On" and "The Girl in the Other Room" 2) Sting - "Songs from the Labyrinth" and "Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984 - 1994."

Click Here To Buy Diana Krall - From This Moment On