Frog’s Pad

This happened live on December 18th, but you can listen, at least for a while, at http://www.cbc.ca/maritimenoon/phonein.html

http://www.happinezwinebar.com/happinez/upcoming.jsp

Craig’s 10 Favourite Records of 2008, Paired with10 Favourite Tipples

It is Christmas, time for my list of ten favourite music releases from 2008, each matched with a suitable drink. It’s hard work, but, well, you know…

I get accused regularly of dwelling in the past when it comes to music; my response is that I am always listening to modern music, seeking new artists that turn my crank. I find them fairly regularly, and I glom onto them until, in most cases, I realize that they are just a pretender: the proverbial great hyped hope.  They can’t compete in my brain with artists I’ve loved for 20 or 30 years, who are still “bringing it.”

I’ll listen to anything that people recommend, and with myspace sites it is pretty easy to get a taste of someone else’s faves in a few minutes.  So please let me know when the next Elvis Costello, Andy Partridge or Tom Waits (or Mark Everett, Sondre Lerche, or John Southworth, for that matter) comes along, because I’m looking for them.

1. Joe Jackson – Rain
Always playing second fiddle to Costello in the “angry British New Waver turned eclectic musician” department must be frustrating for Joe, since he was a jazz musician first, but he keeps making new and interesting albums, like this excellent jazz influenced piano-bass-drums (no guitars, period) record.  It is less biting than some of his music but both the songs and musicianship are very strong. Rush Across The Road is a classic, unforgettable melody.

Matched with… Warsteiner ($2.56/500 ml can), a crisply bitter German pils. Joe has made his new home in Berlin (learn about it at www.youtube.com/joejacksonrain), because he is so bitter about the smoking ban in his former love, New York.

2. Elvis Costello  – Momofuku
This is by no means one of my favourite Costello albums, but even his dashed off albums (he reportedly made this in a couple weeks, including writing many of the songs, I suspect) are better than most of the dreck out there. Named after the Japanese inventor of instant noodles, Momofuku is an uneven, diverse album, with everything from alt-country to This Year’s Model style rants (”American Gangster Time,” “No Hiding Place”) and sentimental ballads (”My Three Sons”). The background singers, including Jenny Lewis, add a sense of newness to this record.

Matched with…Champagne! We need something that goes with everything. Well, how about a more affordable traditional method sparkler instead. I’m loving the Cordon Rosado from Freixenet ($16.49).

3. Sloan – Parallel Play
It was difficult to follow up Never Hear The End Of It, but they did a decent job of it. The record shows flashes of brilliance, especially Jay Ferguson’s “Witch’s Wand” and “Cheap Champagne” (when is he going to do a solo record?) and great rockers from Andrew Scott (the Dylanesque “Down In The Basement’).  This record sounds like 4 solo EP’s randomly mixed together.

Matched with…a Mojito, a cocktail with 4 distinct components: mint, sugar, soda and good quality white rum. You decide which part goes with which band member – it depends on which one you are sweet on and which one is muddled. Use the tasty new El Dorado 3-year wood aged white rum ($28.29)

4. Juliana Hatfield – How To Walk Away (Demos)
As I get older I find myself liking stripped down production rather than grandiose stuff (with exceptions, see pick #5), which is why I paid extra to get the “How To Walk Away ” demos along with the new Juliana disc.  There are 20 tracks, including bonus ones plus most of the demos of songs on the regular CD.  “Shining On” sounds like a MOR single on the regular record, but is a poignant indie pop song as a demo.

Matched with…A Sugar Plum Fairy. That’s what I think of when I hear Hatfield’s sexy Tinkerbelle voice.  This is, as I learned from the bartender at Onyx in Halifax last week, a martini made with Japanese Plum Wine, Champagne and Grand Marnier. If you can’t find the plum wine (you can get it in Halifax at Bishop’s Cellar), I’d substitute a small dose of semi-sweet rosé wine, such as Mateus, plus put in a dash of something sour, like cranberry or lemon juice, as plum wine has a sweet and sour taste.

5. Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping
I’ve read of music described as frenetic, but I think Of Montreal (a Georgia band who actually have nothing to do with Montreal, as far as I can tell) should own the word. This album is all over the place, very complex, layered and insane. It’s also very singable, with a few exceptions, and danceable. It’s quite original, although I hear Prince, early British psychedelia, lots of Bowie, and electronica in there. There’s an element of classical music too; many of the songs are made up of various distinct movements. Some of the ridiculously pretentious song titles drive me crazy (”An Eluardian Instance” and “Beware Our Nubile Miscreants”) but I’m really enjoying trying to figure out this challenging album.

Matched with…Torrontes from Don David in Argentina ($16.49). The cliché choice would be something hallucinogenic, but I’ve chosen a fresh, distinct, and exotic white wine.

6. Pretenders – Break Up The Concrete
Finally, the great album that should have followed Pretenders II. This has the gritty rock and roll sound that largely disappeared from the band when two original members died within two years, from excesses of the job. Chrissie Hynde’s voice has never lost its unique appeal, but she has been spotty in terms of output over the last 20 years. This album rocks! Listen to “Boots of Chinese Plastic” on www.thepretenders.com for a taste.

Matched with… Maker’s Mark Bourbon ($44.70), straight but smooth American whisky, since Hynde is from Ohio.

7. Sarah Slean – Baroness
Canada’s siren returns with her strongest album yet, filled with haunting piano and her pure voice. The single “Get Home,” about infidelity, is incredibly moving and almost too personal.

Matched with… Mission Hill Five Vineyards ($18.79) Pinot Noir, a late night glass (one of the huge Burgundy ones that holds almost a bottle) of smooth, seductive BC Pinot.

8.  Skydiggers – City Of Sirens
Canada’s folk pop troubadours are still making great records, although quietly. Andy Maize’s gravelly voice has never sounded better. “City Of Sirens”, written from an excerpt of a Schubert song, and “Hello Beautiful Life” and “Laura Love”, similarly developed from Schumann compositions, are highlights.

Matched with… Pelee Island Merlot ($12.99), a simple comfort wine from Ontario, smooth and round, but with some elegance.

9. Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
Former child actress Lewis has turned her success in indie band Rilo Kiley into an acclaimed solo career. Acid Tongue is more alt-country than anything, and she really shows her chops as a lyricist and vocalist. She’s great live too. You can watch her duet with Elvis Costello on “Carpetbaggers” from Letterman on youtube.

Matched with…Lingenfelder Fish Label Riesling from Mosel, Germany ($17.79). Acid tongue makes me think of Riesling, and this fresh and fruity mineral & citrus laden white is a perfect choice!

10. Chris Difford – The Last Temptation of Chris
This is the second recent solo effort from Squeeze’s “other” vocalist (remember “Cool for Cats”?), and it’s a winner. Difford is the one of the best lyricists in music, responsible for the wry satire in all those great Squeeze hits, and his songwriting is very good as well. Watch the disturbing and also clever “Fat As A Fiddle” video at www.myspace.com/cdifford

Matched with…Fuller’s London Pride ($3.99), a pint of fantastic hoppy English bitter.

Craig Pinhey feels guilty about leaving out 5 or 6 other albums he loved, but not about the 5 or 6 drinks. Visit him at www.frogspad.ca.

For more information, or to reserve your space at this class, email Craig at frogspad@nb.aibn.com.

Schedule (might change depending on weather cancellations, etc.)

Tuesday February 10, 6:30-9:30 pm

Monday February 16, 6:30-9:30 pm

Monday February 23, 6:30-9:30 pm CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW

NOTE: NO CLASS MARCH BREAK

Monday March 9, 6:30-9:30 pm

Monday March 16, 6:30-9:30 pm

Tuesday March 17, 6:30-9:30 pm (tentative makeup for cancelled class)

Monday March 23, 6:30-9:30 p

Monday March 30, 6:30-9:30 pm

Monday April 6, 6:30-9:30 pm

Monday April 27, 6:30-9:30 pm EXAM

(from [here], www.herenb.com)

Yes it is that time, the time for my every-so-often brews news update for New Brunswick, in which I investigate what new beers are on the shelves, or on tap from our local brewers.

The latest sighting is of Sam Adams Boston Lager, with its new package (Where did Sam the patriot go? You can barely see him, faded in the background) and new price tag, at least if you are used to drinking it in the US.  $14.98 for a 6-pack is extreme, bordering on insane. Sure, this is an iconic American microbrew, and one which I really like, but I can’t justify paying more for that than say, a St. Ambroise Pale Ale ($12.96), Garrison ($11.99), Pump House ($11.49), or Propeller ($11.99). OK, it is a premium lager, something which I have been screaming for, and the bottle size is slightly bigger at 355 ml, but still…DAB from Germany is $2.15 a 330 ml bottle. That comes all the way from Germany! And Pilsner Urquell, the hoppy lager on which Sam Adams is arguably modeled, is $2.99 for a 500 ml can. Sleeman, who markets Sam Adams here, sells their brands for only $21.49 a 12-pack.  Actually, maybe a bigger shock is that Old Milwaukee, a watery US brew also distributed by Sleeman (and made in Halifax, I understand) is $13.99 for 6 x 355 ml bottles.

To recap, here is a price table:
BEER                    PRICE/100 ml
Sam Adams                 70 cents
Old Milwaukee            65.7
DAB                            65.2
St. Ambroise              63.4
Urquell                       59.8
Propeller/Garrison     58.6
Pump House              56.2
Sleeman                    52.5

Is this the result of the recent collapse of the Canadian dollar? Or is it an extra charge so that Sleeman, who distributes it here, gets their cut? Does it come with a free glass?  In any case, it will be a tough sell.

If you’ve never had Sammy, it is a unique smelling and tasting brew, due to the special (Hallertau Mittelfruh) hops used. In fact I find it one of the most distinct aromas of any beer in the world. It has very rich floral notes, decent bitterness, and a clean finish. It is brewed using the traditional decoction mash, which is the way the top pilsner brewers operate. It is too complicated to explain here, but let’s just say that it is a pain in the ass, labour-intensive, to mash this way.

Another new brew noted by local beer lovers is Garrison Tall Ship Amber Ale, from Halifax, at $11.99 a 6-pack. This is a lighter ale than most microbrewed versions, and is more of a quaffer. It has light malt notes and moderate bitterness.

More good news at the ANBL is that we now have four Fuller’s products from this famous London brewery. Organic Honey Dew, Fuller’s ESB  (Extra Special Bitter), Fuller’s London Pride, and Fuller’s London Porter are all $3.99 for 500 ml bottles. Fuller’s London Pride is one of my favourite cask beers when I am in England. It has gorgeous floral hop and yummy caramel aromas, with very pleasant hop bitterness and flavour, even in the bottled version. Many beers lose their fresh hop aromas when packaged, but Fullers is great when fresh.  Although London Pride is a modest 4.1% on cask in the UK, the bottles are 4.7%. The stronger ESB is 5.9% and much fuller flavoured, while London Porter is a classic: dry and full of chocolate notes.
Organic Honey Dew Lager is a clean lager, but it is even higher in price than Sam Adams!

Our local brewers are making some interesting stuff too. Greg Nash at Pump  House reports on their Brewer’s Blog that his Schwarzbier (German Black Lager) is available on tap. I tried it on my last trip through Moncton. It is a nicely subtle, smooth malty lager; think of it as similar to Porter only brewed with lager yeast. He also has a Baltic Storm on the way, an 8.2% Baltic Porter. That sounds dangerous.

Rumour has it that Fredericton’s Picaroons (Northampton) is releasing a special Espresso Stout using coffee from Red Whale, a premium coffee roaster in Rothesay.  I haven’t seen the ale yet, but I heard that the Saint John Ale House would be featuring it as a special tap. Let me know if there is a sighting.

I’m also waiting for the latest news about brewer Patrice Godin and his battle to open his small Moncton microbrewery. The last I heard, he was waiting on the City Of Moncton about an appeal about the zoning restriction placed upon him.  Essentially, he wants to brew a small amount of beer for sale on tap at local pubs, but his location was deemed unacceptable by the planning commission. Don’t you love the way we squash entrepreneurs in Canada?  I hope to drink his brew on tap at Marky’s Laundromat sooner rather than later.

On that same front, I heard a rumour yesterday that a new brewpub is opening in Saint John early in the New Year, up above Sebastian on Princess Street. There is definitely something going on up there. I can neither confirm nor deny this, but I’m giddy as a schoolgirl.

Cheers!

Craig Pinhey has been waiting for a new NB microbrewery for, um, ever. Contact him at frogspad@nb.aibn.com.

Wouldn’t you know it? With Christmas still one month away I’m already getting all sentimental and watching Christmas specials. It doesn’t hurt that one of them is the “dream team” special, with two of my current entertainment favourites, Stephen Colbert and Elvis Costello, appearing together, and even singing together, as part of “A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All” appearing Sunday November 23rd at 10 pm on the Comedy Network, and purchasable two days later as a DVD with extras (you can preorder already from amazon.ca). That sounds a bit crass and scroogy, but in fact a share of the proceeds of the DVD go to the Feeding America charity.

Based on the DVD promo cover, Colbert is showing off his “Bing Bing” side, pipe and all,  and that should be hilarious. Sadly, though, David Bowie is not listed as a guest, so I’ll have to rely on youtube for my Bowie/Bing xmas fix.

The appearance of Costello does not alone make for a great show, unless you are me, but there’s plenty of other diverse talent. Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Feist, John Legend, and Jon Stewart will all sing duets with Colbert who, in case for some weird reason you are not aware, is an accomplished vocalist. Most of the songs are originals with lyrics by The Daily Show’s Executive Producer David Javerbaum and music by pop tunesmith Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne.  Costello duets with Colbert on “There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In,” which could be about anything, really.

The last song, though, is the whole gang performing Nick Lowe’s What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding, made famous by Costello. While this could never replace The Grinch, or A Christmas Story, this will surely be the coolest new Christmas special this season.

There could be a scheduling conflict that night, though, because there’s more great news; Jack is Back. That’s right, Jack Bauer from Fox’s 24, which we’ve been impatiently waiting for the next season to start in early 2009, is back in a 2 hour TV movie called Redemption, a morsel for fans to feed off of until the New Year.  Redemption will be broadcast on Fox and its affiliates Sunday November 23rd, at 9 pm our time. Hopefully that will tide you over until Season 7 premieres with a 4-hour episode split over two nights, Sunday January 11th and Monday January 12th.

Kiefer Sutherland is doing the talk shows this week (including Nov 21 on Conan) to promote the event, so tune in to those for some spoilers.

If you don’t recall what was happening with Jack the last time we saw him (the Season 6 finale, which was way back in May 2007, due to the writer’s strike delay), he had just averted another World War (with Russia and China), left his evil father to die, and said goodbye to Audrey, the love of his life. Redemption, which works as a standalone prequel to Season 7, catches up with Jack working as a missionary in Africa, with Carl Benton (played by the talented Robert Carlyle of Trainspotting and many other fine British films), who is an ex-co-worker of Jack’s. I assume that means he also kicks ass.  Without giving too many spoilers, Jack ends up battling the local warlord to protect the kids under his care, while (of course) a crisis develops back in America. That sounds like a nice teaser to me. I wonder how many people he’ll torture in two hours…

You can find more details at www.fox.com/24/redemption/ or watch the Redemption trailer on youtube and elsewhere. Note: if you watch the trailer, it might just ruin the show for you…it pretty much gives you the whole movie in 3 minutes.

Craig Pinhey has an awesome $99.99 VCR so he can tape Redemption while watching Costello and Colbert croon. Visit Craig at www.frogspad.ca.

If you are very interested in wine and you haven’t seen the documentary film Mondovino, you should add this to your “must do” list.  Many people around the world have built wine tasting events around the movie, where people watch the film while tasting wines from or inspired by the producers explored in Mondovino.

I attended just such an event – a long time coming – in Saint John last week, at happinez wine bar. We watched the movie, drank some wine, and discussed the issues highlighted in the film.

This documentary about the globalization of the wine world was much talked about on release in 2005, but mainly only amongst wine geek types and industry insiders. Unlike Sideways, or Bottle Shock, the current wine themed movie, which are aimed at the general population, with a plotline, actors, and fictional (even if based on real people) characters, Mondovino is more of a REAL wine lover’s movie experience.

It was produced by Jonathan Nossiter, a sommelier and wine lover, who used  it to project the argument that the world of wine is roughly split into two camps: those who believe that wine is better than ever due to modern advancements, and those who feel that technology and globalization are threatening to destroy the soul of wine.

He puts forth the argument through profiles and interviews with wine personalities from seven countries and in five languages. These include elderly French winemakers, young up and comers from various countries, and – most notably – French flying winemaking consultant Michel Rolland and his friend, the influential and highly controversial American wine critic & tastemaker Robert Parker.

After watching the movie, it was clear to me which side Nossiter is on. He makes Rolland look like a pompous ass, and he entices you to fall in love with the quirky old terroir-driven wine personalities. Much of the personality of the characters is actually presented via their dogs, but I’ll let you watch the movie to see just how. Clearly, Nossiter is worried about the direction the world’s wines are heading towards, and I agree with him, for the most part. But, as with any controversy, there are two sides to the story, and that is what makes the film, and the discussion of it, so entertaining.

If you watch closely, including the bonus footage on the DVD< you will see two things that repeat. One is Michel Rolland telling wineries to micro-oxygenate their red wines. This process introduces pure oxygen to wine in the presence of oak, in order to give smoother tannins, similar to what happens when wine is oak aged then bottled aged for years. The second is a lot of European wine professionals talking about how too much oak is used in wine these days, and they are too concentrated, due to wineries trying to chase the scores of Robert Parker, who is notorious for loving blackish red wines with sweet vanilla, coffee and chocolate oak flavours.

The most critical, and also difficult, part about running a Mondovino wine party is finding the wine. Many of the products name dropped in the movie – Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Opus One, Domaine de Montille, Mas de Daumas Gassac, Napa Valley’s Staglin, Chateau Kirwan, and the wines of the Mad Rose group – are either too expensive for practical purposes, or impossible to find around here.

If you are in Nova Scotia you can buy the wines of Gassac at Cristall & Luckett’s private wine store in Bedford, which range from $15 to around $70. Other than that, though, you’ll have to be creative in your wine choices.

For the happinez tasting, we used a Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from Mondavi, a Bordeaux wine made by Michel Rolland, an old fashioned Bordeaux from Château Timberlay, Clos De Los Siete 2005 from Argentina (a wine which Rolland consulted on) and an old school red from Italy.

While not all of these wines have direct connections to the movie, they generate discussion about new world versus old world, and technology versus terroir.

For more information on the movie, for planning your own tasting, go to mondovinofilm.com. The DVD can be purchased from most purveyors of fine films.
Cheers!

Craig Pinhey is totally old school. Contact him at frogspad@nb.aibn.com.