Excellent Bluegrass and Then Some in Dallas

Last night, I went to see the Greencards at Poor David's Pub in Dallas, TX and was treated to a night of killer instrumental work along with wonderful vocal harmonies. If you haven't heard or seen this group, you are really missing some spectacular music! They consist of a couple from Australia who are the primary vocalists while playing various stringed instruments and a fiddle player from Britain; they just added a guitar player from Atlanta, GA.

During the second set, we were treated to two unbelievable instrumental pieces which included the fiddle player and banjo player from Cadillac Sky, a group my son's uncle is very excited about. All in all, it was a fabulous concert played before a very enthusiastic crowd. They have a new album out-check it out: http://www.thegreencards.com/

Great California Cabernet

I recently had the opportunity to taste the '99 Wattle
Creek Cabernet from the Alexander Valley. At that age, most of the tannins are gone leaving a glorious wine to my taste. I was able to buy a couple of bottles at a very reasonable price, but it is my understanding that the supply is dwindling also due to its age. I'm hoping to get at least one more bottle!

Great Country Music from Baltimore!

On Friday 11/20, I attended a fundraiser for KNON's Texas Renegade Radio format in Dallas, TX to hear Arty Hill from Baltimore, MD. I had heard him over a year ago in a backyard concert which was very good, but this concert was excellent due to the smaller venue. Arty's lyrics are smart and his vocals are top notch. His new EP is a Hank Williams tribute (Montgomery On My Mind; the Hank EP) that has a couple of original tunes. He played one during this evening. You can get information at: http://www.artyhill.com/v3/

redbox

I have been a fan of this new, high tech video rental company, and have rented from them several times. However, I just had an unsatisfactory experience with their online reservation system.
Here is copy from the confirming email I received:

"Thank you for using redbox! You successfully reserved your rentals(s):

"Up"

Your disc(s) will be waiting for you until 9:00 PM tomorrow night at the redbox you selected:

7-Eleven (see available movies)
4438 Lemmon Ave
Dallas, TX 75219-2142

Please remember to bring the credit card you used to make your reservation when you pick up your disc(s)! "

After 9:00 PM tomorrow night, all disc(s) will be made available for other customers to rent, and your account with be charged $1 + tax for each disc.

That would indicate that I could pick up the disc before 9PM on the following day. I picked it up about 4PM the following day, returning it the next day about 4PM. I was charged for two days even though I only had the disc for one day. I was able to get a credit for one day "as a one time courtesy" after a considerable hassle as well as no acknowledgment of a mistake This, in my experience (especially with banks), tends to be an excuse to cover deceptive practices to increase income. I still like the price and convenience of the redbox kiosks and will probably continue to rent from them from time to time. I just want to make others aware of a potential problem.

Failla wine tasting at Veritas

I went to Veritas Wine Bar in Dallas last night to taste several of California winemaker Ehren Jordan's new releases under the Failla label. His "day job", as he referred to it, is the winemaker for Turley.

We tasted a chardonnay (Keefer Ranch 07-Parker 92 pts.) selling for $39.99 at retail was an excellent wine. There were two Pinot Noirs, the Sonoma Coast 07-a Wine Spectator 91 pts selling for $44.99 and the Keefer Ranch 07, also a Wine Spectator 91 pts. selling for $53.99. I personally liked the Keefer Ranch Pinot the best, but not at that price. Finally, there was the Phoenix Ranch Syrah-a Wine Enthusiast 94 pts. selling for $49.99. This was my least favorite of the tasting. I look for wines at a much lower price point with a great deal of success such as the Hahn Estates 06 Pinot Noir-a double gold medal winner at the San Francisco International Wine Festival that sells for $19.

As I was told early on when I began to drink wine, pricing is a perceived value only. I continue to find excellent wines under $20 with more and more under $15 and some under $10. World Market and Dallas Fine Wines on Oaklawn in Dallas continue to be my primary sources of these wines.

Eliza Gilkyson

I failed to talk about the wonderful concert I attended at the Belmont Hotel in Dallas, TX on 10/15/09. It was the first cold snap, so the show was a little uncomfortable. However, the music and the venue were spectacular (see picture). These concerts are held at the pool with the Dallas skyline as the backdrop-unbelievable!
Eliza is one of the best singer/songwriters around with a great stage presence. I have been following her for over 30 years, and she never gets old!