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If you’re like me, the beginning of autumn brings such possibilities. And nowhere else can you experience the magic of the season than in Los Angeles.

There’s just nothing like it anywhere else; the crisp, chilly air that makes one break out the Tube Flops, the changing leaves (okay, they don’t really change, they just wither from the heat), the start of another Laker campaign and the sad plight of the pimply-faced, television execs who are forced to execute that which they gushed so lovingly about only a few weeks earlier.

Of course, if that's not your cup of tea then there’s Autumn in New York. Composed by Vernon Duke in 1934 for a broadway show (as were most tunes that comprise the great American Songbook), it has been recorded by just about everyone. Here are two versions that make my giddiup glow.

First up is Lena Horne’s version from 1998; lush strings set against a pop/jazz quartet featuring a lean guitar and a rather plump bass.

You’ll note Ms. Horne’s unique and always impeccable phrasing. I also get a thrill that she throws in a lesser known verse (“… and gay divorcees who lunch at the Ritz”). But what boggles the mind about this recording is that she did it at 81! Are you kidding me? If I make it to 81, I’ll be happy to remember how to push play on whatever electronic device is jacked into my brain.

And then there’s Sinatra’s version from his 1958 Capitol record, Come Fly With Me. Seriously, does it get better than this?  It always amazes me that Sinatra, who cultivated such a tough guy persona, was able to reveal such vulnerability in his singing. This track gives me visions of Manhattan at its most elegant; clean browns and oranges, a crisp wind that cuts through upturned overcoats, pianists entertaining guests at a penthouse dinner party, theatre goers cloaked in furs and tuxedos exiting restaurants bursting with the sound of clinking cocktails and literate conversations, and early morning taxis careening through the desolate “canyons of steel” (god, what a phrase). 

Add this to your next dinner party or, even better, the Thanksgiving mix that is comprised entirely of iconic American artists that cross all genres (Ellington, Dylan, Sondheim, Aretha, Elvis, Gershwin, etc). I’d pair it with bubbles or “a sip of sparkling burgundy brew” (bonus points if you can identify what Sinatra song that phrase comes from.)

And finally, here's a really good pumpkin pie recipe courtesy of the recently departed Gourmet Magazine (R.I.P.). PS, don't skimp on the bourbon!

I've been going on for the past 15 months about the benefits of thoughtfully pairing wine and music. Finally someone is listening. The folks at Rebel Industries are putting together a series of events that brings together wine, music, fashion and art. The first one is next Thursday, October 15 at The Celebrity Vault in Beverly Hills. Garth Trinidad from KCRW is handling the music so it promises to be really interesting. And while I don't know the wineries mentioned, with Erik Kelley of the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills handling the sommelier duties, I'm sure they will be spot on.

Now pour yourself something intoxicating and get lost in the heady voice of the late Jeff Buckley as he sings mournfully about love lost.

Today we’re finishing up the top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Nine here). I’d still love to hear from you so drop me a line and let me know what songs have caught your fancy.

Pluto – Clare & The Reasons

As the main songwriter and "Clare" behind Clare & The Reasons, Clare Muldaur is a 2nd generation musician from Martha's Vineyard (father is the legendary Geoff Muldaur) who is blazing a fiercely independant career.

From their debut album, The Movie, Pluto has gorgeous instrumentation (who doesn't love pizzicato), a delightful vocal, and one of the most original first verses ever: “Pluto, I have some frightful news, dear. In the New York Times. They’ve just reported you’ve been overthrown, from your solar throne for good.” Music this good is intoxicating and good for the spirit and that's reason enough for me to include this track on my list of 2009 discoveries.

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Light, minerality, delicate, liveliness, sassy, vivid, airy, bubbly, pizzicato, solar, planets, 2nd generation musician, champagne, sparkling wine, Martha’s Vineyard. I’d pair this with Bubbles, any sort of bubbles. But if you really want to tie it all up with a sparkly bow, pop open something from 2^nd generation vintner, Judy Jordan over at JWines.

Day One: Wilco (The Song) - http://bit.ly/Day1WilcoTheSong

Day Two: Mary Ann - http://bit.ly/Day2MaryAnn

Day Three: World on a String- http://bit.ly/Day3WorldOnAString

Day Four: Just Like Heaven - http://bit.ly/Day4JustLikeHeaven

Day Five: When She’s Near - http://bit.ly/Day5FictionFamily

Day Six: Adventures in Solitude - http://bit.ly/NewPornographers

Day Seven: We Are Alone in this Together - http://bit.ly/GrahamLindsey

Day Eight: Two Weeks – http://bit.ly/GrizzlyBear2Weeks

Day Nine: The Face I Love - http://bit.ly/marcosvalle

Continuing with the top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Eight here):

The Face I Love – Marcos Valle

I bring you today's track with a note of caution. Listening to The Face I Love will most certainly cause you to fall in love. If not with someone you know, or someone you want to know, then with love itself. Even after 40 years, it glides along, light as air, on buoyant confetti clouds of bossa nova perfection.

Take a listen and swoon to the delicious vocal harmonies of Marcos and his former wife Anamaria.

Along with Sergio Mendes and Gilbert Gil, Marcos Valle was part of the 2^nd wave of Brazilian pop stars to hit America in the mid/late 60’s.  And I had never heard of him, not that he didn't get substantial press or have big hit songs. Witness his performance of So Nice (Summer Samba) from the Andy Williams show circa 1968. NOTE: Andy has absolutely no understanding of how to perform this song. But he is relaxed. As a bonus treat, compare it to the version performed by the delightful Bebel Gilberto.

I’d be curious to hear what you've been listening to so drop me a comment and let me know what made your top 10!

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Complete, clean, citrus, feminine, delicate, balanced, accessible, finesse, approachable, love, harmony, summer, 60’s, brazil, terroir, depth, optimism, sunny, open. I’d pair this with a crisp, fruity Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

Day One: Wilco (The Song) - http://bit.ly/Day1WilcoTheSong

Day Two: Mary Ann - http://bit.ly/Day2MaryAnn

Day Three: World on a String- http://bit.ly/Day3WorldOnAString

Day Four: Just Like Heaven - http://bit.ly/Day4JustLikeHeaven

Day Five: When She’s Near - http://bit.ly/Day5FictionFamily

Day Six: Adventures in Solitude - http://bit.ly/NewPornographers

Day Seven: We Are Alone in this Together - http://bit.ly/GrahamLindsey

Day Eight: Two Weeks – http://bit.ly/GrizzlyBear2Weeks

Continuing with the top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Seven here):

Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear

From Brooklyn, Grizzly Bear is sort of a cross between Brian Wilson and a-ha (yeah, that's a combo that hasn't yet been mashed up). Believe it or not there is a winery in Brooklyn.  I know, weird but not as weird as the music video for Two Weeks which is so beautifully creepy that I feel compelled to watch it over and over again.  With its swirling colors and hypnotic harmonies, it presents a sweet flowery, peach nose. But, the finish, which is cut with racy undertones of anise or licorice, hints at something leaner. It’s like watching a Bergman film – on the surface, normalcy, and yet something unsettling is lurking, waiting, affecting everyone.  Hope you enjoy.

I’d be curious to hear what you've been listening to so drop me a comment and let me know what made your top 10!

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Sweet, linalool, flowers, peach, liquorice, acidic, swirling colors, finish, aftertaste, bursts of juice, colder climate, Nordic. Pair this with a groovy, Austrian Gruner Feltliner. Don't know the grape? No worries, the intensely awesome Gary Vaynerchuk is here to tell you all about it.

Day One: Wilco (The Song) - http://bit.ly/Day1WilcoTheSong

Day Two: Mary Ann - http://bit.ly/Day2MaryAnn

Day Three: World on a String- http://bit.ly/Day3WorldOnAString

Day Four: Just Like Heaven - http://bit.ly/Day4JustLikeHeaven

Day Five: When She’s Near - http://bit.ly/Day5FictionFamily

Day Six: Adventures in Solitude - http://bit.ly/NewPornographers

Day Seven: We Are Alone in this Together - http://bit.ly/GrahamLindsey

Continuing with the top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Six here):

We Are Alone In This Together – Graham Lindsey

Senator Lindsey Graham is a complete dick. Graham Lindsey, on the other hand is a complete revelation. The fact that my man Mars produces all his records is besides the point, he sings with an unsettling honesty, squeezing the pain so hard it becomes beautiful. If he can survive in the brutal music industry we’re going to be the lucky ones. Kind of like fruit that grows in the torturous rocky soil found on the slopes of steep mountain terrain. If it survives, it thrives. 

I’d be curious to hear what you've been listening to so drop me a comment and let me know what made your top 10!

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Tightly structured, vivid, toasty, chewy, rugged, lean soil, edgy, earthy, woodsy, dense, tannic, single vineyard, terroir, mountain fruit.  I’d pair this with a Cabernet from any of the Spring Mountain wineries like Behrens & Hitchcock, Sherwin Family or Terra Valentine.

Day One: Wilco (The Song) - http://bit.ly/Day1WilcoTheSong

Day Two: Mary Ann - http://bit.ly/Day2MaryAnn

Day Three: World on a String- http://bit.ly/Day3WorldOnAString

Day Four: Just Like Heaven - http://bit.ly/Day4JustLikeHeaven

Day Five: When She’s Near - http://bit.ly/Day5FictionFamily

Day Six: Adventures in Solitude - http://bit.ly/NewPornographers

Continuing with the top 10 tracks of 2009 so far (see Day Five here)

Adventures in Solitude – The New Pornographers

The New Pornographers are a Vancouver based “side project” that feature the brilliant Carl (A.C.) Newman as lead vocalist and composer. When I think of side projects, I think of planting some geraniums, or starting a book club, or baking an apple pie with a cheddar cheese crust. Not recording some of the best pop music in recent memory.

Newman lists as his influences the holy trinity of Bacharach, Webb and Brian Wilson, which obviously works for me. I imagine in 20 years, some young up and comer will be listing him as one of their major influences. He’s that good a craftsman.

Don’t believe me?

Pop the cork on Adventures in Solitude off of their 2007 release, Challengers. Swirl it and note the very approachable bright bouquet of blackberries. But just wait. Leave it open for awhile and listen how it opens up magnificently, exhibiting enough depth and texture to hold up to any situation.

I’d be curious to hear what you've been listening to so drop me a comment and let me know what made your top 10!

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Fruit forward, bright bouquet, approachable, texture, soft tannins, blackberries, chocolate, balanced, depth, blend, layered, lush mouth feel, long finish. I’d create vertical Newman set list by taking a track off of one of his solo albums alongside something from an earlier band, Zumpano, and then I’d match it with a flight of Pride Mountain Merlots. 

Day One: Wilco (The Song) - http://bit.ly/Day1WilcoTheSong

Day Two: Mary Ann - http://bit.ly/Day2MaryAnn

Day Three: World on a String- http://bit.ly/Day3WorldOnAString

Day Four: Just Like Heaven - http://bit.ly/Day4JustLikeHeaven

Day Five: When She’s Near - http://bit.ly/Day5FictionFamily

Continuing with the top 10 tracks of 2009 so far (see Day Four here)

When She’s Near – Fiction Family

With so many members of America’s cultural family dropping like flies in recent days, it’s a good thing we have Fiction Family to help us get through the year.

Fiction Family is a loose partnership between So Cal Surfing buddies - Switchfoot’s vocalist Jon Foreman and Nickel Creek’s guitarist Sean Watkins. When She’s Near is the aural equivalent of cotton candy: sticky sweet and devoid of any nutrition. And it guts me so. Perhaps it's because I grew up on the glorious harmonies of the Beach Boys, the Carpenters and the Mamas and Papas (hmmm, all families of some sort) that I appreciate the way Foreman and Watkins blend their vocals (does anyone else hear the Moody Blues in this chorus?) 

I love the unexpected dark note the piano takes at the top of the second measure and I wonder if this is the first usage of the word “vexed” in a popular song. Take a listen and if you like it, why don't you get all social and fan them up here.

I’d be curious to hear what you've been listening to so drop me a comment and let me know what made your top 10!

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Supple, smooth, depth, lush, opulent, rich mouthfeel, well balanced, complex, fruit forward, sweetness, unexpected notes.  I’d pair this the Frank Family Reserve Pinot Noir http://bit.ly/FrankFamily

The Top 10 of 2009 – So Far:

Day One: Wilco (The Song) - http://tastingnotes.vox.com/library/post/digital-rituals-top-10-of-2009---day-1.html

Day Two: Mary Ann - http://tastingnotes.vox.com/library/post/digital-rituals---top-10-of-2009-day-2.html

Day Three: World on a String - http://tastingnotes.vox.com/library/post/digital-rituals---top-10-2009---day-3.html

Day Four: Just Like Heaven - http://tastingnotes.vox.com/library/post/digital-rituals---top-10-of-2009-day-4.html

Continuing with the Top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Three here):

Cover Songs - Part Two: Just Like Heaven, Kat Edmonson

First, watch The Cure perform Just Like Heaven from 1987. 

Solid song, nice structure.

Couple of years ago it gets covered by Katie Melua for the film of the same name (which, by the way I didn’t see but judging from this trailer I can see the pitch “it’s like Ghost, but funny.” Yikes!)

Here’s Katie's version. Nice, if a little bland... okay, a lot bland but she’s got better hair than Robert Smith (you know someone once said my hair was like Robert Smith’s – c’mon, really?).

Robert Smith claims the lyric to Just Like Heaven is about hyperventilating, kissing and fainting to the floor, which I guess is an almost universal thing.

Now, listen to the way Kat Edmonson and her arranger, Kevin Lovejoy, strip away anything that gets in the way of the song’s essence.

Remarkably similar to an expert winemaker who strives to eliminate anything that gets in the way of the essence of the fruit. By concentrating on the melody and the lyric, the song’s complexity is revealed: the mysteries of love, at once romantic, dangerous, and joyful – just like heaven.

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Depth, expansive, expressive, voluptuous, concentrated, slow, languorous, thick, chewy, sexy, deep, dark red berries, long finish, chocolate, refined and elegant, complex yet approachable.  I’d pair this with Cloudview’s heavenly Estate Blend.

I’d be curious to hear what you've been listening to so drop me a comment and let me know what made your top 10!

The Top 10 of 2009 – So Far:

Day One: Wilco (The Song)

Day Two: Mary Ann

Day Three: World on a String

Continuing with the Top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Two here):

I love cover songs for two reasons. First they let you experience a familiar song in a new light, which serves to reveal the essence of the material. Second they give the cover artist an opportunity to exhibit their own unique style. In a way, it’s similar to what different winemakers can do when working with the same sourced fruit. So far this year I’ve fallen in love with two fine covers - here's the first one.

Cover Songs – Part One: Nils Lofgren, World On A String

Nils Lofgren has had a legendary career as a sideman working with the likes of Springsteen, Ringo, and Neil Young.

As a teen phenom in the early 70’s, he formed the group Grin and released 3 albums to indifferent sales. Throughout that decade he toured as an “energetic” solo artist. But as he mellows with age, it’s becoming quite apparent that he’s a world class bluesman in his own right with a voice that maps out a life well lived. Listen here as he imbues new meaning to Neil Young’s World on a String.