Chronic Negress

The Negress would like to think she had something to do with Jeff  Beck’s induction to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame this past week, but one vote does not make for a wide swath of influence. Beck showed up at the shindig in Cleveland and also did a few Stateside dates in connection with that. The Negress and her pal, the Pet Pasha, caught the show at Foxwoods on April 12. Before the show we revisited Craftsteak and found some great wines. The first of those was Llopart  Rose Cava Brut from Penedes. A lovely wine with light fruitiness but enough backbone that it made nice with a bit of filet mignon with horseradish creme fraiche. The real star of the evening was the 2005 Rousanne from Ciel du Cheval Vineyards of McCrea Cellars in Washington. This Rhone-style white features 86 percent Rousanne and 14 percent Viognier. The wine is silken, with bright fruit and a nice heft that doesn’t veer into unctuousness. It paired quite well with the filet mignon (the Pet Pasha gets migraines from red wine). As for dessert, well, who could turn down a Tokaji? Especially the 2005 Cremor rated at 5 puttonyos. Not the Negress. Here is a wine with pear, honeysuckle, apricot and other intriguing flavors that become more present with each sip. The server was kind enough to let us finish the bottle, pouring the last bit for the Pet Pasha, who is coming to understand why the Negress likes dessert wines so much. For Lent, the Negress had kicked meat and sweets to the curb with not fatalities or injuries. It was nice to welcome them back in such a spectacular way.

And, on top of that, Jeff Beck played an astonishingly efficient but  jaw-dropping set at the theater at Foxwoods. Beck barely speaks, other than “Thank You,” band member introductions and a dry “I guess you didn’t have anything better to do tonight” aimed at the fervent audience. He played superbly from the opener “Beck’s Bolero” to a rousing take on the theme from “Peter Gunn” that closed the night. Unlike some of his fossilized contemporaries, Beck is hungry for new collaborators and ideas. It was a treat to see Beck, who at 64 can still inspire detailed impure thoughts, playing with skill and wit. There are a few more dates left on this tour and then it’s back to the hot rods for him. Most of the shows are sold out, but you can check the itinerary here.