Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela Album Review
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Album Review
Second studio album and live concert excerpts by Mexican finger-flicking maestros, Rodrigo y Gabriella.
Recorded in Bath, this high octane musical feast builds on their debut Re-Foc (2002) and the awesome 8 tracker Live Manchester And Dublin. Having left behind their Mexican heavy metal outfit and relocated to Dublin, they were 'discovered' by Damien Rice as they busked in the Irish capital. Since then, RyG have raised their profile significantly, supporting David Gray on his recent UK/European tour. The fast emerging guitar heroes are set to take the UK by storm as headliners over the next few weeks - see dates below.
Naturally, the CD is full of Hispanic passion and drama. Powerful chords and picks suitably impress, as they fuse flamenco, jazz and touches of rock, (remember they were once heavy metallers) which they like to remind us about with the likes of Stairway & Orion, all delivered via the pair's, by now, well worn acoustic guitars. Guitar bodies get a right old battering due to the added percussive poundings. Out of the blocks in a rush, first four tracks Tamacun, Diablo Rojo (Red Devil) Vikingman, Satori set a blistering pace and high standard of musicianship through counter and complimentary excursions, though at times it's difficult to know who's taking the lead role, not that it matters. Apparently, it's a fifty-fifty arrangement.
Covers of Metallica's Orion and a fresh interpretation of Led Zeppelin's signature tune Stairway To Heaven, take the listener through an experience that will either, get you foot tapping, dancing or just admiring their incredible skills: sampled on Orion in particular, with Rodrigo making full use of the track's dynamics. Three minutes in, Gypsy violinist Roby Lakatos neatly slips in a rootsy and passionate addition to the spellbinding Ixtapa.
It's true to say they are breathtaking players with the crowd on the DVD demanding more and more from their exhilarating show.
A simple set dress of subdued lights, stools, carpets, table with drinks and candles give the show an almost surrealistic vista, by comparison with their music. In many ways they're a peculiar phenomenon, running against the trendy pop stars with nonsensical lyrics - not that RyG need words to thrill and audience: the music says it all.
CD co - produced by John Leckie (Radiohead, Muse My Morning Jacket) and RyG.
