Skip to content
Elly Roberts reviews
Rubyworks Records
- Cat.no: RWXCD37L
- Released: March 2006
- Rating: CD 10/10; DVD 8/10
- Format: CD / DVD
- DVD extras: Interviews, guitar tutorial, Mexico picture gallery
Second studio album and live concert excerpts by Mexican finger-flicking maestros, Rodrigo y Gabriela..
Recorded in Bath, this high octane musical feast builds on their debutRe-Foc (2002) and the awesome 8 tracker Live Manchester And Dublin. Havingleft behind their Mexican heavy metal outfit and relocated to Dublin, theywere discovered by Damien Rice as they busked in the Irish capital. Sincethen, RyG have raised their profile significantly, supporting David Gray onhis recent UK/European tour. The fast emerging guitar heroes are set to takethe 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 andpicks suitably impress, as they fuse flamenco, jazz and touches of rock,(remember they were once heavy metallers) which they like to remind us aboutwith the likes of Stairway & Orion, all delivered via the pairs, by now,well worn acoustic guitars. Guitar bodies get a right old battering due tothe added percussive poundings.
Out of the blocks in a rush, first fourtracks Tamacun, Diablo Rojo (Red Devil) Vikingman, Satori set a blisteringpace and high standard of musicianship through counter and complimentaryexcursions, though at times its difficult to know whos taking the leadrole, not that it matters. Apparently, its a fifty-fifty arrangement.
Covers of Metallicas Orion and a fresh interpretation of Led Zeppelinssignature tune Stairway To Heaven, take the listener through an experiencethat will either, get you foot tapping, dancing or just admiring theirincredible skills: sampled on Orion in particular, with Rodrigo making fulluse of the tracks dynamics. Three minutes in, Gypsy violinist Roby Lakatosneatly slips in a rootsy and passionate addition to the spellbinding Ixtapa.
Its true to say they are breathtaking players with the crowd on the DVDdemanding more and more from their exhilarating show.
A simple set dress of subdued lights, stools, carpets, table with drinks andcandles give the show an almost surrealistic vista, by comparison with theirmusic. In many ways theyre a peculiar phenomenon, running against thetrendy pop stars with nonsensical lyrics not that RyG need words to thrilland audience: the music says it all.
CD co-produced by John Leckie (Radiohead, Muse My Morning Jacket) and RyG.
Catch them live :
March 14 Bristol Fleece, 15 Manchester Academy 3, 16 Glasgow KingTuts, 17 Edinburgh Liquid Rooms, 19 Birmingham Glee Club, 20 BrightonKomedia, 21/22 London Jazz Café
Weblink:RodGab.com /Rubyworks.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Tamacun
2. Diablo Rojo
3. Vikingman
4. Satori
5. Ixtapa
6. Stairway To Heaven
7. Orion
8. Juan Loco
9. PPA
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.