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Elly Roberts reviews
Live Manchester and Dublin
Rubyworks
- Released: September 2004
- Rating: 10/10
- Cat. No: RWXCD12
Track listing:
- 1. Foc
2. Hola (introduction)
3. One / Take 5
4. Mr.Tang
5. Paris
6. Libertango
7. Captain Casanova
8. One
Hotter than a bag of Mexican chilli peppers, Rodrigo y Gabriella release a phenomenal live CD.
Most instrumental recordings, particularly live ones can bedull affairs – not this one.The Mexican duo, formerlymembers of the burgeoning Heavy Metal scene in theirnative country; playing in a band called Tierra Acida,they display all their digital dexterity on theSpanish guitar. For years they busked around Europe,notably Denmark and Spain. They were discovered byDamien Rice while busking in their adopted Dublin.
Rice invited them to suppoert him on tour, as hascontemporary Jazz maestro Courtney Pine and ‘Pop Idol’Will Young.Passion ebbs and flows in typical Latinofashion, as the pair compliment and counter play theirmastery of their instruments.
They’re not flamenco; they’re not Jazz; they’re notFolk or Pop, but all the genre’s rolled up into onewith an undeniable Gypsy quality.Lush with powerchords and delicate picks surrounded by exquisitemelody, they romp through a tour-de-force in aspellbinding 36 minutes. The dazzling skill level isboth mesmerising and truly inspirational, as they digdeep into their repertoire of technique.
It’s not only that proficiency that impresses, but the way theycasually play around with renditions of Metallica‘sOne and drop in a brief riff from the WhiteStripes Seven Nation Army and an excursion intoDave Brubeck‘s 1961 hit Take 5 just for fun – andthe crowd love it.
Add some violins by Zoe Conway andRuth O’Leary, you get a majestic and emotionalrollercoaster, as found on Mr.Tang, one of the toptracks.It finishes with the same gusto it startedwith, clocking – off with a fabulous crescendo.
Judging by the crowd reaction, they recognised amomentous moment in music history.Not intended as anofficial release ( they tape all their shows ), theywere encouraged by fans to put out this masterpiece.Ifyou’re a music lover, I strongly urge you to invest inthis thrilling experience – you won’t be disappointed!
Their gig at London’s Lock 17 in November 2004 was met with critical acclaim:
- “They had us entranced and kept us in that state for the next 90 minutes” – Independent
- “We’ve seen the future of rock” – Record of the Day
- “The Rodrigo y Gabriela experience is one you have to see” – Irish World
Now Rodrigo y Gabriela are returning to Britain for a twelve date tour:
- 24-Feb Martletwy, Pembrokeshire, Burnet Hill Chapel 01646 685144
- 25-Feb Glasgow, King Tut’s 0870 169 0100
- 27-Feb London, Jazz Café 0870 264 3333
- 01-Mar Birmingham, Glee Club 0870 241 5093
- 02-Mar Aldershot, West End Centre 01252 330040
- 03-Mar Bristol, St Bonaventures 0117 929 9008
- 04-Mar Wales, Neath, Pontardawe Arts Centre 01792 863722
- 06-Mar Oxford, Zodiac 01865 420042
- 07-Mar Brighton, Sussex Arts Club 01273 325440
- 08-Mar Manchester, Matt & Phreds 0161 832 1111
- 09-Mar Aberdeen, Lemon Tree 01224 642230
- 10-Mar Newcastle, Cluny 0191 230 4474
Check outRubyworks.comandRodGab.com
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.