Elly Roberts reviews
Rodrigo y Gabriela: Rodrigo y Gabriela
Distributed by
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 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.
Catch them live :
March 14 – Bristol Fleece, 15 – Manchester Academy 3, 16 – Glasgow King
Tuts, 17 – Edinburgh Liquid Rooms, 19 – Birmingham Glee Club, 20 – Brighton
Komedia, 21/22 – London Jazz Café
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.