HI FI Times 1.5

HI FI Times 1.5

ALBUM REVIEW: Rodrigo y Gabriela | Live in Japan

Mexican duo Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero perform together as Rodrigo y Gabriela. Unhappy with the response to their music in their native Mexico they relocated to Ireland where they quickly developed a strong following in the Dublin pub scene. They perform their music wholly on nylon stringed acoustic guitars that they make sound like an entire band by tapping and pounding on the guitar body and using various effects that would make you think you were listening to an entire percussion section behind them.

Many of you reading this have probably heard their music on mainstream rock radio nestled in between the likes of Ray LaMontagne and Dave Matthews. But let me tell you that this pair belong in the house that Paco de Lucia, Al DiMiola and John McLaughlin built with their classic, “Friday Night In San Francisco” – yes my friends, they are that good. While their studio stuff is exceptional, this live set captures an enhanced quality that brings us an organic one-take feel that is even further elevated by the enthusiastic, but not invasive, audience appreciation and participation. Devoid of the dreaded “Yeah” guy or the “whistler,” for the most part, the listeners are captivated and respectful during the quiet passages and when the beat gets furious they spring to life with spot on time keeping claps that serve to elevate the performance rather than drown it out.

What really sets Rodrigo y Gabriela apart from the crowd is their incredible crossover appeal. Fans of classical guitar (provided they have an open mind), world music, Latin percussion, flamenco, metal guitar or Mexican folk will all find something to like here. They are heavy metal guitarists at heart that have taken their skill and applied it to classical guitar. Mixing flamenco and Metallica seems strange at first but they pull it off, deftly weaving their guitars to create a seamless blend of everything from a Hendrix riff followed by an echo of Neal Hefti’s Batman Theme and back to the bass part from “Enter Sandman” all sweetened and spiced up with that ever-present Latin acoustic flavor. As If that’s not enough, throw in a really cool version of Dave Brubeck’s Time Out followed up with “One” by Metallica, then a couple of solos that eventually drift into “Stairway to Heaven” that both pays homage to the original and at the same time spins a fresh take on an old warhorse – and you have one exciting package.

This music is as infectious as a classroom of sniffle-nosed 3rd graders. No matter what your musical tastes, give this set a spin and you will not be disappointed.

Catch you on the flip boys and girls! -mke