| Song | Lyrics | Save | Buy |
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| 1 Tamacun |  |
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| 2 Diablo Rojo | |
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| 3 Vikingman | |
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| 4 Satori | |
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| 5 Ixtapa | |
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| 6 Stairway to Heaven | |
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| 7 Orion | |
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| 8 Juan Loco | |
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| 9 P.P.A. | |
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While Rodrigo y Gabriela's self-titled third album is an utter and complete joy to listen to -- actually, it's more of a riotous celebration -- it's more than difficult to describe exactly what they do. This Mexican guitar duo met while in a heavy metal outfit together and soon found the local scene wanting. Both had roots in flamenco and other folk and ock music; they dropped the electric guitars -- and bandmates -- to travel light. They headed off to Europe, and ended up busking in Ireland, where their renown spread as instrumentalists who had to be seen to be believed. They re-recorded an album, toured the U.K. with everyone from David Gray to the Buena Vista Social Club, and then cut a live disc in Dublin and Manchester. That was the story until they hooked up with producer John Leckie. He was able to help them record a studio album that captured the sheer orgiastic excitement of their live gigs, hence this self-titled puppy that debuted in the Irish charts at number one. Uh-huh. It's true that Ireland's not a big place, but when, when, have you ever heard of an instrumental recording by a Mexican duo hitting the number one spot in such a place? What's more, the disc has a buzz on Yank shores as well and with good reason. These nine cuts have nothing to do with nuevo flamenco or any of that new agey stuff: this is smoke and fire music, it burns across genres and traditions like a demented passion spirit that takes no prisoners--and we can thank the gods for heavy metal in this instance at least. This set slashes like a stiletto; it's fine and precise; it leaves no scars. The dynamic range of this music is startling. It is both ancient and futuristic, carnally frenetic and romantically seductive, artfully -- and even spiritually -- played yet drenched in the vulgarity of street life. It is the work of two young masters who are still striving to learn and incorporate more without sacrificing beauty, pathos, and tradition. On "Ixtapa" they utilize ock & roll dynamics to perform a song about the place they decided to flee from Mexico City to before leaving for Europe. Roby Lakatos, the incredible violinist, joins the duo here (he's a fan and offered his services). Take in "Diablo Rojo," or "Satori," where metal chops, flamenco, and ango music become entwined in a musical ménage ŕ trois. There are no gimmicks in this music, it's exactly what you hear in the immediate present that somehow comes out of the Latin historical past, is infected by ock & roll and forwards the secret histories of both. Informed by this, listen closely to the pair's covers of Metallica's "Orion" and, more importantly, the song that would be easiest to dismiss -- a reading of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" that takes the apporporiate liberties and makes them both sound fresh and new. In encountering this record, all doubt and cynicism should removed; what is happening here is that the canon for the acoustic, classical guitar is being rewritten. This music is the sound of passion as interpreted by and spoken for in a new rock & roll language. [Initial copies of the CD also come with an enclosed DVD so you can see the magic as well as hear it.]
"One of the best guitar albums in ages; one of the best discs this year"-- BILLBOARDIf you haven't heard them yet, get ready to be blown away. I randomly ran across Rodrigo Y Gabriela on Billboard.com one day and was left stunned by their musical talent. I only wish they were stopping in Nashville on their current US tour. I may go back home for a week to catch them at the Langerado Music Festi...
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What an absoulutely fantastic album. I first heard this album in October when I was visiting my Brother and his family out in Eire. The record shop that I had quickly visited was playing it and I was astounded by the passion/dynamics in the playing. However, I did not have time to checkout exactly who it was and in all the rush of the last two month the 'musical encounter' slipped from my mind....
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Natasha and I went to see Rodrigo y Gabriela in concert at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica last night. As I was expecting, the energy these two have in concert is pretty incredible.After opening with Tamancun from their new album which finally released in the USA a few weeks ago, Rodrigo started talking about their background, and ranting about an article about them in a local newspaper that sai...
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What an absoulutely fantastic album. I first heard this album in October when I was visiting my Brother and his family out in Eire. The record shop that I had quickly visited was playing it and I was astounded by the passion/dynamics in the playing. However, I did not have time to checkout exactly who it was and in all the rush of the last two month the 'musical encounter' slipped from my mind....
More >
I have the same amount of ability to speak Spanish as I do to walk on water. But, in the context of things, music is really the universal language here. Much like the language of love, but with less body fluids and latex. The amount of leather and gag balls is just about equal though. Our friends south of the border, on the other side of the chain link fence, have born unto us a musical gif...
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Rodrigo y Gabriela.I found them while I was searching for some Dread Zeppelin, then Zappa (see earlier post), then Jordan. THen I clicked on their video for 'Tumancula' (?), and I was stunned.Then I found this one for 'Diablo Rojo' on Letterman, and I'm hooked. If they come to Vancouver, I'm there, and I'll buy you a drink.Outfuckingstanding.
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Under the theory that anybody the U.S. State Department would deny entry into the country must be pretty cool: my brand new favorite is Rodrigo y Gabriela. They are awesome!
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Natasha and I went to see Rodrigo y Gabriela in concert at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica last night. As I was expecting, the energy these two have in concert is pretty incredible.After opening with Tamancun from their new album which finally released in the USA a few weeks ago, Rodrigo started talking about their background, and ranting about an article about them in a local newspaper that sai...
More >
"One of the best guitar albums in ages; one of the best discs this year"-- BILLBOARDIf you haven't heard them yet, get ready to be blown away. I randomly ran across Rodrigo Y Gabriela on Billboard.com one day and was left stunned by their musical talent. I only wish they were stopping in Nashville on their current US tour. I may go back home for a week to catch them at the Langerado Music Festi...
More >
Saying MTV is known for its over emphasis of pop, rap/hip-hop/rnb, and pop-punk is not stressing the point enough. For Christ's sake, they push the genres of music so much, they only play videos for 3 hours a day and they repeat the same videos two and three times! That point aside, I decided to check out their newest "Artist of the week," Rodrigo y Gabriela. Wow. Just wow....
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 "Rodrigo y Gabriela")
