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Album reviews Music

Rodrigo y Gabriela – Live In France

Rating: NNN


Mexican acoustic instrumental guitar duo Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero play to raving French audiences on this live recording from their 2010 European tour featuring tributes to Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd (from 2009’s 11:11) as well as solo songs by both musicians.

Playing a ridiculously fast fusion of rock, metal, Latin and jazz, Rodrigo’s fingers meticulously pick off melodies while Gabriela pushes him along with complex rhythms on both the strings and the body of her guitar. The audience acts as a third member of the band, thumping, clapping, hollering and, in an extended version of Tamacun (off Rod & Gab’s 2006 self-titled disc) singing, and the duo know how to make the most of that dynamic, throwing in pauses and false endings throughout.

Though impressive, the virtuosic guitar Olympics can get exhausting on record. The magic of Rod & Gab might be best experienced in person, where you can watch their fingers fly.

Top track: Hanuman

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