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By Elly Roberts, Thursday 16th March 2006 09.24pm (1293 views)
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Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Academy 3, Manchester
Date: 15th March 2006
Support: Guests
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Green with envy (and a lot of admiration) I watched Mexican guitar slingers Rodrigo y Gabriela thrill the intimate Academy 3 with an hour-long masterclass in arrangements, technique and style. This charismatic pairing is very special indeed. On the second night of their sold-out eight-gig UK tour, pint-sized Gabriela Quintero and beefy Rodrigo Sanchez mesmerized the packed-out venue with a dazzling display of finger-flicking wizardry, fusing flamenco, jazz and rock.
The hot pair is making Mexican waves of their own right now, headlining the UK after supporting David Gray in the UK and mainland Europe. Promoting their new eponymous album, they took no time to unleash their high-octane setlist, kicking off with the primal rhythms of album opener Tamacun, as Gabriela pounded the acoustic guitar, custom made by Irishman Frank Tate. The percussive onslaught led to bobbing heads and foot-tapping for the entire show - we did get a breather now and again though. Close-up, their almost telepathic understanding and digital dexterity defies belief, as chord riffs and picks burned up the fret boards - the blistering pace was mind-boggling, : best heard on Vikingman.
It wasn't all blood and thunder, slipping-in some sophisticated covers: Dave Brubeck's jazz standard Take 5 gripped the crowd, bringing the first big reaction. Pink Floyd's anthem, Wish You Were Here set the crowd on a retro-trip, singing every word - a rare opportunity in a totally instrumental repertoire. Rodrigo used his beer bottle to do the slide work - a novel approach that brought more cheers. Their indigenous Hispanic passion never let-up even when things took a tenderer touch, with sublime dips in pace, Ixtapa, the best example.
A nod to their previous existence in a thrash metal band surfaced on most occasions, with Metallica's lengthy Orion proving a clear winner.
An encore was always on the cards. Gabriela introduced the finale with, "We're gonna play something special dedicated to you. Thank you very much, you're great." Shooting-off with some individual show boating - incredible solos that raised the roof, finally leaving with a crescendo of classic rock: a spell-binding rendition of Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven. Both beaming at the ovation, they waved and headed for the dressing room.
A sensational night.
For more information you can visit: http://www.rodgab.com
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