monoceros blogsI've had two tracks from the self-titled album for quite a long time now, but it wasn't till I caught the youtube video of R and G playing "Diablo Rojo" that I was blown away by their playing. The songs are certainly giddy, delightful marvels but I didn't know it required that kind of playing to produce that kind of sound (I thought someone else was doing the percussions, not the guitarists themselves).
The song's on my "Morning music" playlist, and it certainly gets me moving on the hardest days of the week. The strong beats, the lighting-quick playing. It makes you sit up, learning their the album made it to no. 1 in Ireland; but then you learn also that Dublin has a reputation for taking in struggling musicians and then it's little wonder that an album by two not-very-ordinary guitar-playing Mexicans got that no. 1 spot.
Rodrigo y Gabriela played in Singapore some three, four years ago, at Womad, and I hope the folks who loved them then will remember to get their new album now. It's a studio recording but reputedly captures the magic of the duo's live performances. Listening to "Tamacun" and "Diablo Rojo," I'm more than convinced of it.
Here's a listen. (You might want to hold on to your feet once the song starts.)
Posted by Monoceros at December 25, 2006 4:41 PM