I'm Heavy Duty! » acoustic http://www.imheavyduty.com It's about music. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:05:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Rodrigo y Gabriela — Rodrigo y Gabriela http://www.imheavyduty.com/2007/04/10/rodrigo-y-gabriela-rodrigo-y-gabriela/ http://www.imheavyduty.com/2007/04/10/rodrigo-y-gabriela-rodrigo-y-gabriela/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2007 01:33:47 +0000 Tracy Sigler http://www.imheavyduty.com/?p=366 Rodrigo y Gabriela -- Rodrigo y Gabriela

  • Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela
  • Title: Rodrigo y Gabriela
  • Year: 2007
  • Format: CD
  • Rating (1-10): 10
  • Owner: Tracy
  • Acquired: 2007 – Barnes & Noble in Asheville, NC
  • Keeper: Yes

I was in the local Barnes & Noble the other day when I heard a great acoustic version of Metallica’s “Orion.” I headed straight to the music section where a woman in front of me was already asking about it. The clerk grabbed a copy of Rodrigo y Gabriela and I snatched up the last one. I’ve probably played it 20 times in the last few days. I bought it because of “Orion” but my favorites are the originals, especially “Diablo Rojo.”

This was the first I had heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela, but it turns they’ve been on Letterman, Leno, etc. earlier this year. This record came out late last year in the US. They’re from Mexico City, but have been in Europe for a while. They’re already popular there.

I told a friend yesterday that this album was “the greatest thing ever!” I don’t know if he agrees, but I’m sure he too thinks it’s slamming. They have few, if any stylistic rules, and they have some roots in thrash metal. (Gabriela apparently tired of the “testosteronic” vibe of the metal scene.) So how would I describe it? It’s not Flamenco, but it is rhythmic and energetic. It’s not jazz, they play structured songs. Other than “greatest thing ever” and “slamming” I’ll just add that it’s two people playing acoustic guitars and there is a tasty Latin flavor.

There’s a DVD included with some great live performances where the crowds are going nuts and raising the horns. Also included are interviews, a photo gallery, and a great tutorial where they step through the techniques they use so you can play just like them. Ha!

]]> http://www.imheavyduty.com/2007/04/10/rodrigo-y-gabriela-rodrigo-y-gabriela/feed/ 2 Sense of Wonder – Open the Gate http://www.imheavyduty.com/2006/12/03/sense-of-wonder-open-the-gate/ http://www.imheavyduty.com/2006/12/03/sense-of-wonder-open-the-gate/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2006 02:58:24 +0000 Tracy Sigler http://www.imheavyduty.com/?p=309 Sense of Wonder - Open the Gate

I know these people! We even had a live performance right in our living room. Am I biased? Of course, everyone is. But this really is good music. I’ve been playing Sense of Wonder’s Open the Gate every day since I got it last week. It’s not at all typical of the music I usually listen to, but even I know it’s awesome. I bet even my Joni-Mitchell-loving brother will like some of these tunes.

Read more about them at their site or their MySpace page.

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