:: Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 11:11 (includes bonus DVD)

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Acoustic guitar. Two words I never thought would excite me. Clearly I have been living under a rock that didn’t include then likes of Rodrigo Y Gabriela. ‘11:11’ is the last release from the Mexican acoustic male/female guitar duo, something of a phenomenon in the world of acoustic guitar. This fast paced picture of dexterous mastery is absolutely mesmerising, the raw guitar wizardry on display will leave you in complete and utter awe. Even the tapping as a rhythmic backdrop is done with such skill it feels like no man could move that fast, and If the fingers were people they would most certainly be world champion flamingo dancers, gliding and spinning in flurries of effortlessness. Boggles the mind, pure and simple. Fast paced, heightened sprints the likes of ‘Hanuman’ and ‘Buster Voodoo’ give way to ‘Triveny’, a crazily quick guitar fuelled number peppered with finger tapping percussion and calmed by a slow, romantic interlude. ‘Logos’ is a broody, tense and reflective piece utilising a calmer melody. We then revisit the finger tapping, manic guitar of the former and enter ‘Santo Domingo’ territory; the dexterity of these individuals is so blatantly brilliant in this offering it needs to be heard to be believed. Just when you think this album has gotten as jaw-droppingly good as it can get, then comes ‘Master Maqui’ with finger work so ridiculously fast my ears had to run to keep up. The album is accompanied by a bonus DVD and to watch these two is to see a partnership built on a mutual love for music and unquestionable talent. To see is to be spellbound; drawn into a world of rhythm and years upon years of studious practise. The first section of the DVD is split into chapters; the first six are recordings of a private rehearsal. The close-ups of finger work and the emotion on the musicians’ faces are captivating. The remainder is a live concert where you get to experience a little of what it would be like to see the duo in the flesh. The next section is a little of their lives, followed by a tutorial for one of the tracks ‘Buster Voodoo’. A few more little hidden gems are included. I will leave these for you to discover on your own. The unparallelled talent at work in this album begs a listen; acoustic guitar fans and laymen alike will be nothing if swept away by these creations. Rodrigo Y Gabriela are due to tour Australia in 2010 to showcase their talents, no doubt it will be as epic live as it is on record.