#listeneveryday 24 Nov 2020
Thanks to Dave Cunningham for suggesting this fantastic Mexican acoustic guitar duo for a #musiceveryday post.
I've gone for their live performance of Diablo Rojo (Red Devil) on the Letterman show a few years back, since not only does it ensapsulate the rhythmic excitement, amazing musicianship and virtuosity of Rodrigo y Gabriela, but it happens to be the nickname of two football teams close to my heart - Manchester United and Crawley Town!
Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero grew up in Mexico City listening to flamenco, jazz, rock and metal so it follows that their repertoire is a healthy fusion of all these styles. They met as 15 year-olds and soon became a couple, with Gabriela joining Rodrigo's heavy metal band in 1993. When the band split, they formed a duo playing tourist resorts in Mexico before moving to Dublin in 1999. They opened for Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice and soon became very popular on the live circuit.
Since then, Rodrigo y Gabriela have released numerous albums and have played sold-out concerts in major venues all over the world, They also worked with Hans Zimmer on the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides score. They are no longer a couple - but still close friends - and their percussive, highly technical and rhythmical style continues to be a huge draw. Enjoy!
More to listen to
Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela
The Pirate That Should Not Be from the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides score
A new #listeneveryday post is published every weekday! Comment below or tweet @SimonRushby with your suggestions for future music.