Customer Reviews

Live in Japan (W/Dvd)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've played guitar, followed acoustic and electric guitar for years in classical, alternative, classic rock and folk genres. These two musicians are in a class of their own, and this recording is probably the best example of their capabilities.

Whether they perform their own work or full or partial covers, Rodrigo is a superb lead with a hit, fluid style I've not experienced since early Carlos Santana. Gabriella uses her guitar as a dual percussion instrument in which the strings release the downbeat and the musician's fingers on the surface of the instrument release every other facet of rhythm.

This is not ambient or mood music. It commands your attention, but once you do you will not be able to still your body -- so driving and rhythmic is their style.

Produced in Japan, this release includes a 27-minute DVD showcasing five of the duo's best pieces and it is mesmerizing to watch (in comparison to most accompanying DVDs out there).

These two are a real "find," and will appeal to anyone who loves acoustic Flamenco, Fado, contemporary Mexica music or anything in between. And if yu love the guitar, don't even bother to wait. This is a deal and a delight, ad also my choice for one of the best of 2008.

One would only be preaching to the choir to emphasize that Rod Y Gab are the most phenomenal thing to happen to the guitar in years. Live In Japan will only further solidify that reputation by dropping the jaws of both newcomers and familiar fans alike, despite the inclusion of no new material. While the duo's 2006 breakthrough album is played in it's entirety aside from the track PPA, fans need not worry about senselessly spending their money: many of the familiar crowd pleasers such as One and Juan Loco are treated with a sophisticated level of jazzy improvisation to warrant re-exploration by even the most die-hard of fans. And while fan favorites such as Tamacun and Diablo Rojo round out a crusher of an encore, attentive listeners will appreciate a finger-bending inclusion of Dave Brubeck's classic jazz tune Take 5 as well as FOC, both obscurities from R Y G's career prior to mainstream success.

Shred geeks can give up their Steve Vai and Yngwie Malsteem instructional videos here: this is all done with about half the fretboard, no distortion, no overdubs, and 0% cheesiness, and not since Paco De Lucia, John McLaughlin, and Al Di Miola tore up Friday Night In San Francisco has acoustic-classical-jazz-speed-metal been this exciting. Yes, that wall of sound is only two guitars, and only during select moments in musical history have so few been able to master this level of technique. May your appetites be wet until the next album.

If you like quality and you like agressive playing, you will love this. As a guitar player I'm simply stunned. Both Rodrigo and Gabriela are amazing guitar players and each offers such a unique space in their amazing instrumental music. I've never seen a more effective or amazing rhythm player than Gabriela. The fact that she combines percussion, in tapping her acoustic guitar body, with guitar playing is a tough enough skill, but she does this very uniquely. And Rodrigo's fluid and extrmely rapid lead work is not only agressive, but in the slower moments especially, it is melodic and beautiful. This pair is truly original and an example of the true raw talent that exists in the world. This represents the opposite of what the mainstream record companies have become. It represents quality, originality, uniqueness, raw and pure talent and is uncompromising in what it is.

To the metal listener that hasn't opened up to acoustic music, this is the perfect route to do so. This is heavy metal acoustic. Listen to their versions of Metallica's One and Orion and you will become a believer. Once you have achieved that, you will realize their own tunes are even better. For unique re-arrangement, hear their version of Stairway to Heaven. It is both recognizable and unique. You hear what you expect to but from a very unique perspective.

Buy this now. :-)

BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!

This is simply the best album I've heard in a very long time and the hottest from the skilled team of Rodrigo y Gabriela yet. I'm listening to Live in Japan the second time but can't stop moving my body. This album rocks from the beginning with OK TOKYO which builds excitement and blows into JUAN LOCO.

The familiar ORION (Metallica) keeps the fever pitch.

FOC is of course one of the best songs from the guitar duo.

SATORI brings the pace down a little but I'll guarantee you will be moving something.

INTAPA continues the slower pace but builds and the beat continues.

VIKING MAN brings back the fever pitch and displays their talent as they play off each other.

BTW, as the pace continues through TAKE FIVE, this is solid without a break between songs and shows their subtle yet phenomenal skills.

ONE from Metallica is up next. Metallica is one of my favorite groups and hearing their songs "unplugged" by these two is simply amazing.

GABRIELA SOLO is next and I've run out of superlatives! One is simply drawn into the solo and held there in awe.

RODRIGO SOLO is a nice collection of various melodies from several groups, very cool. This is a nice lead into...

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (Led Zeppelin) which is a good version and will have you humming right along to the hot rhythms.

TAMACUN is OH MY! Rodrigo first asks if you're ready...hang on for this one.

DIABLO ROJO is last and killer. You'll be standing on your feet screaming for more.

If you're unfamiliar with Rodrigo y Gabriela, I'm not sure how to describe them but a confluence of latin rhythms influenced by hard rock and heavy metal but they appeal to everyone. Sincerely, this is one of the best albums from beginning to end you will ever hear. Well over an hour of intensely wonderful guitar playing by two of the best. You won't be sorry! The live recording sounds like they are in the room with you. Excuse me while I listen to this album again...

I have never heard of these folks before, and it came across my Pandora station on my Ottmar Liebert radio...and it made me stop what i was doing to listen. But..the DVD that comes with this album is unbelievably hot. I cannot watch it enough. Daayamn. If i need to get going at any time of day...i put this album on, or any of their other ones. Obviously, the live album repeats some studio work. I cannot recommend enough. Wow, i gotta see these two live somewhere. I am a drummer/conga player in my spare time,and Gabriela's fingers have gotta ache after a night of banging her guitar. Gads. It is awesome. It's interesting to see that their background was head banger electric music. Weird. In the DVD to another album, she uses the F___ word.... a lot. Ha. I wonder what they thought in Ireland where they started, kinda, via Mexico.

Hearing songs I first heard performed by bands like Metallica and Led Zeppelin makes me enjoy the music from a totally different and new point of view. It's weird. When listening to Orion I expected to hear an explosion of sound,but with Rorigo Y Gabriela at the helm you hear an explosion of soundS. It's a different kind of energy that goes toe to toe with the originals. Bad ass. I need to get back in touch with my string instruments

This seller had the lowest price for this item brand spanking new. The shipping was very fast, received in under a week. The album itself is amazing.

These two musicians are amazing in what they can do with acoustic guitars. Highly recommended for everyone.

I have been a fan since their Stairway to Heaven version. This live CD is very versatile and enjoyable.

The CD and DVD are awesome. I actually didn't even realize that it came with a DVD....a very pleasant surprise and even better deal.