Rodrigo y Gabriela, Live in France (ATO Records, 2011)

The Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have had a busy couple of years, between the release of their album 11:11 in 2009, their contribution to the soundtrack of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and the run of shows that culminated in the recording of their newest album, Live in France. The live album has a considerable amount of overlap with 11:11, but the context of a concert setting (single takes, no overdubs or margin for error) makes the instrumental virtuosity and chemistry of Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero that much more impressive.

Like 11:11, Live in France opens with the blistering track Hanuman.  This tune (an instrumental, like all their tracks) is the perfect showcase of Rodrigo's flamenco-inspired lead runs back by Gabriela's wonderfully and uniquely percussive rhythm guitar.  The performances throughout are superb, but people who have 11:11 won't find a whole lot unfamiliar here.  Of the eleven tracks, eight come from 11:11.  The exceptions are solo performances from the two musicians and the closing song "Tamacun" from their self-titled album released in 2006.  Rodrigo's solo performance is noteworthy for the smattering of familiar heavy metal riffs he inserts into it, and "Tamacun" benefits from the audience festively singing along with the melody. Otherwise, the tracks don't really add to what is otherwise already on 11:11.

Of course, 11:11 is an excellent album, and there's certainly nothing wrong with the performance of the same material on Live in France. Ultimately, what you do get from the live album is a deeper appreciation that all of the amazing playing is quite real.  Rodrigo y Gabriela genuinely are as good as they sound, and that makes for fun listening.  And hearing the audience get into it, seemingly responding to every note, is an added bonus.

Overall grade: A-

reviewed by Scott

A live performance of "Tamacun"

Rodrigo y Gabriela, 11:11 (ATO Records, 2009)

Originally from Mexico but currently based in Dublin, Ireland, Rodrigo y Gabriela bring a uniquely eclectic approach to dueling acoustic guitars. Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero first played together in a thrash metal band in Mexico City, but their style owes as much to flamenco and Mexican folk music as it does to rock and roll. On their most recent CD 11:11, they pay tribute to a a diverse assortment of their musical heroes, often with outstanding results.

Rodrigo y Gabriela dedicate each track on 11:11 to a particular performer or group that has influenced their sound. The beneficiaries range from well-known rock performers like Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana, to flamenco guitar legend Paco de Lucia, to Palestinian oud combo Le Trio Joubran, to the world/jazz/Indian fusion group Shakti. The mixture of rock and world influences may seem unusual or unwieldy at first, but the duo make it work with a great combination of energy and chemistry. Rodrigo plays most of the melodies, while Gabriela's wonderfully percussive rhythm guitar is the dynamo that propels the arrangements. The overall sound is hard to describe simply; the best I can come up with is a two-guitar thrash flamenco symphony, but I don't know if that is even adequate. With only occasional percussive accompaniment and a memorable cameo by Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick on "Atman", Rodrigo y Gabriela create an upbeat and infectious sound while playing with a combination of aggression, sophistication, and dynamic interplay that puts the guitarists of most rock bands, even the heavy ones, completely to shame.

11:11 doesn't waste a track. Every tune is fun, lively, and superbly played. I can't really single out any piece in particular; they're inspired by different performers and may appeal to different people in different degrees, but they're all good. Fans of flamenco will certainly like the album, and people looking for good guitar music without being too style-specific will absolutely love this. Rodrigo y Gabriela have gradually built up a following over the past decade (11:11 is their sixth album), and their recent contributions to the soundtrack of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides can only help boost their exposure to mainstream audiences. In an ideal world, though, they'd already be mega-stars.

Overall grade: A

reviewed by Scott

"Hanuman," the opening track off 11:11