Returning back from 3 somewhat soggy days of camping in the Lake District where it appears I have picked up a cold, we troop over to Liverpool for a gig that Phil has grabbed some tickets for. Having never heard their work, I take it on good authority from Phil's enthusiasm that this is definitely an act worth catching. Arriving early, we stopped for some dinner nearby (of which the choice was rather slender in this part of town), and plump for some Indian food on the same street as the gig venue. Despite assuring me that what I had ordered would contain absolutely no coriander, the meal arrived promptly with the offending herb. I know - what on earth am I doing in an Indian restaurant with such a distaste for coriander - but seriously, it was the only option for dinner and I would never normally eat in a curry house by choice. It does make me kind of worry for people who have real allergies as they asked whether I was allergic and rather than explain that coriander just makes me retch I said 'yes'.
Anyway, we leave the Indian (round two of the same dish, by the way, tasted fine) and it's now raining so we scuttle into the venue for the gig. (Note, there are two entrances to this venue.) Finding the right entrance, we head in just before 8pm to see Brett Dennen take the stage clad in a jeans, chambray shirt and bandanna combination. Looking like a time traveller from 3 decades ago, Brett gave frequent peace signs and began to play. Now, I'm a big fan of the acoustic guitar (having picked one up recently as you will read in the previous blog) and I enjoyed his musical stylings, supported with a drummer. The thing is, it was just all a bit 'nice'. To be honest, he sounds like a copy of John Mayer, but with less impact. The songs, while I am sure were meaningful to him, were all delivered in a cookie-cutter-folk style and after a couple of songs I was playing a personal game of 'name the chords' to amuse myself. One look at his myspace page shows that he performs with John Mayer, who quotes on his site:
“A beautiful and spirited record. Instantly likeable.” Enough said.
Anyway, after a lengthy set up for the main act (in which I am growing tired an slightly impatient) Gabriela and Rodrigo take the stage to rapturous applause, such is the excitement of the audience - and I'm about to see why. Two cameras, one pointed at Gabriela's guitar and one (initially at Rodrigo's crotch but soon corrected) on the other guitar tell me that this is going to be a feast for the eyes as well. What follows is the most extraordinary display of talent I have witnessed live in a long time. The techniques of Gabriela and Rodrigo are as far apart as they are on stage - Gabriela's hand flamenco dancing at warp speed over the strings like a startled spider while Rodrigo primarily plucks so fast it makes your head spin just watching. The duo, from Mexico, are both playing Spanish guitars though the influences are clearly heavy rock / metal interspersing the odd track with the likes of Black Sabbath. Odd I know - I normally associate Spanish guitar with theme-park type tapas bars trying desperately to seem authentic. These guys completely turn that idea on its head - transfixing the audience with their raucous foot stomping rock. What strikes me as odd is their sense of timing, which is faultlessly precise considering that a) they are quite a distance on stage from each other, b) they are not even facing each other, which wouldn't matter because c) they both have their eyes closed. Absolutely incredible. Also pleasing to see is that they have not lost the ability to connect with the audience despite the intensity of the show and a small language barrier, played a decent encore (Stairway to Heaven like you have have never heard it) and shook hands with people in the front at the end.
Truly gifted musicians, it is incredible to watch a duo up close that are this good.
Olé!!
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