Many years ago I picked up a copy of What Hi-Fi which happened to contain the magazine’s recommendations for the 50 best (sonic) recordings of the previous ten or so years. I eventually acquired all of them including two which I have never stopped playing since. The first was A MEETING BY THE RIVER featuring Ry Cooder on Bottleneck guitar, and V.M. Bhatt on Mohan vina (guitar). The second was FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANSISCO featuring Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia, in live performance. These records helped establish my love of acoustic guitar music, which I am told is notoriously difficult to record. Both these CDs are sonic and artistic masterpieces which have never been matched in my experience – until now.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are other great acoustic guitar albums out there, many of which I possess. But whatever music you listen to, there are always the very special ones that you value most. A great DJ friend of mine regularly picks up Ireland’s best music magazine, Hot Press, which is only available in cities like Liverpool. With the latest issue was a free cover CD which he handed to me with, “I think you might like this…” The twinkle in his eye said everything, and as soon as I got home, into the CD player it went, and proceeded to take up residency. It was the Rodrigo y Gabriela album sampler, and it blew me away. The full album followed soon afterwards along with the extraordinary news that it has topped the Irish album chart, beating the likes of Arctic Monkeys (there is a music God!). I cannot remember an acoustic guitar album topping any chart, anywhere in the English-speaking world, which must makes this recording a rather historic one.

As I listen to the album, it reminds of the McLaughlin trio, and I wondered if the stars of this album had been influenced by the guys… The first track, Tamacun, reminds me of that unique ability that McLaughlin possesses of making the most passionate, quality music accessible to just about anybody who takes the trouble to listen. Underneath the fabulous guitar-playing skills lies the most compelling melody, something I have always regarded as the listener involvement ‘door-opener.’ Rodrigo and Gabriela understand this well, and their journey opens with a vivid, pulsating track that will get your feet and hearts pumping. As astonishing is the superb production quality that gives the sound that ‘in-your-room’ live quality. The percussive sounds literally burst out of the speakers, while the guitar sounds match the very best recordings I have heard. The song is pure Flamenco and absolutely stunning.

And that’s just the beginning of an incredible and exciting musical journey! Bass-driven percussion introduces the next track, Diablo Rojo, and another exhilarating Flamenco style composition. The song features some break-neck speed string-plucking. But there’s also a strong sign that these Mexicans have an appreciation of rocky rhythms, perhaps acquired in their adopted Dublin home… The mood and pace lightens with the more contemplative tones of Viking Man before a more strident bass rhythm returns in Satori. Now this track really does remind me of the magnificent McLaughlin Trio and it takes some bravery to take it on, and endeavour to match the quality of my guitar heroes. But R and G manage it magnificently.

Ixtapa is a mind-blowing affair as it moves off at a fair speed, and then changes course in the middle-eight to become a glacially-paced and very moving song. Guest gypsy fiddler Roby Lakatos adds both depth and drama to my favourite on this magnificent collection, as he heralds in another faster and mesmerising passage. Wow!

Then the duo tips a hat to rock n’ roll with a very special cover of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven. The pace is slower, the vibe is jazz-tinged, and the ambience created is emotion plus… Metallica’s Orion follows and here is given a deathly, dark treatment that works a treat.

Ultimately, it’s the passion, consummate writing and guitar skills; combined with John Leckie’s superb production; that results in a musical package that every lover of guitar music should own. But it’s more than that. This is an album for all music lovers, and no surprise that it has conquered the album chart in Ireland. But a word of warning: Buy this version which includes a DVD that includes bonus live performances, a guitar lesson (Yes! a guitar lesson…), and a Mexican picture gallery.

By any standard you care to name, this is a classic acoustic guitar album and therefore, ESSENTIAL!

5/5

I’m now letting you into a little secret… I haven’t played the bonus DVD. Why? You may well ask. Well, I want to keep the best till last… The duo is touring the UK in March, 2006 and I will be attending the performance in Manchester. And if you lot have any sense, you’ll do the same… Here’s when and where the pair will be performing:

14 March Bristol Fleece

15 March Manchester (University) Academy 3

16 March Glasgow King Tuts

17 March Edinburgh Liquid Rooms

19 March Birmingham Glee Club

20 March Brighton Komedia

21 March London Jazz Cafe

22 March London jazz Cafe

B Inspired!