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Rodrigo Y Gabriela North American Spring Shows
Tonight Rodrigo Y Gabriela play the first of three nights in Japan. After hanging out with Godzilla, the Mexican guitar duo tackle another beast – their Spring 2010 North American tour dates.
The North American tour kicks off Feb. 28 at 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and wraps up back on the East Coast with an April 29 gig at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Additional shows include Byham Theater in Pittsburgh (March 2), Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto (March 5), W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre in Louisville, K.Y. (March 7), Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (March 12), Center Stage in Atlanta (March 13) and House Of Blues in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (March 18).
Photo: AP Photo
Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival, Manchester, Tenn.
Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero will be showing off tunes from their celebrated self-titled 2006 debut album in addition to their sophomore album, 11:11.
11:11 was released in September and features 11 songs dedicated to 11 artists that have inspired the guitarists. The album includes tributes to Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix,Le Trio Joubran, Al Di Meola, Michel Camilo, Paco De Lucia, John McLaughlin,
Photo: James Hendershot
Rams Head Live, Baltimore, Md.
The release has earned high accolades from Paste writing, “Rodrigo y Gabriela offer today’s best exposition of the pyrotechnic, fusion-oriented edge of Spanish style guitar playing” to Guitar World declaring, “it’s impossible to imagine that just two guitars can produce this level of musical density and complexity.” The album has also snagged the duo a nomination for Outstanding World Music album for this year’s NAACP Image Awards, which take place Feb. 26 on Fox 8/7c.
11:11 features an electric solo from Alex Skolnick of the band Testament on one song and piano from Sanchez’s brother on another tune but the rest of the album is all about what Rodrigo y Gabriela do best – simply Sanchez’s fast finger picking lead guitar and Quintero on rhythm guitar. Oh, and Quintero using the guitar body as a makeshift drum.
As a bonus to fans, 11:11 features a DVD tutorial of how to play a few of their tunes.
“I know there are a few musicians who don’t like to share their tricks but I think that’s silly,” says Sanchez. “To share music is something I think everyone should do if they know how to play.”
Click here for Rodrigo Y Gabriela’s Web site.