Guitar Heroes

New Years was a washout, an unbelievably disappointing night that was a real downer as Dan, Jenny (girl I know from Leeds who has just moved to Melbourne) and I supped the night away at the Belgian Beer Cafe by the edge of the Yarra river during the middle of the Australian summer.

It was poured with rain, non-stop for about 5 hours between 9pm and 2am (also known as the hours that matter) and for a cafe based around Belgian Beer, serving Stella on tap doesn't endear you to a snob like me.

Anyway a complete lack of posts from me is based on the fact I've been dealing with some personal issues and the joyfulness that is self-assesment tax returns. Those erudite warrior-poets NWA were right, "life ain't nothin' but bitches and money."

Everything is better now because last night I went to see Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Oh yes. You see everyone one band/artist that they just adore, the Mexican duo via Dublin are mine. Simply put, by seeing them you'll bear witness to a whole new level of mind-boggling guitar awesomeness. (See also Kaki King, Robert Randolph and John Butler)

Rodrigo supplies the lead wonderfully, but it's Gabriela who is simply mesmeric to watch, her fingers are like waves over the guitar, moving so quickly you can scarcely believe it. Add to this that the pair will turn the guitars into percussion drums at the same time, it's just impossible to do justice to it all with mere words.

Although we were in a theatre, it didn't stop people standing up and dancing despite efforts from some security people to get them to sit down but then a wonderful thing happened. In the front rows five or six people stood up, clapping and enjoying themselves, naturally this meant the people behind couldn't see and now had to get up whether they wanted to or not. From this a wonderful ripple-effect took place as within 10 seconds the entire theatre was on it's feet as one. It was magical.

They have a wonderful quirky charm about them, the Irish tinge in their voices as they speak in English is still easy to spot - that and every other word they use is 'focking'. Their interaction with the audience is warm and funny but with underlying love and purity of what they do. I've seen so many bands that are cynical in their approach to music, leaving songs empty and meaningless, but when Rodrigo Y Gabriela tell you to get up and join the party, it's because they just want you to have as much fun as they're having.

Song of the day: Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Diablo Rojo