gig review: rodrigo y gabriela @ the mountain winery

[rone]

Some time ago, captain_nesky texted me and Kim, letting us know about this band she caught in Santa Cruz that she was sure we'd love; unfortunately, before i got a chance to check them out, i blew away my phone's inbox after getting a bit of a page storm from work that filled up its memory.  Later, marc_andreessen posted about them (and if you had any doubt that Dave Winer is a douche, check the comments).  I was really impressed, and upon visiting their Web site, i saw they were playing nearby soon, so i bought tickets.

The show was simply excellent.  Rodrigo and Gabriela are really good musicians and showpeople.  The crowd at the Mountain Winery was diverse in many ways (young, old, straight couples, gay couples), but everyone was decidedly rich-looking, so i didn't expect a lot of energy from them.  However, Rodrigo and Gabriela's music had everyone jumping, singing, dancing, and clapping along.  The tickets were a bit expensive, but the venue is very nice and, because it's not enclosed, no earplugs were necessary.  The woman in front of me complimented my singing of "Wish You Were Here", which was quite flattering.  R&G also covered Metallica's "One" and "Orion", and their signature cover of "Stairway to Heaven" was excellent, but the one that took the prize from me was their cover of Brubeck's "Take Five"; i can't begin to describe the length and subtlety of it.  And these guys headbanged often through their songs, Rodrigo on lead, and Gabriela on rhythm and percussion, strumming and whacking her guitar in the same motion.

They just played at Glastonbury, so i'm wondering if any of my Glasto-attending friends caught them there.  They're touring constantly, so you should definitely catch them if they come by your neck of the woods.  It was easily one of the best 5 shows i've seen. Look for them on YouTube, too.

Comments

[racerxmachina.livejournal.com]

Yay! My friend saw them at Coachella and encouraged me to check them out-- she said they were her favorites at the venue (and given Coachella's size, that says something). Must potter off to iTunes.

[cheesetruck.livejournal.com]

Damn, nothing in Helsinki this year.

There's a picture of them with a dude from Testament... I mean... how can this NOT be good. I have _GOT_ to see these guys somehow.

[glaucon.livejournal.com]

looks like they're going to be at bumbershoot.
I'll make it a point to see them there.
thanks for the tip.

[dr-memory.livejournal.com]

Completely off-topic:

M and I are going to be doing the weekend-in-napa thing for my 35th birthday. Do you, person who knows rather a lot about wine, have any vineyards in the napa/yountville area that you'd particularly recommend going to?

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

In the Yountville area, my experience is limited; i'm more familiar with St. Helena and Calistoga. Nonetheless, going by this map (http://www.napavintners.com/maps/map_of_napa_wineries_open_public.asp), i would recommend Stags Leap Wine Cellars, because i love their Artemis cab sauv. Domaine Chandon is worth a visit, too, and i also recommend Cosentino.

If you feel like going off the beaten track, Bouchaine (at the very bottom) has excellent pinot noir. If you end up heading north to St. Helena/Calistoga, definitely stop at Ehlers Estate, Von Strasser, and Summers, and avoid Beringer, because it's a damn tourist trap.

[dr-memory.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[mrbalihai.livejournal.com]

Montalvo's a great venue. They often have pre-concert buffets which are usually very good.

[motis.livejournal.com]

I heard them on NPR not long ago, and the music sounded great.

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

At this moment I am listening to their "Stairway to Heaven" cover on Radio Paradise. It's fascinating. This song has become so boring in its overplayedness, I wouldn't have expected someone to be able to make it interesting in a cover, but they really do a great job of it.

Would totally kill to hear them do "Take Five."