Rodrigo Y Gabriela - "Live in Japan" (ATO)

The full experience of Rodrigo y Gabriela is hardly realized until you witness the duo in a live setting. Well, you can do so now without leaving your living room with the release of Rodrigo y Gabriela Live in Japan. It marks the duo's first ever performance in Japan, recorded this past March, and takes advantage of the captivating energy and mind-blowing musicianship they bring to the stage.

For those of us pining for a follow-up to their self-titled album Live in Japan satisfies that itch. The album opens with a brand new song, appropriately titled for this album, "OK Tokyo". Also, for the first time on record both Rod and Gab launch into individual solo's towards the tail-end of the set. And as always the cover selections are brilliant. The duo turn "Take Five" into an almost hypnotic trance and Metallica's "One" is almost unrecognizable blanketed in the sheer beauty of the two delicate, yet dazzling guitars.

Loaded with full fury and over-the-top enthusiasm from the captivated crowd the show is brought to a close with the Rod and Gab staples "Tamacun" and "Diablo Rojo". If you've never seen this duo live, or if you're a real guitar enthusiast, Live in Japan is a must listen.

Written by Mike Vasilikos

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