Rodrigo y Gabriela

Last month I walked into HMV record store to check on some movies.  Always a joy going to that place.

This was the first time I heard Rodrigo and Gabriela music, coming out through the store's speakers.

The fast playing combined with outstanding composition melody were stunningly perfect to my air.

I asked one of the guys working there about the music, he told me about the due and how they left thrash metal and switched to classical guitars before recording their first album. He showed me the shelve where they have their CD's.

They only have 5 studio albums, and 4 live albums. I decided to buy my first album but I was not sure from where to start, wanted to ask the guy again about the name of the tune i heard few minutes ago, but then I had another idea: to start with the latest album and go backwards through their catalogue. That's how I bought Area 52.

This is an album where the two virtuoso recruiting a number of perfect Cuban musicians and record (or shall I say re-record) some of their songs from previous albums but with Cuban style.

The result is a brilliant record.

The record was mixed received. Some criticized the idea of replacing guitar and adding other instruments like piano, violin, trumpets...etc

I disagree, I could listen to both the original version of "Hanuman" (from their 11:11 album), as well as to the new version from Area 52, which became like a Santana melody.

The same goes with the excellent tune"Santo Domingo", or "11:11" or "Diablo Rojo". They are the same songs but they have another excellent musical taste each.

On the same day I listened to Area 52 and before watching the "making of the album documentary" on the DVD attached with the album, I went to youtube and that was it: I was stunned. Their playing live performance is jaw dropping.

It is not about being a good player only, but Rodrigo and Gabriela were capable of entertain. Their interaction with the public is also superb.

From Youtube I also heard the tune they wrote for Pirates of the Caribbean 4 soundtrack.

After seeing that I decided to look if they are planning to do a concert in London in the coming months, but I was disappointed because they are not. Hopefully next year.

I read somewhere that they are already back in the studio to record their next album. One thing for sure, I will be one of the first to buy that record when it come out.

Black Country Communion - Afterglow

The artwork of Black Country Communion's upcoming album is out.

This is the one of the most anticipated albums to me for this year.


Black Country Communion made of the legendary Deep Purple/ Black Sabbath's Glenn Hughes, guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham on Drums (he is the son of  Led Zeppelin's late drummer) and Derek Sherinian, a former member of giant progressive metal band Dream Theater.


This is the third Black Country Communion album to be release - if not counting the live in Europe album / DVD.

I like the artwork very much, and I liked the bits of music from the new album on the trailer - see below.

According to Hughes the new album will not step away from the musical direction introduced in previous two studio albums, but it will be a deeper album music.

I am a very happy man, especially when I hear such words.


The album release date is 30'th of October.

The Cure - Live at Reading and Leeds Festival 2012

Finished watching the Cure playing live at Reading and Leeds Festival. This is the first appearance of the band at this festival in 33 years, according to news sources.

Great performance will not give justice, to say the least, because it was much greater than anyone would expected. It was fantastic.

I know that this line-up of the Cure is not the same 33 years ago, yet the bass / guitar signitures playing (reminds me of Killing Joke - another great band), and Robert Smith's distinguish voice scared the years away - like the first time hearing this band many years ago.

Hopefully will see this band again live very soon and not to wait for another decade.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Last of a Dyin' Breed

Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band with a history book of its own. When the name Lynyrd Skynyrd is mentioned to any music fan, immediately the name is linked to the tragic plane crash that took the lives of some of band members including lead singer Ronnie van Zant and guitarist Steve Gains, among others.

To many fans, that was the end of the band.

The plane crash was the turning point for this American band - they decided to call it a day until mid 1980's when they came back with the late singer's younger brother, Johnny,  on lead vocals. Since then, the band went through many lineup changes, except for Gary Rossington being the only original member of the band.

I like his guitar playing. 


I think they have recorded something like 15 studio albums and tons of live material. They are pioneers in their music genre, no doubt about it.

However, their songs never clicked in to me. Never. I never loved Lynyrd Skynryd music but I loved "Free Bird".

I hated "Sweet Home..." but their latest album just came out now, and it is amazing. 


Last of a Dyin' Breed is a solid rock album with a lot of country and southern rock music flavor thrown all over most of songs. Line-up changes in a band always has its impact on the overall music any band is making, but does that live up to the expectations of fans in the case of Lynyrd Skynyrd new album?

Highlights from the new album are the title track Last of a Dyin' Breed. Mississippi Blood, and Home Grown are among my favorites, and I can add Home'sTwisted and Good Teacher too.

There are some albums that you play and gradually fall in love with the music, and there are some that you just fall in love with the songs from first listen. This album is in the middle.

The problem I have is not with this band in particular. It is more of a general taste of music genre. I don't like country music or southern rock music - liked a little the work Zakk Wylde did a couple of years ago on his Pride and Glory album, though.

In short, Lynyrd Skynyrd delivered a very good album, regardless of whether they have stick to their southern rock roots or not.  Remember,  I never listened to full album from this band, but i think the new music will please many die hard fans.

The albums can easily be chosen as one of music highlights in 2012, in my opinion.

Track Listing:
==================
01."Last of a Dyin' Breed" 
02."One Day at a Time"
03."Homegrown" 
04."Ready to Fly" 
05."Mississippi Blood" 
06."Good Teacher" 
07."Something to Live For" 
08."Life's Twisted"
09."Nothing Comes Easy" 
10."Honey Hole" 
11."Start Livin' Life Again"



Band members on this album:
=================================
Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
Gary Rossington – guitars
Rickey Medlocke – guitars
Michael Cartellone – drums
Johnny Colt – bass
Mark Matejka – guitars
Peter Keys – keyboards
John Lowery aka "John 5" – guitar