When Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero of Rodrigo y Gabriela were both sixteen years old, they applied to the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City and both were rejected. This may have been the best thing that ever happened to the pair, setting them off on a fiercely independent and largely unprecedented path.

Early fans of the extraordinary duo may have heard about Tierra Ácida (Acid Land), the thrash metal band they left behind to set out as a duo on an adventure that is still unfolding. When Rodrigo y Gabriela were in town recently for their show at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, I had a chance to sit down with Gabriela whose brilliance on guitar is only matched by her incandescent smile.

We spoke about her role as the group’s rhythmic engine and how it grew along with the enthusiasm of their audiences. She also offered insights into their new album, In Between Thoughts…A New World, and discussed how they recorded it spontaneously during the pandemic in the same spirit as the musicians on the fated Titanic. She also explained how Rodrigo’s playing on his Fender Jaguar was a natural evolution following 2019’s Grammy-winning Mettavolution, and how the orchestral and electronic parts came to be.

Finally, she touched on how their own spirituality, specifically their connection with the ancient Hindu tradition of Advaita Vedanta, helped to create a blueprint for the album as well as a headspace for their performances.

Later, they also recorded three songs live for WFUV, all taken from In Between Thoughts … A New World: “True Nature,” “Egoland,” and “Descending to Nowhere.”  Hear them along with the chat HERE.

I’m all about Dr. John and enjoyed him wildly recently in New Orleans and at Prospect Park so I was relishing the chance to see him in a venue with acoustics as opposed to outside. The circumstances were special – a three week residency (consecutive Thursday through Saturday engagements) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with a tribute to Louis Armstrong the first week, material from his new album Locked Down the second, and a New Orleans bit the third.

I made it to a show on the first and second week and, against my expectations, the first was a lot better.

The Louis Armstrong tribute boasted a ridiculously talented rotating crew of A list talent including my favorite two trumpet players in the world Roy Hargrove (review of another Roy Hargove show)and Arturo Sandoval. That would have been plenty but it was only the tip of the iceberg as The Blind Boys of Alabama and Rickie Lee Jones were involved among many others. The latter singing Makin’ Whoopee and the former most memorably singing Wonderful World. The love and respect the musicians showed to Armstrong’s legacy were the launching pad for a magnificent evening in which Dr. John shone brightly while, as he said, performing his duty to pass on the music of the man who turned the whole world on to Jazz.

Coming off that performance, I was determined to hear his new material especially joined by Dan Auerbach who produced and played on Locked Down. Imagine the horror of Auerbach being so low in the mix that he was inaudible when the band was playing. Dr. John’s piano – fine, drums – fine, bass – fine, TWO Cowbells – fine, could even differentiate them but could not hear Dan Auerbach. Unbelievably frustrating. Unlike the week prior when 10 musicians on stage seemed perfect, this time ten (full horn section too) was too many by half the material the botched mix notwithstanding. Even when DA took solos, there was no sound of loud and his tone wasn’t near his usual dirty and muscular delight. It’s a fine album but this night was a missed opportunity.

Fortunately Howler rolled into the Mercury Lounge soon after to provide the grit and riffs I was craving. Howler is the best young rock band I’ve seen in years. I was well impressed when they did a few tunes for The Alternate Side but in the bonafide rock club confines of the Merc, I was knocked out. In the interview, front-man Jordan revealed his love of the Replacements whereas guitarist Ian grew up a Nirvana man. It’s even better than that sounds though as they’ve got other hip influences and stitch them into their tunes with such skill that what comes through the most is foot-stomping attitude. It was immense.

Before Rod y Gab did their show this past Friday at Radio City Music Hall I spoke to Gabriela for WFUV who broadcast the show live. She was lovely and I had to work a little to hold it together as she is beautiful, loves Black Sabbath, and is one of the most innovative guitar players in the world. Rodrigo and Gabriela’s breathtaking chops are being supplemented on this tour by a Cuban band and it was truly an embarrassment of riches. The supplemental sounds provided some great moments without overshadowing the mighty duo whose names were on the tickets. The interview with Gab will be edited with the concert and air down the line on WFUV.

Links are to my reviews…

1 Massive Attack/Thievery Corporation/Nada Surf; Beacon Theater/Mercury Lounge
2 Grinderman; Best Buy Theater
3 New Orleans Jazzfest; Dr. John, Simon & Garfunkel, Terrence Blanchard, etc.
4 Corinne Bailey Rae; Terminal 5
5 Brendan Benson & The Posies; Highline Ballroom
6 Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
7 Buffalo Tom; Mercury Lounge
8 Specials; Terminal 5
9 Aerosmith/J.Geils Band; Fenway Park
(Peter Wolf Show at Highline was great too)
10 Lou Barlow; Mercury Lounge
11 Rodrigo y Gabriela; Radio City Music Hall
12 Villagers at Mercury Lounge

First of all, let’s marvel at the wonder of the glowing drink stirring thingy at Radio City:

Here is a taste of the performance: