This charismatic pairing is very special indeed. On the second night of their sold-out eight-gig UK tour, pint-sized Gabriela Quintero and beefy Rodrigo Sanchez mesmerized the packed-out venue with a dazzling display of finger-flicking wizardry, fusing flamenco, jazz and rock.
 | | Rodrigo Sanchez (pic: Elly Roberts) |
Promoting their new eponymous album, they took no time to unleash their high-octane setlist, kicking off with the primal rhythms of album opener Tamacun, as Gabriela pounded the acoustic guitar. The percussive onslaught led to bobbing heads and foot-tapping for the entire show – we did get a breather now and again though. Close-up, their almost telepathic understanding and digital dexterity defies belief, as chord riffs and picks burned up the fret boards -the blistering pace was mind-boggling.
 | | Gabriela Quintero (pic: Elly Roberts) |
It wasn’t all blood and thunder, slipping-in some sophisticated covers: Dave Brubeck’s jazz standard Take 5 gripped the crowd, bringing the first big reaction. Pink Floyd’s anthem, Wish You Were Here set the crowd on a retro-trip, singing every word – a rare opportunity in a totally instrumental repertoire. Rodrigo used his beer bottle to do the slide work – a novel approach that brought more cheers. A nod to their previous existence in a thrash metal band surfaced on most occasions, with Metallica’s lengthy Orion proving a clear winner. An encore was always on the cards. Gabriela introduced the finale with, “We’re gonna play something special dedicated to you. Thank you very much, you’re great.” Shooting-off with some individual show boating – incredible solos that raised the roof, finally leaving with a crescendo of classic rock: a spell-binding rendition of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven. Both beaming at the ovation, they waved and headed for the dressing room. A sensational night.
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