[FA Worldmusic] "world music", Rodrigo y Gabriela......

[Sandy Andina]

Since I first heard them on our local AAA/Alternative/"finest rock"
station, I never once considered them a "world music" act; here in
Chicago, their "backstory" is well known: having soured on the vibe
and limited repertoire of Mexico's heavy metal scene, where they
started, they decided to move to Dublin and busk acoustically.  (This
is not surprising: scratch the surface of many a metal kid and you'll
find a classical heart beating below; many metal and arena rock stars
list baroque and classical works on their "what's on my iPod"
lists).  While there, they were discovered by brooding alt-folk-rock
superstar Damien Rice, who booked them as his support act. That's how
they came to the fore Stateside. Thus I've never applied "world
music" standards of any particular nation's authenticity to them;
knowing who and what they purport to be, I also never held them to
the same standards as I would singer-songwriter-entertainers.  So
what if Gabriela's flamenco tricks are "easy to do?" How many rock
critics and non-flamenco and non-classical guitarists know that? (For
that matter, who outside the world-music-critic community gives a
flying fig)? Who else in popular music is doing them? She does them
entertainingly, they bounce affably off Rodrigo's single-string
pyrotechnics, and compared to what is currently being offered on the
rock circuit their act sounds fresh and new. Their limited command of
English also makes them seem endearing, but even if that is somewhat
calculated, I don't find it at all gimmicky.   They play to their
strength, which is guitar dexterity and an expert melding of lead and
rhythm guitars (with the latter more than carrying its weight
melodically as well, something other guitar duos don't seem to
understand).  When I am in a mood to hear that (and not necessarily
Josi Iturbi, Segovia or actual gypsies), I find them quite enjoyable.

I agree that their agent and label are doing them a disservice by
pushing them to the "world music" market, and the inevitable result
is that they are evaluated by world music critics using specific
criteria of ethnic authenticity for each subgenre.
On Jul 4, 2007, at 11:29 AM, Timothy Bisig wrote:

> Good column steve....
>
> and to (again) stroke the fire of "world music" talk, as well as
> put in a
> little word for one of the artists i work with, the aforementioned
> Ceu from
> BRASIL!
>
> Pleaes read below, there is a review of her show opening for Rodrigo y
> Gabriela at the Ford Theater in L.A..... RyG will repeatedly and
> vehemently
> proclaim NOT to be "World Music", while their label, agent, fans
> and whoever
> else, sometimes think that they are.  But here is an example of
> what happens
> when you put a (let's admit it) not "world music" band in a "world
> music"
> show, and have a "world music" critic review it.  While perhaps
> agreeing
> with some of his critiques, i don't really agree with him writing this
> review--they should have sent a rock critic out!  but I do have to
> thank him
> for giving Ceu all the props, sounds like he's looking to go out
> with her!
>
> Anybody else have any thoughts on RyG, a huge-selling "world music"
> crossover band that isn't really "world music" but that can pack
> theaters
> and festivals around the globe?

Sandy Andina
www.sandyandina.com
www.sass-music.com
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