Rodrigo y Gabriela + A Girl Called Eddy @ Ronnie Scott’s, London

Having never paid five quid for adrink in my life, the evening did not get off to agood start. However, A Girl Called Eddy‘s soothingmelodies calm my somewhat flustered persona.Resting somewhere between Norah Jones and thealbum fillers on the Bridget Jones soundtrack, theBritish four-piece make an impressive debut atRonnie’s, winning over a distracted crowd with theirmellow charm.

With one half of the headliningduo taking to the stage in a Slayer T-shirt (surely afirst for Ronnie Scotts?!), it is clear from theoutset that this Mexican acoustic act aren’t all thatmeets the eye. Having given up their dreams of fame asa Latin metal band, the sibling act decided to startplaying “background” music in beach hotels in 1998,and the rest, as they say, is history.

With the opening song taking inclassic Latin rhythms, frantic fretboard chaos andpercussion courtesy of the guitar body it seems that thisrapt audience is in for a real treat. As the Mexicanvirtuosos introduce a new piece, “Mr. Tang”,immortalising a “cray-zy” (pronounced in a Mexicanaccent) taxi driver they encountered while touringSingapore, there is a definite buzz through out thepacked crowd, who nod and tap along profusely.

Cheers engulf the club as theinfectious tune of Dave Brubeck‘s Take 5 driftsthrough the PA and the pair then drop in a tributeto their “metal” roots in the form of Metallica‘s One, complete with more guitarpercussion slapping, and rocking punters. Rodrigo isadamant to clarify that he and his partner are…:

“… Not flamenco players. We do alittle flamenco, but I say we are not, because ifthose real flamenco players thought we were… Theywould kill us!” Point taken!

Next we are treated to a trio ofsongs condensed into a beautiful medley: New One,George Street and Safe. Gabriella introduces Diem as atribute to guitarist and composer, Dave Mustaine (of Megadeth fame)which causes much less, yet just as passionate criesof approval. As the first track from their officialdebut Re-Foc (from the Spanish word for fire beforeyou start laughing!), Diem is undoubtedly thehighlight of the set, with impeccable timing,sensational rhythm and blistering riffs being executedby what sounds like twice the number of instruments.

Closing with the encore numberFoc, into which the riffs from The WhiteStripes‘ Seven Nation Army and Metallica’sEnter Sandman are subtly placed, a standing ovationoccurs mid-song as all in view are captivated by thesheer power and energy which erupts from the stage.Not only are the ex-rockers able to hold thisexclusive venue’s undivided attention with Pied Piper-like hypnosis, they can’t half strum a six-string too!