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The interplay in any duo is especially important live, either highlighting the inadequacies of both or, as with this album, pushing their strengths to the fore. The Mexican pair have different approaches to the guitar and play off each other well, Gabriela often providing strummed accompaniment, but equally happy to double up on Rodrigo's furious riffs or head off in her own direction.

Prior to their acoustic venture Rodrigo and Gabriela were hyped to be big on the Mexican metal scene, until the pair left for Ireland leaving behind the screaming feedback and overdrive and taking with them only their nylon-strungs. Now their staples are Latin-American rhythms with a recognisably metal-edged tinge, although Paul Desmond's 'Take Five' gets a look in as do hints of riffs from the likes of the White Stripes.

The material for the live album was taken from two gigs, one at Manchester's Academy, and the other from Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral (footage of which is included on the video clip that accompanies the album) and the duo appear solo in the first gig and were joined in Dublin by two violinists, both refreshingly stripped-down and open performances.

The pair were 'discovered' by Damien Rice and snapped from the finger biting cold, especially sensitive to the hands of guitarists, of the streets of Ireland, after serving an apprenticeship similar to the one Rice himself served busking around Europe after fleeing potential fame with his band at the time.

Rodrigo y Gabriela may not have the virtuosity of Paco de Lucia or John McLaughlin but they have a technical brilliance and flair all of their own, and there are some standout tracks such as 'Captain Cassanova' and Astor Piazolla's 'Libertango' and the performances are permeated by a sense of irreverent fun.

The odd phrase flying in from rock and metal groups or even a metal cover hurts no one, but my only complaint about the album are the two versions of Metallica's 'One' which are (and no pun intended) one too many, and possible two -- it's not the greatest tune off which to bounce creative guitar playing of any style anyway. I have no doubt it goes down well live, and the duo are known for pulling in a varied crowd, but I ended up wishing they had replaced one of the versions with a new offering.

www.rodgab.com