Friday, November 16, 2012

After the huge success of a world tour dubbed Dos Pájaros de Un Tiro (Two Birds with One Stone) in 2007, Joan Manuel Serrat and Joaquín Sabina have returned stronger than ever.

This time, with the Dos Pájaros Contraatacan (Two Birds Strike Back) tour.

As we here at Crossfade have often said, Serrat and Sabina are two of the most celebrated Iberian singer-songwriters in history. And when they are on stage together, the songs flow so naturally and flawlessly. It isn't simply a "show." It's a conversation between two old friends.

Both of them have a very long careers, beginning at a young age, singing against political oppression. But it wasn't until 2007 that they decided to join forces. Serrat with his rebellious and tenacious spirit, committed with the cause yet optimistic, romantic, and willing to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Sabina, meanwhile, with his raspy voice, thanks to cigars and alcohol, sings poems about prostitutes, divorce, and late-night bar adventures. He also enjoys life to the fullest. But especially if it means breaking all the rules while holding a glass of whiskey.

After their 2007 tour, the pair got together in the studio, writing and recording an album, La Orquesta del Titanic, to address the extraordinarily difficult times facing the world, especially their homeland. As Sabina has explained: "While Spain is sinking, we keep playing... like in the Titanic."

On stage again in 2012, these two Spanish legends alternated songs and covered one another's work, with Serrat singing Sabina's tunes and vice versa. Between songs, they teased each other about their age, their careers, and even their private parts.

But there were heartfelt and touching moments too. Like during the song "Por el Boulevard de los Sueños Rotos," a tribute to the legendary Chavela Vargas, Joaquin's dear friend who passed away last August.

Some of the audience's clear favorites were "Princesa", "19 días y 500 noches" and "Cantares". Men and women of different ages and nationalities got up and danced. Both Serrat and Sabina showed tremendous energy, even warning, "This concert will not be like any other one you've seen. Call your babysitters, because this show will not finish any time soon." And they weren't lying, performing a total of 30 songs as the people kept asking for more.

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At one point, between jabs about one another's age, Serrat and Sabina joked that Friday night might be their last concert.

We certainly hope they're wrong, and that we have Serrat and Sabina for a long time, because these two birds still have a long way to fly.

-- Luz Elena Silva

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