Recorded at the splendid Gran Rex Theater in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in front of an adoring audience,
Gran Rex is the third Enrique Bunbury live album in a decade. As such, it is hardly essential, but that does not mean that it is not a terrific live album. Picking four songs from each of his solo albums (plus four from various other projects), some of which Bunbury allegedly wanted to retire from his repertoire after this tour, this double CD serves as an excellent compilation of his solo career. Regardless of its spread-out origins, all of this music seems to come from the same locale: the unspecified Latin American circus/cabaret/cantina where
Tom Waits'
Rain Dogs happened. This is a very intense performance, one that perfectly complements the dark romanticism and drunken despair of Bunbury's passionate lyrics. The band never missteps, Bunbury sings like he is possessed, and the audience manifestly knows all the lyrics by heart.
Gran Rex also comes in deluxe edition consisting of the two CDs, three vinyl discs, a photo album, and a DVD that adds a documentary feature. Songs from the same concerts not included in the album were posted by the artist on his Facebook page. ~ Mariano Prunes