ALIEN EARTH Alien Earth is an incredible series on FX. I didn’t have high hopes — given all the misses with the franchise. However, Noah Hawley (Fargo) has the created a masterpiece. [No spoilers] Episode 1 is a little wonky, but every episode afterward is […]

Zambita Zambita is pretty little tune by Gustavo Santaolalla from the critically acclaimed film, The Motorcycle Diaries (2004). This instrumental track perfectly encapsulates the spirit of youthful adventure, self-discovery, and the vast, breathtaking landscapes of South America. Santaolalla, a two-time Academy Award winner for Best […]

Chichina Directed by Walter Salles, The Motorcycle Diaries 2004 is a biographical drama that chronicles the transformative road trip taken by a young Ernesto Guevara and his friend Alberto, across South America in 1952. The iconic soundtrack is from Gustavo Santaolalla. His song “Chichina” serves […]

Lima Lima is one of my favorite tracks from Gustavo Santaolalla’s The Motorcycle Diaries soundtrack. Rather than his usual minimalist approach, Lima really displays Santaolalla’s guitar prowess. I had an opportunity to see Gustavo Santaolalla play live in Pittsburgh (in 2013) with his band Bajofondo. Rather […]

Mathilde I wrote this piece well over a decade ago. I had already been a guitar player (and teacher) since my early teenage years — but only began experimenting with fingerstyle composition in my mid-30’s. It’s is actually the first “fingerstyle song” I ever wrote. […]

The Last of Us Part II Gustavo Santaolalla’s score for “The Last of Us Part II” deepens the game’s harrowing, emotional landscape. The title theme is played on some type of guitar-banjo (played as an actual 6 string guitar). We can also see elements of […]

Lait Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Biutiful” is a searing exploration of the human condition, and mortality. Starring Javier Bardem (in an incredible performance) the film delves into the complexities of a man struggling to reconcile his personal demons — with the immense challenges of living on […]

Beyond Desolation Gustavo Santaolalla’s haunting and evocative score for The Last of Us Part II — exemplifies his mastery of cinematic sound. His melodies accompany Ellie’s journey, with a signature blend of traditional Latin American instruments and modern electronic sounds. The music perfectly captures the […]

La Muerte De La Poderosa I revisit The Motorcycle Diaries soundtrack often. The whole thing is a masterpiece. I love everything Gustavo Santaolalla does, but for me, the big two are: The Motorcycle Diaries and Brokeback Mountain. Gustavo Santaolalla’s work on The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) embodies […]

El Paso El Paso is beautiful little étude for Spanish guitar. The piece is by composer, Harry Gregson-Williams, from the 2004 film, Man on Fire. The film starred Denzel Washington as “Creasey” a washed up former special forces operator, who takes a gig as the […]

Spanish Ladies “Spanish Ladies” is a traditional British naval song, dating back, by some estimates, to the 1620’s. The song is considered a sea shanty; work songs sung by merchant sailors. I first heard this tune as a kid when Quint (played by actor Robert […]

Salvatore Salvatore is from Lana Del Rey’s 2015 album, Honeymoon. The melancholy pop ballad has a very “Italian” quality to it. The song worked out beautifully for guitar, and was a recommendation from one of my YouTube Listeners. It is Lana’s Del Rey’s usual crooning […]