Tango In The 21st Century (I)

2020-06-20 - AR Bands of the 21st century (1)

The second half of the twentieth century saw tango music separate from the dance, and in the twenty-first century Argentine tango musicians have responded to that separation in many different ways. Some have continued the concierto tradition established by the Vanguardia, some others have embraced electronic, sampling, and other influences from contemporary dance music; yet others have applied the traditional form of the orquesta típica to continue the tango tradition of social commentary. This edition showcases some that have re-focused on tango for dancing.  That’s this Sunday on Tango Capital, 7:00pm to 8:00pm:

Image: CD covers for the music acknowledged in the playlist.

PLAYLIST:

  • Don Juan, meaning ‘Sir John’; from the collection ‘Tangos Pa’ Bailar’ released in 2007, recorded by Contramarca in 2007; a tango with music composed by Ernesto Ponzi in 1898 and lyrics by Ricardo J Podestá. The name is a reference to a tough guy of the inner city suburb of San Cristóbel in Buenos Aires, who fancies himself as a tango dancer and a snappy dresser.
  • Felicia; from the collection ‘Tangos Pa’ Bailar’ released in 2007, recorded by Contramarca in 2007; a tango with music composed by Enrique Saborido, first recorded in 1927 and lyrics by Carlos Mauricio Pacheco. The name is a reference to a woman’s name.
  • Canaro En Paris, meaning ‘Canaro In Paris’; from the collection ‘Tangos Pa’ Bailar’ released in 2007, recorded by Contramarca in 2007; a tango with music composed by Alejandro Scarpino & Juan Caldarella, first recorded in 1927 and lyrics by José Caldarella.
  • Permiso, meaning ‘Permission’; from the collection ‘Ciudad Baigon’ released in 2007, recorded by Ciudad Baigon in 2007; a tango with music composed by Hernán Cabrera.
  • Patético, meaning ‘Pathos’; from the collection ‘Ciudad Baigon’ released in 2007, recorded by Ciudad Baigon in 2007; a tango with music composed by Jorge Caldara, first recorded in 1948.
  • Inspiración, meaning ‘Inspiration’;, from the collection ‘Ciudad Baigon’ released in 2007, recorded by Ciudad Baigon in 2007; a tango with music composed by Peregrino Paulo in 1929 and lyrics by Luis Rubistein.
  • Al Pasar, meaning ‘In Step’; from the collection ‘Barracas Al Fondo’ released in 2010, recorded by Sexteto Unitango in 2010; a vals with music composed by José Raúl Iglesias, first recorded in 1943 and lyrics by Juan Bautista Gatti. Singer is unknown.
  • Desde El Alma, meaning ‘From The Soul’; from the collection ‘Sexteto Unitango’ released in 2009, recorded by Sexteto Unitango in 2009; a vals with music composed by Rosita Melo in 1922 and lyrics by Victor Piuma Vélez (2nd set by Homer Manzi.
  • El Marne, meaning ‘The Marne’; from the collection ‘120% Bailable’ released in 2013, recorded by Sexteto Gato in 2013; a tango with music composed by Eduardo Arolas, first recorded in 1920 and lyrics by Gabriel Clausi. France was a major international centre for Argentine musicians and the name may be a reference to the Marne River, a tributary of the Seine River in France.
  • Chiqué, from lunfardo, meaning ‘Elegant Affectation’, and also known as ‘El Elegante’; from the collection ‘120% Bailable’ released in 2013, recorded by Sexteto Gato in 2013; a tango with music composed by Ricardo Luis Brignolo in 1920 and lyrics by Ricardo Luis Brignolo.
  • Nunca Tuvo Novio, meaning ‘You Have Never Had A Boyfriend!’, and also known as ‘Pobre Solterona’ and as ‘La Que Nunca Tuvo Novio’; from the collection ‘120% Bailable’ released in 2013, recorded by Sexteto Gato in 2013; a tango with music composed by Agustín Bardi in 1924 and lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo.
  • Corralera, from the collection ‘Pertenencia’ released in 2011, recorded by Andariega in 2011; a milonga with music composed by Anselmo A Aieta, first recorded in 1956. From Lunfardo, the name is a reference to a person born in or living in the Buenos Aires suburb of Los Corrales, the suburb name a reference to the major stockyards there that fed the beef export trade..
  • Campo Afuera, meaning ‘Countryside’; from the collection ‘Pertenencia’ released in 2011, recorded by Andariega in 2011; a milonga with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi in 1939, lyrics by Homero Manzi, and sung by Sandra Marquez.
  • Paciencia, meaning ‘Patience’; from the collection ‘Cortando Clavos’ released in 2014, recorded by La Juan D’Arienzo in 2014; a tango with music composed by Juan D’Arienzo in 1937, lyrics by Francisco Gorrindo, and sung by Fernando Rodas.
  • La Última Copa , meaning ‘The Last Cup’; from the collection ‘Cortando Clavos’ released in 2014, recorded by La Juan D’Arienzo in 2014; a tango with music composed by Francisco Canaro in 1925, lyrics by Juan Andrés Caruso, and sung by Fernando Rodas.
  • Canzoneta, meaning ‘Little Song’; from the collection ‘Cortando Clavos’ released in 2014, recorded by La Juan D’Arienzo in 2014; a tango with music composed by Erma Suárez in 1951, lyrics by Enrique Lary, and sung by Fernando Rodas. A reference to the canzonet, a song with verses often structured in an AABCC pattern.
  • Flores Negras, meaning ‘Black Flowers’; from the collection ‘Orquesta Victoria’ released in 2010, recorded by Orquesta Victoria in 2010; a tango with music composed by Francisco De Caro, first recorded in 1927 and lyrics by Mario Gomila.
  • La Casita De Mis Viejos, meaning ‘The Little House Of My Parents’, and also known as ‘La Casita De Mis Padres’ and as ‘Casita De Mis Viejos’; from the collection ‘Orquesta Victoria’ released in 2010, recorded by Orquesta Victoria in 2010; a tango with music composed by Juan Carlos Cobián in 1931 and lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo.
  • Cambalache, meaning ‘Mix-Up’; from the collection ‘Orquesta Victoria’ released in 2010, recorded by Orquesta Victoria in 2010; a tango with music and lyrics by Enrique Santos Discépolo in 1934.

 

Pedro Laurenz

2020-06-08 - Pedro Laurenz, in Japan, 1964

Canaro, Firpo, and D’Arienzo sold more records, but Pedro Laurenz was one of the great musicians of tango, and this edition showcases his compositions as played by him over 4 decades. That’s this Sunday on Tango Capital, 7:00pm to 8:00pm:

Image Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pedro_Laurenz

PLAYLIST:

  • Mascarita; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 21 February 1940; a vals with music composed by Pedro Laurenz, lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo, and sung by Juan Carlos Casas. The name is a reference to a young woman wearing a mask.
  • Risa Loca, meaning ‘Mad Laughter’; recorded by Julio De Caro on 16 December 1926; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz and lyrics by José Pedro de Grandis.
  • Berretín, meaning ‘Obsession’; recorded by Julio De Caro on 28 February 1928; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz in 1928.
  • Coqueta, meaning ‘Coquette’; recorded by Julio De Caro in 1930; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz and lyrics by Manuel Meaños.
  • Sin Tacha, meaning ‘Without Fault’; recorded by Julio De Caro in 1931; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz.
  • Vieja Amiga, meaning ‘Old Friend’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 12 May 1938; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz in 1938, lyrics by José María Contursi, and sung by Juan Carlos Casas.
  • Como Dos Extraños, meaning ‘Like Two Strangers’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 28 June 1940; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz in 1940, lyrics by José María Contursi, and sung by Juan Carlos Casas.
  • De Puro Guapo, meaning ‘Tough Guy’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 25 January 1940; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz in 1935, lyrics by Manuel Meaños, and sung by Juan Carlos Casas.
  • Improvisando, meaning ‘Improvising’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 29 July 1940; a milonga with music composed by Pedro Laurenz and lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo.
  • Milonga De Mis Amores, meaning ‘Milonga Of My Loves’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 14 January 1944; a milonga with music composed by Pedro Laurenz in 1937 and lyrics by José María Contursi.
  • Es Mejor Perdonar, meaning ‘It’s Better To Forgive’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 31 March 1942; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz, lyrics by José María Contursi, and sung by Alberto Del Campo.
  • Patria Mia, meaning ‘My Country’, or ‘My Fatherland’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 15 July 1943; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz, lyrics by Héctor Marcó, and sung by Alberto Podestá.
  • Veinticuartro De Agosto, meaning ‘Twenty-fourth Of August’, and also known as ’24 de Agosto’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 16 April 1943; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz, lyrics by Homero Manzi, and sung by Alberto Podestá. The twenty-fourth of August 1816 is the birth date of the only child of General José de San Martín, leader of the Army of the Andes in the struggles for independence by Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Much of what is now Argentina was effectively independent by 1816, but San Martín continued to participate in the break-up of the Spanish Empire until the early 1820s, after which he retired. His wife had died and so he took his daughter to Europe to devote himself to her upbringing. For this national hero’s dedication to his child her birthday has been unofficially adopted as Father’s Day in some parts of Argentina, particularly in the Mendoza region where she was born.
  • Mala Junta, meaning ‘Bad Company’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 16 January 1947; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz and Julio De Caro in 1927 and lyrics by Juan Miguel Velich.
  • Orgullo Criollo, meaning ‘Argentine Pride’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 5 September 1941; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz and Julio De Caro, first recorded in 1928.
  • Amurado, meaning ‘Harassed’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 25 September 1952; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz and Pedro Maffia in 1926 and lyrics by José Pedro de Grandis.
  • Esquinero, meaning ‘Layabout’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz in 1960; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz and lyrics by Horacio Arturo Ferrer.
  • Mal De Amores, meaning ‘Lovesickness’;, from the collection ‘Quinteto Real’ released in 1960, recorded by Quinteto Real in 1960; a tango with music composed by Pedro Laurenz, first recorded in 1928.

 

Cuarteto Con Brio

2020-06-02 - Cuarteto Con Brio, playing the autumn milonga on 29 Feb 2020, Sydney

The widely known music of Sexteto Mayor, the debut of Cuarteto Con Brio, and a quick round-up of some virtual tango options – it’s all happening here, this Sunday on Tango Capital, 7:00pm to 8:00pm:

Image: Ann Smith: Cuarteto Con Brio playing the autumn milonga in Sydney 29 February 2020

PLAYLIST:

  • El Santo De La Espada, meaning ‘The Saint Of The Sword’; recorded by Alfredo De Angelis on 7 June 1950; a vals with music composed by Luis Mendoza, lyrics by Reinaldo Yiso, and sung by Julio Martel.
  • Halcón Negro, meaning ‘Black Hawk’; recorded by Sexteto Mayor in 1973; a tango with music composed by Francisco Canaro, first recorded in 1932.
  • Contrabajeando, meaning ‘Smuggling’; recorded by Sexteto Mayor in 1973; a tango with music composed by Astor Piazzolla & Ánibal Troilo, first recorded in 1954.
  • A Los Amigos, meaning ‘To The Friends’; recorded live from a performance by Sexteto Mayor at Europe on 1998; a tango with music composed by Armando Pontier, first recorded in 1960.
  • Gallo Ciego, meaning ‘Blind Rooster’; recorded by Sexteto Mayor in 2008; a tango with music composed by Agustín Bardi, first recorded in 1927.
  • Paris Otoñal, meaning ‘Paris Autumn’; recorded by Sexteto Mayor in 2008; a tango with music composed by José Libertella, first recorded in 2004.
  • Romántico Bandoneón, meaning ‘Romantic Bandoneon’; recorded by Sexteto Mayor in 2004; a tango with music composed by José Libertella.
  • Desde El Alma, meaning ‘From The Soul’; recorded by Francisco Canaro on 23 May 1940; a vals with music composed by Rosita Melo, first recorded in 1927 and lyrics by Victor Piuma Vélez and Homero Manzi.
  • Canaro En Paris, meaning ‘Canaro In Paris’; recorded by Juan D’Arienzo on 21 November 1940; a tango with music composed by Alejandro Scarpino & Juan Caldarella, first recorded in 1927 and lyrics by José Antonio Scarpino.
  • Al Galope, meaning ‘The Gallop’; recorded live from a performance by Sexteto Mayor in Europe in 1998; a milonga with music composed by Leopoldo Federico & Domingo Rulio.
  • Nocturna, meaning ‘Night’; recorded live from a performance by Sexteto Mayor in Europe in 1998; a milonga with music composed by Julián Plaza, first recorded in 1961.