dailytango

[dailytango]

Caló + Iriarte

And after a long break I'm back to the daily Tangos - this time with the orchestra of Miguel Caló, and singer Raúl Iriarte. Caló has very playful and sophisticated music. You can often tell from the piano or the violin - and, if you haven't recognized Caló by the end of the song, the last note will help ;-).

Here's a few more links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He6BBw3beJU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pgxY8F2mCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9-qjJtJvFM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHv2b-xVr44

Enjoy!

[dailytango]

Lomuto (instrumentals)

For today we're back to the orchestra of Lomuto, this time some instrumentals. Lomuto, if you remember, is mostly quite old (late 20s to 40s I would say). Rather old-fashioned, although experimenting with different instruments - similar to Canaro. I feel the music is very heavy, like all the orchestra (big mass) is moving together under great effort ;).

Here's a few more links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHyCXYN47eA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VYVCqT54OU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGQ1Zu2HAbw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyW9lu0XBN0

In fact, i realize, these songs are all late 20s. One can hear a little the old milonga rhythm, in the sense that the stress is on 1 and 3 rather than all 4 beats (or I think in Tango terminology this is expressed differently... this is how I understand it though ;)). If you remember, there's something called d'Arienzo revolution, which I think is precisely about transforming that rhythm into what we're familiar with from newer tangos - but no guarantee on this statement! Have a listen yourself :-)

[dailytango]

Biagi + Ortiz

For today, let's go back to Rodolfo Biagi. This time with singer Ortiz! Here's a few more links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azMMA76VKXo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKvX_L3epbg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwEmcPIkJiA

and a last one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-dnNl1KzDI

These Tangos are all early 40s. Biagi was the first or second orchestra I posted, if you remember… it's been a while ;-). Himself pianist, he used to play for d'Arienzo, but after drawing too much attention from the audience he got dismissed and started his own orchestra. The music is quite crazy, I called it "metal tango" back then - very particular style. I must admit I don't like the vocals so much, I prefer his instrumentals (I'll send more of those another day). Enjoy!

[dailytango]

De Angelis + Martel & Dante

We're back to de Angelis, this time his more famous vocals, namely with singers Julio Martel and Dante. Here's a duet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Uh-hVApi8

The next one I think is very famous, but I cannot get myself to like it (sorry to be so negative; I once tried all afternoon (>3h) to listen to de Angelis, brainwashing myself "until I like it". I only found a few songs, with most it just would not work... ;-)). Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71hylr2mmIU

Another one just with Martel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lbWfg6VqQI 

And finally, one with only Dante:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZhxMSv9ELY

[dailytango]

Canaro Milongas

Today, we're going to have a couple of slow canaro milongas. Here's a few links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n2vkEbjcy8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCg6yqQzcwY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H633aOxesrw,

and finally a terrible terrible version (my taste ;-)) of "Milonga de mis amores":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvC2Pm-pP9U.

This is so slow I'm finding it almost painful... ;-)

Enjoy!

-------------

As a little addition, here's a few other versions of the last milonga (to justify my comment above, if you have the patience). They're all very different, but I like them all better than Canaro's version... by the way, 'Milonga de mis amores' was written by Laurenz!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0MdL97msSE (Laurenz)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW3OKRPRHVU (this is sung by Charlo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeYEXfwhtEM (Rodolfo Mederos, he's much more recent, kind of tango-post-dance-era)

http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=sexteto+mayor+milonga+de+mis+amores (This is Sexteto Mayor, they're probably one of the most famous orchestras playing these days - another one would be Color Tango)

And finally, one by d'Arienzo. Not my favourite, but seems to be famous too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVdfPUl250

[dailytango]

Troilo + Marino

This is orchestra Troilo with singer Marino. These songs are a little softer and more complicated than the earlier ones with Fiorentino, or earlier instrumental ones. They're sill played in milongas though, while Ruiz is already very borderline.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44fu_HU5lmU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyGenFj-3Kk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6PEoXKR50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4FJmkhqumE

[dailytango]

Di Sarli + Duran

Today we have di Sarli with singer Duran. Remember that di Sarli is always super danceable, with lots of violins and usually slow music. Di Sarli himself is a pianist, so you can also recognize the orchestra because of his piano.

These recordings are from mid 40s, although Duran returned to sing with di Sarli in the mid 50s.  Di Sarli was first with Rufino, then Podesta, Duran, and Pomar (a few more in between, but there are fewer recordings of those). I feel in general with di Sarli that his music gets slower and slower with time.

Duran is probably the most difficult of di Sarli's singers to dance to, although in general di Sarli is pretty easy, in terms of beat, speed, melody and continuity. At the same time, Duran's songs are probably the most interesting for shows, probably for the same reason. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fihbkob5Bh8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whtoert-BTU

[dailytango]

Tanturi + Campos

Today we have valses by Tanturi with singer Campos. Remember that Campos sounds darker and sadder than their other singer, Castillo. I find the combination of Campos with vals, which is usually happier, more energetic and faster than tango, interesting, if somewhat hard to place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4d79m1D35o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XujOteQDaoA

[dailytango]

Típica Victor

I know that I posted Típica Victor not so long ago, but they are so beautiful... And I found this video with one of the loveliest dance couples of all times, Osvaldo and Coca. :)

Here go a few sung tangos, with a mix of singers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNQlLW8uSAk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9BlDgXV44Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=civ-VJ2bbmE (this one is with Angel Vargas, who sang for d'Agostino in the 40s)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRd_tYGKODE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGDyo-Ak_aQ

[dailytango]

Pugliese + Vidal

Today we have Pugliese with singer Vidal. I cannot explain why, but I love these tangos. I first listened to them walking home alone in the dark from somewhere, everything quiet around me, and it seems this shaped my relationship with them. ;) I find them calm and beautiful.

These tangos are from around 1949/50. Vidal didn't record much with Pugliese, and he didn't stay long in the orchestra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyYSZojYtPs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWaMi1u1cBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMFEd2GKmms

[dailytango]

D'Arienzo

We are back to d'Arienzo, this time to his milongas! Compare evolution of his songs over the years. I feel it's quite a development between 1935 (pre-Biagi even) and 40s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCtSlnz-Lq0 (1935)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUdwEWdAN6I (1938, amazing dance performance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvgbVDmC5-s (1939)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La2P8yHPdhk (late 40s)

[dailytango]

Caló + Berón

Orchestra: back to Miguel Caló! I posted some instrumental songs earlier, now we have singer Berón. He's one of the easiest to recognize: I feel sorry to say this, but for me his nickname would be 'the goat'. I like these songs, don't get me wrong, but... transnocha-a-a-a-ando....

So, Berón sings for Caló, but also later for Demare. It's a little hard to tell those apart, but I am sure you can do it. Caló is easy to recognize from the ending, with a split chord that would fit a parada or similar movement in the dance.

These tangos, some of them quite famous, are from the early 40s. Here is an anecdote about Berón: when Caló started recording with him, the radio station strongly suggested that he should get rid of Berón as they didn't like him, and thought he wouldn't sell. So Caló told Berón that he would have to leave by the end of the month. Unexpectedly, however, especially 'Al compas del corazon' became so popular that instead Caló was selling super well, and Berón could stay.

To me it always feels like Caló+Berón is a great example of the growing importance of the singer in the 40s, as well as the trend to to fit together music and singing super harmonically. Both are playful and lyrical, they don't try to get somewhere straightforwardly, but take their time to elaborate on melody and softness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2LpXRjpkSs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoNXvp31xmA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoprxPYqjv8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiZvm6vpOO8

[dailytango]

Malerba + Medina

The orchestra is Malerba, mainly from the early 40s. To me, it sounds a bit similar to Rodriguez, but the latter usually leaves the last note our, so if you want that's a way to distinguish the two. You can also tell from the singers, of course. Now, I think the music is generally fairly simple and nice to dance.

Background on Malerba: he was a bandoneonist, and also composed a few songs, like 'Embrujamiento' and 'La piba de los jasmines'. His main singers were Medina and Maida. Finally, his sister-in-law was Libertad Lamarque, a famous actress and singer. Through a little help of her, he got his radio contract, apparently with the task to play in d'Arienzo style. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmvxloLoUDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPkeCcSyBgE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xluH5mVS7S8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AOmjrIPqsk (with singer Maida)

[dailytango]

Firpo

Today should be cheerful. :)

So, Firpo was a pianist, and composed many pieces, like 'Fuegos artificiales', but also part of the 'Cumparsita'! And other tangos like 'El amanecer' (listen to the version by di Sarli), 'Arganaraz' (Tanturi's version), or 'Alma de Bohemia' (I sent Laurenz+Podestá's version yesterday).

As for the piano, one could say that he brought piano into tango. Earlier tango groups were based on flute, guitar and violin. Partly this was because recording didn't work properly: when you had a piano that would be far louder than the rest, if you couldn't amplify individual instruments... And live concerts had the same problem, plus not all places had pianos. Bandoneon came into tango even later by the way!

Anyway, if you listen to the old Firpo you get a touch on the roots of tango. Back in the beginning I guess  he was modern and experimental, but later he became more conservative. I like his style a lot actually, very happy and interesting.

You wouldn't hear this music in most milongas though, I think it's because the tangos resemble really old style, and we'd even find them hard to dance. His tangos are mostly pretty fast, with a milonga-type rhythm, hard to place. But it's nice to see where tangos came from.

Now, to recognize Firpo, one thing for sure would be the flute. I guess the piano playing is also quite particular.

Finally, a little anecdote: at some point in the 30s he lost a lot of money when he had stopped with tango, bought a farm and cattle, and the Paran�� river flood destroyed everything. Later, through gambling, he lost the rest --- at which point he went back to tango to earn money again. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4fMy5UoeVk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebh0_T-dmx8 (really early tango)

[dailytango]

Laurenz + Podestá

This is orchestra Laurenz with singer Podestá. I sent di Sarli with Podestá some time ago; he sang with many orchestras (also Caló).

I think I said quite a bit about Laurenz before. He was a bandoneonist, and a very very good one. He also composed many pieces, for example together with Julio de Caro when they were playing in the sextet of the 20s. Laurenz always played with very good musicians, back then and also later. In the sextet beginning, he learned a lot from Pedro Maffia (bandoneonist). There are also some duo recordings of just the two of them. Another example: Pugliese played in the first orchestra that Laurenz formed. Later, in the 60s, he played in the Quinteto Real, with Horacio Salgan, Ubaldo de Lío, and a few more.

Now, as to recognize the music: personally, I find it very restless, in the sense that I am missing pauses... It always changes and feels stressful at times. Actually, this applies more to the instrumental than to these.

As a more precise criterion, in the instrumentals (at least the later ones) one can notice towards the end that Laurenz goes crazy in the variaciones bit (the last bit of instrumentals, where the music gets more excited --- dancers in shoes would usually use it to do lots of fancy giros).  He likes to show off his bandoneon skills it seems. But examples for that will be for another day.

To be honest, I don't know Laurenz well, so maybe when I find out more it will be time for another Laurenz tango of the day with more explanations... For now, good night!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUhEbu9EsIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1lZ6yEpwVk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5P58B7k7DY (quite possibly Podestá's most famous piece, pay attention to 1:29)

[dailytango]

Típica Victor

Orchestra Típica Victor: back to the good old days! I mentioned Típica Victor already when I sent Carabelli a long time ago --- if you remember, I said that they were for some time at least pretty much the same people, so it sounds a little similar. Well, quite similar maybe. Reminder: Típica Victor was the house orchestra of the Victor radio station.

These tangos are from the 30s again. In some of the tangos from that time one can hear a little of the milonga origins in the rhythm. You'll probably hear Victor valses and milongas more frequently than tangos, so I I leave you a few of those at the bottom. They're super lovely, all of them.

A bit more info on Típica Victor: they never did public performances, only recordings. Their musicians changed frequently, and they always had good ones: Torilo, Laurenz, Elvino Vardaro, Angel Vargas, Ciriaco Ortiz, and many more. It was led by Carabelli, and played from the 20s to mid 40s, for a total of, just read, 444 recordings (if you count in a certain way).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIseYgqvfHU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tZzYhY9lR8 (that's even 20s, wow)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g-3y3006P8 (vals, probably their most famous one)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgNvv8JRHBQ  (vals)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmSctUEtv20 (milonga)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIs73rJxJI8(milonga)

[dailytango]

de Angelis + Godoy / Mancini

I don't like de Angelis, really, but somehow I like these songs.

With singer Godoy, see the one above and also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bqn0n7yAYw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aDmKoW11hQ

With singer Mancini:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDZs_t7nwFU

The reason why I grouped them together is because both singers are not really main de Angelis singers (in fact I don't know more songs with Mancini). They are also both quite recent, almost too much to be played in milongas: Godoy would be from the 50s, Mancini 60s!

Anyway, a few comments on how to recognize this music: generally, de Angelis has a particular violin sound; the piano is also recognizable, especially in these late recordings, look for the octave jumps that appear so often, eg around 0:42 in 'Obsesion' (the first video).

What de Angelis is really famous for are his duets, especially with singers Dante and Martel, as well as some instrumentals, like 'Mi dolor' and 'Pavadita' (some other day...).

Time context: he put together his orchestra in 1940. I think his first proper singer was Floreal Ruiz (remember Troilo+Ruiz?), then there is Dante, Martel and Larroca still in the 40s. Later Godoy, Mancini, and there's even a few more. There are also nice de Angelis valses, another day!