577 Modern commercial Tango music?
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 05:21:44 -0700
From: Preston Palon <prestonpalon@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Modern commercial Tango music?
Short introductions to Tango music often describe a golden age, and then a gradual shift towards modernism, spearheaded by Piazzolla, new music that may or may not be enjoyable to listen to, but is unsuitable for social dancing. And after modernism comes nothing. Such brief descriptions make it sound like Tango music is a dying, or already dead, genre.
I am hoping that some of you experts could tell me something about modern commercial Tango music. I am using commercial as a nice word, music that majority of people enjoy listening and also dancing to. By modern I mean music composed by people who are familiar with current musical tastes and fashions, lyrics written by people who write about the world where we live and about issues we face today, and music performed by people who are at their peak right now, artists whose live performances we can attend. No puristic attempts to recreate history, no academic rule breaking experiments, but popular mainstream music.
The use of top 10 (or even top 100) hit lists has spread from rock music to some other styles, even classical, but I am probably right in guessing that there are no charts like that for Tango. Nevertheless, there must be people out there who are creating new music for the dancing public rather than for the critics and musicologists, or is Tango music as a popular art form dead?
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 08:52:40 -0500
From: Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: Re: Modern commercial Tango music?
Preston Palon asks:
>Short introductions to Tango music often describe a golden age, and then
>a gradual shift towards modernism, spearheaded by Piazzolla, new music
>that may or may not be enjoyable to listen to, but is unsuitable for
> social dancing.
>I am hoping that some of you experts could tell me something about modern
>commercial Tango music.
Even though the word expert strikes me with a bit of fear that I am only
someone who likes tango music, I will bite... :-)
There are a number of contemporary orchestras that record tango music that
some would consider suitable for social dancing. The orchestras that come
to mind are:
Orquesta Color Tango
Sexteto Sur
El Arranque
Sexteto Mayor
Trio Pantango
New York Tango Trio (and various incarnations of it under other names)
Dan Diaz and the Tango Camerata
All of these orchestras do reflect the modern developments in tango music
to some extent. You can read a little more about my views on which newer
recordings are suitable for social dancing in my webarticle "A DJ's guide
to post-golden-age recordings"
<https://www.tejastango.com/post-golden-age.html>. It is one of six guides
to tango music I have put together and have available online
<https://www.tejastango.com/>.
With best regards,
Steve
Stephen Brown
Tango Argentino de Tejas
https://www.tejastango.com/
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:13:54 -0500
From: "Frank G. Williams" <frankw@MAIL.AHC.UMN.EDU>
Subject: Re: Modern commercial Tango music?
Preston and friends,
I don't consider myself much of a tango musicologist but there are
interesting questions here.
Preston Palon wrote:
>
> Short introductions to Tango music often describe a golden age, and then a gradual shift towards modernism, spearheaded by Piazzolla, new music that may or may not be enjoyable to listen to, but is unsuitable for social dancing. And after modernism comes nothing. Such brief descriptions make it sound like Tango music is a dying, or already dead, genre.
First, what is 'dead' music? When Hillary Hahn or YoYo Ma play Bach, is
that dead? My ears tell me Bach's music is very much alive. Choose
your composer and choose your performer, the point stands. As
musicologist Prof. Peter Schickele (AKA PDQ Bach) repeats in his
nationally-broadcast radio program, "If it sounds good, it IS good." I
believe the original quote is from Duke Ellington. I would say that
music that people listen to is alive. ...even if it is Gregorian Chant!
The history of tango music is similar to [and roughly contemporaneous
with] the history of No. American jazz. Like ragtime it's origins were
in houses of ill repute. It became recognized as an expression of
people who were relatively disenfranchised by society. It eventually
became respectable and enjoyed a 'big band' (golden) era - before the
advent of amplification. It fragmented again into a medium for
improvisational exploration and shared influences of music from other
cultures, at the same time it competed with the upswing of rock 'n roll
[whose own history is a fascinating story]. And where is the heart and
energy of tango music now?
> I am hoping that some of you experts could tell me something about modern commercial Tango music. I am using commercial as a nice word, music that majority of people enjoy listening and also dancing to. By modern I mean music composed by people who are familiar with current musical tastes and fashions, lyrics written by people who write about the world where we live and about issues we face today, and music performed by people who are at their peak right now, artists whose live performances we can attend.
IMHO, the best new tango is small ensemble work that is NOT intended for
milonga dancing. Julio Pane' is one of my favorites. Quinteto Real
sound wonderful. Roldolfo Maderus (spelling?) does interesting things
and these are commercial because I have discs by them. Pablo Zeigler,
Daniel Binelli, etc., etc. Our friends in Bs.As. should make this list
- I do not pretend to feel the pulse of cutting edge tango. But it's
heart is definitely beating! In addition, the orchestras that accompany
tango shows have (IMHO) done a wonderful job of breathing some life into
music that was not being heard outside of Argentina. I grate, of
course, when DJs play that stuff in milongas, but that's not the point.
It's out there and these musicians are working gig to gig. ...playing
it from the heart - playing it because the feelings of tango, whether
taken for granted or not, are important to them.
> The use of top 10 (or even top 100) hit lists has spread from rock music to some other styles, even classical, but I am probably right in guessing that there are no charts like that for Tango. Nevertheless, there must be people out there who are creating new music for the dancing public rather than for the critics and musicologists, or is Tango music as a popular art form dead?
I have to almost think you're joking. ...that if there isn't a North
American style, industry-serving, advertising-oriented "TOP 10" then a
music form is 'dead'?!?! ...or not "popular"?
Perhaps a clarification is in order...
Tango is the music of a people. Believe me, it lives in their hearts
even if they do not spend much energy to proffer it to others. Those of
you fortunate enough to dance to good live tango music, count your blessings!
Cheers,
Frank in Minneapolis
Frank G. Williams, Ph.D. University of Minnesota
frankw@mail.ahc.umn.edu Dept. of Neuroscience
(612) 625-6441 (office) 321 Church Street SE
(612) 624-4436 (lab) Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 281-3860 (cellular/home)
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 11:32:51 +0100
From: Mike Lavocah <ml007d2712@BLUEYONDER.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Modern commercial Tango music
Preston
In terms of music with lyrics there is almost nothing apart from Daniel
Melingo, the Argentine rock singer who crossed over into tango a few years
ago. He has released two albums, Tangos Bajos and Ufa!, to great critical
acclaim. His lyrics deal with modern Buenos Aires. The track Narigsn has
become very popular for dancing over here.
For instrumental music, others have mentioned Julio Pane's Trio. I also
recommend Pablo Mainetti's Quintet and the fantastic guitarist Juanjo
Dominguez. These three record on EPSA.
The bandoneonista Rodolfo Mederos is also doing great work; his last album
with guitarist Rocardo Brizuela was superb.
These would be the artists actually taking the music forwards. There are
many other fine ensembles, but quite are few are re-presenting the work of
the past and not really doing anything new.
Finally, dare we include the Gotan Project?
Mike Lavocah
https://www.milonga.co.uk/
mailto:mike@milonga.co.uk
Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 16:22:04 +0100
From: John Ward <jmward@BUN.COM>
Subject: Modern commercial tango music
There is excellent modern tango music produced right here in Europe - in
Finland to be precise. Tango is definitely part of popular culture. Turn on
the radio and you will hear a tango before very long. Background music in
stores, restaurants, etc usually includes tangos.
I don't know of a net source of CDs unfortunately, though there must be one.
I get them from Stockmanns, the big department store in Helsinki. The
assistants there speak excellent English and are extremely helpful.
Tangomarkkinat 10 (MTVCD-117) has the finalists from the 1997 tango singing
competition. Twelve tracks, male and female singers alternating. All good,
the best being the dramatic and heartrending Kohtalon tango by Sirpa Jokinen
and Hurmio by Hannu Kasttilakoski .This is the British tango Ecstasy by
"Jose Belmonte" (real name Philip Green) now rarely heard in this country
but immensely popular in Finland. I heard it many times on the radio while I
was there.
Tangomarkkinat 11 (MTVCD-221) is of course from 1998. I strongly recommend
this one. The best track is Katri Aapalahti's Syddn tuuliajolla with her
delicious husky voice sounding like a young Dietrich. Also Kesdn huumaa,
with Piritta Venho rolling the sensuous Finnish vowels round her tongue as
if they were chocolate; and the triumphant Suudelmia ja shampanjaa by Mervi
Ruohtula.
I couldn't get Tangomarkkinat 12, and Stockmanns said it was no longer
available. The most noticeable thing about Tangomarkkinat 13 (Media CD 169)
is that it is a bright pink, like Barbie's dress or a stick of Southend
rock. Appropriate, as Mira Kunnasluoto's Tdhdenlento, which won her the 2000
competition, has a very sugary interpretation. So does her other track,
Rakkauden yv. Not that I'm saying anything against them: they're very, well,
sweet. Just remember to brush your teeth after listening to them.
Rakkauden yv was not identified in the sleeve notes as a foreign tango, as
were 4 others, and the composer has a Finnish-sounding name; but I still
thought I had heard the tune before. I played it to Ted Conway, who has
taught ballroom in Southend for 40 years, but it didn't sound familiar to
him.
Mira has a solo album, entitled simply Mira Kunnasluoto (Media CD 164) with
12 tracks, only 3 of which are tangos. Two of them are the ones on
Tangomarkkinat 13, but the other one, Sdrkyneen syddmen tango, has electric
guitars and outlandish harmonies and it is worth buying the CD for this
alone. Furthermore, in place of sleeve notes there are 8 pictures of the
delectable Mira.
Tangomarkkinat 14 (Media CD 171) brings us up to date with the 2001
finalists. Good but not outstanding. Best tracks are Ilta Santa Cruzissa
(better known over here as Summer Evening in Santa Cruz) by Annika Eklund,
and another Mira Kunnasluoto contribution, Ensi yvnd. There is also another
version of Hurmio, by a heavenly choir.
Tango Parhaat 2 (MTVCD 109) is a compilation of tangos originally recorded
between 1988 and 1996. Outstanding is Kultaiset korvarenkaat, by Arja
Koriseva. A really beautiful dreamy tango which I had only heard once
before, at Seindjoki, so I was surprised to see it was a British tune called
Golden Earrings. Ted Conway says he remembers it from a 1930s film about
gypsies. Also Kohtalon tango by Eija Kantola, but her version has a
little-girl pout; not as good as Sirpa Jokinen's anguish. There is the very
dramatic and ballroomy Rakastan rakastan rakastan by Marita Taavitsainen; a
suave Satumaa by Rainer Friman; and yet another version of Hurmio, this one
by Mika Pohjonen. Twenty tracks in all: all good. Strongly recommended.
Tango parhaat 3 (Media CD 157) is another good one. 20 excellent tracks
recorded between 1989 and 1999. Particularly outstanding are the romantic
Sinun kanssasi tdhtisilmd by Arja Koriseva; Tango nuoruudesta by Terhi
Jokila and the pensive and mournful Valoa Ikkunassa by Kirsi Ranto.
Arja Koriseva is a very popular lady and there were quite a few solo CDs in
Stockmanns. Most have few or no tangos, but an all-tango one is Tango
illusion (Columbia 4584162), recorded 1996. There are 8 pages of sleeve
notes, pictures of Arja in a sexy black dress, and the address of her fan
club. All the tangos are lush and dreamily romantic, including a very
different version of Kohtalon tango, the lyrical Hiljainen kyldtie and
Samminut nuotio, and Tuhon nietd kuljen, which is the old Sinatra favourite
I'm a Fool to Want You.
Stockmanns were extremely helpful as usual when I described a group as
"three ladies who were on TV last night. The leader was a big fat blonde
lady". The assistant knew exactly who I meant and immediately got out
Rakkauden kertokulku by Marjorie, Anneli Saaristo, and Eija Kantona (ARXCD
1198). No name for the group as a whole, but then Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky,
Mick and Titch didn't have one either. Recorded I think in 2001 but the
Finnish sleeve notes are difficult to understand. Only two tangos on the CD,
but one is a corker: Surutyv. Highly emotionally charged, the tempo varies
constantly and Anneli Saaristo (the big blonde) uses all of her impressive
compass. Surutyv means "miserable night" but it is a barely recognisable
version of Milonga Sentimental. Some people will hate this. I love it. The
other tango is Tdyttd eldmdd, which is good but not outstanding. Excellent
non-tango tracks are the bossa nova Rum and Coca Cola, which is all in
Finnish apart from the words in the title, and Kypsdn naisan blues.
Tango for Four No 2 (8573-88781-2) is by a Finnish group in spite of its
name. Sleeve notes are in English and Finnish. Recorded in 2001. It is a
very avant-garde jazzy instrumental treatment of 12 tangos, 6 of them
Finnish. La Cumparsita is nice and lively and the tune remains recognisable
throughout, which cannot be said for all the others. This CD would be
difficult to dance to but I imagine it would be rewarding if one succeeded.
John Ward
Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 23:33:34 -0500
From: Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: Re: Modern commercial Tango music
Mike Lavocah wrote:
>Finally, dare we include the Gotan Project?
As Suzanne described, the tracks on the Gotan Project, La Revancha del
Tango are layered with various dance rhythms including tango... It
certainly doesn't sound like your traditional tango.
I put together a tanda with what I liked best from the Gotan Project with
Queremos Paz, Chunga's Revenge and Vuelvo al Sur. Queremos Paz was written
by three musicians from the Gotan Project; Chunga's Revenge by Frank Zappa;
and Vuelvo al Sur by Astor Piazzolla.
I have not yet played the entire tanda at a milonga (and probably won't),
but late in the evening I played Queremos Paz in an impromptu tanda that
consisted of the following:
Tango for Heather by Jack Waldenmaier <https://www.musicbakery.com/>
Queremos Paz by Gotan Project
Mi Buenos Aires Querido by Daniel Barenboim
Oblivion by Gidon Kremer
Playing Queremos Paz had an interesting effect. Some people danced tango,
some swing, others a rhumba/salsa.
With best regards,
Steve
Stephen Brown
Tango Argentino de Tejas
https://www.tejastango.com/
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2002 06:14:04 -0700
From: Preston Palon <prestonpalon@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Modern commercial Tango music
Thanks everybody for your recommendations and
comments.
Couple of points: Frank, I agree with you that music
of Bach is not dead. However, I feel that music like
Bach, and many forms of Jazz, appeal to small group of
people, they are elitistic (and they always were). I
am after something popular and unashamedly commercial.
Maybe 'dead' is not a good word.
I referred to top 10 charts simply because they are
the ultimate reflection of the tastes of the general
public. If you go to a Salsa club you will find that
people are dancing to the latest Salsa hits, with an
occasional classic from a few years back. You never
hear a Mambo track from the fifties, although this
music would be suitable for Salsa dancing and was
extremely popular at that time. If you go to a
mainstream dance club, you only hear the current chart
hits, and maybe an occasional classic, something that
may be a few years old. I am not saying that it is
right or wrong, but it's something like this that I
was curious about.
Finally, I'm aware that Finland is one place where
Tango music is very successful commercially. There the
current top Tango artists are elevated to superstar
status, and you hear their music just as often as you
hear Britney Spears, even if you are not interested in
Tango.
Anyway, thanks again for your comments.
