History of Tango music
For the music lovers out there, here is one person’s (Max Valentinuzzi, who played piano for the various bands in Buenos Aires between 1946 and 1956) narrative on the history of Tango music. This is a fascinating 2-hour radio program which consists of 6 mp3s and is amply “illustrated” with many tunes.
The Brief History of Argentine Tango Music.
Popularity: 2%
To speak up or not?
As a follow-up to my own brief remarks about a DJ’s thinking process in selecting the right music during a milonga, I will add further if a DJ isn’t playing songs that he/she can personally relate to, it will be difficult to maintain the energy on the dance floor.
On the other hand, I am quite sure that all of us at some stage has experienced music from DJs that we find “disagreeable”, to put it mildly? Mind you, here I don’t mean just a tanda or two, but for the bulk of the night!
Popularity: 2%
Play what you want to dance next
Recently had a nice chat with a Tango DJ – Carlos – from Buenos Aires, during the post-milonga supper after another energy-packed milonga. After hearing that he still DJs in the “traditional” mode by using original CDs and 2 CD decks in tandem, instead of pre-burnt tanda CDs or DJing using laptop as I do, for example, I was quite amazed, so I asked him how he selects music for the upcoming tandas?
He answered simply: “Just try to imagine what songs you want to dance to next, with a special partner in mind…”
Popularity: 17%
Osvaldo Pugliese documentary
Osvaldo Pugliese is a name that is synonymous with Tango. Even a rank beginner will quickly learn about his name and be mesmerised by the drama he brings to the dance floor. His music (both his compositions as well that played in his unique style) is probably one of the most favourite in the milongas of Buenos Aires and all over the world.
Recently I bought a documentary featuring the maestro, which is part of a series produced by Solo Tango on some of the major figures in the history of Tango. Right from the first video I received, I was blown away by the really amazing original footages of the best orchestras of the yester-years, which are definitely worth the cost of the video. for the Pugliese video, just picture this: on stage in Teatre Colón, 10 bandoneons passionately blasting the tunes of La Yumba, the Maestro Pugliese calmly stroking the keyboards at the piano. By the way, Teatre Colón is Buenos Aires’ huge performing arts theatre and is the second largest performing arts theatre in the southern hemisphere, second only to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. In addition, there is a rare footage of on-stage presence of Piazzolla and Pugliese together in Holland.
Popularity: 41%