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Edgardo Donato 1933/1941

EU-17019

Wonderful feel good fun from the cheeky Edgardo Donato! Donato was the precursor of that king of the beat, Juan D'Arienzo, but he has a lighter feel. Quite simply, Donato never takes himself too seriously.

You might think from this introduction that his music might be very simple: not a bit of it. Okay, this isn't Troilo or Pugliese or Láurenz, but the musical treatment is more complex than the other "happy" orchestras such as D'Arienzo or De Angelis. It's just that, being quite joyful, the music doesn't draw attention to itself.

Take, for example, Donato's treatment of La tabalda, something of a tango standard. Where Troilo gives a masterfully understated and soulful bandoneón solo in his classic interpretation, Donato simply gets more and more joyful as the music winds up to a fast paced conclusion. And this is pretty much the approach he takes on all his works.

Donato's sensibility is just right for milonga, and this cd includes his most famous, the classic Ella es así (that's how she is).

All the tracks here are excellent, but I do also want to draw your attention to the final track, A media luz. This is Donato's own composition and this is certainly the best interpretation. Enjoy!

Track list

1. El acomodo
2. La novena
3. Que haces, que haces
4. Tierrita
5. La tapera vals
6. La tablada
7. Se va la vida
8. La milonga que faltaba milonga
9. Alas rotas
10. Ella es así milonga
11. Carnaval de mi barrio
12. Mi serenata
13. Sinfonia de arrabal
14. Campo afuera milonga
15. Yo te amo
16. Estrellita mía vals
17. Amando en silencio
18. Un libro
19. Quién sera vals
20. A media luz

Cantan:

Félix Gutierrez (2,3,5); Horacio Lagos (7-11,14,18-20); Lita Morales / Romeo Gavio (12,13,15); Horacio Lagos / Lita Morales / Romeo Gavio (16); Horacio Lagos / Romeo Gavio (17);

If you already have this cd, please note that you can't take another Euro Records cd as your club choice. The inclusion of this cd is a special offer applicable only to this cd and only for this month.

Ricardo Tanturi: El tango es el tango

TARG 41295

This first album of Tanturi/Castillo on Tango Argentino presents solid, walking tangos. No fireworks, but great beats, and Castillo's perfect phrasing (read more about them in our June selections). Very difficult to pick out individual tracks, but Esta noche me emborracho (tonight I'm going to get drunk) is unforgettable. This cd should be in everyone's collection.

Track list

1. Así se baila el tango
2. Moneda de cobre
3. Muñeca brava
4. Esta noche me emborracho
5. Cómo se pianta la vida
6. La última copa
7. Canción de rango
8. Otra cosa che pebeta
9. El tango es el tango
10. Madame Ivonne
11. Al compás del corazón
12. Que podran decir
13. Cuatro compases
14. La copa del olvido
15. Recuerdo malevo
16. Bailongo de los domingos
17. Ya sale el tren
18. Decile que vuelva
19. Que me quitan lo bailao
20. Noches del Colón

Rodolfo Biagi Solos de Orquesta

Reliquias 541689

I remember when this cd came out because suddenly we were all dancing to this fantastic new instrumental El yaguarón. Biagi truly had manos brujos (enchanting hands) - there's something compulsive about his exaggerated, frequently off-beat rhythm.

FAQ: Bélgica really is named after Belgium; Cielito lindo is not composed by the Fresedo brothers, it really is the famous Cuban bolero of the same name, arranged as a tango by Fresedo; La cumparsita is (as you would suspect) an instrumental, not the one with glosas (spoken lyrics) by Jorge Ortíz. And yes of course you get the stunning Racing Club: it's the opening track.

Track list

1. Racing Club
2. A la gran muñeca
3. La viruta
4. El internado
5. El recodo
6. La huella
7. El irresistible
8. La cumparsita
9. Sentimiento gaucho
10. Bélgica
11. Didi
12. Quejas de bandoneón
13. El entrerriano
14. Re-fa-si
15. La marca de fuego
16. El yaguarón
17. El estribo
18. Pura clase
19. El 13
20. Cielito lindo

Sandra Luna - Tango Varón

Now I have to be honest with you: Argentine chanteuse Sandra Luna is no Nelly Omar. But, whilst not a truly great voice, this is a very good voice, and she has an excellent arranger and good backing musicians. She takes on Milonga triste and it is a triumph. Duelo criollo is the other standout track on this album.

This album - like nearly all contemporary tango - is not designed for dancers, but you can dance to most of it, especially the tracks I've mentioned above. If you are looking to expand your collection of contemporary tango music, it's a must.

Track list

1. Tango varón
2. Carritos cartoneras
3. Milonga triste milonga
4. Ché bandoneón
5. A un semejante
6. El gordo triate
7. Duelo criollo
8. La canción desesperada
9. Viejo gringo
10. Soledad
11. En un recodo del tiempo
12. Lejana tierra mía
13. Me llaman Luna
14. Que nadie sepa mi sufrir vals peruano
15. Y ahora qué haré