The Tango-L mailing list archive
Digest from 26 Feb 2000
to 27 Feb 2000
Reply-To: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
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Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:00:06 -0500
Sender: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Subject: TANGO-L Digest - 26 Feb 2000 to 27 Feb 2000 (#2000-55)
There are 3 messages totalling 112 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Dancing to tango music (2)
2. TANGO-L Digest - 25 Feb 2000 to 26 Feb 2000 (#2000-54)
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Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 00:07:16 -0800
From: Peter Adler <adlerpe @HOOKED.NET>
Subject: Re: Dancing to tango music
>This is the first time I've posted to this list, so if I'm not using
>the correct address, I trust that someone out there will rush to my
>aid. ;-)
>
>Stephen Brown, are you aware of any sentiment in Argentina regarding
>the "refusal" (this may be too strong) of many milongueros to dance
>to a particular song? I seem to remember running across a reference
>to this but cannot remember the song. Also, I've heard there is some
>sentiment along the same lines for FEMALE singers. I'm not sure I
>understand this. You have such a terrific knowledge of the history of
>tango, I thought that if anyone would know, it would be you.
In all likelihood, you're referring to "Adios Muchachos" by Julio Sanders
and Cesar Veldani. There's a sentiment in the US against dancing to this
tango, as it was the last tango performed by Carlos Gardel before his plane
crashed in Medellin, Colombia in 1935. Hence, bad juju.
I don't know whether this sentiment is shared outside the US, but I assume
it didn't originate here.
>At 1:33 PM -0600 2/24/2000, Stephen P Brown wrote:
>>> I have also heard some people express a preference for dancing to
>>> instrumental tangos because they find the lyrics sad or depressing.
>--
I'd think it's probably easier to dance to instrumentals because the beat
is less obscured by a vocalist. Generally, in a song, the vocalist is what
you're supposed to be paying attention to; not the beat underneath.
Peter <just a musician; what do I know?> Adler
Peter Adler
technical coordinator/webmaster, BMUG <http://www.bmug.org/>
webmaster, PlanetMUG <http://www.planetmug.org/>
contributing editor, NeTProfessional Magazine
moderator, BMUG Music and Sound SIG/TelecomEssentials
(510) 845-4936
<adlerpe @hooked.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 02:07:28 +0100
From: Helaine Treitman <treitman @GIOTTO.ORG>
Subject: Re: Dancing to tango music
On Friday, February 25, 2000 4:33 PM, Larry Stevens [SMTP:tanguero @POBOX.COM]
wrote:
. . .
> Stephen Brown, are you aware of any sentiment in Argentina regarding
> the "refusal" (this may be too strong) of many milongueros to dance
> to a particular song? I seem to remember running across a reference
> to this but cannot remember the song.
Are you talking about "Adios Muchachos", the last song Gardel sang before his
fatal accident?
Helaine
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 11:49:06 -0800
From: Al & Barbara <batango @GOTNET.NET>
Subject: Re: TANGO-L Digest - 25 Feb 2000 to 26 Feb 2000 (#2000-54)
Dear List,
A couple of comments on recent threads. I can't imagine anyone
preferring to not understand tango lyrics. They are so rich, many are in the
realm of poetry rather than popular song--Discepolo & Manzi and others wrote
tangos of major significance. Also they are on a great variety of
subjects--not all about unrequited love. The music of many tangos seems
contradictory to the lyrics--for example Ya Sale El Tren (recorded by Miguel
Calo) sounds quite happy whereas it is a tragic song about a man waving his
sweetheart goodbye as she leaves on the train. She is probably going to the
mountains to treat her tuberculosis, but he is certain that she will never
come back. Another example (and another of my favorites) is N.P. (one
version is by Troilo & Beron). To me the music sounds like a tender love
song, but is really about a man who buys a losing racehorse, trains and
cares for it, but the horse remains a loser. I'm not knowledgeable enough
about horse-racing to do a decent translation, but I believe that's the gist
(and am ready to stand corrected). On the other hand, the man seems to
really love the horse :-).
In any case, 'Fino' Ribera (the most admired milonguero of the '80s)
said "Dance to the music, not the words".
On another subject, "Adios Muchachos" is never played at milongas in
Argentina or danced to--legend has it that it was the last song that Carlos
Gardel sang. Maybe Sergio or Alberto or other Argentines can enlighten us.
And no, records with women singers are not played at milongas. Perhaps
because when the vocal is emphasized over the orchestration, whether the
singer is Julio Sosa or Mercedes Simone, the tango is not considered
danceable. A possible exception to this 'rule' may be Alberto Castillo ???
The ideas expressed above are not based on deep research, just
observation and rumor, so feel free to contradict them & set me straight,
whatever.
Abrazos to all, Barbara
End of TANGO-L Digest - 26 Feb 2000 to 27 Feb 2000 (#2000-55)
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