Re: [TANGO-L] Community Growth - The Next Generation

[Tom Stermitz <Stermitz @RAGTIME.ORG>]

>Tom Stermitz writes:
>>Rick clearly likes the the BIG DRAMA and ENERGY of modern tangos. He
>>doesn't hear that in the older music. Traditional tango dancers love
>>the subtle RHYTHMIC COMPLEXITY and PLAYFULNESS of older tango music,
>>which just doesn't appeal to Rick. The big energy of modern tango is
>>oppressive, and takes away our freedom to play and interpret.
>
>Tom, here's a question for you. Suppose we magically somehow obtain
>high-fidelity, stereophonic recordings of what the Golden Age actually
>sounded like. How much drama & energy do you suppose you would be hearing &
>dancing to? How do you suppose the sound would fill a room? Have you
>listened & danced to Los Reyes?
>
>If you & I could hop in a time machine, go back into the 30s & dance, what
>would we experience.
>
>I've been listening to Los Reyes & D'Arienzo back to back, I'll burn you a
>CD for our upcoming Tango festival.  I'm also curious where younger dancers
>are going to take Tango music. Its going to happen, always does...

It isn't the fidelity. (Yes, I'd like better fidelity.)

The 1950s, and 2000s tango sensibility is just different.

What I never hear from the newer interpretations is the "real" tango
drive and soul. It is like classical musicians trying to play salsa.
All intellect and superb playing, but they miss out on the street
feeling.

For example almost all the revival swing bands tend to play to fast.

Only occasionally do you get local swing bands that really love to
wallow in the 1930s groove. This hasn't really happened yet in tango.

--

Tom Stermitz
http://www.tango.org/
stermitz @tango.org
303-388-2560