The Tango-L mailing list archive

Digest from 12 Mar 2000 to 13 Mar 2000

Reply-To: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango          <TANGO-L  @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
To: Recipients of TANGO-L digests <TANGO-L  @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Date:     Mon, 13 Mar 2000 03:00:00 -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 - 12 Mar 2000 to 13 Mar 2000 (#2000-70)
There are 3 messages totalling 129 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. Tango & country-western
  2. Forever Tango Soundtrack
  3. What Is Tango?, New posting




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Date:    Sun, 12 Mar 2000 10:24:59 -0500
From:    Sergio Suppa <sersupa  @INFOVIA.COM.AR>
Subject: Tango & country-western

Tom Stermitz wrote:

"Country Western dancing consists of a number of forms, but the basis
is foxtrot or swing. The interesting thing about Countrs Western is
that it is a continuous social tradition going back to social dancing
in the 30s or perhaps even the 1910s."

I agree totally with Tom. Actually when it comes to  music and dances the
USA is a large chapter appart.
Jazz, Rock&roll, East and west coast swing, American waltz, Hustle, Foxtrot,
Country-Western, blues and spirituals; are words and dances known all over
the world.
The same way that Tango is an expression of the soul of Buenos Aires and
Montevideo, the above mentioned music and dances are an expression of the
vibrant cities of the USA.
Country-Western reflect the spirit of the cow-boy; the lyrics are rich with
aspects of his life and sorrows.
The music and the dances are product and reflection of the American Culture;
its ideals and objectives.
It is fun, beautiful to listen to, and to dance; very popular all over the
world.
It has a long subculture of bars with jazz players improvising music.
Movies, magazines, clothing, travel, competitions.
Cow-boy hats, blue-jeans and boots.
Cowntry-western dances are similar to ballroom, except that some times they
are modified to fit the characteristic modality of progression; the dance
moves very fast counterclock wise. Two-step is like foxtrot, Eastcoast
swing, Waltz and cha-cha are almost identical to the ballroom varieties but
less sophisticated; then we have "couple dances", with close hold,"
partner-dances", with open hold(side by side), a combination of both, and
the line dances; where you can have fun without the need for a partner.
 It attracts, with few exceptions, the same as tango in Argentina, the
popular part of the populace; the trucker, the bluecollar worker. Finally
Swing is presently reviving the same as tango. Westcoast swing shres with
tango the rare characteristic of being asymmetrical; the man and the lady
perform different steps.





Date:    Sun, 12 Mar 2000 16:05:03 -0800
From:    Anton Gazenbeek <ANN.GAZENBEEK  @PRODIGY.NET>
Subject: Forever Tango Soundtrack

Dear List,

            I have a question about the soundtrack of the show Forever
Tango. I have the double CD set with a red cover marked "Original Broadway
Cast Album". On page 21 of Bridge to the Tango's catalog (vol. 4 no. 1
'99-'00), there is a photograph of the Forever Tango soundtrack double CD
set with a blue cover marked "Original Cast Album" (note the word "Broadway"
is omitted).  Is this the older CD from the shows opening? Do the two CDs
differ musically in any way? If anyone has the latter CD (older one), I
would greatly appreciate knowing the list of songs contained on it. Thank
you.

                                                Anton Gazenbeek





Date:    Sun, 12 Mar 2000 10:24:49 EST
From:    Frank Sasson <FRSASSON  @AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: What Is Tango?, New posting

In a message dated 03/11/2000 5:40:21 AM Pacific Standard Time, FRSASSON
writes:

<<
 If the couple is dancing Argentine tango,
  they are using the language of tango.  How do we recognize
  "tango-ese" and distinguish from "cha cha-ese" or "foxtrot-ese",
  for example?

 Hello list:

 A very good question which can only be answered if you know
 "the complete question".


 "How do you recognize the language as a dancer with his/her partner?

 Or how do you recognize the language of tango as a spectator?

 In answer to the first question, as a man and a leader, I can say without a
shadow of a doubt, that the feeling of closeness, sensuality and absolute
bliss that one receives from a "tanguera", can only be imparted with the
language of Tango. The unspoken words that tell you, from the first moment
she comes into your arms, "Lead me.... Make me look beautiful......Make me
feel wanted.....Let me give you 3 minutes of incredible satisfaction..... And
a lot of more personal words one receives, depending upon the partner you
have chosen to spend those magnificent 3 minutes with.

 I would (and probably will) read some comments from the magnificent
tangueras who know how to speak this language.

 In answer to the second question, as a spectator, you only have to look at
the faces of the tango dancers, to know that each couple is speaking an
intimate language to each other, and at that precise moment, only they can
understand it.

 Frank Sasson
 A tanguero from Miami, Florida.


  Let me couch this in terms a my own metaphor.  When two
  partners dance, they are communicating albeit non-verbally.
  So if this couple is performing a cha cha, they are in effect
  "speaking" cha cha.  If the couple is dancing Argentine tango,
  they are using the language of tango.  How do we recognize
  "tango-ese" and distinguish from "cha cha-ese" or "foxtrot-ese",
  for example?

  Bob Hink
  B.A. Tango


  >>





End of TANGO-L Digest - 12 Mar 2000 to 13 Mar 2000 (#2000-70)
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