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Roberto Firpo - Tangazos de antaño

Reliquias 541727

Roberto Firpo was one of the greats of the early tango. He made his first recordings in 1912 and was immediately successful. In the 1920s his output was prolific, sometimes putting 300 numbers on wax in a single year. His total output approaches 3000 numbers - Lefcovocich has 2861 in his discography.

Firpo has also left his mark as a composer, and in some style: El amanecer, Alma de bohemio, and Vea, vea are just a few of the hits that came from his pen.

In 1930 - rich - Firpo decided to become a cattle baron. He went into semi-retirement and bought an estancia (ranch). At first he was successful, but floods wiped out his livestock. He invested the remainder of his money in the stock market, and promptly lost it all in the crash.

Returning to music, Firpo continued with two formats: a cuartet playing music in the old style, and an orchestra. Whilst it's the cuartet recordings that are most often played, the orchestra recordings are more representive of his work. The recordings on this CD were made in the years 1934 - 1943, and they reveal a musician who, whilst firmly identified with the guardia vieja, had a strong personal style and was not afraid to innovate. I especially like the recordings where he imitates sounds with music. La carcajada (The guffaw) imitates the sound of someone laughing; Fuegos artificiales (Fireworks) clearly and delightfully depicts fireworks going up into the sky and then exploding. Most famously of all, El amanecer (the dawn) depicts the dawn chorus.

Colourful, distinctive and under-played - this is great tango music.

Track list

1. El amanecer
2. Fuegos artificiales
3. Barreras de amor vals
4. Homero
5. Vea… vea…
6. Atardecer campero vals
7. En la Brecha
8. Didí
9. Entre los ceibos vals
10. Quejas
11. Arrepentido
12. A media luz
13. Dulce perdón vals
14. La chola
15. No quiero verte llorar
16. Angustias del corazón vals
17. La carcajada
18. Desconsuelo
19. Volver a vernos
20. Petit gris

Carlos Di Sarli - Sus priméros éxitos vol.3

BMG 63346

Classic Di Sarli from the early to mid 1940s with both Rufino and Podestá. Worth it just for the killer milonga Zorzal, or the classic instrumental tango Siete palabras, it's also a good introduction to the more melodic recordings with Podestá for those of you who don't know those.

Track list

1. A mi me llaman Juan Tango
2. La mulateada milonga
3. Si tu quisieras
4. Los munequitos
5. Yo soy de San Telmo
6. Navegante (Vito Dumas)
7. Todo
8. Cortando camino vals
9. Zorzal milonga
10. Rosa morena milonga
11. Siete palabras
12. Soy aquel viajero
13. Entre pitada y pitada
14. Lloran las campanas
15. Llueve otra vez
16. Julian Centeya milonga
17. Estampa federal vals
18. La trilla vals
19. Un lamento

Cantan

Roberto Rufino (1-10)
Alberto Podestá (12-18)

From Argentina to the World - Raúl Garello

EMI 371952

I confess, these transition era recordings of Raul Garello irritate me. Garello has great musical talent and invention, and the recording fidelity is excellent. Many of his numbers start beautifully and excite our interest. But then, he just has to do a bit too much - well, a lot too much. Every time! Suddenly there's a flute; or a drum-kit complete with cymbals; or bells. Or bongos. Or all of the above.

If you like your tango over-the-top: this is for you! For the rest: this will frustrate you more than you believe possible.

Track list

1. La danza del fueye
2. Bien al mango
3. Malandraca
4. Otoño porteño
5. Azabache
6. La última cita
7. Vaciar la copa
8. Invierno porteño
9. Margarita de agosto
10. Bandoneón arrabalero
11. Buen amigo
12. Primavera porteño
13. Ropa blanca
14. Homenaje a Troilo
15. Pasajeros del tiempo
16. Verano porteño