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Rodolfo Biagi - Sus éxitos con Andrés Falgás and Teófilo Ibáñez

Reliquias 499966

This is our recommended CD of Rodolfo Biagi, the pianist with the manos brujos (magic hands) who has a key part of the D'Arienzo success story.

Here he is with his early singers, Andrés Falgás and Teófilo Ibáñez recorded in 1938-1940. The album has all six of their waltzes and the milonga Campo Afuera as well as many excellent fast paced tangos, most notably Biagi's Son cosas del bandoneón which knocks the spots from the version of Enrique Rodriguez. Essential stuff.

Track list

1. Cicatrices
2. Griseta
3. Son cosas del bandoneón
4. Cielo!
5. Queja indiana
6. El último adiós vals
7. La chacarera
8. A mi no interesa
9. Dichas que vivi vals
10. Unión Cívica
11. Deja el mundo como está
12. Dejame amarte aunque sea una día vals
13. Golgota
14. Viejo portón vals
15. Una pena
16. Campo afuera milonga
17. Alma de bohemio
18. Loca de amor vals
19. La novena
20. Lejos de ti vals

Cantan

Andrés Falgás(1-9,11,12)
Teófilo Ibáñez (13-20)

Osvaldo Pugliese - Instrumentales inolvidables vol.2

Reliquias 499985

Awesome and little heard Pugliese instrumentals, mostly from the 1950s. The album, stupidly, is in reverse chronological order and so it's best to start with the last track and play it backwards. In fact, start with Track 1 and you'd be put off - this is from 1972 and sticks out like a sore thumb.

Starting then with N.N. - wow! Awesome! This is written by Pugliese's first bandoneón, Osvaldo Ruggiero and recorded in 1947, the year after the first recording of La Yumba. The driving compás is irresistible.

Next - Patético. Wow! Awesome, Another stunning and little-known masterpiece from 1948.

Next - Boedo. This is a Pugliese version of a De Caro classic - don't forget that Pugliese spoke of himself as simply rescuing the music of De Caro from oblivion - and as such it is more like a tribute song. Great arrangement, but doesn't quite fit.

Next - Negracha. Wow! Awesome! One of a trilogy of Pugliese instrumentals seen as defining his work, this was Pugliese's response in 1948 to the black girls at the Piccadilly Club who asked him for more rhythm. He delivers, in spades

I could go on, but just to say you must, must, must listen to De floreo. One of the strongest tangos ever written, the best tango violin ever...

Finally: this is not wallpaper music. You cannot drive a car, write an email, eat your breakfast or even drink your tea while it's playing. No, this is full on, 100 octane tango - three tracks at a time, maximum - then go and have a lie down. If you think you can listen to this album straight through, then you are not listening to it properly.

Track list

1. La beba
2. Buen amigo
3. Nochero soy
4. Suipacha
5. A mis compañeros
6. Entrador
7. Para dos
8. Olivero
9. Don Atilio
10. El tobiano
11. Don Aniceto
12. De florero
13. Catuzo
14. Bien compadre
15. Malandraca
16. Chuzas
17. Negracha
18. Boedo
19. Patético
20. N.N.

Sandra Luna - Tango Varón

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Several years ago I played a couple of these tracks to Oscar Acebras. His verdict: not a great talent, but the arrangements and the musicians were first class.

Some years on, Oscar's verdict stands. Sandra Luna is no Nelly Omar, but, whilst not a truly great voice, this is a very good voice. With the help of her excellent arranger 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

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