Enrique Rodriguez
The rhythmic orchestra of Enrique Rodriguez is one still little appreciated in Buenos Aires, but whose popularity is firmly established amongst tangueros in Europe. True, his steady, reliable rhythm lacks sophistication. Worse, his orchestra was not even an orquesta típica, but an orquesta characteristica - a band that played not only tangos, waltzes and milongas, but other rhythms as well. However, these are exactly the reasons why we like him so much.
His first singer was Roberto "Chato" Flores with whom he recorded some delightful waltzes, but the emblematic singer of his orchestra was without doubt Armando Moreno. Their performances of tangos composed by Rodriguez with lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo, such as Iré, Llorar por una mujer and Yo también tuve un cariño are classics, although Biagi made a more up-tempo recording of Son cosas del bandoneón.
For years the only available cd of his tangos was on El Bandoneón. Eventually Reliquias were persuaded to release some of his tangos as well and their cds are now the ones we prefer. We'll start with the tangos and the valses, but don't ignore the otros ritmos altogether - some of the foxtrots are very tender.
Enrique Rodriguez - Tangos con Armando Moreno
EMI 529105
Solid walking tangos with the voice of Armando Moreno - this is probably the best place to start with Enrique Rodriguez. You'll recognise some of Rodriguez's compositions with Cadícamo, mentioned above, in the tracklist.
normal UK selling price: n/a (Argentine import)
our price: £8
Track list
Naranjo en flor; La vi llegar; Luna llena; A media luz; Tango argentino; Un tropezón; El tabernero; La gayola; Suerte loca; Llorar por una mujer; Como has cambiado pebeta; En la buena y en la mala; Mi piba; Adiós para siempre; Mirame de frente; Tu cielo y tu; Adiós muchachos; Tu intimo secreto; Y así nació este tango; Yo también tuve un cariño
Enrique Rodriguez - Bailando Todos Los Ritmos
EMI 837408
Next we'll want to pick up the cheeky waltz Tango mil novias. There are a couple of cds on Reliquias which offer this, but we choose this one for its fabulous slow foxtrots, Se va el tren and Noches de hungria.
normal UK selling price: n/a (Argentine import)
our price: £8
Track list
1. Amor en Budapest fox-trot; 2. El niño de las monjas; 3. Tengo mil novias vals; 4. La cumparsita; 5. Japonesita 6. Sangre ecuatoriana 7. Que puntada; 8. Son cosas del bandoneón; 9. Se va el tren fox-trot; 10. Te lo juro yo; 11. Noches de hungria fox-trot; 12. Adelita; 13. Bailando el fox-trot fox-trot; 14. El encopao; 15. Suavemente fox-trot; 16. Pinocho
Enrique Rodriguez - Tangos con Armando Moreno vol.2
EMI 541707
This second volume of tangos is as solid as the first. Standout tracks: Iré and Que lo sepa el mundo entero.
normal UK selling price: n/a (Argentine import)
our price: £8
Track list
Como se pianta la vida; No te quiero más; Al mal tiempo buena cara; Contigo pan y cebolla; El huérfano; Sólo tú; Yo no sé por qué razón; Iré; Marinero; Aquel silbido; Que lento corre el tren; Que lo sepa el mundo entero; Por eso canto yo; Ya no cantás chingolo; Los muñequitos; Motivo sentimental; Traje de novia; Soledad la de Barracas; Giusseppe el zapatero; Este es tu tango
I want everything
Here's the full list on Reliquias (9 discs):
- EMI 837408 Enrique Rodriguez - Bailando Todos Los Ritmos (1996)
- EMI 859024 Enrique Rodriguez / Armando Moreno - Para bailar sin parar (1997)
- EMI 529105 Enrique Rodriguez - Tangos con Armando Moreno (2000)
- EMI 541704 Enrique Rodriguez - Canta Armando Moreno vol.1 (2002)
- EMI 541705 Enrique Rodriguez - El Chato Flores en el recuerdo (2002)
- EMI 541707 Enrique Rodriguez - Canta Armando Moreno vol.2 (2002)
- EMI 595165 Enrique Rodriguez - Tangos, Valses y Milongas (2003)
- EMI 595172 Enrique Rodriguez - Solos de Orquesta (2003) - for teaching
- EMI 477584 Enrique Rodriguez - Sus Primeros Sucesos (canta:Roberto "Chato" Flores and Armando Moreno) (2005)
Where next...
- Back to building a library
- Milonga home page