Category Archives: 3. Vocalists

My favorite tandas: De Caro – ‘Saca chispas’

This is another rare tanda, comprising three great milongas by Julio de Caro (the first two composed by De Caro himself). My original plan was to play this set at El Metejón, a local BA milonga where I’ll be DJing tonight. However, a few days ago I announced on my Facebook wall that I’d play “Milonga de los fortines”, by Orquesta Típica Victor, and then realized I couldn’t really fit two milonga tandas from similar periods and orchestras on the same night. So I’ve decided to play a mixed tanda combining “Milonga de los fortines” with Lomuto’s “Qué tiempo aquel” and De Caro’s “No hay tierra como la mía”. I look forward to seeing how dancers react when I play the full De Caro tanda next time I’m DJing.

(With thanks to Alia, the multi-talented Syrian DJ.)

My favorite tandas: Fresedo – ‘Rendez Vous’

The tangos that Osvaldo Fresedo recorded with vocalist Héctor Pacheco are almost never played in milongas. And on the sites featuring tanda collections that I sometimes consult, I could find only one Fresedo/Pacheco tanda, by DJ Goran. As Goran notes, these tangos are “Very dreamy and romantic, […] ideal for a dimly lit milonga, near the end of the evening.” The four tangos I chose for this set are especially laconic and contemplative. As I listen to this music, I feel transported to Rendez Vous, the elegant boite in downtown Buenos Aires where Fresedo played regularly throughout the 1950s.

My favorite tandas: Di Sarli – ‘De qué podemos hablar’

This week we have another Di Sarli tanda, which I played at the Oxford Practica yesterday. A friend remarked that she finds these songs kitsch. I think they are wonderful–especially if danced with someone in a soft, snuggly embrace.

My favorite performances: El olivo (D’Arienzo)

My choice for this week is ‘El olivo’ (Juan D’Arienzo with Héctor Mauré, 1941). I reviewed 22 performances.

My favorite: Peninsula & Jinsuk Muchacha.

I also liked the performance by Noelia Hurtado & Carlitos Espinoza.

My favorite tandas: Laurenz – ‘Abandono’

A tanda featuring four tangos with brilliant bandoneón variaciones by Pedro Laurenz, culminating with “Amurado”, the all-time classic by Laurenz and Pedro Maffia.

My favorite performances: Dichas que viví (Biagi)

My choice for this week is ‘Dichas que viví’ (Rodolfo Biagi with Andrés Falgás, 1939). I reviewed 68 performances.

My favorite: Luiza Pasierowska & Osky Casas.

I also liked the performance by Barbara Carpino & Claudio Forte.