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January 15, 2007

Tango Lyrics

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TodoTango.com The Library

Posted by joegrohens at 10:49 PM | Comments (0)

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Posted by joegrohens at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)

January 11, 2007

Dan Boccia's notes on tango orchestras

http://web.acsalaska.net/~redfox/web/Orchestra%20Handout.pdf

Posted on tango-DJ list.


On 1/11/07 3:25 AM, "Dan Boccia" wrote:


Several people on this list have attended the DJ Seminars that Jaimes
Friedgen, Shorey Myers, and I have presented in Seattle and Portland
recently. At these seminars, I have handed out a 1-sheet (front and back)
list of about 20 orchestras with their distinct eras, a description (in my
own words) of each era, the singers of that era, and recommended albums for
each era.

I have had many requests to post this information on my web site, and with
severe hesitation I have finally done so. But first, please read and
understand the following before using this information:

1. All the information on this sheet is essentially a summary of my
research over the past several years. As such, it is very personal and not
meant to be held to any particular standard.

2. I do not necessarily intend to keep this handout up to date at all
times.

3. I am not, nor will I likely ever be, completely satisfied with the
information on this handout. The information for several of the orchestras
is thin and I plan to add to it as time/interest allows.

4. The handout can be used by new dancers to begin a collection, but
although all albums are good, if you're only going to buy 2 or 3, get some
advice from an experienced friend to aid in your selection.

5. The handout really starts to make sense after you get some songs from
each era of a particular orchestra, set aside a few hours, and start
listening critically and carefully. Only with this level of objective
listening, in the absence of other distractions, is it possible to shape
your own individual descriptions of the music to this level of detail. I'll
be the first to admit that "this level of detail" is not necessarily
required to become a good DJ......my interests at times go well beyond
DJing. Those who do this will certainly find things on this handout they
don't agree with.....and that's fine with me.

6. My links page also has information on where to purchase music, but is
only for localized use....there may very well be better avenues for
purchasing music in other locales.

7. Finally, feel free to use this information however you like. You're
welcome to use it. You'll note my name is NOT on it....

To view the sheet, go to www.tangotrance.com and click on "for more tango
resources" where you'll find the link.

Dan [Boccia]


Posted by joegrohens at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)

January 03, 2007

Forever Tango Back in Bay Area

The show Forever Tango is back in San Francisco, where it achieved its first big acclaim ten years ago or so. Here's a recent review.

Inside Bay Area - 'Forever Tango' tastefully tickles the libido
By Pat Craig, MEDIANEWS STAFF

Article Last Updated: 01/03/2007 10:44:51 AM PST

'FOREVER TANGO" is not a play, but it is a fantasy about a time and place when red meat and Pall Mall Kings were good for you, and carnality was a mutually cooperative contact sport.
Or, maybe it's just the way things are in Argentina, where the Tango reigns, and hot hands trace the curves of fire-eyed women to the sound of the pleading bandoneon, a big accordion that seems to be the life blood of the dance.


OK, if you insist on a more familiar frame of reference, you can consider it freak dancing, except done with style and sophistication; both types of dance seem aimed at reaching the same goal, only tango dancers appear that they would know more about what to do once they got there.
And that may be the overriding charm and passion of "Forever Tango," which opened last week at San Francisco's Post Street Theatre (in one of its many revivals during the past decade).
It is unabashedly adult, and in the best sense. It is a show performed by adults, people in their mid-20s to late-30s and older, who appear to have an excellent knowledge of what goes where, how to use it, and don't seem to be the least bit concerned over a bald spot or a bulge.
Yes, this show deals with a dance that brazenly points the way to the after-bedtime you-know-what, but just smile and enjoy it.
Remember, it's only a show, so it leaves you without a trace of guilt in the morning.
And beyond that, creator Luis Bravo (who played cello in the opening night orchestra), treats you to a rollicking and memorable evening of music and dance -- which, in case you're worried because you've seen it before, is almost completely different than previous "Forever Tango" incarnations.
And, while the dancing is geared to tickle the libido, the intent is to entertain while doing it.
The dancers are as close to fluid as muscle and bone can be, slithering through the numbers like snakes navigating a rain forest, and producing just about as much steam.
At some point during the evening, though, you do press the PC button, wondering to yourself if grabbing a woman and dragging her around the stage, no matter how rhythmical, is a proper thing for a gentleman to be doing in these troubled times.
But then you realize the show takes place neither here, nor in these troubled times.
Bravo has created a timeless space on his stage, where the date might be tomorrow or 70 years ago.
The place moves from the Argentine bordellos, where the Tango originated, through an array of high and low spots, where the variety and sultry beauty of the dance is demonstrated by this incredibly versatile troupe of dancers.
Dance captain Jorge Torres and his partner Marcela Duran seem to lead the company, creating vivid characterizations to go along with their dance numbers.
Memorable too, are Cristian Cisneros and Virginia Porrino, who are able to demonstrate that sexy and funny can go hand-in-hand, with some charmingly droll and flirty numbers that relieve the humidity ever so slightly.
What transports the whole production into that erotic fantasy world, where there is no time, is the orchestra, led by bandoneon player Victor Lavallen, whose group includes three additional bandoneons, two violins and viola, cello, bass, piano and keyboard.
The members of the band are almost as much members of the cast as they are musicians, with their facial expressions and reactions presenting an ongoing mute commentary to the unfolding passion and dance going on in front of them.

Posted by joegrohens at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)