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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Heartstrings

Alex posted a really beautiful video with his favorite milonga: Flor de Monserrat. He said that's the song he plays over and over again.


It got me thinking about the song I have on continuous loop, either in the car or in my head. It makes me happy when I'm feeling low, and it makes me happier when I'm already in a good mood. It's a vals, not a milonga.


Desde El Alma. I can never listen to it too many times. It's the one song that will make me put my dancing shoes back on when my feet are killing me and put my car keys back in my bag.

This is a really sweet interpretation. A stage show but the choreography really captures the wistfulness of the music. Tell me what your most oft-repeated piece of music is. Maybe I need to add to my list.

12 comments:

Anonymous October 2, 2007 at 9:11 PM  

"La Capilla Blanca" by DiSarli/Podesta. Makes me cry every time.

Red Shoes October 2, 2007 at 11:11 PM  

Pugliese's "Zum". Fathoms deep in my heart.

tangobaby October 3, 2007 at 10:10 AM  

I will make sure I listen to both of these pieces. It's funny, but for as long as I've been dancing, I've never learned the titles of the songs I really like. I'll hear a song start and think "oh, yeah, I love this one!" and just get out onto the floor, but I never know what any of them are called. Except Desde El Alma. For some reason, I looked that one up.

So now I'll do my homework, and when I hear "La Capilla Blanca" and "Zum", I'll think of you both!

Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous October 3, 2007 at 10:16 AM  

I love that you mention Desde el Alma... that was the song for my birthday dance this year (Canaro instrumental)

My "constant replay" tango always changes, depending on my state of mind and emotion.

This week it's Pugliese's "La Mariposa".

Anonymous October 3, 2007 at 10:59 AM  

There is one song (besides Desde el Alma - Pugliese's version), that reduces me to Tango jelly: Jorge Maciel singing "Remembranzas".

Melt....

studio wellspring October 3, 2007 at 11:24 AM  

speaking of melt ~ i danced with a much older fellow last night {over 70 yo} and he was the best dance partner i've ever had, in any dance form. i wanted to ask my new tango friends....what is it about the pure gentlemanly, easy-going, helpful, confidence of a very well seasoned, grandpa-type that makes a new tanguera feel so much more excellent on the dance floor {esp when learning all new steps}? am i crazy or has anyone else experienced this too? {but don't get all freudian on me, now} ;o)

Anonymous October 3, 2007 at 12:23 PM  

this week, for me it is:

di sarli's "Cornetín", and pugliese's "mala junta". i'm wanting to feel happy.

studio: i've felt that, too. some of the best dances i've had were with super-old gentlemen. they have learned to wait, and to give pleasure! maybe it has to do with a very long life experience?

RHK October 3, 2007 at 1:08 PM  

Utterly charming. Thank you.

Red Shoes October 3, 2007 at 8:31 PM  

I don't know the names of most of the songs, either, and very rarely can I identify an orchestra..."Zum" captured me instantly and I had to find out!

Anonymous October 3, 2007 at 10:22 PM  

I'd have to say "Desde" is the one song you gotta be on the floor for, because not only is it super great, but you ain't gonna get too many waltzes on a typical night. I like waltzes so much I wish there were tons more of them played. "Desde" is sorta the "How Soon Is Now" of tango. I dig the Alicia Pons vid of her dancing to it, a lot. Those feet, yow.

Psyche October 4, 2007 at 2:07 AM  

For me it's Canaro's Poema. Nothing like it. It's also one of my tango yardsticks, because you can't show off to Poema, it doesn't work, you have to just feel it. It separates the men from the boys, in terms of musicality! So if a couple can do a good Poema, then I love them.

Pablo and Moira do a great Poema (my favourite is here on the Tangovideoproject, but there are others on YouTube) and so do Ney and Jennifer.

My second favourite tango (a very close second) is Llorar por una Mujer. For me, both songs really express that beautiful but slightly painful tango longing.

tangobaby October 4, 2007 at 10:24 AM  

Thank you all for your replies! Okay, now I am going to have to enlist one of you to make me a mix CD of all of these songs! Who's my volunteer dj?

Ms. Wellspring,

I totally agree with you...there are a few lovely milongueros here in SF that I'm sure you'll meet. However, when (and notice I say when and not if) you go to Buenos Aires, you will find many of these gentleman from another era, and you will be in heaven.

The skill and quality of their dancing, obviously from 40,50, 60 years or more, is in a different world than other people. Not meaning always better, but always special.

Tina,

I'm glad you had your birthday waltz to this. Happy Birthday! I did too, last year, but I was so scared dancing in front of everyone that it was only this music that got me through.

Mr. Gnome and Mr. Keegan,

Thank you for reading my blog. I'm wondering which one of you is the tango enthusiast. ;-)