Music for Dancing

Music

Try to get any of the following CDs at a major music store; most will order if they don't have a selection. You may also mail-order from Amazon.com and other sources.

A collection of several bands is a good start. Then if you especially like one you can get more of that band.

  • Bueno Aires by Night. EMI Odeon. Beautiful, danceable works by some famous Argentine tango bands. Includes several good milongas.
  • Instrumental Tangos of the Golden Age. Harlequin. Also terrific. There are no duplicates of works on previous CD, so you can profitably get both.

Each of the following CDs focuses on only one (and in one case two) artists or bands during the "Golden Age" (the 1940s plus and minus five years) when tango reached it greatest popularity in Argentina.

  • La Melodia de Nuestro Adios. El Bandoneon. Francisco Canaro's band. Many good tangos, milongas, and tango valses. If you get only one CD, get this one.
  • Quinteto Pirincho. El Bandoneon. Another of Francisco Canaro's bands but with a diffent sound. Every single selection is excellent. Includes four milongas and a tango vals.
  • Ausencia. EMI Odeon. Osvaldo Pugliese's band. One of the most famous modern tango composers who (unlike Astor Piazzolla) always wrote & performed for dancers. Contains a wonderful instrumental version of the most famous tango vals: "Desde el Alma."
  • Nelly Omar & Francisco Fiorentino. El Bandoneon. Unusual in that all selections include singing and are excellent for dancing. Half the CD is devoted to Omar, the other to Fiorentino. Contains Omar singing "Desde el Alma."
  • El Rey del Compas. El Bandoneon. Band of Juan D'Arienzo: "The King of the Beat," with strong rhythms.
  • King of Rhythm. Harlequin. More D'Arienzo. Get one but not both D'Arienzo CDs.
  • Orquesta Tipica Victor. El Bandoneon. One of the loveliest recordings. Very strong beat, excellent for practice OR dancing.

In the earliest years of the tango's growth in popularity in Argentina and elsewhere (the 1920s & 30s) many Argentine bands toured the world. Some of the very best are in the following CDs, with many excellent digitally re-mastered works.

  • Buenos Aires to Berlin. Harlequin. 1927-39.
  • Buenos Aires to Madrid. Harlequin. 1927-41.
  • Tango - Le Tango a Paris. Frémeaux & Associés.  Two CDs (1907-41).