My Tango Diaries

Hours, please be kind to me today Pass by quickly, let my mind drift away . . . Sweet Hours, Beth Rowley Friday morning and I'm passing time... waiting... I'm tired, disconnected, just waiting to be done with work. I make small circles with my foot while waiting for the elevator because I like the whispering sound my shoes make on the floor. It reminds me of the milonga. And it feels good to move. I needed the video from Gotan Project, Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre) to get me going this morning, not so much for the music itself (even though it is one I like) - but because the video seems to depict tango breaking out all over the city - in office buildings, street corners - anywhere. The idea is just lovely, while I wait for the hours to pass by.

Music choice came up on AmpsterTango's blog and it got me thinking about which pieces of music I use for what - and how that's changed over time. My first exposure to tango music was the Nuevo Tango of Piazzolla . It expressed things for me that at the time I had no outlet for. I didn't dance to it, though I saw others dance. It resonated with me. It reminded me of particular people and times. Then I heard tango music on a few soundtracks and compilations that combined Piazzolla's music with more traditional pieces - like the soundtrack for " The Tango Lesson ." It not only had beautiful Piazzolla music, but more traditional pieces by Carlos Gardel (Mi Buenos Aires Querido), Juan d'Arienzo (Flete), Osvaldo Pugliese (Zum). That soundtrack was played frequently at the store I worked in, and I loved it. It made me want to move - need to move. But I still didn't have the nerve to learn tango. Early this year, or maybe late last year, I came across Gotan...

Confianzas, Gotan Project translation by Jose I wasn't going to post anymore music today - and I certainly meant to ease off of Gotan Project. But I love this, and it's been sitting in my favorites for ages (with so many others, unfortunately) waiting for a blog post. Sit down at the table and write "With this poem you won't take the power", it says "With these verses you won't do any revolution", it says "Nor with thousands of verses you won't do any revolution", it says And furthermore These verses won't be worth for workers Teachers and lumberjacks to live better Eat it or he himself will eat it, live better Nor to date a woman it won't be worth You won't earn money with them You won't go to the movies for free with them They won't give you clothes for them You won't get tobacco or wine for them Nor parrots, nor scarves, nor boats Nor bulls, nor umbrellas you won't get for them If it were for them, rain wo...

I left the milonga too early, it seems. After I left, they played "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" which would have been wonderful to hear in that setting. I learned one of my first belly dancing routines to Natacha Atlas's version, below: Gotan Project's version is used in the video below: Next time I have to find a way to stay 'til the end of the milonga!

I love this piece anyway - but I adore the video. It makes it seem as though tango could break out anywhere at any time - in the street, at the bus stop, in an office building - anywhere. Fantastic! As far as the music itself - aside from being highly addictive, I also like the cricket accompaniment throughout. (A note to Kathryn - I've downloaded the Pimsleur Spanish (Latin American): The complete course I from Netlibrary.com. Thanks for the heads-up on that resource. Soon, I hope to be able to understand more than every 3rd word of the tangos I'm dancing to. )

I made it through my first lesson in Argentine tango. As to be expected, my little experience in Ballroom tango hindered in some ways and helped in others. In ballroom tango, it's easier to "cheat" in a sense, and not feel so completely for the lead. You have already learned the steps you are dancing and you know how to start most sequences. In Argentine tango, the embrace is the language for everything else. You can start anywhere go anywhere in the procession of steps. So feeling the lead (obviously this is from a follower's perspective) is everything. The emphasis on this shows in the different way the classes are taught. Ballroom tango class began with the opening sequence of steps. Argentine tango class began with the embrace and connection. The transition was a difficult one for me. Finally, I had to simply close my eyes and not look at anything. That changed everything. After the class, fast tango music seemed like too much to listen to. So I put Gotan Project...

I desperately want some red shoes, and about 100 more lessons . Here are the lyrics I forgot to post earlier: Una inquietante mirada De amor porteño Cálida y cruel No, no puedo creer que pasó Que el misterio sensuel De tu risa canyengue se apagó Brindo por esa ilusión De amor porteño Loco puñal Dulce y fatal, la nostalgia De un tiempo pedazo de nosotros dos Y yo que pensaba que no me importaba Que una caricia podía borrar el color de mi ciudad El código oculto de esa mirada Es como una señalY no puedo zafar Un deseo sutil que temblando me viene a buscar Y yo que pensaba que no me importaba Que una caricia podía borrar el color de mi ciudad El código oculto de esa mirada Es como una señal Y no puedo zafar Un deseo sutil que temblando me viene a buscar. A worrying look Of porteño's love Warm and cruel No, I don't believe what happened That the sensual mystery Of your smile fade out I make a toast for that illusion Of porteño's love Crazy dagger Sweet and fatal, the nostalgi...