I am so happy. Last night, I went with Gina & Julie to see a band called Ultratango; I found out about the gig from the web-site What's Up Buenos Aires. This web site has been so handy for finding out about live music in Bs. As.
Ultratango were performing in the Niceto club in Palermo, Hollywood. What Ultratango has been doing is taking music by composers like Astor Piazzolla and adding new sounds. I suppose you could call it Tango Electronica (is there such a term?). If you have heard of the Gotan Project, you know what I am talking about. Ultratango are a five member band with a drummer, violinist, a keyboard player, a bandoneón player and another keyboard player who does the 'programming'.
One of the essential instruments in the Tango is the bandoneón; the bandoneón is a squeeze box; it looks different from a typical accordion as you can see from the image. For me, the bandoneón is such a rich and emotional sounding instrument. The accordion is one of those instruments that I can find quite 'cheesy' but handled well it is can make beautiful music.
Wikipedia article on the bandoneón
And of course they have a web-site and many videos on You Tube.
They performed a few pieces like Libertango which is one of my favourite pieces of music. This music can move me so very much.
I must do my best to hear more music while here. And tonight, I am going to a Tango dance & music performance with Gina near Abasto. And I have heard from some Porteños that are some interesting Tango clubs in barrio's like Almagro which is quite close to where we are going tonight (Dec 2, 2007). Porteño is the name given to people from Buenos Aires. It means "people of the port". Young people here are embracing the music; someone said the other night, "You can go to these clubs and see people with dreadlocks doing the Tango". I think, again, music like the Tango is about emotion, living and being alive. It roots come from the slums & brothels of a different time in Buenos Aires and the music has changed and evolved somewhat and is here today; for me, Tango music says something about the fabric of life and the human condition.
Web article on the origins of Tango music.
I am told of a Tango club called "La Catedral" and hope to be going there soon with some Porteños.
Even this morning after the concert; I am hearing the melodies of Tango music in my mind. Such joy. I want to see & hear Ultratango again - I should check when they are performing next while I am in Argentina.