Orquesta Tipica Andariega: Balliamo

This is the third album from Orquesta Tipica Andariega (featuring singer Walter "El Chino" Laborde in three songs) with the rich sound of three violins, three bandoneons, double bass and piano. Compared to their 2014 album of new compositions, “Andiamo”, this time around the ensemble has chosen to play tangos of the past, but with new arrangements (mostly by their director and bass player Luigi Coviello and one by bandoneon player Adrian Argat). All of these ‘Golden Age’ tangos live through the contrast of rhythmically accentuated ‘stride ahead’ parts followed by elegiac melodies, and the straightforward arrangements, reduced to the essential, support this impression. This clearly is the beauty of these songs.

Listening to “Esta noche de luna” (composed 1943 by José Garcia and Graciano Gómez-Marcó), I like very much how arranger Luigi Coviello deals with the beautiful melody and contrasts it with the rhythmic orchestral accents with strict ‘compas’. Compare it with Francisco Canaro´s version; they principally also have these accents, but Canaro seemed to be more interested in the elegiac melodies to please the dancers. In Coviello´s arrangement the melodies have more space to shine - and the accents are more ‘aggressive’. Luigi says that for him the balance of groove and rhythm is of importance, and that means having these clear differences between the rhythm parts and the melodic legato parts in a way that the musicians can “be like an angel in the legato and a devil in the rhythmic parts”. At least the devils are quite friendly but nevertheless seductive.

Also “Te aconsejo que me olvides” (written 1926 by Pedro Maffia and Jorge Curi) is a highly accentuated song which attracts with its syncopated beat and the performance of singer "El Chino" Laborde. Nothing against the old Aníbal Troilo version with Francisco Fiorentino, which has its own charm, but the Orquesta Tipica Andariaga version is more strict in its course. Here, singer Walter Chino Laborde plays his cards to phrase the lyrics, slowing the tempi, raising the dynamics – and thus ‘wakes the heart’ of this song. Outstanding! The same is true for Biagi´s well known “Humillación” from 1941; Laborde ‘lives’ this song with such intensity that it hurts. “I hate this love! When it broke my will, it reduced me to begging for your warmth."*

Great. Clear recommendation to join their shows and listen to their music.

* Translation taken from https://poesiadegotan.com/2009/06/24/humillacion-1941

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