Tango

No sooner had one splendid Mexican Spanish-singing lady entertain us and depart the Tavern to applause , than we had some Italians turn up seeking fame too. This time they insisted on bringing the Tango flavour to the dance floor. They may have been put up to it by a mob that operates in Hobart that teaches the dance to the local farm-boys and girls. Tasmania is becoming a tad cosmopolitan. 

Not that I am complaining.  Despite my total inability and inclination to dance, I do like those who do it expertly. The only issue I have with the tango is the dancers' insistence on careering through the bars knocking tables out of the way.

The Italian mob? They all seem to have 'day jobs' independently but get together to make music for sultry girls and rather 'mano' boys. They call themselves The Voga Experience. 

There were four of them as the three main characters were joined by a chap who could be their dad. 


Giulia Baldo  (Singer),  was born in Verona in 1993.
I like the voice. It has all the hallmarks of smokey rooms and bars. She'd fit well in the Tavern.

Yeye Dj (Deejay - Producer), was born in Verona in 1978. He is a well-known Veronese DJ on the scene since 1994. He seems intent on his electronics, very like someone close to home.  

Filadelfo Castro (Guitarist - Producer - Arranger) was born in Como in 1976. He seems to be the serious musician of the troupe. 

He studied classical guitar with Maestro Guido Fichtner and modern guitar attending internships and seminars with internationally renowned musicians: Frank Gambale, Pat Metheney, John Scofield, Steff Burns, Mike Stern, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jim Kelly and many others. He publishes 4 didactic books dedicated to the guitar with the Ricordi Bmg (The scales for modern guitar, Fundamental rhythmic technique, The encyclopedia of Virtuosism 1 and 2.)

They ought not to be confused with Voga Furniture (the reputation of which has taken a bit of a tumble of late) although I am pretty sure I have seen some of this talented musical trio's latest offering used in adverts on the TV.

See if you can guess what could be being advertised in this video.  Or perhaps parts parsed out to stand alone with a 'product'. I think the World Cup, Coffee and Furniture would be a safe bet. Maybe flooring?

To the music !! (er.... this is just one of several versions. I shall leave you to chase down others).

I really liked all of that. Great fun. Great timing. That Tasmanian mob, by the way, should you be in town and want to have a go, is, the Tasmanian Club de Tango Inc. You could look them up:

https://tastangoclub.com/

Meanwhile we need to remember that the Tango is not Italian. It is Argentinian.

Argentine tango is a musical genre and accompanying social dance originating at the end of the 19th century in the suburbs of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. It typically has a 2 4 or 4 4 rhythmic time signature, and two or three parts repeating in patterns such as ABAB or ABCAC. 

Its lyrics are marked by nostalgia, sadness, and laments for lost love.

The typical orchestra has several melodic instruments and is given a distinctive air by the small button accordion called the bandoneon. It has continued to grow in popularity and spread internationally, adding modern elements without replacing the older ones. 

It is a feature in films. It is danced in ballrooms, in the streets, in old buildings, in daylight, at night, with super-couth people and the very rough mob. It is very watchable although the dancers themselves may or may not give a hoot who sees them.

Where it is danced in the streets (mainly, I suspect, predominantly in Argentina rather than the Hobart waterfront) crowds will always gather to enjoy. 

Here are Jessica and Colin, not very South American sounding, strutting their stuff at a fancy do. The ladies seem to be impressed.

A question came to mind watching that. What did she do with the glass of wine ? Someone taught her sleight of hand?

Anyway who better to teach such a tactile dance to a nice girl, than a blind man who knows his way around (with a bit of help). From the film 'Scent of a Woman',  blind Frank (Al Pacino) teaches the beautiful and charming Donna (Gabrielle Anwar) how to dance the tango.

It is enough to tempt a portly old Knight to leave his armour off, put his Tavern Keeper towel down and get some lessons. (But not from Frank. Donna when she has got it buttoned down).

But don't hold me to it.

I shall have a drink to cool off !!

I'll pour some for you too.

Pax