From the training room videos on ITT last night I fear we may be about to reach the AT nadir of SCD this weekend. I am sorry to say it but Nicky's AT looks an absolutely travisty. His frame was a mess. Actually no frame at all. He manages to hunch in three places at once - bent knees, bent forward at hips and curled over at shoulders/chest. On top of this there was lots of lateral movement going on too - not quite hips wiggling but side to side movement.:eek:
From the clips it isn't a bad dance but not remotely like an AT. I hope he can improve on that clip or the judges will savage him.
Totally agree. Have no idea what they think they are doing but it's nothing to do with AT. Whoever choreographed that mess needs to give up and go back to class!
I'd be happy with almost anything from the Gotan Project as it forces the professionals to actually adress the tango! Not just do a show dance with a couple of AT moves thrown in as crowd pleasers. I've yet to see a proper 'head to head' posture. Did anyone see the bit on ITT yesterday talking about the stinky gauchos and the resulting dance - the AT?
Load of old ****! gauchos have nothing to do with AT. That's one of ignorant old Len's daft ideas.
Yes I did and it set me wondering because on another thread I had asked if anyone knew the history behind the ladies' strained back neck and horizontal head positions in ballroom.
Had that been a piece about ballroom it would have satisfied my curiosity. But as it was about AT I wondered how we went from leaning away to get away from the smell to nestleed up in the crook of the arm/shoulder for close embrace. Perhaps at some point in the early 20th century gauchos suddenly started to improve their personal hygene.
Somehow as a tale it didn't fit. I am not contradicting it because I really don't know but it didn't seem plausible given that the inverted A positioning (together with a responsive frame) is the essence of the lead and follow in AT.
There is no leaning away in AT. There never has been. I do wish the SCD mob would bother to do their research!
Thinking about it especially after Karen's talk on ITT yesterday I very much doubt the theory that the tango was danced by gauchos visiting city bordellos.
The tango originated in industrial working class clubs in Buenos Aires and Montevideo. The pampas with its gauchos (cowboys) are a good 1000 kms away around, sa, Merdedes inland. Quite a distance for a night out on horseback and no time to get on to the post-dance nitty gritty (no relation to our Gritty of course)
You're quite right. Sod all to do with gauchos. And yes the pampas are miles away. Tango started in the barrios and those who danced were immigrants who congregated to share their music. No cows, no pampas and definitely no gauchos! Len and his myths have a lot to answer for!
Load of old ****! gauchos have nothing to do with AT. That's one of ignorant old Len's daft ideas.
There is no leaning away in AT. There never has been. I do wish the SCD mob would bother to do their research!
You're quite right. Sod all to do with gauchos. And yes the pampas are miles away. Tango started in the barrios and those who danced were immigrants who congregated to share their music. No cows, no pampas and definitely no gauchos! Len and his myths have a lot to answer for!
I just reread my own post as quoted by Sofakat. I find I inserted an 'inverted' when attempting to describe the body positions of AT dancers - Don't know how that happened. Silly Moi!
Load of old ****! gauchos have nothing to do with AT. That's one of ignorant old Len's daft ideas.
There is no leaning away in AT. There never has been. I do wish the SCD mob would bother to do their research!
You're quite right. Sod all to do with gauchos. And yes the pampas are miles away. Tango started in the barrios and those who danced were immigrants who congregated to share their music. No cows, no pampas and definitely no gauchos! Len and his myths have a lot to answer for!
So your head doesn't explode, I try to understand it, this way:
Thank you for that. A fusion of African dispora culture and mixed European cultures centered around the ports makes sense. Ports are often the cradles of creation because of the influx of outsiders with idle time on their hands mixing with locals. So the account has a ring of authencicity I can relate to. (its not so far away from the story behind other Latin American dances either) I had heard the case for it being a dance danced by men before too.
Thanks so much. There was one bit in there where they said it originated with men dancing with each other while in the waiting room before they got their turn with the prostitute.
Totally agree. Have no idea what they think they are doing but it's nothing to do with AT. Whoever choreographed that mess needs to give up and go back to class!
LOL I agree with you. However it wasn't as bad as I expected, mind you I had set my expectations below zero!! The posture was better than I had anticipated from the training clips - not good for AT but better than in training.
(Despite what Karen said on ITT I dispute that Nicky would have been able to lead anyone, who didn't know the choreography already, with that frame)
Right at the start of them getting into hold thre was a fair stab at a lapiz/planeo and I thought hey-up this might be OK. He also sort of looked the part, if the part in question was that of a gaucho who had ridden 1000 miles from the pampas and whose legs had taken on the shape of the horses back. He looked as if he was still on the darned beast and didn't collect a single step that I could see.
I didn't see the dance off and gather he was much better in that and clearly many FM's thought it was a triumph and who am I to rain on their parade. If there was a dance called the Bond it would have been a good dance but there isn't so it wasn't. I felt he was very generously marked for something that bore none of the characteristics of the dance it was supposed to represent but hey ho its only telly.
Having said that its no wonder our new students quickly get frustrated and want to be doing sacadas and enganches before they have mastered the walk, posture and hold that enables them to lead such things. SCD always brings a new influx of students but it does us no favours really because they have a false idea of what to expect and they give up rapidly when they find out what AT really involves.
This film examines La Confiteria Ideal, a Buenos Aires dance hall where fervent devotees of tango flock to escape everyday life Including wonderful interviews with famous milongueros such as Gerardo Portalea, Javier Rodriguez & Geraldine Rojas, Mariano Chicho Frumboli and Puppy Castello.
Produced by BBC Four, aired on Friday 8 April 2005
This tango documentary was produced by Sophia Ann Montoya to serve as a memory of tango lessons, friendship and love within a tight knit group that danced and partied together in Orange County, California. The film's sole--non-profit--purpose was to honor her favorite Argentinean tango maestros, Claudio Omar and Maria Veronica Rubio.
The film was given as a gift to Claudio and Veronica in gratitude for their non-discriminating desire to make tango fun for everyone. Awaiting the arrival of their second child, the couple made plans to return to Rosario, Argentina to make a permanent home for their children. This film has, since, become Sophia's celebration of intimacy within the realm of Tango.
I don't know if a show called Forever Tango has been to London. I saw it in San Francisco - the orchestra was right on stage and there were something like 5 piano accordions in the front row. They nearly blasted me out of my seat!
I danced a lovely tanda on Saturday to the following tracks from Bajo Fondo. I believe the album is called Mar Dulce and the three tracks were Crystal, Infiltrado (links below) and Profundo which was my favourite of the three and annoyingly I can't find a link (Henry??)
I danced a lovely tanda on Saturday to the following tracks from Bajo Fondo. I believe the album is called Mar Dulce and the three tracks were Crystal, Infiltrado (links below) and Profundo which was my favourite of the three and annoyingly I can't find a link (Henry??)
Whether it was or not, the track is electric. Wonderful. Thanks for the heads-up. They are now on my youtube subscription. That's what the thread is for.
And then I found a vocal version. A bit odd with Julieta Venegas' Mexican accent on Argie/Uruguay music. But still the best new track I've heard all year.
Can't contribute much to the music you're looking for, but here is a video of some AT that might educate; amuse and amaze. Los Hermanos Macana are brothers who are great to watch and such fun to be around. Here is a video of them when they visited London - I'm there!!
Can't contribute much to the music you're looking for, but here is a video of some AT that might educate; amuse and amaze. Los Hermanos Macana are brothers who are great to watch and such fun to be around. Here is a video of them when they visited London - I'm there!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmHcwzekPw (posted a different version of this elsewhere, so thought I’d transfer it here and offer some more clips of modern tango danced by a master.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmHcwzekPw (posted a different version of this elsewhere, so thought I’d transfer it here and offer some more clips of modern tango danced by a master.
Thanks. Looking at his burly figure I would not have thought Chico could dance so well. maybe it is the open double-breasted suit jacket that makes him look burlier than he is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmHcwzekPw (posted a different version of this elsewhere, so thought I’d transfer it here and offer some more clips of modern tango danced by a master.
Thanks so much again. I've bee through all of them and really enjoyed Chicho and partners - Sepulveda and Parrilla.
OK now I can say thanks but I did not enjoy Los Hermanos Macana. Not the music and I did like to watch a pair of blokes dancing - even if others might.
The Mariano "Chico" Frumboli y Eugenia Parrilla-Narcotango was especially captivating.
Thanks so much again. I've bee through all of them and really enjoyed Chicho and partners - Sepulveda and Parrilla.
OK now I can say thanks but I did not enjoy Los Hermanos Macana. Not the music and I did like to watch a pair of blokes dancing - even if others might.
The Mariano "Chico" Frumboli y Eugenia Parrilla-Narcotango was especially captivating.
Glad you enjoyed some of the clips. There are amazing youtube clips of fantastic AT dancers with all the different style represented - unfortunately none of them are Strictly AT, that is definitely a category on its own. Fingers crossed for the Vincent and Dani AT at the weekend.
Comments
Totally agree. Have no idea what they think they are doing but it's nothing to do with AT. Whoever choreographed that mess needs to give up and go back to class!
Load of old ****! gauchos have nothing to do with AT. That's one of ignorant old Len's daft ideas.
There is no leaning away in AT. There never has been. I do wish the SCD mob would bother to do their research!
You're quite right. Sod all to do with gauchos. And yes the pampas are miles away. Tango started in the barrios and those who danced were immigrants who congregated to share their music. No cows, no pampas and definitely no gauchos! Len and his myths have a lot to answer for!
I just reread my own post as quoted by Sofakat. I find I inserted an 'inverted' when attempting to describe the body positions of AT dancers - Don't know how that happened. Silly Moi!
So your head doesn't explode, I try to understand it, this way:
There's ballroom tango
There's Strictly Argentine Tango
and there's Argentine Tango
Here's my favourite explanation of the origins of AT from Argentinians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFQiQnRmDv8
I'm posting this documentary backwards (ie Part One, second) because their explanation to the question "What is tango (the dance)", is beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTtnmOpIhLI
Thank you for that. A fusion of African dispora culture and mixed European cultures centered around the ports makes sense. Ports are often the cradles of creation because of the influx of outsiders with idle time on their hands mixing with locals. So the account has a ring of authencicity I can relate to. (its not so far away from the story behind other Latin American dances either) I had heard the case for it being a dance danced by men before too.
Thanks so much. There was one bit in there where they said it originated with men dancing with each other while in the waiting room before they got their turn with the prostitute.
Whatever it's supposed to be like it probably wouldn't be THIS.
Tango and Wine
I recognise the music but don't recall the name.
It was more to do with Groucho than gaucho.
And Then You're Gone - Pink Martini
http://youtu.be/trQqegQxiLw
LOL I agree with you. However it wasn't as bad as I expected, mind you I had set my expectations below zero!! The posture was better than I had anticipated from the training clips - not good for AT but better than in training.
(Despite what Karen said on ITT I dispute that Nicky would have been able to lead anyone, who didn't know the choreography already, with that frame)
Right at the start of them getting into hold thre was a fair stab at a lapiz/planeo and I thought hey-up this might be OK. He also sort of looked the part, if the part in question was that of a gaucho who had ridden 1000 miles from the pampas and whose legs had taken on the shape of the horses back. He looked as if he was still on the darned beast and didn't collect a single step that I could see.
I didn't see the dance off and gather he was much better in that and clearly many FM's thought it was a triumph and who am I to rain on their parade. If there was a dance called the Bond it would have been a good dance but there isn't so it wasn't. I felt he was very generously marked for something that bore none of the characteristics of the dance it was supposed to represent but hey ho its only telly.
Having said that its no wonder our new students quickly get frustrated and want to be doing sacadas and enganches before they have mastered the walk, posture and hold that enables them to lead such things. SCD always brings a new influx of students but it does us no favours really because they have a false idea of what to expect and they give up rapidly when they find out what AT really involves.
BBC Four - La Confiteria Ideal: The Tango Salon 1:08:25
http://youtu.be/wx-LNAVlxbk
This film examines La Confiteria Ideal, a Buenos Aires dance hall where fervent devotees of tango flock to escape everyday life Including wonderful interviews with famous milongueros such as Gerardo Portalea, Javier Rodriguez & Geraldine Rojas, Mariano Chicho Frumboli and Puppy Castello.
Produced by BBC Four, aired on Friday 8 April 2005
............
BLUE MOON -tango documentary (part 1 of 3)
http://youtu.be/iXlkT5QsTRk
BLUE MOON -tango documentary (part 2 of 3)
http://youtu.be/nLcZ0GcsetU
BLUE MOON -tango documentary (part 3 of 3)
http://youtu.be/ehbMLW1bU3g
This tango documentary was produced by Sophia Ann Montoya to serve as a memory of tango lessons, friendship and love within a tight knit group that danced and partied together in Orange County, California. The film's sole--non-profit--purpose was to honor her favorite Argentinean tango maestros, Claudio Omar and Maria Veronica Rubio.
The film was given as a gift to Claudio and Veronica in gratitude for their non-discriminating desire to make tango fun for everyone. Awaiting the arrival of their second child, the couple made plans to return to Rosario, Argentina to make a permanent home for their children. This film has, since, become Sophia's celebration of intimacy within the realm of Tango.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_dSFPWnpt4&list=PL1E1C6E1134940C57&index=19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp3hclOLa4U&list=AL94UKMTqg-9ACAKDYoYCC4C5GOBVMDiFr&index=5
Listening to Cristal - Bajo Fondo. ¡Guau!
As they say "Guay de Uruguay". Great music though it did get a tad elavatorish.
Now on to Infiltrado - Bajo Fondo.
Hey that's great as well. I really like much of this new stuff - starting with Gotan. A lot more tension than trad tango music.
Here is the album
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Dulce_(album)
No "Profundo" there
How about "No Pregunto Cuántos Son" ?
Whether it was or not, the track is electric. Wonderful. Thanks for the heads-up. They are now on my youtube subscription. That's what the thread is for.
Just found
Bajofondo - Pa' Bailar (Fiesta Tanguera-Electronica)
Sounds so familiar. Listed above I am sure. The hottest sweatiest music video evah.
And here's the band
Bajofondo performing "Pa 'Bailar" on KCRW
And then I found a vocal version. A bit odd with Julieta Venegas' Mexican accent on Argie/Uruguay music. But still the best new track I've heard all year.
Julieta Venegas y Bajo fondo - Pa' Bailar
[It's nice to drop in here and avoid the hustle and bustle elsewhere
Enjoy the musicality and the changing lead!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYQmz-tsqrY (love the music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uihEINCSVRs
Bajo Fondo - Pa' Bailar
Bajo Fondo - Perfume
Thanks Gritty. Interesting stuff. Good technique. Interesting seeing the lead switch especially to the shorter brother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmHcwzekPw (posted a different version of this elsewhere, so thought I’d transfer it here and offer some more clips of modern tango danced by a master.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTZ2tPcrdTo (sublime, but impossible to reproduce unless you ARE Chicho)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paawa1F27m0 (if you like the music, I can go look on my ipod)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifMh2dfht8U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCGMtmPIkRA (sexy, or what!)
Thanks. Looking at his burly figure I would not have thought Chico could dance so well. maybe it is the open double-breasted suit jacket that makes him look burlier than he is.
Big blokes should avoid double-breasted suits.
Thanks so much again. I've bee through all of them and really enjoyed Chicho and partners - Sepulveda and Parrilla.
OK now I can say thanks but I did not enjoy Los Hermanos Macana. Not the music and I did like to watch a pair of blokes dancing - even if others might.
The Mariano "Chico" Frumboli y Eugenia Parrilla-Narcotango was especially captivating.
Glad you enjoyed some of the clips. There are amazing youtube clips of fantastic AT dancers with all the different style represented - unfortunately none of them are Strictly AT, that is definitely a category on its own. Fingers crossed for the Vincent and Dani AT at the weekend.
Roberto Alagna - La Cumparsita / Libertango / L'amour c'est un bouquet de violettes
http://youtu.be/IW_KAv7STNo
Beware that there is some silly dancing during Libertango.
Libertango (Alison Balsom) at The Proms
http://youtu.be/tiMD7FdhbPo
Nice enough but far too sweet and charming and not enough earthiness and oomph
I was pleasantly surprised by Libertango by Bond the girl band. A lot earthier yet modernised.
http://youtu.be/b7lftLixeY4
Astor Piazzolla Tv
http://www.youtube.com/user/astorpiazzollaTv