Just opened my Los Van Van "Songo" CD and in there is a ticket stub for

Los Van Van Sunday 16 April 1989 at 7:30 The Empire Ballroom, Leicester Square £7.50.

I remember it well. Great fun.

This is from 1989

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g06t-6eZZdU

Oh of course - The penny dropped with mention of the Cotton Club I should have worked that out. God I am slow today.

That's the way to my heart Henry. Thanks that perked up my lunch

Well I went to Cuba about 15 years ago with a 20 strong posse of Spanish in-laws none of whom had ever listened to Salsa etc. never mind danced it.

But I did get a couple of dances in with a guide (generating appropriate scandal amongst said in-laws). Once on a terrace overlooking a valley in Western Cuba. Can't remember but perhaps Parque Nacional Viñales.

Thank you henry that was a lovely story, I hope I come across more.

That's the stuff and the divier they were the better they were or so it seemed,

Keep looking in Terry

Absolutely wonderful DB! What an amazing place. Love the films about it. Have watched 3 of them now and I am supposed to be doing something serious!

One of the songs on the Los Van Van CD is "La Titimania".

Not exactly PC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dX_S8ckODM

Indeed not and no surprise to me. But to be fair Cuba is a different culture and in a different time. Even today it is still in the past - like an historic time capsule.

Fascinating country and I loved it, but there were glimpses that I also found deeply unsettling. It was an enigmatic place that made me think about things I had taken for granted. My trips to Cuba caused me to reassess and question my values quite profoundly.

I mentioned that I danced Argentine Tango yesterday to a friend and she made aggressive frowny face kicking gestures at me.

I blame Strictly for the misinformation.

Yes, me too. Many aspects of the place made me extremely sad, sometimes angry (on behalf of the people) and ultimately grateful for my freedom to chose. One day you and I will get together and swap views

I was thinking the other day of how they could have made an international AT after the Greece debacle. I came to the conclusion that France or Finland would have been better countries as French music has Accordions that produce a sound like a bandoneon and isn't there something called a Finnish Tango

I believe, but I am not certain, that a lot of the music 'we' habitually dance AT to is from French artists. Henry will no doubt confirm (or not).

I think Goton Project who in some respects have revitalised the musical genre in the modern day are French and Spanish ???? Even non AT dancers will be familiar with their music, as it is used for other things including advertising everything from diamonds to dishwasher tablets.

Perhaps you were a little off key Henry.

They confiscate the razor blades as you enter a Finnish Tango hall.

Apparently there is a big difference between accordions and bandoneons as used in tango and few play both

http://www.albertcombrink.com/2010/0...the-accordion/

I have copied here because the above link has white script on a dark background so illegible to me.

Perhaps. A very early Christmas party with carols.

LOL Were you singing carols in her ear? Did you check her name first? If she is called Carol she probably though you were taking the piss.

Yes Gotan are Paris based but Argentine / French / Swiss members.

I listen to the Spanish stuff so I can show off in situ with my seemingly "cool" worldly impromptu translations - and occasional singalongs though stopped that having been told off by you lot .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mTEh5awKGQ


My favourite band are Sexteto Milonguero. This isn't really tango music but I love dancing milonga style to it. They play it as an encore. Great fun. I love it.

http://youtu.be/Xyc-i6c8F3I?t=1h3m25s

It isn't "La mulateada" as per the youtube title but "Como le Digo"

Can also merengue to it but I get told off when I merengue to it at Milongas.

EDIT

I do not translate Como le Digo or even dare to sing it. Could get me into a lot of trouble and strife.

No. I have stopped singing in ears having been told off by you lot. See above post.

Wise decision I think Henry.

Since we have told you off its time for a compliment. Your knowledge of music (Salsa, At etc) is extraordinary. Have you thought of turning your hand to DJing? I know there is more to it that just knowing the material but I would have though that was the prerequisite for starters.

Too kind [I'm older than you. That's why.]

Creating a two hour Milonga set on a CD has occurred to me - complete with cortinas.

That was I could dance to my own DJing and know the songs coming up and sing them into ears - oops not allowed to do that any more

Actually I'm feeling pleased with myself this week. During Monday's class two women told me after the dances that they loved dancing with me. I don't think they know each other and I did't know them beforehand - flattering unless they say that to all the blokes of course.

The original Como le Digo is really an Argentinian Merengue by Rodrgio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn9sRHJmEkg

Here is the chorus line

Como le digo a mi mujer
Que ya no la quiero mas
Que otra ocupa su lugar
Que sin ti vivir no puedo
Como le digo
Que ya no la quiero mas
Que sin ti vivir no puedo.

My liberal translation to fit the music

How'll I tell her - yes my wife
That I love her no more
Another is in her place
That without you I cannot live
How'll I tell her
That I love her no more
That without you I cannot live

They should use it as The Strictly Theme (c.f. Strictly Romances thread)

Es tan duro para mi
A mi casa volver
Después de estar contigo
Conociendo mi destino
Que me espera mi mujer.
Es tan duro para mi
Tenerle que decir
Que es a ti a quien yo amo
Que es a ti
A quien extraño
Y contigo he de partir.
Como le digo a mi mujer
Que ya no la quiero mas
Que otra ocupa su lugar
Que sin ti vivir no puedo
Como le digo
Que ya no la quiero mas
Que sin ti vivir no puedo.
Es tan duro para mi
A mi casa volver
Después de estar contigo
Conociendo mi destino
Que me espera mi mujer
Es tan duro para mi
Pero debo ponerle fin
A este amor
Que ha fracasado
Porque estoy enamorado
Y contigo he de morir.
Como le digo a mi mujer
Que ya no la quiero mas
Que otra ocupa su lugar
Que vivir sin ti no puedo
Como le digo
Que ya no la quiero mas
Que sin ti vivir no puedo

That, of course, is the problem. When translated they are about as deep as a puddle on a pavment and just as shallow. Like a cheap suit on a gigolo.

I'd rather not know and focus instead on the melody.

Most songs have pretty rubbish lyrics.