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  Various Artists
The Rough Guide to the Music of Argentina (World Music
Network RGNET1119CD, 2004)
When it comes to Latin music, tango ranks number one for me. And if I had the
money and good health to travel, a journey to Argentina would be at the top of
my agenda. The story of tango is one of rags to riches or from working class to
high society. This global music export found its humble and saucy beginnings in
brothels and bars during the late nineteenth century. By the 1920s tango grew to
an international sensation while losing its seedy association. However, it
hasn't lost its sensuality or passion since tango still ranks there at the top
of seductive dances as anyone that has witnessed tango dancers tangled in an
embrace will attest.
Many of the early tango innovators and composers appear on The Rough Guide to the Music of Argentina as do pioneers such as Astor Piazzolla, the superstar Carlos
Gardel and contemporary artists, La Chicana, Adriana Varela, Barbara Luna,
Lorena Astudillo and Cuarto Almagro. Many vocalists sweep listeners off of their
feet, and musicians perform music that sets passion loose in the bloodstream.
And Hugo Diaz delivers a heartfelt Volver on his harmonica. However, other
styles of music appear on this CD, including, Chacarera which is typically
performed with guitar, vocals and the Argentine traditional drum, (bombo) and
Chamame, one of Argentina's popular folk styles, driven by wild accordion.
This compilation lays out a vast musical landscape by exploring the various
facets of tango and Argentina's other styles of traditional music. Jaime Torres,
a master of the Andean string instrument, charango, Beatriz Pichi Malen who
explores Argentina's indigenous side with her love song, Poyenekayan, bombo
virtuoso Domingo Cura, folkloric guitarist Alberto Rojo and Chamame accordion
virtuoso Chango Spasiuk (rancheras, polkas, jazz and waltzes) share the
spotlight.
I am delighted with the music that appears on this compilation. Once again, Dan
Rosenberg (Rough Guide to the Music of Canada) lends his talent as a compiler to the
series. While I find myself enjoying all the tracks, my favorite is Astor
Piazzolla's iconoclastic Verano Porteño. He of course, deserves a CD all to
himself and is responsible for introducing me to tango and Argentina. Many years
ago, I discovered one of his CDs on a rainy day and one listen to that CD
changed my life. And now as I listen to The Rough Guide to the Music of Argentina I am
swept up in the whirl and madness, passion and melancholy. What more could
anyone ask for?
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