Angel D'Agostino actually formed his first group - with D'Arienzo(!) and Bianchi - at age 11. His way of posing intimations inside the beat is oh, so appealing. His playing style was economical in comparison to flashy pianists, showing his brilliance with an over-all orchestral effect while leaving lots of room for the singer. His sense of dynamics was bold and satisfying. Listening to his intro to Hotel Victoria sends shivers down my spine. What a call to Tango!
Angel Vargas' voice is Tango Tango personified.
He also made recordings by hiring arrangers/leaders after splitting with D'Agostino - they are well worth having. They are among the best sounding and feeling tango recordings of the 1950's.
Well, the D'Agostino / Vargas combo recorded with RCA, so all their Masters were destroyed by the hapless company over 50 years ago; meaning we have been left with mostly inferior representations of their work. This is most distressing.
I am happy to report that RCA issued some lp's in the 50's and 60's that help ease the pain. I've restored most of the cuts I have in this form - and am looking for more. They are simply exquisite. (Check out the MP3 pages at ToTANGO).
The work of these artists has been largely overlooked because of the quality available these days. Add to that the fact that they were delicate and subtle - and you have a recipe for being marginalized.
But their music was of premium quality and deserves to be heard every night.
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Vargas | |
Their milongas El Porteñito, Compadreando and En Lo De Laura are hot in a cool way.
Their vals - like Tristeza Criolla - are magnetic.
I particularly like the way their rhythm inspires one to move differently - reach to express something other than what might automatically come.
If you hear them with lots of noise, you hear a sameness about the catalogue. If you hear them clear, you say, "Wow!"
There are 3 ToTANGO CD's of D'Agostino Restorations.
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D'Agostino
