[Tango-L] tango to the blues

[tuan35@cox.net]

I know what you mean, Michael.  

Some people dance West Coast Swing to the Blues and it may fit because it's down and dirty but the slick affectations betray the home grown spirit of the music. 

Some people slow dance to the Blues. It is also referred to as dirty dancing or one-step.  To me, Tango is the ultimate one-step. No patterns, all improvised, just musicality and feeling.  The bending of a note on the harp, guitar or sax can be just as piercing as a held note on the bandoneon. Now that's meaty stuff.

---- Michael Figart II <michaelfigart at yahoo.com> wrote: 
> Trini wrote;
> >In the past couple of months, there has been an interest in
> >the tango community of dancing tango to blues music (at
> >blues events).  There seems to be a new blues scene
> >emerging here (or at least being better publicized).  I
> >understand that jazzy blues would be the appropriate music
> >to use.  Any such crossovers in other cities?
> 
> I love dancing tango to good tango dance music, but sadly, there is very
> little of that around Houston. For example, this is an excerpt from an
> announcement for an event to be held next week; "....will perform DANCE
> music of Argentina.... We will feature music composed by Gardel, Padula,
> Piazzolla, Villoldo and others......" The band is very talented, but has
> no idea what constitutes good music to dance to, which in general
> reflects much of the community. To me, musicality is 98% of the dance,
> and I don't enjoy trying to put something together to a Piazzola
> recording. And dancing to Gardel!! Isn't that illegal in Argentina?
> 
> That's one reason that me and my girlfriend go out at least once a week
> dancing to the blues. Not "jazzy" blues, but good down-home, gritty,
> Texas blues. It's extremely well-suited for tango, and we both enjoy it
> immensely, in addition to learning a lot and getting in some good
> practice.
> 
> I like dancing to alternative music, but I sometimes get irritated with
> DJs who choose to play music just because it's different. We hear nice
> "world" music, and beat-heavy disco/rap/electronic stuff. Give me some
> music with some meat in it, some feeling, something to interpret into a
> dance. I know many may not like blues as I do, but there is still plenty
> of good rock, pop, even country, out there that is great for tango.
> 
> Looking forward to the "Tango Blues Cruise" in St Louis next month, en
> route to Mt Vernon, Missouri for the third annual "Meet in the Middle"
> Tango Festival presented by the incomparable Karen Whitesell!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Michael Figart II
> 
> 
> 
> 
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