[Tango-L] live music

[Michael Figart II]

Hello to all, and my best wishes for your health, prosperity and happiness,

Yes, it's been a while since I chimed in, and I usually read tango-l every 3 or 4 days now, so I'm always playing catch-up. Lots of emotion lately, about the live music issue. It's been nearly a year since I brought up this subject, right after last year's "Meet in the Middle" in Missouri, where Tango Lorca played again for one evening's "enjoyment".

AJ Azure, whoever you are; first off; I'm of the belief that you should announce your name and place. All of your detractors have the guts to post to this list with full disclosure, so should you. Second, I've often disagreed with Chris, and Igor, and Jake, but not on this one. Even though Jake used some language that was uncalled for on this list, they were all right on. We all acknowledge the fact that many of the "tango orchestras" in the US are extremely talented musicians. We just want you to play music that inspires us.

Extasis in Denver, Tango Lorca in Missouri, Conjunto Berretin, whoever it was in Chicago last month.......very little was inspiring. Conjunto Berretin several years ago played some great stuff for about thirty minutes in Portland. The others; none that I've ever heard. 

I have an extensive musical background, many years of piano, guitar, sax, flute, lots of theory, and lots of money, but all I care about now is "does it inspire my dance?" Once again, I acknowledge forcefully the fact that I consider you all extremely talented musicians. But...look here, it would take extremely talented musicians to emulate exactly the orchetras of the 30's-40's. I've not heard anyone of you even try. Why can't you try it? Can you not do it? 

It's a great question; what makes tango, tango?? What is it about the music that makes it so different?? Why is it so hard to emulate? What is that gives it that feel? Why does it inspire such expression, such passion? It must not be easy, or some of you musicians would have figured it out. Yet, none of you have even come close; at least none of you that I've heard. And nobody I've talked to, or danced with, has ever felt it from you. 

Get back to the basics; figure out what it is about DiSarli, D'Arienzo, Calo, etc that inspires us. Learn to emulate it. Learn to inspire us. Maybe then you can change it up; be a little improvisational, introduce something different, write a new tune. Actually be a musician playing to please their audience. I signed up for the Chicago Festival before I knew there was going to be a live "orchestra". I was upset, but was assured their stuff was "danceable". Maybe somebody enjoyed it, but not me, and not anybody I talked to while I was there. I stood and listened; yes they were talented, and it was played well, but it did not inspire in the least; all it inspired was the hope that they would end soon so I could dance to some "good" music.

That's the way it has been for the seven years I've been dancing; waiting to be inspired, and dismayed at the display on the floor during these "live music" events; watch the dancers, and listen to the music; neither have anything to do with the other.

To me, it is rude, maybe uninformed, but still rude, to play this music that you may love, but we hate. It is beautiful music, but it's for listening, not for dancing. And maybe, just maybe, you, AJ, are the rudest of all. Are you the one who made some really disparaging remarks about me last year in a personal email? Are you the one who said that I am an uptight individual with a disturbingly "gimped up deformity" (I have no fingers on my right hand). 

What the hell is it about this discourse that you do not understand? Have we not made it clear that you are not wanted at our milongas until you decide to make a change or two? What's the deal? Do you feel insulted? We are not insulting your ability, or your skills. We are just trying to tell you that if you want to be accepted and revered, you better make some changes. 

You may be a remarkably talented individual musically, but until you can play music that truly inspires us talented dancers of Argentine Tango, don't expect us to give you quarter. We will be on your ass until such inspiration occurs. Do not expect otherwise!

Regards to all,

Michael Figart II
Houston Tx