translator

the team huddles around the table, preparing.

heated discussion, and then i say something.

uncomfortable silence. all eyes on me...

flash back to more than twenty years ago, in the dorm, a bunch of guys, just hanging, lots of laughing and stuff like that, and then i say something.

uncomfortable silence. all eyes on me...

wherever i am in life, by some miracle, i have always had a translator, a savior, who converts my words into something else, so that people would understand me.

in the dorm, my roommate, by now used to these uncomfortable moments of silence, breaks the tension, "what he meant was..." (OH!!!! Ha! Good one, Mr. Hem ((Don't ask, a friend gave me that nickname.)))

flash forward to the meeting, around the table, i am thinking, "oh well. i should be used to this by now," when the manager says, "that's exactly right."

-

it has taken many decades for me to understand that it's ok to think the way i do.

78.5

i danced with her last year. fun!

at the festival, i ask her to dance again. she is sooooo comfortable. after the song, she tells me that she had taught dance a long time ago; gave up dance for 40 years; only to study Tango five years ago. (i am doing the math in my head.)

i tell her that she feels fantastic.

she tells me that she is seventy-eight and a half years old, with a twinkle in her eyes.

i gasp.

we dance two sets in a row. for almost 25 minutes we fly along the line of dance.

listening to music with djs

i am sitting between two tanguera-djs, watching the floor of dancers. a set of beautiful and old tunes begin.

tanguera-dj-1: "who do you think that is?"

me: "tough to tell. could be Canaro, Carabelli, OTV... i have a hard time with music before 1930."

i turn to tanguera-dj-2, "do you know who this is?"

tanguera-dj-2: "it's canaro."

my eyebrows lift, at her definitive answer. i turn and tell tanguera-dj-1, "tanguera-dj-2 says it's canaro."

a passage in the music.

me (to tanguera-dj-2), "but this passage, it's signature OTV."

tanguera-dj-1: "i know exactly what you mean. but, it's Canaro."

finally, at the fourth song, i smile and see that tanguera-dj-1 is smiling too.

me (bowing to tanguera-dj-2): "ok ok, Master, it's Canaro."

tanguera-dj-2: "what? you didn't believe me?"

me: "i did. it's just that, EVEN I could recognize this song is Canaro."

attack

it came back, my fears and anxieties of being in the car. the daily struggles, of chanting, of battles against myself, slowly weaken me.

a few days ago, in the middle of this stretch of the highway that is the bane of my daily commute, i told myself, "attack." instead of shrinking from the road, from myself, from life, i told myself to engage it, to embrace the life.

stunning.

on a packed floor at the festival, a woman's heel had cut across my partner. she winced. at the end of the song, i apologized and said, "i tried." she told me, "don't worry, it's not your fault. it's a meditation right?" i nodded, "yes, it is." when the next song started, i told myself, "attack." instead of thinking about the people around me (and thus not thinking about my partner), i simply engaged with exactly what i wanted, at that moment, on that floor, with my partner. the time, the place, mine. at this, she inhaled deeply.

...

years ago, when i was a judo baby, my teacher told me, "focus on one thing. when you throw your opponent, you don't think about throwing him. he is too big. you think about throwing that small part of his shoulder, or just that piece of his leg. when you begin the reap, you don't reap your leg. just point your big toe. everything else will be in the right place."

it was a simple advice. i have told my students the same over the decade. they have always had the same transformation: disbelief, then wonderment.

...

when i told lomyl about these moments, she smiled and told me a story about Allez!

by association

dear diary,

i don't like the way he dances. anyway, he has a way of finding the women who would agree to dance with him. i avert my eyes.

he came upon a woman, who sits with elegance and grace, and extends his hand; she declines; he turns and walks away. all of this quietly played out.

suddenly, because i am dense, i understand this: when a woman has seen him dance, and when he approaches her, does she think: "what??? do you think i am bad enough to dance with you?"

wheeeee

dear diary,

some moves are so much easier for me to learn than others.

i have watched a few of my fave local leaders do this swoosh-wheee thing, for a couple of years, and wished that i could do it.

last week, that's what we studied in class! and you know what? i picked it up quickly. i think the swoosh-wheee and my body were made for each other.

this week we refined the move. throughout the class, i was grinning... as was my partner.

sep 29 2009 alternative milonga playlist

Name	Artist	Album	BPM	Time	Color
Yoshiwara's Nightclub 1 [cort]	Metropolis	Metropolis (Soundtrack)		0:31
El Mortero Del Globito [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	62.8	2:36
Nunca Tuvo Novio [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	118.3	2:52
Tu Vida Es Mi Vida [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	126.4	2:42
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Flete [t][i][+]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	111.9	2:55
Lorenzo [t][i][+]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	65.8	2:55
Rawson [t][i][+]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	66.2	3:30
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Tu Diagnóstico [v][+] (Fiorentino)[mono]	Troilo, Aníbal	Bailando Milongas y Valses con Pichuco 1941/1948	67.3	2:14
Soñar Y Nada Más [v][+] (Fiorentino, Marino)[mono]	Troilo, Aníbal	Bailando Milongas y Valses con Pichuco 1941/1948	66.5	3:15
Palomita Blanca [v][+] (Marino, Ruiz)[mono]	Troilo, Aníbal	Bailando Milongas y Valses con Pichuco 1941/1948	66.9	3:20
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Arroyito [t][i][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta	Instrumentales de Colección	90.5	2:44
La melodia de nuestro adios [t][i]	Orquesta Francisco Canaro	Tangos instrumentales para bailar	83.8	3:02
Hotel Victoria [t][i][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta	Instrumentales de Colección	96.7	2:47
Quiero verte una véz más [t][i][*]	Francisco Canaro (Instr.)	La Cumparsita - Tango Argentino	62.8	2:31
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Sombra Gaucha [t][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	179.9	2:45
Sinsabor [t][i][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	50.3	2:53
Un Libro [t][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	129.2	2:30
Mis Pesares [t][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	66.6	2:27
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Se dice de mi (Canaro) [n][m]	Mandrágora Tango	Live 2007	161.9	2:53
Milonga De Mis Amores [n][m]	Quartango	Performance	71.3	3:34
Reliquias Porteñas [m][n]	Trio Garufa	La Segunda Tradicion	103.4	2:42
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You [trim] [a]	Lauryn Hill	The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill	88.9	3:41
Sweet the Sting [a][t]	Tori Amos	The Beekeeper	89.9	4:19
Shadowboxer [a][t][cut]	Fiona Apple	Tidal	113.3	2:14
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Recodo [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	86.9	2:24
El 13 [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	176.7	2:29
Pur Clase [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	89.9	2:34
Racing Club [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	123.8	3:11
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Das Spiel [a][v]	Annett Louisan	Bohème	63.6	3:01
Time Has Left Me Ma Belle, aka Manchurian Hills [a][v]	17 Hippies	17 Hippies & Les Hurlements D'Léo play Hardcore Trobadors	91.5	3:56
Was bleibt [a][v][need pad]	17 Hippies	Ifni	79.2	3:15
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Boedo [t][*]	Julio De Caro Y Su Orquesta Típica	Julio De Caro Y Su Orquesta Típica	50.1	3:13
Catamarca [t][*]	Julio de Caro	Bien Jaileife	108.3	2:30
Anibal Troilo [t][*]	Julio De Caro Y Su Orquesta Típica	Julio De Caro Y Su Orquesta Típica	50.1	3:23
Maipo [t][*]	Julio De Caro Y Su Orquesta Típica	Julio De Caro Y Su Orquesta Típica	66.1	3:22
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Polonaise (Instrumental) [a][cut]	梅林茂	2046 (Original Sound Track)	71.7	2:33
For One Tango (Per una cançó) [a][t]	Haris Alexiou		114.7	5:08
Little Drop of Poison [a]	Tom Waits		112.6	3:08
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Son Son [a]	Macaco	Ingravitto	94	3:40
Милая девочка [a][m]	Светлана Сурганова	Кругосветка	66.4	3:53
Crossing the Bar [a]	The Roaring Girl Cabaret	In Last Night's Party Clothes	127.9	2:29
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Shusheta (El aristocrata) (1940) [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	136.8	2:22
El jaguar (1940) [t][i][*]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	111	2:19
Retirao (El retirao) (1939) [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	68.5	2:22
El pollo Ricardo (1940) [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	66.8	2:25
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Cité Tango [a][t]	La Fonda Tangoclub	Electronik Tango	59.5	3:36
Vida Mía [a][t]	La Sudestada	Tango Lounge	96	3:38
El Aire en Mis Manos [a][t][bass]	Carlos Libedinsky	Narco Tango, Vol. 2	82	3:36
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Quiero Ser Tu Sombra [v][n]	Trio Garufa	La Segunda Tradicion	152	3:34
Palomita Blanca [v][n]	Trio Garufa	Tango en el Mate	130.8	3:22
Absurdo [v][n]	Trio Garufa	La Segunda Tradicion	121.9	2:30
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Recuerdo [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	111	2:50
Tristezas de amo (Roberto Diaz) [t]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Tango de mi vida	57.7	2:49
Una Vez [t][+]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	61.1	3:21
Bajo El Cono Azul [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	101.7	2:43
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Give Me One Reason [a]	Tracy Chapman	New Beginning	99.9	4:31
Turn Me On [a]	Norah Jones	Come Away With Me	56.8	2:34
Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us [a]	Robert Plant & Alison Krauss	Raising Sand	58	3:25
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Dolores [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	125.9	3:33
Corazón De Oro [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	57.6	3:19
Aclamación [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	112.5	3:25
-- undercooled [cort] --	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Otra Vez [t][+][mono]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	66.3	2:37
Muchachita Rosarina [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	61.1	2:47
Solamente Ella (1944) [t][*]	Francisco Lomuto con Alberto Rivera	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	66.1	3:11
Nostalgias [t]	Lomuto, Francisco (Omar, Jorge)	Buenos Aires Milonguero B	81	3:07
Farewell To Cheyenne [a][cort]	Ennio Morricone	The Legendary Italian Westerns	92.9	0:25
Sueño Azul [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	61.9	3:24
Nidito Azul [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	67	2:37
Buscándote [t][+][mono]	Osvaldo Fresedo & Su Orquesta Típica (Ricardo Ruiz)	Años '33 Al '48 – Buenos Aires Tango Club Vol. 14	81.2	2:49
- 2-			70	0:02
La Cumparsita [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	105.3	2:20

play time: 3.6 hours

intimate

Mari writes eloquently about Intimate Mixture. I suspect I am no different from other tanguero(a)s, in that my everyday conversations are somehow related or connected to the Tango. My colleagues don't believe me when I tell them that my experiences on the dance floor are not sexual. They don't understand the distinction that I make, between the sensuous and the sexual. They don't believe that I am not thinking about (shhh...) SEX! They shake their heads when I tell them that I burst into tears, in the middle of a song, JUST BECAUSE...


... in the middle of a song, my friend turns her head, so that she now faces me; her nose next to mine; her breath brushing my cheek; we are in the moment. as we wait for the next song, she sees my eyes, and follows in the direction of my gaze, towards lomyl. a moment of "discomfort(?)," until lomyl smiles at her, at us, happy that we are enjoying the set.



... i don't know of a sweeter moment, when (and i never know when this happens) i feel my partner fully accepts me. i cherish these times and carry them in my memory for days. ok this is the best part: sometimes i don't even know my partner's name.



... when my partner cannot stop smiling, when her eyes twinkle, that's just... oh man, that's just 1000 times more better than sex. but then, i don't know that my non-Tango friends would understand the sublime and delicious intimacy in the Tango.

uncertainty about my playlist

dear diary,

i have been preparing for tonight's alternative milonga. for days, i agonized over the sets. the more i listen, the more i am unhappy with my collection. finally, i have a couple of hours of the alternatives.

i burned a cd yesterday, to listen to them in the car. ugh! one set after another, "i can't dance to this!" "too long!" (but this i can deal with.) "hmmm. what do i play before this, and what after?" (ok, this is a good sign.) "what was i thinking? this song stinks!" getting out of the car, i was fuming. less than 36 hours away, and i am not in love with my music.

this morning, i burned another cd, to see if the changes that i made are acceptable. i am now doubting my taste. i mean, I LIKE the MUSIC, but, is it danceable? is it going to be fun? is it going to be embraced? should i keep it? should i go ahead and play it? should i go with an old set that i know to have been good?

and then, what about the traditionals? i have a few beautiful, and i mean really really beautiful new sets, sets that i have never played, one of De Caro, that i want to play, but that i am not sure would work with the alternatives. should i just go for it? should i be "conservative," and play the traditional sets that i know?

i only have 2 hours before the milonga, to figure out what i want. yes yes yes i don't create a list on-the-fly. i am not good enough to do that yet. i prepare and i prepare, and this time, i do not feel confident at all.


going into the night, with trepidation.

-

update: the night was fantastic. will post playlist soon.

shexperience?

conversations with tanguera friends...

one is sitting away from everyone, because she is not having a good time; because she is dancing with people with whom she no longer enjoys the experience; because she has become much better, and they have not; because she doesn't yet know how to say no.

another doesn't know why why why... she dresses; she puts on her beautiful shoes; she is beautiful; she is a fantastic dancer; and yet, she goes, with fear and anticipation, wondering whether she will dance, whether she will sit the entire night, whether she will have to say no to someone she doesn't want to dance with... a ride on the emotional roller coaster every time she goes to a milonga. why? why? why?

i listen to these stories, and i am so thankful that i am a man.

life, measured in tango years

"welcome back!"

"thanks!"

"how was your vacation?"

"great!"

"... how long were you gone?"

"12 milongas."

now i smellunderstand

dear diary,

i read often about the odor/fragrances in the tango (for example, this). interestingly, not so much in the conversations during the milongas. (probably a sensitive topic.)

i enjoy the different and unique perfumes of my partners. sometimes, although this is rare (hmmm), two people radiate the same scent (perfume, soap, shampoo, i don't really know). over time, the scent has become part of the connections. sometimes, the sweaty scents enhance the experience.

so far so good, until last night. i was a follower during the entire class. my nose was very very unhappy. maybe it's because a man doesn't like another man's odor?? i don't know. all i know is that i now understand what women are saying, when it comes to the "smell."


i hope i smell good...

how i find the songs

when people ask me how i find the songs that i play, my usual answer: i don't know. from everywhere. i am always on the alert. today, the following happened. and i thought it would be fun to write down the path of my discovery.

1. i am reading a book. it is a passage about junior prom, and Ricky Nelson's Lonesome Town is playing. It is apparently a slow song.
2. i drop everything. i go online and look for Lonesome Town on iTunes. OK, sound interesting. But I don't like Nelson's version, even though it is apparently the original.
3. i go to emusic.com and look for Lonesome Town. i download Nelson's version. But i hate it, because it is a live recording.
4. on emusic.com, i look for other artists' version of the same song. i go through the list, listen to a few of them. i find Clearwater Connection and like its interpretation.
5. i download it, and play it on the loud speaker (the laptop's speakers hide everything).
6. i dance to it. not bad. it IS slow. i can walk to it. i can spin to it. i like the mood.
7. i annotate the song in my itunes library. it is now a candidate alternative song. but, i need others to complement it.
8. i go back to emusic.com. and find other artists who have also recorded Lonesome Town. i find Tineta, a country artist. i listen to all the tracks, looking for i-don't-know-what, until i get to Have You Ever Seen The Rain (by Fogarty). OK. her version is sweet. this may work. i download it. BUT BUT BUT, i also remind myself to look for Fogarty's version, because you never know, and also because i remember from a very long time ago that i liked Fogarty's rendition.
9. now i have two possible candidates in a set.
10. i go back to reading the book.
11. but because i am obsessive, i go back to emusic.com, and download Creedence Clearwater Revival's Chronicle Volume One.
12. i look at the similar artists, and decide to try Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Welcome to Woody Creek (don't ask me why). i scan every song. nothing turns me on. but, i download Any Love But Our Love, because, who knows, i may like it, i may not.
13. i go back to reading the book.
14. but WAIT! CCR Volume One does not contain Have You Ever Seen The Rain. back to the internet.
15. i find it under Pendulum (40th Anniversary Edition). i download it. oh it is fantastic!
16. at peace (for now). back to reading the book.

vulnerable

dear diary,

a string of good songs with a favorite partner. i begin to feel a twinge. i suppress it, but the music and the connection overwhelm me and take over. i swallow hard, trying to contain the rush, trying to control it. but i succumb.

i stop in the middle of the floor, unable to take another step, convulsing, breathing hard, 5, 15, 30 seconds, every tick of the clock, wanting to walk but unable to, knowing that as soon as i move, i would burst into tears. i am embarrassed and relieved at the same time.

finally able to move, i finish the song. with cracked voice and puffed eyes, i thank her.

think again before you text and drive

aug 18 2009 milonga playlist

Name	Artist	Album	BPM	Time	Color
Yoshiwara's Nightclub 1 [cort]	Metropolis	Metropolis (Soundtrack)		0:31
Carillon De La Merced [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	56.5	3:16
Rodríguez Peña [+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	167.7	2:36
Clavel del aire [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	127.2	2:34
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Joaquina [t][i][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	128.9	3:00
La Viruta [t][i][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	170.6	2:18
9 De Julio [t][i][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	51.2	2:59
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
La Tapera [v][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	68.1	2:53
Estrellita Mía [v][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	208.8	2:36
Quién Será [v][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	145.1	2:15
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Mortero Del Globito [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	62.8	2:36
Nunca Tuvo Novio [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	118.3	2:52
Tu Vida Es Mi Vida [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	126.4	2:42
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Paciencia (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	130.1	2:32
Mano A Mano (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	86.3	3:05
La Cuarenta (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	168.4	2:45
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Silueta Porteña [m][i][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	91.4	2:51
De Pura Cepa [m][i][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	100.1	2:40
La Punalada [m][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo	El Esquinazo - 1937 / 38	98.5	2:16
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Barrilito [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	72.7	2:41
Desesperanza [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	69.1	2:42
El Ponchazo [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	71.7	2:43
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Distinguido Ciudadano [t][i][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	67	2:29
Un Libro [t][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	129.2	2:30
Mis Pesares [t][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	66.6	2:27
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Valse chinoise [a][v][need pad]	Baguette Quartette	Toujours	67.9	2:44
Navy [a][v]	Paris Musette	Paris Musette, Vol. 2: Living et Manouche	72.8	2:42
Valse Sans Nom [v][n]	Trio Garufa	Tango en el Mate	122.7	1:45
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Sombra Gaucha [t][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	179.9	2:45
A Oscuras [t][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	128.8	2:47
Se Va La Vida [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	50.7	2:38
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Cordon De Oro [t][i][+][mono]	Troilo, Aníbal	Yo Soy El Tango	67	2:27
Cachirulo [t][i][+][mono]	Troilo, Aníbal	Yo Soy El Tango	69.6	2:35
Te Aconsejo Que Me Olvides [t][+][mono]	TROILO, Aníbal & FIORENTINO, Francisco	Yo Soy El Tango	132.5	2:58
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Lloron (Canta ERNESTO FAMA) [m][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Sus Exitos Con Ernesto Fama	79.5	2:15
No Hay Tierra Cono La Mia (Canta E. FAMA) [m][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Sus Exitos Con Ernesto Fama	205.8	2:43
Parque Patricios (Canta ERNESTO FAMA) [m][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Sus Exitos Con Ernesto Fama	212.7	2:34
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El 13 [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	176.7	2:29
Pur Clase [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	89.9	2:34
Racing Club [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	123.8	3:11
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Pajaro Ciego [t][+][mono][need pad]	TROILO, Aníbal & FIORENTINO, Francisco & MANDARINO, Amadeo	Yo Soy El Tango	64.3	2:58
Yo Soy El Tango [t][+][mono]	TROILO, Aníbal & FIORENTINO, Francisco	Yo Soy El Tango	91	2:25
Milongueando en el 40 [t][i][+][mono]	Troilo, Aníbal	Yo Soy El Tango	67.7	2:31
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Un Baile A Beneficio [m][a]	Otros Aires	Dos	115	3:53
Milonga Sentimental [m][a]	Otros Aires	Otros Aires	100	3:56
Junto A Las Piedras [a][m]	Otros Aires	Dos	168	3:40
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Rebeldia [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Iriarte	Sus éxitos con Raul Iriarte	167.8	2:56
Cuento azul [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Iriarte	Sus éxitos con Raul Iriarte	123.2	2:42
Verdemar [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Iriarte	Sus éxitos con Raul Iriarte	123.8	3:13
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Nunca Más [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	101.6	2:39
Selección De Tangos [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	112.3	3:41
Un Barco María [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	96.4	2:40
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Tres Jolie (Muy Lindo) [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	82.1	3:22
La Noche Que Me Esperes (Canta R. MAIDA) [v][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	114.4	2:45
Etincelles [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	61.3	3:25
------ undercooled [cort] ----------------	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Irresistible [t][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	131.9	2:29
El Internado [t][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	86.9	2:32
Loca [t][+][mono][need pad]	Juan D'Arienzo	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	63.8	2:33
Farewell To Cheyenne [a][cort]	Ennio Morricone	The Legendary Italian Westerns	92.9	0:25
El Amanecer [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	117	2:30
Organito De La Tarde [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	115	2:49
La Cumparsita [t][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	56.8	3:18

Play time: 2 hours 56 minutes

Lessons learned:

1. Otros Aires did not work well at all. I prepped for it, by preceding the set with Biagi and Troilo. But, the crowd had become quite small by this time of the night, and I was not certain that OA would work. I stuck with it, and was cringing through the entire set, wanting to stop it many times, reaching for the stop button. My friend commented, "some minutes are much longer than others." I laughed meekly. Thankful for the set to conclude. The Calo that followed would have been fine, had it not been for OA, I suspect. But, I think recovery started with the calming Canaro vals.

2. Otherwise, the first 2 hours felt fantastic.

aug 15 2009 tango practica playlist

Name	Artist	Album	BPM	Time	Color
El Mortero Del Globito [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	58	2:36
Muchacha del circo [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	104	2:46
Tu Vida Es Mi Vida [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	111	2:42
El Pinche [t][i][+][mono]	A. De Angelis Y Su Orq Típica (instrumental)	Alfredo De Angelis: Los Dúos De Carlos Dante Y Julio Martel Vol.2	61	3:05
Cruz De Palo [t][+][mono]	Alfredo De Angelis	Reliquias	61	2:48
Fruto Dulce [t][+][mono]	De Angelis, Carlos Dante & Julio Martel	Alfredo De Angelis: Los Dúos De Carlos Dante Y Julio Martel Vol.2	112	2:56
Estrellita Mía [v][*]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	86.5	2:36
La Tapera [v][*]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	110.3	2:53
Quién Será [v][*]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	57.1	2:15
Pensalo Bien [t][*]	Juan D'Arienzo Con Alberto Echagüe	La Morocha - Canta Alberto Echague	110.4	2:17
El Vino Triste [t][*]	Juan D'Arienzo Con Alberto Echagüe	La Morocha - Canta Alberto Echague	111.3	2:23
No Mientas [t][*]	Juan D'Arienzo Con Alberto Echagüe	La Morocha - Canta Alberto Echague	53.5	2:33
El 13 [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	176.7	2:29
Pur Clase [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	89.9	2:34
Racing Club [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	123.8	3:11
Entre Pitda Y Pitada [m][*]	Carlos Di Sarli Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Podestá	Sus Primeros Exitos	50.4	2:32
Julian Centeya [m][+]	Carlos Di Sarli	Sus Primeros Exitos	110.5	3:01
Rosa Morena [m][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Sus Primeros Exitos	50.2	2:17
Bajo Belgrano [t][*]	Alfredo De Angelis & Julio Martel	Alfredo De Angelis	95.9	2:40
Marioneta [t][*][-]	Alfredo De Angelis & Floreal Ruiz	Alfredo De Angelis	110.4	2:45
Acordes Portenos [t][+]	Alfredo De Angelis	Reliquias	95.2	2:49
Ahora No Me Conoces [t][+]	Ángel D'Agostino & Su Orquesta Típica With Ángel Vargas	Tangos de los Angeles (Disc 1)	122.9	2:34
Adios Arrabal [t][*]	Ángel D'Agostino & Su Orquesta Típica With Ángel Vargas	Tangos de los Angeles (Disc 1)	123.7	3:07
Una Pena [t][+]	Ángel D'Agostino & Su Orquesta Típica With Ángel Vargas	Tangos de los Angeles (Disc 1)	50.6	2:55
Castigo [v][*]	D'Arienzo	D'Arienzo - Meta Fierro - Yunta Brava 1939/1940	66.8	2:26
Ay Aurora [v][*]	D'Arienzo	D'Arienzo - Meta Fierro - Yunta Brava 1939/1940	53.2	2:14
Miedo [v][*][need pad]	D'Arienzo	D'Arienzo - Meta Fierro - Yunta Brava 1939/1940	111.1	2:19
- 2-			70	0:02
Alas Rotas [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	110.7	2:31
Carnaval De Mi Barrio [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	50.1	2:25
Mi Serenata [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	61.2	3:01
Give Me One Reason [a]	Tracy Chapman	New Beginning	99.9	4:31
Turn Me On [a]	Norah Jones	Come Away With Me	56.8	2:34
Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us [a]	Robert Plant & Alison Krauss	Raising Sand	58	3:25
Patio De Antaño [m][n]	Trio Garufa	Tango en el Mate	193.2	1:55
El Esquinazo [m][n]	Trio Garufa	Tango en el Mate	77	1:35
Campo Afuera [m][n]	Trio Garufa	Tango en el Mate	74.8	2:24
Paciencia (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	112.2	2:32
Mano A Mano (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	104.2	3:05
La Cuarenta (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	57.4	2:45
Tinta Roja [t][*]	Aníbal Troilo & Su Orquita Típica	Tinta Roja	110.7	3:03
Soy Muchacho De La Guardia [t][*]	Aníbal Troilo & Su Orquita Típica	Tinta Roja	110.8	2:41
Pa' Que Bailen Los Muchachos [t][*]	Aníbal Troilo & Su Orquita Típica	Tinta Roja	111.6	2:49
- 2-			70	0:02
Was bleibt [a][v][need pad]	17 Hippies	Ifni	79.2	3:15
Molto Lontano [a][v]	Paolo Conte	Elegía	106	2:45
Sólo por Miedo [a][v]	María Salgado	Siete Modos de Guisar las Berenjenas	56.6	2:44
Cuatro compaces [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	66.1	2:42
Tristezas de la calle Corrientes [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	96.2	2:45
Un crímen [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	107.3	2:57
La Racha [t][i][*]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica	Tres Orquestas Milongueras Lucio Demare - Miguel Caló - Pedro Laurenz	90.2	2:36
Tinta Verde [t][i][*]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica	Tres Orquestas Milongueras Lucio Demare - Miguel Caló - Pedro Laurenz	110.7	2:35
Color De Rosa [t][i][*]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica	Tres Orquestas Milongueras Lucio Demare - Miguel Caló - Pedro Laurenz	95.9	2:15
El Abrojito [t]	Osvaldo Pugliese y su orquesta	El Maestro		3:20
Sin Palabras [t]	Osvaldo Pugliese y su orquesta	El Maestro		3:06
Quiero Verte Una Vez Más [t]	Osvaldo Pugliese y su orquesta	El Maestro		2:38
El Amanecer [t][i][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	57.4	2:30
Organito De La Tarde [t][i][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	66.2	2:49
La Cumparsita [t][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Dos Maestros, Dos Estilos	66.9	3:18
- 2-			70	0:02

Play time: 2 hours 35 minutes.

Note to self: Some sets were more inspiring than others. Some new sets, when I listened to them, sounded promising, but did not feel as interesting, when I actually danced. A lot of people complimented me on the music. I wonder why I did not feel the same kind of enthusiasm, and, why their enthusiasm was not always obvious to me.

Loca

Oh what I would give to own a time machine...

vibes

dear diary,

i was frustrated that i could not find harmony with the roomful of exuberant dancers. (or was it the people in the room were not in harmony??)

it wasn't because the floor was crowded. i enjoy crowded space now. it's challenging... when the world around me is predictable... or when the world is unpredictable in a fun way. i got the sense that people were listening to music in very very different ways. and, well, instead of flow, i felt turbulence all around, everywhere.

i stood and watched, even when it was music that i loved. i wanted to go into the crowd. but i felt an invisible force along the edge of the floor, repelling me, pushing and bumping me, keeping me out.

- - -

since i wasn't dancing, i chatted. you know what? a bunch of people felt the strangeness in the air too... maybe it wasn't just me.

sad...

gancho

(funny thing is, i am learning gancho right now... ha ha ha ha ha)

((once again, thanks to Johanna for finding this.))

nervous heart

dear diary,

i first spied her many months ago in her home town. the entire night, i watched her lead, beautifully, tanda after tanda.

at the festival, i spotted her again. i wanted badly to ask her to lead me. gutless...

the next night, i waited until she was about to walk off the floor to take a rare break, and approached her.

"would you like to lead me?"

she looks at me, with an uncomfortable expression, "if you are not a follower, i won't... if you don't follow well... "

"20 seconds" i say, "then, if it's bad, please, feel free to just walk away."

a long pause. "i will dance one song with you, because you asked. but only one."

"fantastic!"

(only at this time do i realize what i have done. my heart pounds, i am flushed with heat. i can barely breath. i don't hear the music. i just feel woozy and scared out of my mind. i could not still my heart and my mind, to listen to her... i was, simply put, awful awful awful.)

at the end of the song... "you are a good follower. are you a teacher?"

i burst out laughing. "no no no. i just love to follow."

"thank you so much for dancing with me." i said, at the end of the song, grateful for her generosity.

dream

some nights are like a dream from which you don't want to wake...

-

once, after a set that was such a dream, i shook my head in awkward disbelief. what does one say in this moment??? she hugged me.

for the remainder of that night, i could not go back to ask her to dance, because, how could i dare ask for another perfect moment? was it possible to have two perfect moments?

take that!

-



-

(Thanks to Johanna for posting this on her blog.)

july 21 2009 milonga playlist

Name	Artist	Album	BPM	Time	Color
Adiós muchachos [t][*][need pad]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	66.8	3:14
- 2-			70	0:02
Fumando espero [t][*]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	50.6	3:14
Clavel del aire [t][*]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	66.2	2:34
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Vagabundo [t][+]	Ricardo Tanturi	1940 / 1948	61.5	2:45
Discos De Gardel [t][+]	Ricardo Tanturi	1940 / 1948	50.2	2:38
Qué Vas Buscando Muñeca [t][+]	Ricardo Tanturi	1940 / 1948	110.8	2:35
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Bajo De Un Cielo De Estrellas [v][+][mono]	Miguel Calo and Canta : Alberto Podestá	Valses Inolvidables	95	2:34
El Mismo Dolor [v][+][mono]	Miguel Calo and Canta : Raúl Iriarte	Valses Inolvidables	59	2:39
El vals soñador [v][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	61	3:31
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Alma En Pena [t][+][need pad]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	86.2	2:56
- 2-			70	0:02
Y Sono El Despertador [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	112.9	2:41
Muchachita Rosarina [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	61.1	2:47
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Oriente [t][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica With Horacio Quintana	Sus Éxitos Con Miranda, Berón Y Quintana	50	3:07
Están Sonando Las Ocho [t][+]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica With Horacio Quintana	Sus Éxitos Con Miranda, Berón Y Quintana	112	3:08
Vieja Ribera [t][+]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Sus Éxitos Con Miranda, Berón Y Quintana	50	2:46
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
El Criollito Oriental [m][*]	Pedro Laurenz Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Podestá	Creaciones Inolvidables Con Podesta Y Bermudez	51.7	2:29
Milonga De Mis Amores [m][i][*]	Pedro Laurenz Y Su Orquesta Tipica	Creaciones Inolvidables Con Podesta Y Bermudez	61.3	2:26
Maldonado [m][*]	Pedro Laurenz Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Podestá	Creaciones Inolvidables Con Podesta Y Bermudez	66.4	2:06
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Cuatro compaces [t][*]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	122.4	2:42
Tristezas de la calle Corrientes [t][*]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	61.8	2:45
Un crímen [t][*]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	50.5	2:57
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Desaliento (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	67.9	2:38
El Adiós (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	110.6	3:00
Nada Más (Canta ROBERTO MAIDA) [t][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Maida	Roberto Maida Canta Sus Éxitos	110.3	3:01
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Les Jours Tristes (Instrumental) [a][v]	Yann Tiersen	Amélie	66.8	3:03
La Valse D'amelie [v][n]	Trio Garufa	La Segunda Tradicion	195.9	2:37
Charlotte Mittnacht (The Fabulous Destiny Of...) [v][a]	Devotchka	How It Ends	142.7	3:06
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Shusheta (El aristocrata) (1940) [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	67	2:22
Retirao (El retirao) (1939) [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	111	2:22
El pollo Ricardo (1940) [t][i][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	112	2:25
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Felicia [t][i][+][mono]	D'Arienzo	D'Arienzo - Meta Fierro - Yunta Brava 1939/1940	61	2:47
El Tigre Millán [t][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	1947/52 - Colección 78 RPM	67	3:11
El Puntazo [t][i][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	1947/52 - Colección 78 RPM	90	2:31
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Sacale Punta [m][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	110.3	2:16
El Torito [m][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	66.4	2:11
Ella Es Así [m][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	111.1	2:34
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Nidito Azul [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	67	2:37
Sueño Azul [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	61.9	3:24
Buscándote [t][+][mono]	Osvaldo Fresedo & Su Orquesta Típica (Ricardo Ruiz)	Años '33 Al '48 – Buenos Aires Tango Club Vol. 14		2:49
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Phantom Doll [a]	Tracy Grammer	Flower of Avalon	69.6	4:07
All Night [a]	Sam Phillips	A Boot and a Shoe	84	4:01
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Se Fue [v][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Canta Raul Berón	Valses Inolvidables	112.3	2:39
No Nos Veremos Mas [v][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Canta Raul Berón	Valses Inolvidables	110.4	2:36
Al Pasar [v][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Canta Raul Berón	Valses Inolvidables	66.4	2:38
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Aparcero [t][*]	Francisco Canaro	Canta Ernesto Famá Vol. 2 (Reliquias)	51.2	3:08
Lo pasao paso [t][*][need pad]	Francisco Canaro canta Ernesto Famá	La Cumparsita - Tango Argentino		2:35
- 2-			70	0:02
Al subir, al bajar [t][*]	Francisco Canaro canta Ernesto Famá	La Cumparsita - Tango Argentino		3:00
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Quiero Verte una Vez Mas (1940) [t][*]	Francisco Lomuto con Fernando Diaz	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	112	2:26
Triste Comedia [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	71.9	2:39
Solamente Ella (1944) [t][*]	Francisco Lomuto con Alberto Rivera	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	66.1	3:11
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
La Punalada [m][*]	Juan D'Arienzo	El Esquinazo - 1937 / 38	114.7	2:16
El Esquinazo [m][*]	Juan D'Arienzo	El Esquinazo - 1937 / 38	112.9	2:29
Milonga Del Corazon [m][*]	Juan D'Arienzo	El Esquinazo - 1937 / 38	61.5	2:26
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Mano a Mano (1936) [t][+][mono][need pad]	Francisco Lomuto con Jorge Omar	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	119.2	3:15
- 2-			70	0:02
Las Cuarenta (1937) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Lomuto con Jorge Omar	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	111.9	2:47
Nostalgias [t]	Lomuto, Francisco (Omar, Jorge)	Buenos Aires Milonguero B		3:07
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Sinsabor [t][i][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	50.3	2:53
Sinfonía De Arrabal [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	110.4	3:07
La Melodía Del Corazón [t][*]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	101.4	3:17
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Dolores [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	107	3:33
Corazón De Oro [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	50	3:19
Aclamación [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	112.5	3:25
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Trampa Del Alma (Featuring Sandra Corizzo) [a][t]	San Telmo Lounge	Electrocardiotango	92	4:09
Hijo de la Luna [a]	Mecano	Ana, José, Nacho	119.4	4:23
Siempre Me Quedará [a][cut]	Bebe	Pafuera Telarañas	77	3:21
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
Marejada (1941) [t][i][*]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	66.5	2:31
La torcacita (1941) [t][i][*]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	90.9	2:36
La cachila (1941) [t][i][*]	Carlos Di Sarli (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	91.2	2:45
undercooled [cort]	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Chasm	141.5	0:31
La maleva (1942) [t][i][*]	Anibal Troilo (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	110.9	2:41
El distinguido ciudadano (1943) [t][i][*]	Anibal Troilo (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	111.8	2:17
La cumparsita (1943) [t][i][*]	Anibal Troilo (Instr.)	Milongueando En El 40	109.1	2:35

play time: 3.6 hours

lessons learned:

1. Tanturi does not work as the 2nd set of a night.

2. Calo's vals set does not work early in the night.

3. good choice on the new cortina.

replay replay replay

i play this tune, over and over again. sigh...

-

Buscándote

Vagar...
Con el cansancio de mi eterno andar,
Tristeza amarga de la soledad Ansias
enormes de llegar.
Sabrás...
Que por la vida fui buscándote,
Que mis ensueños sin querer vencí
Que en algún cruce los dejé.
Mi andar apresuré
Con la esperanza de encontrarte a ti,
Largos caminos hilvané
Leguas y leguas recorrí por ti.
Después que entre tus brazos Pueda descansar,
Si lo prefieres volveré a marchar
Por mi camino de ayer.

-

Wandering...
With the exhaustion of my eternal rovings,
With the bitter sorrow of solitude,
With overwhelming anxiety to reach you.
You should know
That I have spent my life searching for you
That I conquered my dreams without wanting to
That I left them at some crossing.
I pushed ahead
With the hope of finding you,
I hurried down long roads
Miles and miles I covered for you.
Afterwards in your arms I can rest,
But if you want I will head out again
On my path of yesterday.

- Translation by Shannon Costello

from darkness to light

dear spirit de tango,

thank you for listening to me. thank you for showing me the joy, the bliss, the pure ecstasy in the countless countless countless breathtaking moments last night.

in time, i will accept that you are fickle.

groan is good in judo

during practice, a novice worked on a take-down, in which i was the take-downee (she was Tori, I, Uke.) as i fell onto my back, she followed me down to the mat, transitioned into matwork, and then, to a pin. i groaned loudly (HEY it hurt), because she (as instructed) inflicted great discomfort into my rib cage. she released immediately, fear in her eyes, asked me whether i was ok. i replied, "YES! groan is good. you want to hear groans from your opponent." to this, the instructor (of this move) said, "yes. you see, he could stop the pain anytime, if only he would just let you win."

heh heh...

-

the black-and-blue spots on my body from two weeks ago (unrelated to the above fun times) have healed to a more pleasant pale-green.

random

when i attend a festival (there have only been a few), in the midst of fantastic dancers, something happens to me that transforms my dance to a new level. this change is permanent.

over the weekend, another transformation. i felt the ENERGETIC STEPS, the kind that felt to me, and which i transmit to my partner, a powerful OOOMPH to every beat of the music. my teachers described this over a year ago. of course, with many things they say to me, i understand them much much later.

happy...

-

a follower accepted my invitation. she was a very comfortable and very good dancer. at the end of the first song, i saw her looking around. she looked bored. between the songs, she did not look at me, and she was not interested in conversation. (the truth is, i am not really into chatting between songs. so in general, the silence doesn't bother me. it is the kind of silence that can be uncomfortable.)

it was a depressing moment. i wondered for a long time, whether it would have been better to just end the set early, rather than being mutually polite. just not sure.

-

sigh...

blech

dear diary,

my knee continues to hurt. i keep dancing, because i am restless if i don't.

i have so many bad thoughts about the tango right now, about some kinds of people and their behaviors, about my physical pain, about uncomfortable social situations... ugh.

... story of a friend, who had never, until now, experienced the horror of sitting through an entire night without dance, reminds me of the dark side.


... so many dark feelings, none that i can share, but i suspect you already know what i cannot say, or worse, await your discovery.

My Work-in-Progress Alternative Sets

Here is my (almost current) working list of alternative sets, from a base of about 1,000 candidate alternative tracks. Many "sets" are one-sies and two-sies looking for their mates. Over time, and with a lot of patience, I hav been able to fill some voids. (The search never ends.) I have not tried all songs in the "real" environment. Some are beautiful, but I just have not the time to find the complementary traditional sets. So they sit and wait in the queue.

A number of sets can be found in the various playlists on this blog, within context of the traditional music. I think that I have become better. I like my recent lists much much much more than those from a couple of years ago.

You may notice that a song may appear in a number of sets, if I think that it fits in some way. A set of more than three songs means that any combination of three or four may work. Or, it could just mean that I am still tinkering. By the way, for every one song I keep, I probably discard dozens.

Many of these songs appear in other fantastic online repositories of alternative tango music (see my playlist links on the right). I have tried to find and listen to as many songs as possible in those lists.

Alas, I have mixed success getting great tracks from Europe. If they are not in my list here, either they have not worked their way into it from my base set, or I could not find them from sources available to me, or I have listened to them, and they are "not me."

What is a lot of fun for me are the challenges in weaving the traditionals with the alternatives. If you were to see me working on a playlist, you would see a nutcase repeatedly playing tracks, to see if the transitions work, to see if it feels right, as I move in and out of the sets. I have some crude rules that have seemed to work pretty well. For example, some kinds of alternatives work great before (or after) Canaro.

I love to look at the dancers' eyes during the transitions. If they do that Spock-eyebrow thing, then it didn't work. On the other hand, if they smile, and almost nod with their body, then it is simply the best.

Thanks to Sasha who introduced me to Wax Tailor. I love to know about your list!

june 16 2009 milonga playlist

Name	Artist	Album	BPM	Time	Color
Jueves [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	102.4	2:25
Adiós Buenos Aires [t][*]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	101.3	2:36
Llamale H [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	111.3	2:41
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
El Flete [t][i][+]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	111.9	2:55
Lorenzo [t][i][+]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	65.8	2:55
Rawson [t][i][+]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	De Pura Cepa 1935-1936	66.2	3:30
Represent, Cuba [cort]	Los Cubanos Feat. Amy Franklin	The Latin Mix 2	99	0:27
Al Pasar [v][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Canta Raul Berón	Valses Inolvidables	66.4	2:38
No Nos Veremos Mas [v][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Canta Raul Berón	Valses Inolvidables	110.4	2:36
Se Fue [v][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Canta Raul Berón	Valses Inolvidables	112.3	2:39
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
Adios Muchachos (1942) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Lomuto con Jorge Omar	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	117.5	2:41
- 2-			70	0:02
Mano a Mano (1936) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Lomuto con Jorge Omar	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	119.2	3:15
- 2-			70	0:02
Las Cuarenta (1937) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Lomuto con Jorge Omar	Coleccion 78rpm (1931-1950)	111.9	2:47
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
Canta, Pajarito [t][+]	Carlos Di Sarli Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Rufino	Sus Primeros Éxitos Vol. 1	112.5	3:16
Charlemos [t][+]	Carlos Di Sarli Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Rufino	Sus Primeros Éxitos Vol. 1	110.4	2:30
Cascabelito [t][+]	Carlos Di Sarli Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Rufino	Sus Primeros Éxitos Vol. 1	107.5	2:33
Love Tape [cort][fast]	The Pinker Tones	The Million Colour Revolution	68.5	0:21
La Milonga Que Faltaba [m][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	111.2	2:23
Ella Es Así [m][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	111.1	2:34
El Torito (1939) [m][i][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato (Instr.)	Coleccion 78rpm2 (1938-1942)	57.2	2:11
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
El Arroyito [t][i][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta	Instrumentales de Colección	90.5	2:44
La melodia de nuestro adios [t][i]	Orquesta Francisco Canaro	Tangos instrumentales para bailar	83.8	3:02
Hotel Victoria [t][i][*]	Francisco Canaro Y Su Orquesta	Instrumentales de Colección	96.7	2:47
Quiero verte una véz más [t][i][*]	Francisco Canaro (Instr.)	La Cumparsita - Tango Argentino	62.8	2:31
- 2-			70	0:02
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
Esta Noche En Buenos Aires [t][+]	Ángel D'Agostino & Su Orquesta Típica With Ángel Vargas	Tangos De Los Angeles Vol 2	111.5	2:44
El Yacare [t][+]	Ángel D'Agostino & Su Orquesta Típica With Ángel Vargas	Tangos de los Angeles (Disc 1)	90.4	3:06
Pero Yo Se [t][+]	Ángel D'Agostino & Su Orquesta Típica With Ángel Vargas	Tangos de los Angeles (Disc 1)	82.4	2:40
Mano Blanca [t][+]	Ángel D'Agostino & Su Orquesta Típica With Ángel Vargas	Tangos De Los Angeles Vol 2	59.4	2:41
Represent, Cuba [cort]	Los Cubanos Feat. Amy Franklin	The Latin Mix 2	99	0:27
Apasionadamente (Canta ERNESTO FAMA) [v][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Sus Exitos Con Ernesto Fama	110.5	3:23
Dos Corazones [v][*]	Francisco Canaro	20 Exitos	82.4	3:09
Aclamación [v][i][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Bailando Tangos, Valses Y Milongas	112.5	3:25
Mad Summer [cort]	Joe Hisaishi	Kikujiro (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)	166.8	0:28
Everybody Says (Al Maestro Leonard Cohen) [a][t]	Kevin Johansen & The Nada	Logo	96.1	4:07
Bambin [a][cut]	Alexis Hk	Les Blouses Roses	51.6	2:49
- 2-			70	0:02
Le Plus Beau Du Quartier [a][t]	Carla Bruni	Quelqu'un M'a Dit	115.9	3:30
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
A Media Luz [t][*]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	125.2	2:30
- 2-			70	0:02
Amando En Silencio [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	53.1	2:49
Cantando (1938) [t][i][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato (Instr.)	Coleccion 78rpm2 (1938-1942)	109.1	2:41
El Acomodo [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	111.1	2:26
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
!Cielo! [t][+]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica With Andrés Falgás	Sus Éxitos con Andrés Falgás y Teófilo Ibáñez	107.8	2:30
Re Fa Si [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	89.5	2:53
El Entrerriano [t][i]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica	Solos De Orquesta	135.1	2:29
Alma de Bohemio [t][+]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica With Teófilo Ibáñez	Sus Éxitos con Andrés Falgás y Teófilo Ibáñez	95.8	2:25
Love Tape [cort][fast]	The Pinker Tones	The Million Colour Revolution	68.5	0:21
No Hay Tierra Como La Mía [m][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	57.2	2:29
Parque Patricios [m][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	111.7	2:20
Serenata [m][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	63.3	2:15
Mad Summer [cort]	Joe Hisaishi	Kikujiro (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)	166.8	0:28
Via Con Me [a][m][s]	Francesco Zanda	Piccolo Fiore E Altre Storie	166.1	2:45
El Dorado [a][m][s]	17 Hippies	El Dorado	98.9	3:47
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
El Estagiario [t][i][+][mono]	Edgardo Donato Y Sus Muchachos	Edgardo Donato - 1938/1942 - Colección 78 RPM2	107.2	2:21
Alas Rotas [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	110.7	2:31
Carnaval De Mi Barrio [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	50.1	2:25
Mi Serenata [t][+]	Edgardo Donato	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - Edgardo Donato -1933/1941	61.2	3:01
Represent, Cuba [cort]	Los Cubanos Feat. Amy Franklin	The Latin Mix 2	99	0:27
Amor Cobarde [v][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	61.9	3:05
Sin Rumbo Fijo [v][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	114.2	2:18
Amor Y Celo [v][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	61.7	2:25
(Mao Mao) Pao Pao Cha Cha [cort]	Elli Kokkinou	The Latin Mix 3	123.7	0:32
Ciego (1935) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro con Roberto Maida	Poema	53.5	2:56
Recuerdos de Paris [t][*]	Francisco Canaro canta Roberto Maida	La Cumparsita - Tango Argentino	57.3	3:10
- 2-			70	0:02
Alma de Bandoneón [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Adios Muchachos: 1926-1938	111.1	2:44
Poema (1935) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro con Roberto Maida	Poema	107.9	3:27
I Believe (Yo Creo) [cort]	Aventura	We Broke The Rules	160.4	0:34
Nido Gaucho - Podesta [t][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Prim Exitos Vol. 2	71.6	3:22
Junto A Tu Corazón - Podesta [t][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Prim Exitos Vol. 2	110.6	2:59
Volver A Vernos C. di Sarli - A. Podesta [t][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Sus Primeros Exitos Vol. 2	111	2:47
Dejame No Quiero Verte Mas [t][*]	Carlos Di Sarli	Carlos Di Sarli 1943-1948, Coleccion 78 RPM	61.3	3:25
Cosmos Sound Club [cort]	Les Chrysanthemes	Hotel Costes 3	93.7	0:32
Loca de amor [v][+]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica With Teófilo Ibáñez	Sus Éxitos con Andrés Falgás y Teófilo Ibáñez	57.4	2:12
Paloma [v][*]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Amor	Rodolfo Biagi - Sus éxitos con Alberto Amor	66.9	2:28
Dichas que viví [v][+]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica With Andrés Falgás	Sus Éxitos con Andrés Falgás y Teófilo Ibáñez	62.1	2:16
Mad Summer [cort]	Joe Hisaishi	Kikujiro (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)	166.8	0:28
Secret [a][wcs]	Maroon 5	Songs About Jane	88	4:14
Back To Black [a]	Amy Winehouse	Back To Black [Explicit]	123.7	4:00
Farewell To Cheyenne [a][cort]	Ennio Morricone	The Legendary Italian Westerns	92.9	0:25
Sueño Azul [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	61.9	3:24
Un Amor [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	110.7	2:28
Nidito Azul [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	67	2:37
- 2-			70	0:02
La Cumparsita [t][+][mono]	Fresedo, Osvaldo	1933 / 1948	105.3	2:20

total time: 3 hours 25 minutes.

(i did not like my cortinas. will work on it.)

june 13 2009 practica playlist

Name	Artist	Album	BPM	Time	Color
Don Juan [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	107.3	2:41
Bronca rea [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	111	2:37
Che papusa oi [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	RCA Victor 100 Años - Orquesta Típica Victor	82.8	2:36
Soledad (1935) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro con Roberto Maida	Poema	111.3	3:07
Cambalache (1935) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro con Roberto Maida	Poema	117.1	3:07
No Hay Que Hacerse Mala Sangre (1935) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro con Roberto Maida	Poema	119.2	2:58
ACORDATE DE MI [v]	Carlos Di Sarli	Porteño y bailarín	70.5	2:51
Estampa Federal [v][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Podestá	Sus Primeros Exitos	95.2	2:35
Un Día Llegará C. Di Sarli - R. Rufino [v][+][mono]	Carlos Di Sarli Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Rufino	Sus Primeros Éxitos Vol. 1	112.1	2:32
Y Sono El Despertador [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	112.9	2:41
Muchachita Rosarina [t][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	61.1	2:47
Otra Vez [t][+][mono]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	66.3	2:37
Mandria [t][+][mono]	D'Arienzo	D'Arienzo - Meta Fierro - Yunta Brava 1939/1940	113.2	2:22
Felicia [t][+][mono]	D'Arienzo	D'Arienzo - Meta Fierro - Yunta Brava 1939/1940	61.2	2:47
Pampa [t][+][mono]	D'Arienzo	D'Arienzo - Meta Fierro - Yunta Brava 1939/1940	110.6	2:19
Pena Mulata [m][+]	Carlos Di Sarli Y Su Orquesta Típica With Roberto Rufino	Sus Primeros Éxitos Vol. 1	115.4	2:26
La Mulateada [m][+]	Carlos Di Sarli	Sus Primeros Exitos	61.3	2:21
Yo Soy De San Telmo [m][+]	Carlos Di Sarli	Sus Primeros Exitos	111.3	2:19
Vanidad [t][*]	Francisco Canaro canta Ernesto Famá	La Cumparsita - Tango Argentino	61.4	2:14
Tormenta (Canta ERNESTO FAMA) [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro	Sus Exitos Con Ernesto Fama	110.4	2:37
Al subir, al bajar [t][+][mono]	Francisco Canaro canta Ernesto Famá	Sus Exitos Con Ernesto Fama	113.1	3:00
Cuatro compaces [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	66.1	2:42
Tristezas de la calle Corrientes [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	96.2	2:45
Un crímen [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Berón	Al compás del corazón	107.3	2:57
Attila Marcel	Ben Charest	Triplettes de Belleville	53.4	2:25
Sous Le Ciel De Paris	Jacques Gautier	Les Plus Belles Chansons De Paris (The Most Beautiful Songs Of Paris)	71.8	2:45
Lettre a P...	Paris Combo	Attraction	101.1	3:44
Solamente Ella [t][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica With Horacio Quintana	Sus Éxitos Con Miranda, Berón Y Quintana	111.5	3:16
Nos Encontramos Al Pasar [t][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica With Horacio Quintana	Sus Éxitos Con Miranda, Berón Y Quintana	61.4	2:54
Igual Que Un Bandoneón [t][+][mono]	Lucio Demare Y Su Orquesta Típica With Horacio Quintana	Sus Éxitos Con Miranda, Berón Y Quintana	57.2	3:04
La noche que te fuiste [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Iriarte	Sus éxitos con Raul Iriarte	62	2:46
Marion [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Iriarte	Sus éxitos con Raul Iriarte	67.1	2:48
Si yo pudiera comprender [t][+][mono]	Miguel Caló Y Su Orquesta Típica With Raúl Iriarte	Sus éxitos con Raul Iriarte	111.1	2:54
No Hay Tierra Como La Mía [m][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	57.2	2:29
Parque Patricios [m][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	111.7	2:20
Serenata [m][+]	Francisco Lomuto	1931/1950 - Colección 78 RPM 2	63.3	2:15
El Dorado [a][m][s]	17 Hippies	El Dorado	98.9	3:47
Via Con Me [a][m][s]	Francesco Zanda	Piccolo Fiore E Altre Storie	166.1	2:45
Recuerdo [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	111	2:50
Bajo El Cono Azul [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Típica Victor	1930/1944	101.7	2:43
Una Vez [t][+]	Orquesta Típica Victor	Coleccion 78 RPM - Orquesta Típica Victor - 1929/1944	61.1	3:21
Arlette [1944] [t][+][mono]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Amor	Rodolfo Biagi - Sus éxitos con Alberto Amor	53.2	3:21
Sentimiento gaucho (1942) [t]	Rodolfo Biagi (Instr.)	ToT Rodolfo Biagi 2	64.9	2:49
Marol [t][+][mono]	Rodolfo Biagi Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Amor	Rodolfo Biagi - Sus éxitos con Alberto Amor	69	2:46
Mendocina (1944) [v][+][mono]	Pedro Laurenz con C. Bermudez y J. Linares	Grabaciones Olvidadas Vol. 2	66.7	2:35
Paisaje [v][+][mono]	Pedro Laurenz Y Su Orquesta Típica With Alberto Podestá	Creaciones Inolvidables Con Podesta Y Bermudez	98	2:53
Mascarita (1940) [v][+][mono]	Pedro Laurenz con Juan Carlos Casas	Coleccion 78rpm (1937-1943)	110.7	2:53
Androgyne	Quartango	Compadres	106.5	4:29
Florida [t][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	1947/52 - Colección 78 RPM	110.6	2:24
Gran Hotel Victoria [t][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo	RCA - Colección 78 RPM - 1944-1949	110.5	2:31
La Clavada [t][+][mono]	Juan D'Arienzo & Su Orquesta Típica	1940/1942 - Colección 78 RPM	58.2	2:24
Fumando Espero [Tango]	Trio Pantango	Tango Argentino - Libertango	125.2	2:42
Organito de la Tarde	Trio Pantango	Tango Argentino - Melancólico	120.7	3:09
La cumparsita	Trio Pantango	Tango Argentino - Libertango	63	3:14

total time: 2 hours 31 minutes

fun

tanguero friend: "you know, i was trying to match my steps with yours..."

me: "ha! I WAS trying to match you!"

(thinking...)

me: "ah, i see. when i was behind you, i matched you. and, as we both turned, you were then behind me, and you followed me! this is too much fun."

trust, believe, and love

friend: "the festival was a humbling experience."

me: "?"

friend: "well, i was upset that i could not be good enough for the leaders."

me: (silence)

friend: "it's easier when i am dancing with someone at my level."

me: (silence)

friend: "you don't agree?"

me: "it's not the way i think."

friend: "?"

me: "i have danced with incredibly talented and skilled partners, and with those who have just begun their journey. you know what's the most important thing for me?"

friend: "?"

me: "in the few minutes that we share on the floor, i feel, with certainty, that my partner trusts me, believes me, and loves me."

friend: "you are kidding."

pain

dear diary,

the side of my knee hurts. not the knee. but the tissue on the inside of my right knee hurts, like something is stretched, or torn.

sigh... does this stop me from dancing? of course not.

i hope this means that i am dancing too much, and not that i am dancing incorrectly. i think it's the latter. i am upset about this. did i take a short cut somewhere, in my technique, so that my body is finally getting around to complain, to warn me?

not good.

contrast

i am on travel, of course, with shoes in my pack.

it's awkward being a guest. i don't know anyone, and no one knows me.

in the course of the night, i dance with two fantastic women, both (i found out later) teachers. by fantastic, i really mean that they are both accomplished, elegant, fluid...

my experience with them... with one, the connection is sublime, emotional, to the point that after each song, as we wait for the next, i strain to hold back tears. with another, clinical. i feel that she challenges me, as if i am a student, and that when i am not crisp enough, then she shows me that i had made a mistake. all this, of course, without words, but simply in the responses of her body, her steps, to my invitations. she does none of this harshly. nonetheless, i feel uncomfortable.

-

within a set, between songs, a desire, a longing to begin the next, versus accounting the time until a proper and respectful disengagement.

glorious week

dear diary,

i danced many nights this past week. it was a blissful week. many many many incredible moments on the dance floor.

...

lomyl and i have been thinking and reading about compassion, love, empathy, and acceptance.

without conscious thoughts, i brought all of this into my dance, last week.

i experienced bliss.

drill

dear diary,

i like working from home. i get to do strange things during mental breaks. with my bad back, i have to force myself to stand up and walk around, otherwise mr. pain pays me a visit.

anyway, i have been thinking about dissociation a lot a lot. i figure i can do something about it.

i move my very cool audioengine a5 into the living room, play my favorite canaro set, and practice forward ochos. i am mindful of my body. i begin the coil from my shoulder, and feel the twist slide down my body, through my hip, down my legs, and finally through my ankle, my foot. it feels really really cool. (i have better balance on my left than on my right. go figure.)

i like it when my teachers' words are no longer abstract. i like it that my body has feelings that i can attach to those words.

kbye.

difficult material

i have been learning new material over the past few months. it has been frustrating, but in a very good way. my body struggles to experience, just once or twice, the "right" feelings. they have been elusive, very elusive.

it is not intellectual. it never is. my body needs to feel "it." then my body understands.

in class last night, a few people (not friends), came to me and offered supportive words. it must have been obvious, on my face, the struggles within my body (to feel) and in my mind (to not think).

... as long as i am not developing bad habits, and that i am on the right track, i don't really care how long it takes. i am patient like that.

-

so you want to know what was kicking my butt? ok. DISSOCIATION.

it's one thing to keep upper body still, and move lower body. or, to move upper body and keep lower body still. last night, i needed to move my upper body SLOWER than my lower body (of course, ALSO do this while I moved to the music, to the beat, be balanced, have good posture, breath, and not to off-balance my partner).

difficult. very difficult.

-

there was a moment of light. i was both a follower and leader. at the end of an exercise, when the instructor asked the class for feedback, my leader blurted out (and pointing to me), "he is an incredible follower."

-

and so it goes. the tango is cool like that.

unfinished conversations

i greet a friend, who is just putting on her shoes. we continue a conversation (one of several open threads) from some time ago. among my tango friends, there are dozens of unfinished conversations.

anyway, we sat through a couple of songs. then, the last song of the set is one of my favorites. (obviously) i can't concentrate anymore. [pause conversation] i ask her whether she would dance with me. she agrees.

maybe next time.

maybe next year

i have wanted to dance with this tanguera for some time. she always seemed so content and peaceful.

i asked her last year. she politely declined.

i asked her not so long ago. again, she politely declined.

i guess i will try again next year.

stillness

dear diary,

for 5 minutes this morning, lying next to lomyl, i experienced complete, total, absolute... stillness.

for 5 minutes, the world was still. i, my mind, my body, my energy, all of me, quiet and still.

there were few other moments just like this morning, in all the years that i have been alive.

i was grateful.

april 14 2009 alternative milonga playlist

Name	Artist	Album	BPM	Time	Color
A Little Romance [cort]	Georges Delerue	A Little Romance (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	51.9	0:25
- 2-			70	0:02
Jueves [t][+][mono]	Orquesta Tipica Victor