Solid, danceable, world-class tango.
author: Rich Rodriguez
The artistic genius of Alex Krebs takes another step forward with his new CD, “Berretineando:The New York Tango Jam Session.” This disk is like a fine chocolate mousse: smooth, rich, complex, and yummy! A bite of Tango?
In Berretineando, Alex presents us with truly extraordinary tango musicians. We hear the musicians skillfully, playfully “in the groove” under Alex’s direction from the very first track, “Sorbos Amargos.” Listen to the first bridge in this track (about 0:17 in) to hear how Alex makes these musicians really ‘click’. Sweet.
This is solid, danceable, tango.
The bandoneón, or “bando,” as it is affectionately called, is the bellows instrument most associated with the unique sound of Argentine tango. It also has been called the “devil’s instrument” for its difficulty to master. Here, Alex has a clear command the bando ‘voice.’ For example, on Hay Que Vivirla Compadre, the bando opens with a leading voice, clear, and brisk. Later in the track, Alex’s bando pulses rhythmically. “Duelo Criolio” is another example of Alex’s exemplary control of the bando , both as a leading instrument and as a rhythmic consol to the piano, base, and violin. So, can we now conclude that Alex has the devil in him?
I think so.
But the New York Tango Jam Session is not just about Alex Krebs on the bandoneón. It’s a cadre of musicians. As a rule, I’m not keen on tango singers. (Maybe it’s because I don’t know Spanish.) But Hectro “El Pulpo” Peyreyra’s voice is silky, sultry, and intense all in one, on every track. El Pulpo paints colors in my ears. Fascinating. And on the track, “La Ultima Curda,” pianist Evan Griffiths plays both ‘punchy’ and melodic; exactly the way superior tango should be expressed, both sweet and spicy.. Way to go, Evan, bang the ivory yet gently with you must! It is the way of life. On “Triste Destino,” violinist Nick Danielson rhythmically cries out the angst inherent in the tango, lovingly, and passionately. On “La Cumparsita,” bassist Pedro Giraudo definitely lays down the intensity and sublime character which marks this classical tango. Did I say percussion on the bass too? Indeed, on “La Cumparsita” all of these world class musicians let us know that they are indeed world class.
That was a nice one, man.
The physical CD is gorgeous. Emulating a classical design package, Alex provides us with photos of the musicians. The physical disk looks like an old LP record; black in color, visible recording tracks, and a ‘record label’. Way cool! A bonus photo is revealed when you remove the CD from the spindle… that’s for you to discover.
Read more...
Solid, danceable, tango -- at the highest level.
author: Rich Rodriguez
The artistic genius of Alex Krebs takes another step forward with his new CD ‘Berretineando,” The New York Tango Jam Session. This disk is like a fine chocolate mouse: smooth, rich, complex, and yummy! A bite of Tango?
In Berretineando, Alex presents us with truly extraordinary world class tango musicians playing from their hearts and minds. From the very first track, Sorbos Amargos, we hear the musicians skillfully, playfully ‘in the groove’ under Alex’s direction. Listen to the first bridge in this track (about 0:17 in) to hear how Alex makes these musicians really ‘click’. Sweet.
This is solid, danceable, tango at the highest level.
The bandoneón, or ‘bando’ as it is affectionately called, is the bellows instrument most associated with the unique sound of Argentine tango. Too, the bandoneón has been called the ‘devils instrument’ for its difficulty to master. On Berretineando we hear Alex’s clear command the bando ‘voice.’ For example, on Hay Que Vivirla Compadre we hear the bando open with a leading voice; clear, and brisk. Then later in the track, we hear Alex’s bando pulsing rhythmically. “Duelo Criolio” is another example of Alex’s exemplary control of the bando. Throughout the disk we hear Alex’s clear command of the bandoneón, both as a leading instrument and as a rhythmic consol to the piano, base, and violin. So, can we now conclude that Alex has the devil in him?
I think so.
The New York Tango Jam Session is not just about Alex Krebs on the bandoneón, it’s a cadre of musicians. As a rule, I’m not keen with tango singers (maybe it’s because I don’t know Spanish), but Hectro “El Pulpo” Peyreyra’s voice is silky, sultry, and intense all in one; on every track. El Pulpo paints colors in my ears. Fascinating. Besides “El Pulpo”, on the track " La Ultima Curda” we clearly hear pianist Evan Griffiths play both ‘punchy’ and melodic; exactly the way superior tango should be expressed, booth sweet and spicy.. Way to go Evan, bang the ivory yet gently when you must! It is the way of life…. On ‘Triste Destino” we clearly hear violinist Nick Danielson rhythmically cry out the angst inherent in the tango… lovingly, and passionately. On “La Cumparsita” we hear bassist Pedro Giraudo definitely lay down the intensity and sublime character which marks this classical tango… did I say percussion on the bass too? Indeed, on “La Cumparsita” each of these world class musicians let us know that they are world lass. Ah. That was a nice one, man.
The physical CD is gorgeous. Emulating a classical design package, Alex provides us with photos of the musicians. The physical disk looks like an old LP record; black in color, visible recording tracks, and a ‘record label’. Way cool! A bonus photo is revealed when you remove the CD from the spindle… that’s for you to discover.
Read more...