Today’s Tango Topper is Juan D’Arienzo
Juan D’Arienzo (1900-1976) was an Argentine tango musician, also known as “El Rey del Compas” (King of the Beat). Departing from other orchestras of the golden age, D’Arienzo returned to the 2×4 feel that characterized music of the old guard, but he used more modern arrangements and instrumentation. His popular group produced hundreds of recordings. His music is played often at milongas in Buenos Aires, and the instrumentals are the classic harder rhythmic tangos with a strong staccato dance rhythm.
This is the top 10 of D’Arienzo songs listened to on last.fm:
| #1 | Sobre El Pucho | 861 |
| #2 | Mírame En La Cara | 549 |
| #3 | Lilian | 457 |
| #4 | Tierrita | 443 |
| #5 | La Cumparsita | 393 |
| #6 | Nunca Más | 387 |
| #7 | Claudinette | 373 |
| #8 | Enamorado | 358 |
| #9 | Uno | 316 |
| #10 | Ya Lo Vés | 315 |
1935 is the key year in D’Arienzo´s career; this is the year when the D’Arienzo we all remember really appeared. That happened when in his orchestra Rodolfo Biagi was included, a pianist who had played with Pacho, who had accompanied Gardel on some recordings, who had also played with Juan Guido and with Juan Canaro. D’Arienzo was performing at the Chantecler by then. Biaggi´s inclusion meant a change of time signature for D’Arienzo orchestra, which changed the four-eight for the two-four; that is to say, he returned to two-four, the fast frolic beat of the primitive tangos.
(todotango)
