"Mucha Mierda" - Tango in Buenos Aires

[tulsehill charlie]

A recommendation: when you are in Buenos Aires try to hear Orquestra Tipica Fernandez Fierro.

Their approach to tango is the opposite of Gotan’s dub style. In your face, maximum drama and volume. Great sound. Four bandoneons in the front, three violins, one viola, cello, bass, piano, vocals. The sight of four bandoneonistas at full pelt is incredible, like a huge reptile on stage. In the great days of tango in the 30’s when Anibal Troilo led the dance band, it must have sounded a bit like this. They had to fill big halls after all.

OTFF a group of young musicians coming mainly from a rock background who formed the band about four years ago. They love the music of Osvaldo Pugliese, and play his songs, as well as some Piazzola and some of their own. OTFF have taken over an old warehouse which they’ve converted into a night club, complete with the largest disco glitter ball I’ve ever seen. The place was packed with young and old when I saw them this week. The stage is decorated with swathes of paper towelling and toilet paper. They play there on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In keeping with their punkish approach, their new cd is called “Mucha Mierdaâ€

[judith]

How long were you in Buenos Aires? I realized I assume too much when I was surprised to hear that young rock musicians would be playing Piazzolla. I really love some of his compositions and I think they would serve as a treasure trove for exploration. Since they have a cd out, I checked for the possibility of finding OTFF on MySpace & Youtube but unfortunately OTFF also stands for "One Take Film Festival".

[Chris P]

try specifying -film or -festival in your search

[judith]

Thank you, Chris. Will do.

[tulsehill charlie]

Judith, I'm just back in Buenos Aires from the country, only it's not buenos aires at all but an apocalyptic stinging atmosphere of smoke from grasses burnt in Entre Rios, hundreds of kilometers north of the city. Coming into BA by bus at night felt very strange, seeing everything in a yellowish haze.

Apologies for misleading you - OTFF stands for Orquestra Typica Fernandez Fierro. Their website is www.fernandezfierro.com.

[judith]

Thank you for the website. I would accept your apoligies for misleading me except I see that the fault is due to my recent lazy minded style of reading. And writing.