The Tango Society of Boston

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Tango Music

What is called Argentine Tango music runs to gamut from scratchy records from the 1920s to contemporary recordings. It is virtually impossible to give general rules for picking "good" Tango music without unduly restricting your selection. Besides, there is a lot of variation in what people like to dance to. So we don't even attempt to do that, offering instead a list of places that we've had good luck finding Tango music, assuming you already know what you want (or have the wherewithal or knowledge to make the right choice). One good way to find something suitable is to get the name of the bandleader (and, preferably, the year) of a song you heard a local Tango DJ playing, and find a CD of that band, or one that includes a number of selections from that band. Music for most of the Tango Society of Boston events are selected by a music committee comprised of local area volunteers.  Many have extensive experience studying or listening to Tango music and who continue to learn and update their selection of sound to which we dance.  We encourage you to go up to the DJ for the evening with specific questions about the music you hear to obtain information on the orchestra, era or artist.

Many of the El Bandoneon label CDs from the 1930s to 1950s are good for dancing, but note that this includes a large selection of Carlos Gardel CDs, which many feel are unsuitable for dancing.  Nonetheless, those who came to Tango through their enjoyment of Carlos Gardel's music may find many interpretations of his songs such as "Volver," "Tomo y Obligo," and many others by orchestras whose rhythm are suitable for dancing.  Below we highlight some areas where you may be able to purchase Tango Music.  We will continue to update this area and invite you to inform us of sites on Tango music you have found enjoyable on the Internet.

  1. Tower Records, in Harvard Square at the corner of Eliot St. & John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge. Their World Music section, under Argentina, has a good selection in the $12-$15 range. 
  2. Virgin Records, corner of Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. Their World Music section has a good selection in the $12-$15 range. 
  3. Bridge to the Tango catalogue by Daniel Trenner (catalogue sometimes seen at local dances). More expensive ($15-20) but you get a description of each CD from the dancers' standpoint.
  4. Tango Nada Mas, based in Chicago, also carries a comprehensive line of Tango Music CDs at reasonable prices (around $15).  The site gives a carefully crafted description of different orchestras and a guide that allows you to search for a specific Tango.
  5. Classic Tango, based in California, carries a comprehensive line of Tango Music CDs at very reasonable prices ($10.95 & up + shipping).

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There are now many DJs in North America who specialize in Tango Music.  Some are located right here in New England and others are in Canada or in New York.  We have listed below the websites of many of the DJs who are known for mixing music for milongas or social dance parties. 

  1. Tango Muse, from New Haven, CT, Tine Herreman has served as Guest DJ in many Tango Society of Boston Milongas.  She is known for a unique blend of danceable music that has won the praise of Masters during the Boston Tango Festival.
  2. Shahrukh Merchant, who is the co-founder and former president of the Tango Society of Boston, is now an established DJ and instructor of Argentine Tango. 
  3. ToTango by Keith Elshaw of Montreal, Canada, who was a guest DJ at the Boston Tango Festival.  Keith's website presents a variety of information on Tango musicality.  He is also responsible for digitally restoring a number of classic tangos and makes these available for sale on his website.
  4. Tejastango, from Dallas, TX, maintained by Stephen Brown, is a another example of the influence of classic Tango music among DJs.  Stephen's website offers a guide to tango music for social dancing that has inspired at least one local DJ (Clifton Chow) in how his tandas are organized for the evening at milongas. 
  5. Robin Thomas, based in New York City, has served as a DJ in many dance venues across North America, including the Boston Tango Festival.
  6. Michel Auzat, also from Montreal, is a well-known North American authority on Tango Music.  He is DJ at a popular milonga in Montreal and is currently working on a book about Tango Music.  Michel has been a popular favorite Guest DJ at Tango Society of Boston events.
     

 

 

TangoLineTM (24-hour Boston-area Tango Hotline): 617-699-OCHO (-6246)