TOSCA TANGO ORCHESTRA
La Cuidad del Tango (Nois)
Local outfit Tosca sets their sights high on La Cuidad del Tango, using two CDs to tell their peerless tango-plus story. Compared to some of their earlier recorded work — such as the best-of-year Tia Pamelita and elegant, rewarding Amado — the acoustic eightpiece is simultaneously more relaxed and a bit more adventurous on La Cuidad del Tango, delivering the subtle sophistication of a chamber ensemble, wrapped in the dramatic flair and energy that is uniquely tango. While the majority of the 15 enchanting songs here were written by tango über-composer Astor Piazzolla, bandleader and accordionist Glover Gill arranged all of the songs, also writing a handful of compositions, including a tango-seasoned, lighter-but-still-experimental tribute to White Album-era Beatles with “Tango Revolution 10.” Lending their formidable talents are Argentinean singers Yasmin Ventura and Alberto Cabañas, who shine throughout, but particularly on “Balada Para un Loco,” and opener “Vuelvo al Sur,” respectively. The flowing “Calambre” is as pastoral as it is urbane, the nearly 10-minute “Rondo” descends with the grace of a Beethoven piano sonata, and “Trio” is simply a stunning piece of music. Mostly recorded live in the living room of Gill’s South Austin home, La Cuidad del Tango captures the ensemble at their finest.
This article appears in February 2 • 2001.