Search - Paco Montero & His Tango Ensemble :: Beautiful Tango (Coll) (Tin)

Excellent value

Alexandra Y. Caluen | Beverly Hills, CA USA | 03/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this collection mainly looking at the price - including three discs, almost too good to be true - and was very pleasantly surprised to find: 1) no vocals; 2) consistent tempo and beat; 3) simple yet authentic orchestrations, which let the melodies come through.



It has been difficult for me to find tango music suitable for dance students accustomed to the "predictable" qualities of ballroom music. This collection, I think, is ideal for newcomers to Argentine Tango and particularly for ballroom dancers interested in adding Argentine Tango to their repertoire.



I believe this collection would also serve those who would like Argentine-style background music suitable for restaurants, wine bars, dinner parties or social events. In addition, these arrangements introduce many classic tango songs and might give some listeners confidence to explore different forms of tango music.



Highly recommended."

Good, Serviceable Performances of a Comprehensive Range of T

Gerald Parker | Rouyn-Noranda, QC., Dominion of Canada | 12/07/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a mass-marketed set (Madacy TC-2-52902) of three CDs of 36 very famous tangos (or, in a few cases, tunes often performed to a tango beat), 12 per CD, which means that it offers a rather comprehensive choice of these dances and also that it may be found more easily in department and variety stores than in music shops, a factor that is irrelevant if the buyer orders the set from Amazon or from another online vendor.



The performances are of the somewhat glitzy orchestral type commonly found on "mood music" compilations of the same sort as this one. The string orchestra (or a quite ample string ensemble) plays with slightly dubious intonation at times, also (perhaps due to how the performances were recorded) with a rather hard, "glassy" tone (all of this particularly the case with the violins), but its work is serviceable enough. The performers are named on the set as "Paco Montero & His Tango Ensemble". However, the work of the accordionist rises well above the playing of the other musicians, and the piano work, too, though less prominently featured than that of than the accordion, holds some interest.



Although this collection of tangos surely could have been contained on fewer discs, the price remains favourable for any limited budget. The packaging seems impressive, at first glance, with the metal case, but the plastic inside, affixed to over-folding cardboard flaps, does not hold the discs very firmly in place and is easy to break. The listing of the works varies, alas, in order from one part of the packaging to another, which can occasion some confusion.



Recommended, despite some reservations, as an introduction to, or reference point for, this repertory."