What is non-tango? This question remains unanswered. Therefore, here is another song that can be classified as non-tango: Alfredo Zitarrosa with his song ‘El Violin de Becho’.

This song doesn’t feature a bandoneon and probably wouldn’t be played at a traditional milonga (is simply not belonging to the Golden Age enough to classify it as non-tango?). In any case, it has a lovely, danceable habanera rhythm, guitars and violins, and even Spanish vocals.

Alfredo Zitarrosa was born in Uruguay in 1936 and was exposed to rural music (and the many milongas) during his youth. His singing career began in Peru in 1964, and he subsequently established himself as one of the great voices of Latin American pop music [1]. He died in Montevideo in 1989.

One of his most beautiful songs is ‘El Violin de Becho’:

 

Here is the text in Spanish [2]. The song is popular and has therefore been performed by other prominent musicians. These are the versions by Mercedes Sosa and Lidia Borda:

 

This is a more modern interpretation of OT Silencio for those who miss the bandoneon:

Finally, here’s a couple (Maria Filali & Fausto Carpino) who perform this song (I like their fluid approach and sensual interpretation):

 

Now let’s look at a European couple (Eva Kovacova and Hendrik Jan van Rijswijk) performing the same song (somewhat more in the direction of Nuevo):

 

 

Finally, I would like to point out that the group Bajofondo has recorded a song in their electronically oriented style in honor of Zittarosa:

Hugs,

-Richard

 

  

References:

1                    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Zitarrosa

2                    http://www.cancioneros.com/nc.php?NM=4247