“I have been being asked many times about where we can buy tango music in Hong Kong, my answer to this question is always disappointing, as there is not many tango music available in the local market.

Yet it does not mean that there is none. I use to visit two big chains of music stores (H* Record and H*V) every one or two months, and sometimes I can get something good, can be good for dancing or good for listening or both.

To look for tango music in local market, first you better know what kind of tango music you want, second you need some skills to explore the stores.”

What kinds of music are available?

Golden Years

If you are looking for tango music from the golden years orchestras (around 1930s-1950s recording), like those I play from 8-11pm on our Thursday practica, then most likely you will get disappointed, because there are not many on the market, and to buy them, you have to try your luck, or if you know the name and brand of the record, you may be able to order them from the stores.

The golden years tango music you can find in HK are usually compilations, you can probably find around 2 or 3 this type of CDs in H*V, like “Story of Tango”, “Tangos Nostalgicos” and “Argentina Bailemos Tango”. In H*V’s Kowloon store, you may have a chance to see 2 or 3 Japanese tango CDs, categorized under the ballroom dance music, they are named by the orchestra leaders, I once saw “Juan D’Arienzo” and “Ricardo Tanturi” there. The latest release of tango compilations you can find in both the Central and Kowloon H*V stores is “Best Tango Album in the World Ever” (you can believe that if you want), double CDs, the selection is quite good, but in my opinion not necessary to be the best tango album.

In H* Record’s Kowloon Tong store, inside the classical and jazz music room, under the category, there are always several Japanese label’s tango CDs (in red with some black and white photos). They are compilations of tango orchestras or singers, with Japanese and Spanish names of the songs and performers. The price is usually lower than a normal disc price (if my memory is correct), but I have no idea about the quality of the recordings.

Astor Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel

Because of Piazzolla's popularity among jazz and classical music lovers in Hong Kong, among all types of tango music, his music is the easiest to buy. The CDs are either Piazzolla playing his own compositions, or other artists playing his works, so check carefully. Among them some are pretty famous, like “Soul of the Tango” played by Yo-yo Ma, 2 discs played by Ryota Komatsu and several discs by Gidon Kremer. Some of the recordings are not so popular but can be pretty good, like a set of 10 CDs “Astor Piazzolla Collection”, if you like recordings of his own performances, it is a good choice. My favourite is a box sex of 3 CDs named “Piazzollissimo”, it consists of Piazzolla’s own performances between 1974 and 1983. I still think that the best way of buying a Piazzolla’s CD is to try listening to it, as there are many choices in Hong Kong and too many choices outside Hong Kong, it should not be difficult to find a one or two CDs for yourself.

Carlos Gardel is a big man in tango, I guess for this reason, his music is also available in the local market, H*V in Central always have several discs there. Even I know how important this man was, because I do not know Spanish, too bad I do not know how to appreciate his music, and personally speaking, the sound of guitar is not really my taste. However for those who likes Gardel’s music and for those who wants to try his music, they are still available to you in the stores.

Others

If you are not interested in those big names CDs, then you may be interested in some tango music or not so tango music composed and played by some not so well known artists. Occasionally you can find these kind of discs in both stores, but usually I find them in H* Record Kowloon Tong. Like the 2 CDs of the group , so far I only find them in H* Record. And these days I am also surprised to find Hugo Diaz’s CDs there.

Where to find them?

As in Hong Kong not many people like tango music and know tango music, please do not expect the staff in those music stores can help you much (except a guy with glasses in H*V Central Classical music section)! So if you want tango music, go and find them out with your hands. They are usually spread under different categories (see below), H*V is more well organized compared to H* Record, but if you look for something different, then you better try H* Record Kowloon Tong store. So Good luck!!

H*V:
Classical section – Composer – Astor Piazzolla
Classical section – Compilations – Dance music – Tango
Jazz section – World music – Argentina
Jazz section – Artists – Gary Burton
Soundtracks – Tango, Tango Lesson

H* Record:
Classical section – Composer – Astor Piazzolla
Classical section – Instruments – Accordion, Cello
Classical/Jazz section – Dance music
Classical/Jazz section – New release
Jazz section – World music – Argentina
Soundtracks – Tango, Tango Lesson

Related Items:

1. CDs Review
2. Francisco Canaro
3. Juan D'Arienzo
4. Rodolfo Biagi
5. Tango Music Shopping Guide: Tango Music On-line

Related Links:

1. La 2x4 FM 92.7
2. Milonga
3. Musica Argentina
4. Old record for tango music
5. Tamango

Last update: 15-08-2006 17:31

Published in : Blogs, Music