Search - Daniel Binelli :: Tango de Buenos Aires

Great CD. Gets better the more you listen to it.

04/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great tango CD. The arrangements here are strikingly powerful, and the execution is perfect.
Daniel Binelli is a truly original artist. Some people prefer Mederos, maybe because Mederos' style is more approachable. It is true that Binelli's pathos sounds a little bit over the top at times, and I generally prefer the arrangements of Mederos, because they are generally more gentle and nostalgic. However, I think Binelli is a better bandoneon player because he has a more solid technique.
The first track on this CD, Al pintor Aldo Serveri, is a true masterpiece. I also particularly enjoyed Linda Lee Thomas' solo piano version of Paris desde aqui, so nostalgic. Actually, nearly all the tracks on this CD are great, and they get even better the more you listen to them. It is that kind of CD.
I have to agree that this is, so far, the best tango CD of 2002."

On the nuevo side

Mark Hammond | 03/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is definitely a 'tango nuevo' CD (not meant to be danced to, but rather to be listened to), and quite a good one. Most of the tracks are atmospheric and immersive.The 2 musicians are in very good shape, although I don't think their styles really match. The pianist (canadian Linda Lee Thomas)'s vision is more 'civilised', so to speak, while Binelli's vision is more 'sordid'. (Forgive the weakness of my words). What they have in common, though, is genuine passion, and their timing is perfect. The pianist has a gorgeous and polished sound, with flawless technique, and Binelli shows his incredible mastery of the bandoneon, sometimes to a frightening degree. His vision of tango may appear a bit too 'dark' for some listeners, but the quality of his playing alone is enough to win you over."

Daniel Binelli and Linda Lee Thomas have given us a winner!

Mark Hammond | Chambersburg, PA USA | 03/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Daniel Binelli is probably one of the best contemporary bandoneonists playing today. Many people would think that Rudolfo Mederos is better.. I like both of them.. I purchased this disk because I liked an earlier disk Binelli produced several years ago. If a new disk is available and you like the artist, you buy it. I had not been familiar with the pianist, Linda Lee Thomas. I find her style to be eclectic --- with elements of both classical [she is the principal pianist of the Vancouver Symphony] and with a love of the music of Piazzola and Salgan. A tanguera in her own right, she brings a sensitivity to the music that comes from immersion in the music and the dance.My tastes in tango music are varied and include a love for the Edad de Oro, as well as some elements of Tango Nuevo. For me, wheat gives tango its vitality is its ability to renew and reinvent itself. I like it when there are new arrangements of some favorites. Binelli and Thomas have done some really beautiful arrangments of some favorites by Piazzola, Esposito, and Rodriguez. It is like a breath of spring air! I also enjoyed hearing the three of Binelli's original compositions contained on the disk.There are some times when you just need to hear the first several phrases of a piece to know that you will like a piece. It was that way with me with "Al pintor Aldo Serveri." The piano's beginning beautifully set the stage for Binelli's bandoneon. It raised my expectations for the entire disk, and I was not disappointed.Binelli and Thomas seem to show chemistry in their performance. Although tango can be as improvisational as jazz, you see the virtuosity of each artist in their interpretation of such wonderful pieces of music.I have some brief comments about some of the pieces on this disk. "Danzarin" is a nice arrangement, however you would not want it for your next milonga. It would make a good fantasy tango piece. "Paris desde aqui" is listed as a valse, but it does not have that definite vals beat. It has beautiful piano work, but may not be suitable for social dancing. "Tres minutos con realidad" is a piece I would rather listen to than dance to. It think it is a nice Piazzola interpretation. "La ultima corda" demonstrates Binelli's abilities with the bandoneon. I like "Nocturna" it is a milonga I can dance to. Salgan's piece, "Aquellos tangos camperos," does not sound like a tango, but it is by Salgan, and I like Salgan's work. Binelli's original piece, "Metropolis," is possibly a bit too tango nuevo to suit me. However, I know some people in Montreal I would love to see dance to it. "Nelly" is one of those old favorites by Esposito. This disk contains a new arrangement by Binelli and Thomas that I found thoroughly delightful. "Invierno proteno," a piece by Piazzola does not seem like a tango. Linda Lee Thomas did a brilliant arrangement of this piece that showcases the performance she and Binelli presented. There is a lot to love on this disk. It has my vote for best tango disk of 2002."