Podestá is a tango singer who worked with two of my ever favourite maestros, Di Sarli and Laurenz (he worked with many others as well). I worship the magnific voice of Podestá (I have mentioned it before) as much as I admire the innovative spirit of De Caro, the courage of Piazzolla or the technique of Javier. I thought that he had died, given that I have recordings of him singing to Laurenz as early as 1942 but today I heard that he is still alive! Not only is he alive but also he performs 3 or 4 times per week!
His interpretation of "Alma de Bohemio" is one of the finest examples of sung tango. Actually, up until 2 minutes ago (when writing this post) I didn't know of the fuss that this version created at the time as said by the own Podestá
"«Uno de los más grandes personajes que conocí en el mundo del tango fue Pedro Laurenz. Era todo un cajetilla. Se podía decir que era uno de los directores de orquesta más elegantes que había. Cuando me llamó a cantar con él, luego de arreglar, pregunté donde se hacía la ropa la orquesta, cuando me dijeron que era en Spiro y Demetrio casi me caigo, era una de las sastrerías más caras de Buenos Aires. Con Laurenz uno debía llevar toda la ropa al tono: cCamisas, medias, corbatas y pañuelos. Con él viví lindos momentos y con él, el público me identificó por un tema "Alma de bohemio", que todavía hoy es mi caballito de batalla."
Here it is the version with Laurenz, one of my favourite tangos!
I copied this from the website
Admission is 50 pesos (16 dollars), two people get a battle of wine, the typical Buenos Aires' sandwiches "de miga", and pan dulce. At La Cumparsita, the staff is courteous, they want people to have a good time. A couple dancers also perform, and then invite members of the audience to dance with them.
The atmosphere is not glitzy, it is real and personal. It is easy to talk with the artists because the place is small, and they are sitting next to you as they wait for their turn to sing; also, they love to talk about what they do.
La Cumparsita welcomes locals as well as tourists, most of whom were from Latin America; for some reason American visitors do not get there. Usually the audience gets very emotional when Podestá sings, for he gives his heart out in every song he performs.I know where I have to go when I go to BsAs!
I am SO happy!
3 comments:
He performs from time to time at Porteno Y Bailarin. This is a clip that I took last time I was there at P&B.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WrnKH6Sofcs
As a matter of fact, I think he performed two days ago at P&B.
Hi TP, nice to see you around here!
Yes, I was talking this weekend to "El Gaúcho" who told me that he performs pretty much all around the city, but mainly at "La Cumparsita". He also told, rather worringly, that Podestá is quite aged and worn out (performing 4 times a week when you're 83 doesn't help). I better bugger off to BsAs as soon as! ;)
Oh, I love Podesta... there is that DiSarli/Podesta CD that plays permanently at home...
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