Translated by Jake Spatz
Hardcover & paperback, 160 pp. each
Vol. 1 - Vol. 2
Librotango presents the lyrics of the tango in singable translations, matching the rhythms and melodies of the original songs. Selected and expertly translated by Jake Spatz, these songs represent the core of the tango songbook. Included are detailed notes on the origins and backgrounds of each selection, revealing a thriving world of popular entertainment, and showing how the tango came to speak for generations of dancers and aficionados around the world for more than a century.
Volume 1 kicks off the series with "Milonguita," one of the most influential tangos in the genre, whose words and images echo through the songbook. Among many other giant hits, this volume includes "Mano a mano" (Fair and Square), "Madreselva" (Honeysuckle), "Cambalache" (Hockshop), "Nostalgias," "Gricel," "Tinta roja" (Red Ink), and "Malena."
Volume 2 adds twenty-six more songs to this catalogue of tangos in English, including more huge songs of the genre like ”Yira, yira” (Hustlin’), “Griseta,” “Volver” (Return), “Duelo criollo” (Dagger Duel), “Barrio de tango” (Old Tango Barrio) and more. Finely tailored to follow the sheet music, and made for singing as much as for sense, these faithful versions honor the tango poets and celebrate their achievement.