Gobbi Instrumentals
Gobbi was a violinist. He played with Troilo, Vardaro, Pugliese and Laurenz before forming his orchetra in 1942. His instrumentals sound dynamis and strong, often mistaken as Pugliese's.
He only recorded 19 instrumental tangos but all of them are exquisite, such an underated orchestra.
He recorded mostly Guardia Vieja composition and a few new composition from the Golden Age.
Read more about him on todotango.
La Viruta (Dust)
Music: Vicente GrecoRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1947
Guardia Vieja (1900-10s) composition.
Compare with Juan Maglio "Pacho" 1912, Luis Petrocelli 1928, D'Arienzo 1936, Di Sarli 1943, Biagi 1948
Jueves (Día De Moda) (Thursday (Trendy Day))
Music: Udelino Toranzo & Rafael RossiRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1947
It refers to evening parties on Thursdays at Parque Japonés.
Compare with De Caro 1930, D'Arienzo 1937, Pugliese 1949, Trío Ciriaco Ortiz 1951, Quinteto Pirincho (Canaro) 1952.
El Incendio (Fire)
Music: Arturo De BassiRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1948
De Bassi composed this song in 1906 inspired by the sound of the firemen.
Compare with Greco 1912, Biagi 1938, Di Sarli 1940 & 1951.
Independiente Club (Independiente Club)
Music: Agustín BardiRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1948
Dedicated to a soccer club in Buenos Aires. Soccer is #1 sports in Argentina.
Puro Apronte
Music: Agustín BardiRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1948
Apronte in lunfardo means test run of horse racing.
(turf.) Carrera de ensayo de caballos// (pop.) Ostentación, aspaviento, alarde de capacidad.
Orlando Goñi
Music: Alfredo GobbiRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1949
Gobbi composed this song 4 years after the death of his childhood friend, Orlando Goñi. Goñi was one of the best tango pianist who played with and characterized the style of Aníbal Troilo. Goñi was a bohemian and a heavy drinker and passed away at the age of 31.
Racing Club (Racing Club)
Music: Vicente Greco Another song dedicated to a soccer club in Buenos Aires.
Chuzas (Spears)
Music: Agustín BardiRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1949
Guardia Vieja composition by Bardi.
Pelele (Fool)
Music: Pedro Maffia Lyrics: Juan Andrés Caruso Recorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1950.
Compare with De Caro, Pugliese.
La Catrera (Bed)
Music: Arturo De BassiRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1951
Catrera means bed in lunfardo, the word also appears in El Bulín De La Calle Ayacucho. Guardia Vieja composition
El Andariego (Restless)
Music: Alfredo GobbiArrangement: Ismael SpitalnikRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1951
Gobbi's own composition dedicated to his father Alfredo Eusebio Gobbi who traveled the world performing and recording tango.
Nueve Puntos (At Full Speed)
Music: Francisco CanaroRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1952
Guardia Vieja composition by Canaro.
Compare with Di Sarli version.
Si Sos Brujo (If You're Bewitched)
Music: Emilio BalcarceRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1953
New composition by Pugliese's violinist Balcarce.
It became the title of a documentary about a tango orchestra school in Buenos Aires which Balcarce became the first director.
Compare with Pugliese version.
Fraternal (Fraternal)
Music: Ismael SpitalnikRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1954
New composition by Spitalnik. He was a bandoneonist for D'Agostino, Salgán, Pugliese as well as arranger for Troilo. He composed many modern tangos.
Camandulaje (Gang)
Music: Alfredo GobbiArrangement: Ismael SpitalnikRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1955
New composition by Gobbi. Camandulaje is a lunfardo meaning a group of friends who would hang out bars, who might even commit crime together.
A Media Luz (In Dimmed Light)
Music: Edgardo DonatoRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1955
The original recording has lyrics, you can read them here.
Entrador (Daring)
Music: Mario DemarcoRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1956
New composition by bandoneonist Demarco, composer of Pata Ancha.
Compare with Pugliese's recording.
Sin Vuelta De Hoja (Undoubted Truth)
Music: Alberto GarraldaRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1956
"no tener vuelta de hoja" is an expression meaning undoubtedly true.
New composition made by Gobbi's lead bandonist, Alberto Garralda.
Engobbiao (In Gobbi's Style)
Music: Eduardo RoviraRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1957
New work by Rovira, avant-garde composer (also the composer of A Evaristo Carriego). Rovira played bandoneon in Gobbi's orchestra and admired Gobbi's innovations and dedicated this tango.
Saludos (Greetings)
Music: Armando PontierRecorded by Alfredo Gobbi in 1958
Pontier composed this song while he was playing bandoneón in Caló's orchestra.
