This past Thursday night, August, 29th, the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip seemed to have been transported through time and space to a tango club in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the sounds of milongas and tango filled the air, but with the updated beats of dance music.
The collective of talented artist known as Bajofondo, led by renowned Argentine musican and producer Gustavo Santaolla and Uruguayan musican and producer as well, Juan Campodonico, have just completed a successful tour of Argentina, playing in front of sold out audiences in just about every city they played.
During live performances, Santaolalla and Campodonico are more than content to take a step back and allow Javier Casalla on violin and Martin Ferres on bandoneon to take center stage as it happened at the House of Blues last Thursday night as they lead the band into masterful performances of their repertoire.
Bajofondo in concert
It is hard to find a single word to describe what a Bajofondo concert is like but I think the word “hyponotic” is probably the closest word to can encompass all that can be seen, heard and felt at a Bajofondo concert. Even if one is not a big fan of tangos or milongas, it is very difficult to not be moved by the notes and chords coming out of that violin and bandoneon and the energy of Gustavo Santaolalla and Juan Campodonico jumping around as they played their guitars, while Luciano Supervielle and Veronica Loza filled the open spaces with the keyboards, pre-programmed sequences and DJ’ing all while Gabriel Casacuberta on bass and Adrian Sosa on drums keep the hard driving beats moving, but at the same time keeping the rest of the band in pace.
About half of the set list at the House of Blues concert consisted of songs of their current album, Presente, with “Codigo De Barra”, “Pide Piso” and set closer “Olvidate” being some of the highlights.
“Montserrat” and “Parejo y Duro” from the first album, Bajofondo Tango Club, also made their way into the set along with “Grand Guignol” “El Mareo” and “Pa Bailar” from their second album Mar Dulce.
