31/2025 TangoSparks release of Osvaldo Pugliese with singer Jorge Vidal

Welcome to this weeks post!

My Pugliese catalog just got a small major upgrade in quality with the purchase of the TangoSparks San Pugliese Unchained release with singer Jorge Vidal. Small because the compilation includes only 8 songs, but major since this is the best quality I've ever heard these songs in by far.

I've personally discover TangoSparks only very recently and I'm super curious to see (and hear) all their present and future releases. But now it's time to create a tanda and get Jorge Vidal more play at the milongas!

Special offer for members of Tanda of the Week

Did you know that you can subscribe for free or become a supporter for just 5$ a month (or 30$ a year) ? This will give you access to more (or all of the) posts and tandas on tandaoftheweek.com.

I'm also super happy to announce that, in collaboration with TangoSparks, we can offer all our members a special limited-time discount to the TangoSparks store for the Pugliese/Vidal collection. Yes, its limited-time only for 28.7.-10.8.2025 so act quickly!

If you haven't signed up for a membership yet, you should see a link below to sign up. After you have become a member please refresh this page!

If you are a member, you should see a link below with the code and a link to the store.

What is TangoSparks?

TangoSparks is a project dedicated to delivering the definitive sound of tango music to DJs, collectors, and devotees.

Frank Jin is the founder and artistic lead of TangoSparks, overseeing both creative vision and technical restoration. Based in Beijing, he studied at NYU and has lived in Argentina, Europe, and the US, dedicating over 15 years to tango music and culture.

TangoSparks transfers and post-production happens at the Frank Jin Studio and you can read more about their methodology here.

The TangoSparks store and website

The store offers several releases of Osvaldo Pugliese with audio samples, including:

• TS 1.01 Instrumental 1949-50
• TS 1.02 Alberto Morán 1949-50
• TS 1.03 Jorge Vidal 1949-50
• TS 1.04 Pugliese 1949-1950 Completo
• TS 1.05 Pugliese 1951-52 Completo
• TS 1.06 Instrumental 1951-52
• TS 1.07 Alberto Morán 1951-1952
• TS 1.10 Alberto Morán 1953-54

The website also includes great resources such as well-made and easy-to-use discographies (in the discology section) of several orchestras including Aníbal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese, Carlos Di Sarli and many more.

The Osvaldo Pugliese & Jorge Vidal discography

Due to political concerns, Chanel left Pugliese’s orquesta in 1948. His replacement, Jorge Vidal "El Negro", a baritone with a magnetic and penetrating voice [...] would come to be regarded by some as the finest vocalist ever to work with Pugliese. His confident, narrative tone opened new expressive paths for the orquesta, enabling a broader thematic range.

Though they recorded only eight pieces together, all of them (in TS 1.03), including "Puente Alsina" (1949), "Ventanita de Arrabal" and "Vieja Recova" (1950), are undeniable classics. Now, through state-of-the-art restoration, these recordings shine once again with renewed clarity and vitality. -

Artistically, Jorge Vidal was not merely a substitute for Chanel’s baritone role — he marked a progression from the prevailing melancholic affection that characterized Pugliese (and much of tango) in the 1940s, helping to usher in the more splendid aesthetic of the 1950s. - Frank Jin, TangoSparks

Argentine tango tanda of Osvaldo Pugliese & Jorge Vidal

I tried to choose songs that showcase the richness of the arrangements and Vidal's interpretation best, while creating a tanda that works also for dancers not that familiar with the songs yet. I made sure that:

• The first song has a clear instrumental intro with a strong rhythm, to invite the dancers on the floor
• Each song has a long enough instrumental part before the vocals start
• Tanda finishes strong (with Vieja recova)

I tried including Barra Querida, but couldn't come up with that tanda this time.

Osvaldo Pugliese & Jorge Vidal – Ventanita de Arrabal
YouTube - Tidal - Deezer - Tango.info - Lyrics

Osvaldo Pugliese & Jorge Vidal – Puente Alsina
YouTube - Tidal - Deezer - Tango.info - Lyrics

Osvaldo Pugliese & Jorge Vidal – La Cieguita
YouTube - Tidal - Deezer - Tango.info - Lyrics

Osvaldo Pugliese & Jorge Vidal – Vieja Recova
YouTube - Tidal - Deezer - Tango.info - Lyrics