OSVALDO PUGLIESE   December 2, 1905 - July 25, 1995   60's caricature of the maestro.   The great innovator. So radical ... but never over-the-edge; always Tango Tango. El Arranque from cd. El Arranque by Keith. Pugliese influenced a change in the sound and feel of Tango in each of five decades beginning with his first hit, "Recuerdo" (1921- written previously when he was barely a teenager). His "La Yumba" in 1943 was like a revelation from on-high. You can hear his influence in almost every arranger's work since the start of the 20's. Formed in 1939, it wasn't until 1943 that his own orchestra's recordings were first released as 78's... and then only by fours and eights (songs) per year. He was effectively black-listed because of his Communist Party card. He actually ran unsuccessfully in elections. And yes, he was jailed for a few months (his orchestra would perform without him but they would always lay a red rose over the piano to indicate his absence) for such iniquities as paying his side-men the same amount as he was paid. Those were the times. To his eternal honor, it must be said that having the courage of his convictions kept Pugliese from ever lowering his standards and bowing to pressure from record companies. There were those that caved-in under certainly less pressure. Pugliese's evocative and compelling recordings from the 50's represent the ultimate in passion and expressiveness for me. The 70's material is less explosive after his main players left to form Sexteto Tango in 1968 and his sound did change. In the twilight of his career, he and Piazzolla joined bands for a live concert/recording in Europe. It must have been amazing to be there. Victor Llavallén, Mario Demarco, Pugliese, Osvaldo Ruggiero, Ismael Spitanik   Actually, if you could only buy one Pugliese CD, I would recommend "From Argentina To The World." This includes some of his best 50's collection. Please, when you listen to the bandoneon solos, contemplate the importance of Osvaldo Ruggiero to the unique Pugliese sound. (In my humble opinion, you aren't missing anything if you never hear a Pugliese Milonga ... and although there are a couple of lovely Vals by him, they are hard to find). In the hard-core of Tango, Osvaldo inhabits the axis. He's the hard stuff. A 12-year old single malt as opposed to a cooler. If he is an acquired taste, that alone indicates how deep into Tango people are. A night without Pugliese for me is like trying to dance when the sound system is just a little too low and therefore you can't get into it. You just wish they'd turn it up. As it gets later in the night, I absolutely crave his music. Nochero Soy is one that raises the hair on my neck and transports me to the Tango mountain top. Pata Ancha is another. Chique. Galla Ciego. Emancipacion . There is a long list! All the passion I have in and for life comes rushing to the surface when Pugliese comes on with his signature storm. (As a matter of fact, I'm going to run right over and put him on right now!) Osvaldo made great music right up to the end of his long and wonderful creative life. To hear what I mean, listen to his live recording at the Teatre Colón from 1989. "Desde El Alma" that night is one of the sweetest things you'll ever hear. There are 66 tracks from Pugliese in ToTANGO's Restorations.