Marcelo Alvarez Sings Gardel
This recording brings together Argentine tenorMarcelo Álvarez, who only  recently became famous as an opera singer, andCarlos Gardel,  Argentine creator and singer of tangos, who became a national hero and  a legend. Fortunately, Gardelrecorded many of his songs(including those on this disc) before his tragic early death in 1935.  The arranger transforms the final song into a surprise duet by adding  Gardel's recorded voice to Álvarez's. The popularity of these  tangos is not surprising: Their melodies are beautiful, as simple and  direct as their emotional appeal. The harmonies underline the changing  moods, with verses alternating major and minor. Álvarez clearly  has a natural affinity for this music. His voice is light but intense;  as on his debut recording of operatic arias,Bel  canto, Álvarez uses his voice  well and varies it expressively, making the predominantly melancholy,  yearning songs passionately full of lament, and suffusing the lively,  cheerful dances with a smile. The strongly jazz-influenced arrangements  use the instrumental combination for utmost variety. Each of the  players--Argentine musicians to the manner born--gives a unique  stylistic stamp to superbly imaginative improvisations.--Edith  Eisler