Héctor Varela

Orchestra: Héctor Varela

Singers: Jorge Falcón, Argentino Ledesma, Rodolfo Lesica, Fernando Soler, Armando Laborde,  Instrumental

Period: 1950–1979

Héctor Varela has recorded a few hundreds of songs, but only very few titles (10-12) are known to the wider tango audience. Between 1939 and1949 Varela played in d'Arienzo's orchestra, so there's no surprise that his own orchestra was playing very rhythmically. At the same time many songs are dramatic and the singers are very prominent.

I really like Varela's milongas. They are quite difficult to dance, but their energy and humor (e.g. in case of Hazme Cu-Cu) are great! Several valses are very good and it is worth listening to them.

DJ Comment

I think Héctor Varela is an example of "tango fashion". He became very popular some years ago. One could hear a tanda of his music at every big festival. I feel that recently he is becoming a bit less popular, giving space to some other "in-fashion" orchestras (like currently Donato Racciatti).

I am not the biggest fan of Varela's music. But I know that many dancers love it, so I play it occasionally. If I do it, it's normally in a bigger place with high number of tangueros. In my opinion this music is not appropriate for  small, local milongas. If you play a tanda of Varela you may increase the volume a bit, so that people feel more energy and get carried away...

Song examples:

TANGOS

Fueron tres años, Canta Argentino Ledesma, 1956
Bailan Fabian Peralta - Lorena Ermocida
Diego Riemer - Mariana Dragone

Fumando Espero, Canta Argentino Ledesma, 1955

Muchacha, Canta Argentino Ledesma, 1956

Qué Tarde Que Has Venido, Canta Argentino Ledesma, 1956

VALSES

Una Lagrimita, Canta Jorge Falcón, 1973

Igual Que Dos Palomas, Cantan Argentino Ledesma, Rodolfo Lesica, 1953, Bailan Sebastian Jimenez Maria Ines Bogado

Gota de lluvia, Cantan Argentino Ledesma, Rodolfo Lesica, 1956, Bailan Sebastian Arce Mariana Montes

MILONGAS

Con Flauta Y Guitarra, Cantan Jorge Falcón, Fernando Soler, 1973
Con Flauta Y Guitarra, Cantan Armando Laborde, Rodolfo Lesica, 1973
Bailan Sebastian Arce - Mariana Montes

Haceme Cu-Cú, Cantan Jorge Falcón, Fernando Soler, 1973

Azúcar, Pimienta Y Sal, Cantan Jorge Falcón, Fernando Soler, 1973

Silueta Porteña, Canta Argentino Ledesma, 1956