Tango Macabre

Magritte

Genre: Tango

Get Flash to see this player.

Description

Originally this was called "The Funeral Tango" until I found out there was a Jacques Brel song by that name. I still think of it that way.

I had been trying to write a funeral tango for a long time until I discovered the "Argentine Tango" loops in the World Music Jam Pack. So I guess you could call this a loops song but I did mess around with the loops quite a bit. few of them appear unscathed but mostly they've been reorchestrated, chopped up, and generally mishandled in various ways.

My fiancé (XpresoAdct) and I will be dancing the tango as our first dance at our wedding, but it probably won't be this one.

Leave a Comment

You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Song Stats

Hits: 6105
Comments: 38
Fans: 23
Plays: 657
Downloads: 251

Uploaded: Jun 10, 2007 - 03:16:13 PM
Last Updated: Jun 10, 2007 - 03:16:13 PM Last Played: May 14, 2013 - 01:32:21 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

tango (15), funeral (10), macabre (1), ethereal (36), otherworldly (4), death (190), dance (762), dancing (24), funereal (4), creepy (33), accordion (27), organ (103), unsettling (1)

Hardware:

24" Intel iMac, M-Audio Keystation 49e

Software:

GarageBand 3.0.4, Symphony Orchestra and World Music Jam Packs

Comments

	said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	:D Suitable for an animated Tim Burton flick!

	said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Fun In a dark kind of way Could be a Adams Family revival> great composition and handling of the sounds!

craft	craft said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	I'm with Death Nougat this could be on a Tim Burton's animated movie!!! Very good.. Well played and produced.. Check out my latest song called Valarty & AJ Craft - Burn (Alternative version)

Doadars Uncle	Doadars Uncle said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	I like both titles! Eerie environment! I like the choir/chime highlights. Congrats on the engagement!! Doug Check out my latest song called Alone (reboot)

guitapick	guitapick said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Beautiful... ...I'm so impressed by the combination of your songwriting, instrumentation, and production abilities. Very 3D...lots of "room to roam"... Man...that was cool, Magritte. Kudos... Check out my latest song called 'Cuz I Can

said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

Music from Terry Pratchett's Discworld?
I can see Death sitting in a pub, nursing a beer and drawing absent little drawings on his napkin while waiting for someone to show up, while all around exceedingly polite vampires dance and whirl with each other on the dance floor.

And an Igor working bar.

There's an exuberance about this that really plays with the creepiness... Fleshy Death Nougat's 'Tim Burton' reference is spot on. When Mr. Burton is on his game he can render this kind of atmosphere in perfect balance. You paint a vivid image, in rich oils, of an elegant scene full of music and motion, of a dance of bones and ghosts and spirits lost.

tommarie	tommarie said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Sweet Love the atmosphere - Indeed sweetly dark, Downloaded! Check out my latest song called Song for a crying saw

Mystified	Mystified said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Ole! This was a lot of fun to listen to! Great compilation of loops and creating the right mood for a funereal Tango. Excellent!! :D Check out my latest song called the snowflake dances

apb	apb said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	... it's been said already and it's true, perfect for the "Corpse Bride" in every respect, high production values, no sloppiness, great arranging too, lovely fluttering accordian, grande finale ending. Cleverly done. Hmm, yes not the best one for your own wedding. Kudos. Check out my latest song called Anyway

thetiler	thetiler said 2201 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	wow - Magritte, you did a terrific job. Unusal sounds blended but it sure seems to work. Love the humor and bounce of it and the list goes on. This has to be one of the most unusual blend of instrumentation and so much fun to listen to. Bravo! indeed! Now take that bow you so much deserve! Ok even if you did, take another one:) Check out my latest song called Folsom Prison Blues

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 2200 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

I haven't been
...in the mood for orchestral sounding music lately for whatever reason. A tango just didn't seem like something that would interest me this particular weekend. But since you pissed and moaned about no one commenting and posted a shameless plug (which I rather admire) I decided to check it out.

Fairly well done. I think it's pretty obvious that all of the intstruments are software, but having said that they still sound good. You made accordian sound good, which is impressive in itself. This does have a nice, dark feel with good instrumentation and would sound very good if played on real instruments. It definitely has a soundtrack feel to it, and as such doesn't seem like somtthing that would be very appealing to ordinary listening. And thankfully it's short, so it didn't take up too much of my time.

I'm half joking here, but yes I am being a little bit harsher with my critique than I might ordinarily be because of all your whining about reciprocity. There are so many songs here; a person can only listen to so many of them and comment on even less. I am pretty good about commenting on the stuff I listen to. Your piece here is good as far as the genre goes, but honestly it doesn't really stand out to me. There's nothing particularly interesting about it. Now I expect you to hold on to your end of the bargain. You wasted my time, now I will waste yours. You owe me a comment for my latest song "Kick Some Ass," and I presume that it will be as humerously scathing as my own comment to you.

Check out my latest song called Celeste

jiguma	jiguma said 2200 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Always love a good tango! Rik's description of the scene with the devil in a pub cracked me up, and suits this so well. I like the way you've used the unexpected tango instruments to put this together - very dark, but humourous at the same time. Neil Check out my latest song called INTO THE BLUE

michael2	michael2 said 2200 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	nice one the accordion has such a jaunty feel which keeps it firmly planted in tyhe more light-hearted area of "death". i really like this very much, i wish i was able to devote more time to loop deconstruction. you did an amazing job on this one. fav'd Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

Jim Bouchard	Jim Bouchard said 2200 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	hehehehe This is delightful! I sort of wish there were lyrics, because it certainly sets up stage for a Tim Burton/Danny Elfman-ish musical thing. I think I will be downloading and for my ordinary listening pleasure! hehehehe Check out my latest song called Big Yawn (Apogee One mic demo)

	said 2200 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Love it... Oddly, it reminded me just a little of Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me To The End Of Love" (which is a good thing). I can see Diane and I dancing to this ---although I can also see ME knocking over the coat-rack and the lamp while Diane looks on in disbelief! Ha ha... Thanks for directing me to this Magritte. Very nice tuneage. Very clean and balanced mix. Be well!

Reinholt56

Reinholt56 said 2200 days ago (June 11th, 2007)

Excellent piece of music...
The tune fits perfectly with the idea.

Great production but the only personal diggle I have is that the end section doesn't really come together for me.

It seems that there is something missing. I wasn't watching my levels whilt listening and when the music stopped I thought something had gone wrong.

It's not meant to be a negative comment so please don't take it that way. I'll listen to it again, paying more direct attention to the ending and see if it does indeed resolve, for me. That way I can learn from your technique/s.

Take care.

Paul.

Check out my latest song called When The Time Comes (An Ambiental Mix)

Reinholt56	Reinholt56 said 2200 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Sorry about the typo...... The only niggle......not diggle. Oooops. --- Remember that joy is contagious, so infect someone..... Check out my latest song called When The Time Comes (An Ambiental Mix)

damiengh	damiengh said 2200 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Impressive I'm sure this one took you quite a bit of time, and sounds like you labored much over this one. Well, it was worth it. I really enjoyed this one. Creating lots of nice images of dancing ghosts in dark mansion, hidden behind the trees on some moonlight mountain. Bravo. Check out my latest song called Tea and Scones

drakonis

drakonis said 2200 days ago (June 11th, 2007)

Deja vu
Spectral dances seem to be in the CA aire this month (e.g. my organ-heavy "Dancylvania" sketch.) I am glad you started with Tango loops, that gives this a really slinky feeling, and I think you "mishandled" them nicely. I notice you snuck in an audible reference to the Dies Irie, which made me smirk. I did *not* like the accordian notes, they were too-staccato-sounding and non-accordian-like... when they first started, I didn't know what kind of instrument that was until we got into the music a little further. I think some longer-drawn notes from time to time might fix that. I enjoyed the warm organ and lingering church-bells, nice touch. A tango as your first dance? How delightfully romantic! And as the day rapidly approaches, I imagine we'll see less of you here as you prepare... you do NOT have to post a "goodbye" forum note, but I expect you back here by 12 (December) at the latest, young lady! :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Belle Aire (for Mandolin Orchestra)

drakonis

drakonis said 2200 days ago (June 11th, 2007)

spiel-check failure
Uh, I really meant to type "Dies Irae", however my Latin spell-checker let me down :-) And I was also going to mention that your title immediately made me think of Saint-Sa:en's "Danse Macabre", one of my old favorites. OK, that's all. Really.
ttfn,
Drakonis

---
Deja vu - It's the next best thing to being there<br>
### Today's song:<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/24994">DidgeEmber</a>

Check out my latest song called Belle Aire (for Mandolin Orchestra)

1rwhite1

1rwhite1 said 2200 days ago (June 11th, 2007)

Magritte's Opus
After listening to all of your songs (earliest to most recent), I can honestly hear the evolution in your playing accumulate here at "Tango Macabre." Again, this is a great example of tastefully using loops. I'm in awe of your musical and moreover orchestral intuition. The mix on this song is tight. Also--you may want to research this because I might be incorrect--you can use titles that have been used for other works. As far as I know, titles cannot be copywritten. Of course, I might be wrong, and who would want to do that, anyway? But "The Funeral Tango" is not bad, either. Personally, I like the title you've settled with more than the former. Consider Whitman's poem "Passage to India," and then compare it to Forster's novel _A Passage to India_. Hmm. Anyway, this is really great music, and I hope that you will be posting new music soon. Ciao!

Check out my latest song called Nothing Left to Drive This Broken Heart

Komrade K	Komrade K said 2199 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Amazing! Bursting with wit and dark humour - Danny Elfman would be proud. KK Check out my latest song called Urra Moor/The Leckie/Reel CJ/Willafjord

rtcooper	rtcooper said 2199 days ago (June 12th, 2007)
	NOT SO MACABRE IT'S a Tango afterall. Really settles in nicely. Creates an exotic reality in the Soundscape. Were I Mixing, I might try backing out the Descant in verses two and four to have it lurk in the looming background a bit more. Shadowy. The Chimes are pure Hemingway! Coop Check out my latest song called The Loon and the Hula Moon (mstr)

kristyjo	kristyjo said 2199 days ago (June 12th, 2007)
	very funny-creepy and you do have a real gift for 'deconstructing' loops to the point of making it into an artform. I really like the instrumentation - the accordian and the chimes together do create an interesting juxtaposition. Also, fun to listen to! Check out my latest song called The Black Cat

davajonah

davajonah said 2197 days ago (June 14th, 2007)

I love it!
Those Argentinean Tango loops are well cool and you've done a fantastic job with them; downloaded thanks!

I had a little go myself if you'd like to listen - "Gancho". 'Twas a request from my missus! She's a dancer and can actually do the tango. I can't alas...

Didn't alter the loops that much, but augmented them with some sounds of my own.

Anyway, yours is an excellent tune. I shall play it for my wife. :-)

Check out my latest song called Nocturne op. 55 Andante

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 2195 days ago (June 15th, 2007)
	LOL LOL this is addams-esque - very nice! please do ask Deputy Doofy to give this a listen! thanks! Check out my latest song called Burnt Sienna

DeputyDoofy	DeputyDoofy said 2195 days ago (June 16th, 2007)
	RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Oh, ok. I'll listen. I like it for numerous reasons. It has that dark, circus-y sound to it. Also, it sounds very similar to my LIOLI 2 entry. :) Check out my latest song called Telephone Exchange — Please Hold

John Stebbe

John Stebbe said 2172 days ago (July 9th, 2007)

Great vibe
Magritte, you've got a great feel here for a Spanish-flavored dance. You must have had training either in dance or in composing in traditional dance forms. If not, maybe you're just a genius!

Love the girls' choir!

The chimes add a very Edgar-Allen-Poe touch to the whole affair.

The accordian sounds authentic. Not just the raw sounds, but the way in which is it played.

This would make a great companion piece to your "Beethoven's Rolling Over" number.

Which, by the way, I have made great use of at my school, in showing the variety of ways in which Beethoven can be reinterpreted. You gave me permission a while back (a year or more) to use that track with my kids, and we have all really enjoyed it.

Check out my latest song called Woodwind Family Song

Feter	Feter said 2171 days ago (July 10th, 2007)
	Tango Macabre it might be a dance ..but its very much a story and its wonderfully played .. ! just awesome as always ..thank you for sharing this gem here with us ..most enjoyed ! p.s we need to hear this cheerfull tango soon !! ;~) Check out my latest song called Roll with it

said 2171 days ago (July 10th, 2007)

Great 9-9-9-9
Very nice music and great job .. it look that you spend a lot of time to go out with this piece ..
Very good of the quality .. and it's also a TANGO ..
I loved the way that you used the bells .. i don't know what to say .. you used all what you have in this great one .. i don't know if it's sad or happy it is IN BETWEEN ..
Thanks for this piece ..
Wish to accept me as a new friend ..

Regardz
==============
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 2165 days ago (July 16th, 2007)
	Spooky! With all the unusual instrumentation (bells and such) this is still a real tango. I could dance to it. As could you, apparently. Isn't the tango a cool dance? Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

gail60	gail60 said 2116 days ago (September 2nd, 2007)
	Dance away! I can't dance a lick but I sure wanted to when I was listening to this. Great job! You did a terrific jobs with the instruments. You are very talented. Thanks for sharing! Check out my latest song called Ed - Forever in our hearts

Heightened	Heightened said 2086 days ago (October 3rd, 2007)
	Fantango! Now that's one funeral I wouldn't mind going to. Heightened Check out my latest song called Caldari

Moviz

Moviz said 2071 days ago (October 18th, 2007)

Just Love
the Tango... so dramatic and you've done an excellent version here, but your compilation of those loops is brilliant and I didn't realize they were loops till you said. As I said, there's nothing like a good Tango and this sounds great. Oh, and I just read your post in the Forum, so I wish you all the best for the future, both health and Marriage-wise, regards M

Another Golden Autumn

Check out my latest song called He's The Jazzman

Keith O. Edwards

Keith O. Edwards said 1519 days ago (April 22nd, 2009)

Evidence of the Cloven Hoof !
Every time I get loaded (which I'll admit is often enough) I find myself irresistibly compelled to listen to this tango which has been floating around this site for several years. (Though I yet prefer noelocal's Noel's Sexy Tango for a Friday Night Rendezvousversion. Normally, I don't care for the tune and would prefer to listen to Mozart, for example. I try and avoid this tune, because there is something rather sinister about it.

But then, while watching a video Mozart's Don Giovanni in the scene where the stone statue comes to life and sends poor Don G. to Hell, instead of Non mi dir, bell'idol mio, THIS damned music starts coming out of my speakers!

I understand now. You tango guys are all part of an evil conspiracy! You're . . . you're . . . all changelings, aren't you?

I must warn others not to listen to this tune.

But . . . who can I trust?

Check out my latest song called Talk About Sufferin' Here Below (and let's keep a-following Jesus)

jordifiol	jordifiol said 238 days ago (October 24th, 2012)
	great loved it Check out my latest song called 16th feel

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Joey H.
Location: Irvine CA

Hi all -- I'm back, to some extent. Having moved from the middle of Los Angeles to a nice quiet city in Orange County, I've been rediscovering some of my old hobbies, and making music is one of them. Hope to get more involved again soon! *** ... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Tango music is traditionally played by an orquesta t�pica, which often includes violin, piano, guitar, flute, and especially bandoneon. Tango has long been a major part of the music of Argentina, and is well-known across much of the world, along with

More songs in Tango:

Chat