Calor de tango: Vedani's tango serenade

The lyrics of Calor de tango are by Adolfo Antonio Vedani, the author of the lyrics to Edgardo Donato's well known song, Sinsabor. A copy of the sheet music for Calor de tango is dated 1955. The song was catalogued in the Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina for 1956. I see no evidence that it was recorded.

Almost nothing is known about Vedani, but a genealogical entry for someone by that name gives his dates as 9 July 1908-19 March 1963 and says he was born in Bizzozero, Italy, and died in Varese, Italy. Maybe it's the same Vedani... maybe not.

[Photo: This unusual display ad from 16 May 1944 marked the third annual season of performances by the Alfredo De Angelis orchestra at Café Marzotto, which had been the site of its debut on 20 March 1941. In addition to a portrait of the bandleader, it featured a nocturnal photo of downtown Buenos Aires, The Obelisk, and the bright lights of the Calle Corrientes. The neon sign of Marzotto can be seen just to the right of The Obelisk. Photo courtesy of Tango Time Machine.]

CALOR DE TANGO (Warmth of Tango)* 1955
Words: Adolfo Antonio Vedani
Music: Francisco Colombo

Quien habla de nuestro tango Nunca lo oyó ni cantar, Es amasado con fango Y de ambiente popular. Tiene reflejos de luna Y pinceladas de sol, Es espejo de laguna Y es recuerdo de farol. Fue canción de serenata En voz de Carlos Gardel, Es amor en Carlos Dante Y gusto en Julio Martel. Es emoción en Rufino Guapeza en Jorge Casal, Es sentimiento en Marino Y es dulzura en Podestá. Es De Ángelis en el piano Pichuco en el bandoneón, En Aieta es el hermano Y en D´Arienzo, el corazón. Y el que diga lo contrario Que me lo venga a escuchar, El tango es escapulario Que no se puede olvidar.

He who speaks of our tango Never heard or sang it, It's mixed with mud and rooted in the working class. It has glints of moonlight And brushstrokes of sun, It is the reflection on a pond And it's the memory of a streetlamp. It was a serenade song In the voice of Carlos Gardel It’s love in Carlos Dante And pleasure in Julio Martel. It’s feeling in Rufino, Elegance in Jorge Casal, It’s sorrow in Marino And it’s sweetness in Podestá It’s De Angelis on the piano Pichuco on the bandoneón, In Aieta it’s the brotherhood and in D’Arienzo, the heart. And he who says different, May he come to heed my word, Tango is a scapular* That one can’t forget.

NOTES:

* Warmth of tango: Calor de tango. The Spanish word calor can mean warmth, heat, or affection.
* A scapular is a Christian garment that hangs from the shoulder (L., scapulae). Its purpose is to remind the wearer of his commitment to the Christian life.