11/2025 - Francisco Lomuto milongas "Que tiempo aquel"

I think that both Francisco Lomuto and Francisco Canaro were at their best when playing (or recording) milongas. These songs are undeniably great for dancing and will uplift the atmosphere of any milonga.

Que tiempo aquel with Singer Jorge Omar is a perfect midtempo milonga from 1938 when the orchestra included 4 bandoneons, 3 violins, piano, tenor sax, clarinet, cornet and drums. You can hear violins strummed at 1:10 and the playful arrangement includes a short clarinet solo in the end as well as drums or percussion.

Parque Patricios, with Fernando Díaz from 1941, starts with more of that delicious plucking of the violins and soon after clarinet(s) in the back. The whole orchestra joins together for a very satisfying build up to the final notes and while 2:19 is rather short even for a milonga song you still feel like you got everything you needed. Except for the fact that you want more!

And there comes No hay tierra como la mia from 1939 with singer Fernando Díaz again. The song was composed and recorded by Charlo in 1939 and just within 4,5 months it was recorded also by Lomuto, Canaro and De Caro. The Francisco Canaro version with Ernesto Famá is dedinitely a DJ and crowd favorite as well, but it's hard to say if Francisco Lomuto did it the best? I tend to think so, but the Canaro version might get more rotation on my plates since there are just so many other Canaro milongas that go great with it.

Parque Patricios was recorded also by Canaro/Famá in 1940, and again, I can't really pick a winner. Fortunately we don't have to and we can play both great versions.

Francisco Lomuto / Jorge Omar - Qué tiempo aquel 1938

Francisco Lomuto / Fernando Díaz - Parque Patricios 1941

Francisco Lomuto / Fernando Díaz - No hay tierra como la mía 1939

Hope you enjoyed this Tanda of the Week and come back for more!