Philadelphia Weekly, CD Review

The Spanish phrase tango varón literally means "male tango," so it's somewhat jarring to see it printed on a CD cover next to a photo of the very feminine Sandra Luna. But there's something about the sound of the 38-year-old's tango--stubborn, muscular, deep-voiced--that feels classically masculine. She's a musical tomboy--no ornamental flourishes for this gal. And she's all determination: You can picture her atop a huge horse, galloping across the Pampas. Her passion for the classic tango--which many of her musical countrymen have abandoned as hopelessly retro--invests this collection with conviction. (Think Edith Piaf, but down a few octaves.) Luna's understanding of Argentina's most famous music isn't surprising: Like the tango itself, Luna was born in a poor neighborhood--a slaughterhouse district, in fact--and grew up with the gritty reality of poverty that's always been the tango's greatest inspiration. The collection includes many tango standards, and also introduces new songwriters, whose songs Luna graces with traditional gestures and a contemporary heart. (L.S.) 05/26/04 >> go there