Milonga

By Tony Bryant

The milonga is a colourful style of Argentinean folk song that is still popular in the Río Plate area of Argentina.

It is said that it arrived in Andalucía via the port of Cadiz, and the story goes that Josefa Diaz, the daughter of the famous bullfighter, Paco Oro, was contracted to sing in Argentina, bringing with her on her return, this new and exciting style. It is performed in the same rhythm as the tanguillo, a lively style of song which originated in Cadiz.

Once again, it was Pepe Marchena who excelled with these songs, and although he was capable of performing the purest, most profound styles of flamenco, he preferred these styles known as ida y vuelta.

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