Roberto Goyeneche (1926-1994)

Roberto Goyeneche is an Argentine tango singer of Basque descent who was born in Buenos Aires on January 29, 1926. Goyeneche is said to be the highest quality expressive singer in the history of Tango. Goyeneche often went by the nickname El Polaco (“the Pole”) due to his blond hair and thin build, like the Polish immigrants at the time. Due to the early death of his father Emilio Goyeneche, an upholsterer by trade and a pianist at heart, Goyeneche had to sacrifice his education to work and make a living. As an adolescent, Goyeneche worked driving taxis, buses, and trucks before he entered the tango scene. In 1944, at the age of 18, he began his career as a singer in Raúl Kaplún’s orchestra. Later, in 1956, he became singer of Aníbal Troilo's orchestra. He recorded 26 songs with his friend Troilo. It wasn’t until 1964 that he fully established himself as a solo artist. He gained a great deal of popularity in nightclubs, theatres, and on the radio. The best known tango written by Goyeneche is Celedonio.

Goyeneche was known for being well-spoken in his singing. He paid great attention to pronunciation. He believed that pronunciation was a way to respect the writer. He believed this was essential in order to interpret what the writer wanted to say and deliver it to the public. Some of the artists he recorded with during his career include: Francini-Pontier, Baffa-Berlingier-Cabarcos, Stazo-Cupo-Monteleone, Requena, Grela, Orquesta Típica Porteña and Astor Piazzolla, among others. “La última curda”, “Gricel”, “Naranjo en flor”, “Pompas”, “Chau no va más”, “Afiches”, and “Malena” are some of his most famous exhibitions.

Discography (abridged)

Balada para un loco/Chiquilín de Bachín (1969), Tango, with the orchestra of Cuerdas de Astor Piazzolla. Company: RCA.

Barrio de tango (1969), Tango. with the orchestra of Armando Pontier. Double album in which Goyeneche sings 13 songs. Company: RCA

Cantor de mi barrio (1991), Tango, with the orchestra of Raúl Garello. Company: M&M.

Che Papusa, oí! (1976), Tango, with the Orquesta Típica Porteña of Raúl Garello. Company: RCA

El exilio de Gardel (Tangos) (1985), Band music of the film where Goyeneche sings the Solo. . Company: RCA

El polaco por dentro (1985), with the orchestra of Carlos Franzetti. Company:  RCA

El Polaco y yo (1969), Tango, with Aníbal Troilo and Horacio Salgán. Company:  RCA

Farol (1981), with the Orquesta Típica Porteña of Raúl Garello. Company:  RCA

Gotán (1972), Tango, with Aníbal Troilo and Horacio Salgán. Company: DM

Goyeneche '73 (1973), with the Orquesta Típica of Atilio Stampone. Company: RCA

Las voces jóvenes (1968), Tango, with Baffa and Berlingeri, (Credits to Goyeneche). . Company: RCA

Mano a mano (1970), with the Orquesta Típica Porteña, direction and arrangements by Raúl Garello and Osvaldo Berlingeri. Company: RCA

Melodía de arrabal (1968), Tango, with Ernesto Baffa and Osvaldo Berlingieri. Company:  RCA

Mensaje de tango (1968), Tango, with the Orquesta Típica Porteña of Raúl Garello. Company: RCA

Mi Buenos Aires querido (1980), Tango, with the orchestra of Osvaldo Berlingeri. Company: RCA

Nada más que un corazón (1978), Tango, with the Orquesta Típica Porteña of Raúl Garello. Company:  RCA

Nuestro Buenos Aires (1968), with the orchestra of Aníbal Troilo y arrangements by Armando Pontier. Company: RCA

Percal (1977), with the Orquesta Típica Porteña of Raúl Garello. Company:  RCA

Personalidad y tango (1974), with the orquesta típica of Atilio Stampone. Company: RCA

Piazzolla-Goyeneche en vivo (1982), Tango, with Astor Piazzolla and his quintet. Company: RCA

Sentimiento tanguero (1972), Tango, with the orquesta típica of Atilio Stampone. Company:  RCA

¿Te acordás Polaco? (1971), Tango, with the orchestra of Aníbal Troilo, RCA

Tres para el tango (1967), Tango, with Ernesto Baffa and Osvaldo Berlingieri, RCA

Yo canto tangos (1989), Odeón. Album of Dyango in which Goyeneche participates as guest singer.

Bibliography

 Blanco, Adrian. "Biografía De Roberto Goyeneche." Tango.idoneos.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 July 2012. <http://tango.idoneos.com/index.php/Biografias/Roberto_Goyeneche>.

"Discografia De Roberto Goyeneche." Discografi­a De Roberto Goyeneche. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 July 2012. <http://www.robertogoyeneche.tango-tour.com.ar/discografia.htm>.

Garcia Blaya, Ricardo. "Roberto Goyeneche." Roberto Goyeneche. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 July 2012. <http://www.todotango.com/english/creadores/rgoyeneche.html>.

"Roberto Goyeneche." Discogs. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 July 2012. <http://www.discogs.com/Roberto-Goyeneche-Nada-Mas-Que-Un-Corazón/release/3546890>.

Simon Collier. "Goyeneche, Roberto." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online.

1 Jul. 2012 <http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/52570>.