BBC - Radio 3 - Awards for World Music 2005

WINNER 2005
CHANGO SPASIUK (ARGENTINA)

Full track details

With his scarecrow looks, wild howls of creative fervour and almost terrifying mastery of the accordion, few artists can match the impact of Chango Spasiuk's recent triumphant 'arrival'. He has brought with him a charming band and a little known music called chamamé, from the north eastern corner of Argentina.

"It's music from the country a place where the earth is red, the temperature is always high and there are jungles and big rivers," he explains, eager to distinguish his rural folk style from tango, its more familiar urban cousin. And though these days, Chango calls Buenos Aires home, it's the sub-tropical idyll of his beloved Misiones province that his art so vividly evokes."Music is a way to go to a place you've never been before, or as the poet Yupanqui said: 'Music is a torch with which to see where beauty lies'."

And what extraordinary beauty! Chango's fleet-fingered runs on accordion are usually shadowed by the judicious flicker and wheeze of Juan Nunez's bandoneon (tango accordion) and the exquisite semi-classical grace of Victor Renaudeau's violin. There's also percussion, a double bass and two acoustic guitarists, one of whom Sebastian Villalba occasionally contributes sweet 'high 'n' lonesome' vocals.'

Chamamé is effectively the soundtrack to a 300-year story of mixing between the Amerindian Guaraní culture and successive waves of settlers. Freed slaves of African descent brought swinging 6/8 rhythms, and Jesuit priests their baroque chamber music. The accordion and its polkas, waltzes and schottisches arrived in the late 19th century, along with immigrants from Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, the Basque Country and Ukraine, where Chango's roots lie. This is powerful music, simultaneously full of nostalgic longing and great joy. It's also dangerously addictive, as Chango's paraphrases of Julianzini - another Argentinian poet suggests:

"Chamamé is like a poisonous snake. It entangles itself around the feet of he who dances. Then it bites him and its poison gets inside. And from that moment, the man doesn't dance - he prays!"

Though, along with Raúl Barboza, Chango is chamamé's leading contemporary exponent, he is by no means stuck in tradition; his chamamé is richly spiced with rock, jazz and avant-garde references. Born into a musical family in 1968, he began playing accordion at the age of 11. Hardly a new face at home, he has released six albums in Argentina so far, three of which have been compiled for international release on "The Charm of Chamamé" (2003). His latest CD is the wonderful "Tarefero de mis Pagos" (2004).

Jon Lusk (courtesy of fRoots)

The Charm of Chamame album review
Chango Spasiuk official website

Your Comments

aura, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Finally, the rest of the world comes to know our great Chango!! He is undoubtedly, the best chamame musician in our country...the way in which he feels the music...each live show is a different and amusing experience. In 2 hours, I´ll be enjoying one again!! Congratulations Chango!!!
Marcelo,Chaco-Argentina
Chango you have the sense of the music in your heart...i believe i'll be playing with you tomorrw ..ThanKs!
john London
I first heard the music in the middle of the night on the radio and I'm so glad. It's absolutely wonderful music that I want to hear more of. It's raining outside but the heart soars.
Enrique Goldberg Sydney
I learnt that instruments have a soul of their own when I heard the same intrument being swaped from the hands of native argentinian to the ukrainian neighbour, should you close your eyes and could have swarn they were different instruments, Chango is a bit more than the fussion of those two cultures, he is opening new horizons to our argentinian folk, he is a searcher and reformist, so far so good but the stuff he deals with is indeed the more authentic music of the red land, untouched until now and passionately cherished Chamamé, I hope he builds a bridge not distorting the deep roots, he's got a huge task before himself, I am eager to hear his next step. Neike Ch'amigo!
Deciple, Tokyo
I once heard Chango played Chamame with Yuki Makita, a Japanese chamame accordion player in 2004. They were so fabulous!
Noziphiwo ktreet Grahamstown
your music is rocking you must keep it up.
Steve, accordion player with 'The Ukrainians'
Best thing by far at Reading WOMAD 2005, and that's not just because I'm also an accordion player. Have also recently discovered Rene Lacaille, another true maestro. These guys have given me real inspiration through some pretty tough times. Thank you Chango and Rene, I intend to make you the subject of my forthcoming dissertation, MA Broadcast Journalism, Falmouth. Your music makes the world a better place.
Erik (Brussels / Belgium)
I've seen him live in Brussels. This band is playing as if they are doing this already for more than 30 years...amazing.
Horacio Cambeiro - Las Vegas NV (USA)
Chango: Brother! You still the best! Receive my congratulations for your good job! Vamos chamigo todavia! Aguante la ZONA SUR de Misiones!
Maggie Parry, Cardiff
Just returned from an evening with Chango and band at Chapter Arts Theatre , Cardiff.....amazing music with a journey to the depths of my soul.We had a very unfortunate sound system and high squeaks at times , I felt sorry for the musicians .Couldnt anything be done to correct the fault? But was incredible and the boy is beautiful. Maggie.
Ruth, Chichester, England
Fantastic evening with Chango and the band. Music overwhelmingly emotional. When are you coming back?
Edgardo Develluk, Misiones
Thanks for represent our music and culture, !FUERTE ESE SAPUCAI!
pablo fron san luis argentina
Congratulations! I'm very proud of having a talent like you representing our native music all around the world. The chamame souds Magestic, touching, strong and magic in your hands!!!
Yuri, Chicago
Diakuyemo, Chango...A true son of your two countries!
MARCELO- ARGENTINA
CHANGO!! excellent, the best CHAMAMECERO!!!!
Iryna, New York
Chago Spasuk. It's beautiful, wonderful and very passionate.I just cried. "Schiro diakuyu"- "Thank you very much".
Maria Alejandra lopez -Coronda - Pcia de Santa Fe,
Congratulations! I'm very proud of having a talent like you representing our native music all around the world. The chamame souds Magestic, touching, strong and magic in your hands!!!
Helen, Leeds
Sage Gateshead Saturday, a room in a pub in Leeds on Sunday- the joy of the music is what counts. Thanks
Dave Hawley, Newcastle
I was lucky enough to be there. A wonderful night in an amazing setting. Thnaks to the BBC for setting up these awards and allowing us all to sample the best of the world this year, all in one evening. Tremendous.
Myron, Toronto, Canada
Beautiful music! I spent a few weeks working in beautiful Argentina as well as several years working in Ukraine. You are true to all that is Argentina as well as your Ukrainian roots, blended to produce your unique musical style.
carlos virasoro ctes.
Joker thank you for spreading the music very pretty, happy and significant of the world from virasoro ctes, I wish the best thing you
elizabeth,oregon,usa
chango,music is a beautiful thing, the best way to let people know about about your soul,spirit.thanks for your enormous effort. "life makes sense with music on"...
susana Londres
very talented, inspired musicians,Chango and the group are a joy, the chamame brings back memories of my youth in Patagonia were it was played in the popular bailes in my village in Rio Negro ,congratulations
Jorge, Argentina
Certainly Chango and his music are part of the soul of the Argentine nation, providing the strength we need in order to evolve in the middle of such global madness, grande Chango
Katia Viegas Wesolowska, London
One of the most inspired musicians of argentinian folk, absolutely brilliant. I went to his concerts in Buenos Aires and London, and he gave his "all" in all of them!
Danilo, Misiones, Argentina
proud of Chango and his work. His music is thougthful and lively, romantic and full of meanings. Congratulations!
Juan Videla from Argentina
The beauty of Chango's music is the beauty of a real artist , that keeps on learning how to be himself just a channel for what he loves.
Patricia, Apostoles, Misiones, Argentina
From here, his original place, where he was born, I join my voice to say, THANK YOU, CHANGO, your magic never ends, your joyfull is here. Your music fill us the heart.
Leo. Argentina
Changos´pasion...he´s the best music of this planet...
/Josè Lagorio, San Nicolàs, Argentina
Chango is the best of Argentinean music. Beautiful music.
Gustavo Adolfo Bustos - Argentina
Congratulations, Chango! You are a excellent musician! Thanks, Chango!
Antonio from City Bell, Buenos Aires
Chango is a challenging man. In his concerts he takes the time he needs. The time that only an spiritual, peaceful and wise person could take. His mind is from no time no space, and from there is where his music comes. That's why his music inspire peace and take you to places you've never been.
ELENA de Buenos Aires
Beatiful, Chaguito, EXCELLENT! thanks, thanks , you are the best.
Claudia, Buenos Aires
Chango Spasiuk is one of the most sensible and original musicians of my country. We love him! His music is a pleasure for our hearts. Thank you, Chango.
Vicky • Puerto Rico
My soul vibrates and lives with your music! viva el gaucho Chango, viva el guarani, viva el chamamé. BRAVO!
noragarcia Argentina
Congratulations Chango Spasiuk, a true artist.
Frank Stage
As allways the mafias are working..... Piranha records, yes you know WOMEX mob, and Bob Mandelson produced the last record of Spasiuk, so he wins the award, and money's coming, I thought you where more serious. It is a shame. Frank Stage
Vale, Argentina
Proud to have Chango representing our music and our roots.
Gerardo Leyser
Chango is a charismatic musician of great talent. He certainly is one of the great ones.
Maria, Buenos Aires
Chango and his music are really beautiful. All my best wishes for him and and his manager: Amelia Congratulations!!!!
Halia Chomiak Naples Florida USA
WOW How beautiful! Thank You for the music. HARNO!
Sophia Kyj USA
Fabulous musician. I real pleasure to listen.
Tony caribe
Love for one's country, where one comes from and where emotions are captured into the magic called music. It captivated me from thr first note! Chango is a master in what he's doing.
Adriana Miami USA
Congratulations Chango,I am from Corrientes and I am really proud of you!!!
Christina, Philadelphia, PA
When listening to Chango Spasiuk, I feel as if I have one foot in the musical comfort of my Ukrainian heritage, and the other, in my American urban present & my husband's Argentina. Both feet move ahead & dance. Love it...
Kalina, somwhere in the South-East Europe
I can not help crying whenever hear Chango`s music. It touches me deeply and reminds me of something that I had never sensed before.
Adriana - Toronto On Canada
I'm so glad I found this music once again. I first heard this great talent in Argentina at a summer camp of the Ukrainian Youth Association while at a campfire! He has a truly magical talent!
Nestor, Berkeley, Calif. USA
Sensuous and romantic. Something of Edith Piaf's Paris and the sultry summer nights of Kyiv, Ukraine!
Donna, New York
Pungent, deep, and evocative.
Larissa Kyj USA
Chango's music is mesmorizing. Excellent.
Chrystyna, USA
It's a perfect rendition of a beautiful melody!
Myroslav, Serbia
Great music
Chap Chalap, Montreal, QC, Canada
I'm rushing out to buy multiple copies of his latest CD!
Vesselin Vesselinov, Vancouver, Canada
Amazing! This is yet another face of Argentinian music.
Freddy Rosales, Argentina
Spasiuk's chamame is inimitable rhythm, crudely Northeast-Argentinian, inviting everyone to dance to its enigmatic syncopation.
ivan, pakistan
chango's music gathers the deepest corners of our heart, our landscape and our people; I've seldom listened to someone capable of gathering in his or her music the old and the new worlds as he has done, ivan (an argentine in pakistan)
Dan Karaczun, Pittsburgh PA USA
Techinique, musicianship, interpretation and vision. What a delight!
Jorge, Caribe
It's been some time that I've encountered such a undescribable, powerful, down to earth and invigorating sound, so distinctive and unique that it might just quite possibly be a new genre in the making, just awesome.
Babak Baheri , Belgium
A great combination of creativity , skill and art in a profound background of humanity. Thanks Chango , thanks.
Chiqui,Asia
chamame crudo is just fantastic!
michelle. north york moors
Wonderful! warm sensual, emotive music. Took me to a different place, just the thing for a cold dark winter night in England!