Crowds would get so swept up in the rhythm that they would beat their glasses, spoons, and plates against the tables to match the song's knocks.
Today, "El Esquinazo" remains a staple of Argentine Tango history , remembered as much for the broken plates of 1903 as for its enduring, infectious beat. EL ESQUINAZO - Tango North El Esquinazo
Composed in 1902 by the legendary Ángel Villoldo , "El Esquinazo" translates to "The Dodge" or, more literally in turn-of-the-century slang, "being stood up". The term comes from esquina (corner); if a date didn't show up at the agreed-upon corner, you were "hit by the corner". A Destructive Rhythm Crowds would get so swept up in the
In 1907, Villoldo traveled to Paris to record the song, helping to ignite the tango craze that eventually swept across Europe. The term comes from esquina (corner); if a
The song was famously prohibited at the popular café "Lo de Hansen".
This "table percussion" frequently resulted in broken glassware and smashed dishes, making it far too expensive for business owners to let the band play it. Musical Legacy
While written as a comic tango, it has been recorded by numerous icons, including Juan D'Arienzo and Francisco Canaro.