Contact
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado
Author: Agustin Lara
Label: Victor
Year: 1933
Cut in Buenos Aires with the Orquesta Radio Splendid. Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado was the most important South American tenor of his time and a compatriot of Lara. Dr. Ortiz Tirado was a real physician, counting Agustin Lara (and Frida Kahlo!) among his patients. So he received this composition first-handed. It's a paso doble written as an ode to the Spanish city. Mexican Lara also wrote one for Toledo, Seville and Madrid. Reason enough for generalissimo Franco (who was fan) to offer him a house in Granada in '65. See also: Solamente Una Vez, Farolito and Piensa En Mi.
Covers:
Pedro Vargas [both him and Alfonso Ortiz attended the same singing courses while studying medicine in Mexico City]
Xavier Cugat [vocal: Carlos Ramirez in film Two Girls & A Sailor]
Tito Guizar [in film The Gay Ranchero]
Mario Lanza [international hit in '51]
Bing Crosby [first version in English; lyrics: Dorothy Dodd]
Frankie Laine [hit US & UK]
Peter Anders [hit B]
Vico Torriani [n°1 GER]
Claudio Villa [hit It]
Frank Sinatra [hit UK]
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)