Arco Iris is back, an essential piece from the first hour of Argentine rock

The modern version of Rainbow He returned to the country in March to participate in Ciudad Jardín’s 80th anniversary celebration. He is guided by Tokatlian macawestablished in California since 1975 and the only member of the original lineup who is still in the band.

After more than half a century, one of the founding legs of vernacular rock continues to beat strong and gathers its faithful followers in Buenos Aires and Patagonia.

In the bucolic and remote outskirts of El Palomar, the Egyptian musician of Armenian origin had established his first bonds with colleagues Gustavo Santaolalla, Orazio Gianello (died three years ago), Guillermo Bordaramé, Alberto Cascino and spiritual guide Dannais “Dana” Wynnica (d. 2003), other promising talents who were emerging in the Western area in the late 1960s.

New shows and movies

That inevitable appointment which justified a new return was followed by a presentation in Rondemann Abasto Saturday 6 April and now Arco Iris is preparing to resume contact with its audience Saturday 13th at Bariloche Musical Camping.

Meanwhile, Tokatlian and company – his son Ara “Arita” Tokatlian on keyboards, piano, alto sax and vocals, Roberto Amerise on bass, guitarist Carlos Campos and drummer Juan Estanga – marked the farewell concert, scheduled for Tuesday 30th at 8pm at Borges 1975a bastion of jazz that beats at night in the heart of Palermo.

Another fundamental piece in this section of Arco Iris’ history is the journalist, producer and filmmaker Fabio Scartuchioauthor of the book Rainbow. Music and philosophy at the beginning of Argentine rock 1969-1975published by Editorial Dunken in 2021 with a prologue by León Gieco.

The documentary film was born from this detailed testimonial review Rainbow. Music and philosophydirected by the writer himself and will be screened for free on Tuesday 23 April at 6.30pm at the National Library.

A unique moment was reflected in one of the most successful scenes of the film: Scartuchio manages to put aside the ridiculousness of other times and Tokatlian, Santaolalla and Bordarampé join forces for the first time since the split of the original group to record a non-negligible version of countryside morningthe most listened to song by Arco Iris.

Tokatlian does not deny the sudden popularity achieved by that song, which has still remained imprinted today in the songbooks of several generations, but he distances himself from it.

-How do you react to the recurring request to sing “Mañana…” in every show you offer in the country?

-Although it is a beautiful folk song composed by Gustavo with an infectious melody, I usually don’t sing it in my presentations. It marked an era and became a sort of anthem for the youth of the 70s. Today it is an indisputable classic, even if it is very different from any Arco Iris song of all time. In the current repertoire, the strongest moments happen Dana Blues, I see the light AND peace pipes.

-What then remains of that original Rainbow in the current proposal?

-Those distant times and the present – which I call “Stage II” or “Stage United States” – keep in common the serious proposal, the good musical arrangements and, above all, the idea of ​​expressing emotions to think about something deeper .

Previously this was attempted more through songs with inspired lyrics and vocal harmonies. Today it is eminently instrumental, something I have always leaned on for my approach to jazz, be it jazz rock, fusion or modern.

-How is the reunion of Arco Iris with his followers going on this visit to the country?

-I’m pleasantly surprised, especially by the explosion of enthusiasm from twenty- and thirty-year-olds at the end of each song. I said to myself “Wow!” noticing the spontaneous reaction of those 200 people crammed together at Rondeman Abasto.

Also very gratifying was the great support they gave to my son “Arita” every time he did a solo or started singing. At the end of the show many people lined up to take a photo of me, tell me anecdotes from concerts from decades ago or ask me to autograph old CDs, posters or records. It could not be better.

Now Arita joins

Meanwhile, Arita, the heir to the living legend, already shows his credentials at 18 years old. “Alto sax is his specialty. Plus he sings much better than me and composes pop, rock, instrumental, jazz, fusion songs, whatever you ask of him. “His contribution is immense in reconnecting with the early style of Arco Iris,” Tokatlian Sr. bluntly praises the band’s debutant.

The Armenian essence that Ara has carried with her since the first moment of her 73 years comes to light when she invites us to share a “surdj” (coffee) with grounds, reveals her desire to know the ancestral land framed by Mount Ararat or even the time to interpret his Chacarera dancein one of whose sections he recognizes the influence of the composer Aram Khachaturian: “It’s something very subtle,” he clarifies to the ears of neophytes.

-With what expectations do you approach the presentation of Bariloche? Are there big differences between the public of the Interior and that of Buenos Aires?

-They are probably different, but in the case of Bariloche I consider it “inland” only because of its natural landscape of forests, lakes and mountains. The people are mostly urban, many are also residents of Buenos Aires who have settled there. In any case, the social and cultural atmosphere that can be felt in the prestigious Camping Musical is wonderful. It’s a privilege to play on that classical stage.

For a moment Ara gives the flute a break and prepares to continue practicing with the clarinet. But he prefers to stop until his son’s alto sax plays the last chord Gobessential theme of the album The elementalsthat the historian Arco Iris recorded in 1977.

The crescendo melody seems to revive that distant era of hippie mysticism, community life and vegetarianism which, at least for a while, connects without tension with the present.