Track Listing

1. Topos - Michalis Nikoloudis
2. Kastrinos - Psarantonis
3. Pikrodafni - Mode Pagal
4. Simera Gamos Ginete - Dimitris Sakalis
5. Ballos - George Koros
6. Arabas Perna - Anna Karabesini & Efi Sarri
7. Tha Spaso Koupes - Eleftheria Arvanitaki
8. Galata Manes - Kostas Nouros
9. O Prosfigas - Manolis Angelopoulos
10. Piga Se Magisses - Glykeria
11. Trelli Ki Adespoti - Nikos Papazouglou
12. Pare T' Ahnaria Mou - Stelios Kazantzidis
13. Zeibekiko - Dionisis Savopoulos & Sotiria Bellou
14. San Erthoun Mana I Fili Mou - Nikos Xylouris
15. Skaros - Petro-Loukas Chalkias
16. Tin Kardia M' Tin Klidomeni - Kristi Stassinopoulou
17. Leventikos - Banda Tis Florinas
18. Apo To Parko Sti Mirovolo - Himerini Kolimvites
19. To Trizoni - Mikis Theodorakis
20. Orea Kimomeni - Nikos Xidakis
21. Ipne Pou Pernis Ta Pedia - Savina Yannatou

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71257 in Music
• Released on: 2001-04-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 61 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Rough Guide to the Music of Greece is a fascinating compilation--far more than the mere aural accompaniment to a thousand sunlit feasts of kebab and kleftiko (a word which originally denoted a stately dance). But those familiar sounds are there, in the voices of Manolis Angelopoulos (Greece's most famous gypsy singer) and Stelios Kazantzidis (who brought back the Oriental influences which had been banned from Greece in the 1930s). The point about Greek music is that it has always reflected the confluence of east and west, and this disc is full of such echoes. We get the rembetika music which grew out of drug dens in Thessaloniki, and the laiko urban blues which the colonels banned in the 1970s; we also get the bewitching sound of Womad-star Eleftheria Arvanitaki, and the long-gone Arabic delicacy of Kostas Nouros, "the nightingale of Smyrna". George Pissalides' commentary is illuminating, but it's a shame we're not given the basic facts behind each song. It would be wonderful to know the words to "the Greek Bob Dylan" Dionisis Savopoulos's number, for example, and the ideas injecting such sweetness into Nouros's café-song. --Michael Church

Album Description
The amazingly varied repertoire of Greek music is presented here, from the distinctly eastern, blues-like rembetika, to the orchestrated folk sounds of entekhno music through to the tough, gritty sounds of the popular laiko. Greek music is truly a case of east meeting west with Slavs, Albanians and Italians adding their own influences to the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. From the traditional to the contemporary some of the best known names in Greek music are represented in this collection including Manos Hatzidhakis, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Nikos Xidakis, Psarantonis and Glykeria. This release also has an enhanced data track with extended sleevenotes and travel information.

Customer Reviews

This is One Greek Festival You Do Not Want to Miss ...
This whole CD is one Greek Glendi (Festival) you don't want to miss!!! I have heard traditional versions of several selections on this CD but the more upbeat, jazzy versions of classics like "Kastrinos", "Pikrodafni", "Ballos", & "Skaros" are absolutly magnetizing and mesmerizing. "Arabas Perna" by Anna Karabesini/Efi Sarri sounds like modern Greeks singing Smerneika without missing any of the original flavor and intent. This is followed by Kostas Nouros singing "Galata Manes" in the rembetika tradition, with a heady mixture of raw feelings tempered by bouzouki and that unforgettable "cafe aman" beat.

The brass band from Florina which plays "Leventikos" leaves you breathless from anticipating every sound and beat - compelling one to dance or hum the irregular rhythm and unsual music. This is a classic combination of songs, sounds and rhythms played and sung by some of the finest vocalists and musicians in Greece. Don't miss the opportunity to own it ... the quality is outstanding! Erika Borsos (bakonyvilla)

A perfect introduction to real Greek music
Although produced under the name Rough Guide this CD is by no means rough on the ear.This is an eclectic selection of traditional Greek instrumentals & songs which cover a wide & diverse scale in terms of both time & fashions.
This is not the ubiquitous Greek music of tourist trap holidays where one can hear ten different versions of "Zorba's Dance" emanating from tavernas in close proximity to one another. This music is the very soul of Greece as viewed through the interpretation of a selection of well known Greek artists.
This CD would provide ideal listening for those wishing to extend their knowledge & background in Greek music & its added data "text" track gives an extremely informative & user friendly format. This is a stepping stone to wanting more.........