9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a trip!!!!, March 24, 2004
This review is from: Bouzouki Pioneer, 1932-1940 (Audio CD)
This album includes some of Vamvakaris' best work. The songs are a fine example of when Greek music and lyrics had a real edge to them. After all they are Rebetika songs written and sang by the Grandfather of Rebetika music himself. All the songs have a raw earthiness to them partly because of Vamvakaris' voice, partly because of the lyrics and partly because of the unique style in which he plays the bouzouki. The lyrics talk of love, hashish smoking, betrayal and the trials of working class urban life in 1930s Greece amongst other things. These themes could almost be describing some of the themes prominent in American Blues. It's no surprise then that Rebetika are unofficially known as the Greek Blues. What is really good about this edition is the fact that it makes the lyrics accessible to non-greek speaking listeners. For each song the lyrics are written in greeklish (ie greek written with english characters) along with their written translation in English. Anyway I've rambled enough. So, whether you're a veteran Vamvakaris/Rebetiko fan or just a curious by-stander this is a really good buy.
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