Rough Guide to Music of Greece [Enhanced]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B00005AVNM
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,841 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Greece

Track Listings

1. Topos - Michalis Nikoloudis

2. Kastrinos - Psarantonis

3. Pikrodafni - Mode Pagal

4. Simera Gamos Ginete - Dimitris Sakalis

5. Ballos - George Koros

6. Arabas Perna - 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 Papazoglou

12. Pare T' Ahnaria Mou - Stelios Kazantzidis

13. Zeibekiko - Dionisis Savopoulos

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

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Variety of Greek Music, April 4, 2002

By 

Erika Borsos "pepper flower" (Gulf Coast of FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Greece (Audio CD)

This whole CD is one Greek Glendi you don't want to miss!!! I have heard traditional versions of Kastrinos, Ballos, Skaros, and Pikrodafni but the upbeat jazzy versions on this CD 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 plays "Leventikos" leaving the listener breathless from anticipating every sound and beat - compelling one to dance or hum the irregular rhythm and unusual 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 (erikab93)

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greek Music Defined, February 3, 2003

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Greece (Audio CD)

Greece is located at one of the most important cultural crossroads in the world. The "Music of Greece" spans almost five thousand years and the combination of East and West influences on contemporary Greek music shows in this varied repertoire.

"Rough Guides" to the world of music delve right into the heart and soul of the country they are exploring. They are introductions to the music of a wide variety of countries. If you are looking for a multicultural journey in music, this is a good choice.

While the music in itself is intriguing, there is bonus information in the CD booklet. You can read a condensed history and a short history of each musician.

"The origins of folk dances such as kalamatianos go back to the Greek Mysteries, as do all the circular fold dances of Greek music."

If your only experience with Greek music is listening to songs while eating souvlaki in a restaurant, you might enjoy the immersion in everything from blues-like rembetika and island folk music to Greek electronica which is actually delicate and beautiful.

The music by Dimitris Sakalis sounded the most familiar to me. It is difficult to describe the music on this album because it is all so exotic and you would almost have to be an expert in each style to analyze the songs. There is a bonus data track with additional information if you are listening to this CD on your computer.

~The Rebecca Review

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD GREEK CULTURAL MUSIC !, September 3, 2005

By 

Maryssa Karellas Obregón "Maryssa Karellas O... (Massachusetts, USA and Lima, Perú) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Greece (Audio CD)

For those who enjoy Middle Eastern music, this album is a good pick. Most of the world doesn't think of Greece as Middle Eastern and instead see it one of the places that cradled Western civilisation as we know it. While ancient Greeks helped established certain codes still very much present in Western societies, culturally ( MUSICALLY ) Greece has always been connected to the Middle East.

For those who are listeners of Arabic music, they will hear in this CD a familiar sound, yet with a slight twist.

With beautiful traditional Greek songs like "Tha Spaso Koupes", this CD is very much representative of GREEK music.

I take my hat off to this CD which features music from the country that is the most eastern country in the West and the most western country of the East.

VIVA ELLAS !