REMBETIKA
VA - Rembetika, Greek Music From The Underground [2006] + Rembetika 2, More Greek Music From The Underground [2008] (8 x CDs)
Rembetika, Greek Music from the Underworld [2006] and Rembetika 2, More of the Secret History of Greece’s Underground Music [2008] are two remarkable collections of rembetika songs, a genre of Greek folk music that originated from the marginalized and oppressed segments of society in the early 20th century. Rembetika songs are often compared to the blues, as they express the pain, sorrow, joy, and defiance of the people who lived in the shadows of poverty, war, exile, and persecution. The two box sets contain eight CDs in total, each covering a different period and style of rembetika music, from its roots in the Ottoman era to its brief resurgence after World War II. The box sets also include booklets with detailed notes, lyrics translations, and photos that enhance the listening experience.
The first volume features four CDs with 89 songs from 1925 to 1947. The first CD focuses on the music made in the golden years as the material developed into a bona fide recordable style as it emerged out from under the thumb of the Ottoman Empire. The second CD showcases the music that was banned by the Metaxas dictatorship and forced underground, featuring the bouzouki and baglama players of the Piraeus school. The third CD explores the music that was influenced by the Smyrna style, which was brought by refugees from Asia Minor after the Greco-Turkish war. The fourth CD presents the music that experienced a brief revival after the war and before it was overshadowed by other popular genres.
The second volume features four CDs with 89 songs from 1908 to 2000 (according to the packaging). The first CD features songs from 1908 to 1930, when rembetika was emerging as a distinct musical form influenced by various traditions, such as Ottoman, Byzantine, European, and American. The second CD showcases songs from 1929 to 1934, when rembetika was banned by the Metaxas dictatorship and forced underground, featuring more raw and gritty songs from the underworld. The third CD explores songs from 1934 to 1937, when rembetika was influenced by the Smyrna style, featuring more sophisticated and melodic songs with classical Turkish and European elements. The fourth CD presents songs from 1938 to 2000, when rembetika experienced a brief revival after the war and before it was overshadowed by other popular genres.
Both of these box sets offer a comprehensive and diverse overview of rembetika music, featuring some of the most legendary and influential artists of the genre. The songs are full of passion, humor, drama, and beauty, capturing the essence of the Greek spirit. The box sets are also valuable historical and cultural documents that reveal a lot about the social and political context of Greece in the 20th century. Rembetika: Greek Music from the Underworld [2006] and Rembetika 2: More of the Secret History of Greece’s Underground Music [2008] are must-haves for anyone who loves Greek music or wants to discover a fascinating and rich musical tradition that has been largely overlooked by mainstream audiences. They are not only great musical collections but also great educational resources that will enrich your knowledge and appreciation of Greek culture (B)
This is a nod to contributor (My Compilations) and friend John Angelatos who got me looking further into this fantastic music.
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Track lists
Volume 1
CD1
01 Marika Papagika - Mandalena (Zeimbekiko) 3:34
02 Achilleas Poulos - Chakiji Zeibek 4:22
03 El. Melemenlis - Tsifte Telli 3:21
04 A Diamandidis (Dalgas) - Huseini Manes 3:19
05 E. Sofroniou (Vaggelakis) - Ballos Smyrneikos Me Mane 3:12
06 Marika Papagika - Aidinikos Xoros 3:44
07 Andonis Dalgas - Zeimbekiko Melemenio 3:29
08 Leopold Gad - Piran Ta Frygana Fotia 3:00
09 Kostas Karipis - Minore Manes S'afino Tin Kali Nychtia 4:09
10 And. Dalgas - Sousta Politiki 3:19
11 Popular Orchestra - Bournovalia Syrtos 4:08
12 Marika Politissa - Melachrinoula 3:14
13 Marika Politissa - Rast Zergile Manes 3:15
14 Rita Abadzi - Markopouliotissa 3:13
15 Roza Eskenazi - I Dzerkeza 3:12
16 Roza Eskenazi - Gazeli Sabach Sti Mavri Yi Chrosto Kormi 3:27
17 Efstratios Payioumidzis - San Eyriz' Ap' Tin Pylo 3:32
18 Roza Eskenazi - Mes' To Vathi Skotadhi 3:16
19 And. Kalyvopoulos - O Prezakis 3:10
20 And. Kalyvopoulos - Zeimbekiko 3:38
21 And. Kalyvopoulos - Paraponiounde I Manges Mas 3:28
22 Stellakis Perpiniadhis - Ego Thelo Prigipesa 3:08
CD2
01 Markos Vamvakaris - I Klostirou 3:25
02 Stratos Payioumidzis - Zeimbekano Spaniolo 3:30
03 Yiorgos Batis - O Thermastis 3:26
04 M Vamvakaris Rita Abadzi - San Ise Mangas Ke Dais 3:24
05 Markos Vamvakaris - Kapote Imouna Ki' Ego 3:25
06 Markos Vamvakaris - O Synachis 3:29
07 Yiorgos Batis - Varka Mou Boyiatismeni 3:22
08 Yiorgos Batis - I Fylakes Tou Oropou 3:22
09 Markos Vamvakaris - Prepi Na Xeris Michani 3:09
10 D Gongos - Panta Me Glyko Hasisi 3:21
11 D Gongos - Htan Anixi 3:13
12 Ef. Payioumidzis - Manges Piaste Ta Vouna 3:16
13 And. Kalyvopoulos - Pende Manges 3:22
14 Anestis Dhelias - Soura Ke Mastoura 3:35
15 Yiorgos Batis - Taxim Athineiko Ke Zeimbekiko 3:16
16 Stellios Keromytis - Mes 'tou Vavoula Ti Gouva 3:19
17 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Ouzak To Tragoudhi Tis Xentias 3:23
18 Stellios Keromytis - I Moni Mou Parigoria 3:14
19 Michailis Yenitsaris - Ego Mangas Fenomouna 3:27
20 Markos Vamvakaris - Taxim-Zeimbekiko 3:09
21 Markos Vamvakaris - Olli I Rembetes Tou Dounia 3:11
22 Stratos & St. Keromytis - I Baglamadhes 3:10
23 Nikos Vrachnas - Ithela Na' Moun Iraklis 3:57
CD3
01 George Katsaros - Stis Syras To Aniforo 3:50
02 Yiannis Ioannidhis & Manolis Karapiperis - Tout' I Batsoi Pou' Rthan Tora 4:22
03 K. Kostis - Troumba 4:05
04 Petros Kyriakos - O Skylomangas 4:15
05 A. Kostis - Me Pianoune Zaladhes 4:20
06 Jack Grigoriou & S. Michelidhis - To Minore Tou Deke 4:06
07 Gus Dussas - O Paraponiaris 4:08
08 Gus Dussas - I Efmorfi Attaleia 4:09
09 Andonios Dalgas - Echo Meraki Echo Dalga 4:21
10 D. Philipopoulos & D. Efstratiou - To Yellekaki 3:19
11 Jack Halikias - Raste Tou Deke 3:58
12 Rita Abadzi - O Vlamis Tou Psyri 3:18
13 Roza Eskenazi - Mas Kynigoun Ton Argile 3:08
14 Yiorgos Karras - Strive Logia 4:05
15 Rita Abadzi - To Flidzani Tou Yianni 3:13
16 Rita Abadzi - Pane Yia To Prasso 2:54
17 Roza Eskenazi - Ime Prezakias 3:25
18 Stellakis Perpiniadhis Anna Pagana - Dhervisis Ke Anna 3:10
19 Stratos & V. Tsitsanis - To Proi Me Tin Dhrossoula 3:16
20 Mike Patrinos & Yiannis Deyaitas - Hadzimilousiko 3:01
21 Jack Halikias - Trikouverto 2:50
CD4
01 Rita Abadzi - I Margarita 2:58
02 Stellakis & P. Chrysinis - Ola Ta 'cho Varethi 3:26
03 Stellakis & Stratos - Mikroula Pireotissa 3:07
04 Stellakis - I Magdhalo 3:08
05 Stratos & Stellakis - Thelo Na Se Andamoso Xaveriotissa 3:13
06 Stellakis - I Mikri Ap' To Passalimani 3:11
07 Ef. Payoiumidzis & St. Perpiniadhis - Vaggelitsa 3:02
08 Stratos & Stellakis - Se Fino Akroyiali 3:23
09 Vassilis Tsitsanis - Tatavliano 3:19
10 Yiorgos Kavouras - Dhen Tha'rtho Peia Stin Kokkinia 3:13
11 Yiannis Papaioannou - Pali Mou Kanoun Proxenia 3:23
12 A. Hadzichristos - Paliopedho 3:20
13 Yiorgos Kavouras - O Tsiggounis O Babas Sou 3:36
14 Yiannis Papaioannou - Vadizo Me Parapono 3:23
15 A. Hadzichristos & M. Vamvakaris - Tha Se Klepso Tha Se Paro 2:59
16 Payioumidzis & Tsitsanis - I Meraklidhes 3:13
17 M. Vamvakaris & A. Hadzichristos - To Portofoli 3:11
18 Stratos Payioumidzis - Opios Orfanepse Mikros 3:18
19 Markos Vamvakaris - Manavissa Me Gaidhouraki 3:41
20 Stratos & Stellakis - O Serianis 3:08
21 Stratos & St. Keromytis - Tis Mastouras O Skopos 3:15
22 Stratos & V. Tsitsanis - Varka Yialo 3:16
23 A. Hadzichristos & I. Stamoulis - Nea Vaggelitsa 3:19
Volume 2
CD1
01 Haim Effendi - Tchakidji Turkessou 3:26
02 Zounaras Me Armonika - Smyneiko Minore 3:16
03 Elliniki Estoudiandina - Tsifte-Telli, Tha Spaso Koupes 2:50
04 Yangos Psomathianos - Smyrneikos Manes 3:36
05 Marko Melkon Alemsherian - Shed Araban Taksim 4:09
06 Theodoros Mytilineos - To Salepi 4:03
07 Eleftherios Menemenlis - Dhen Mou Lete To Hasisi Pou Pouliete 3:35
08 Alexis Zoumbas - Pergamia 3:36
09 Cavadhias Popular Orchestra - Karsilamas Tekirdag 3:52
10 Marika Pagagika - Mes 'tou Sygrou Tin Fylaki 4:08
11 Athanasios Makedhonas - Tsifte-Telli 4:16
12 Yiannis Ioannidhis - Apo Kato Ap 'tis Dhomates 4:16
13 George Katsaros - Pote Mavra Pote Aspra 4:45
14 Antonios Dhimandidhis 'dalgas' - Nei Hasiklidhes 3:31
15 Antonios Dhimandidhis 'dalgas' - Karotseris 3:18
16 Anonymous - O Bochoris 3:13
17 Antonios Dhimandidhis 'dalgas' - Tsifte-Teli Yiala 3:09
18 Yiorgos Savaris & Loucien Miliaris - To Hasisi 2:47
19 Estudiantina Grecque Leopold Gad - Ta Kounaga 3:09
20 Antonios Dhimandidhis 'dalgas' - Beoglou Manes 2:57
21 Marika Fradzeskopoulou 'politissa' - Manes Mahour 3:04
22 Panayiotis Tsoros - Dou Dou 4:22
CD2
01 Yiannis Dhragatsis 'ogdhondakis' - Aptaliko Zeimbekiko 2:58
02 Dimitris Kalinikos 'arapakis' - Manes Sabach 3:12
03 A. Kostis - Kaike Ena Scholio 4:12
04 Popular Orchestra - Mytilinio Zeimbekiko 4:12
05 Evaggelos Sophroniou 'vaggelakis' - Kato Sto Yialo 3:21
06 Evaggelos Sophroniou 'vaggelakis' - Ballos Tis Avyis 3:10
07 Yiorgos Kamvisis - Yiannis Hasiklis 2:59
08 Kostas Roukounas 'samiotis' - To Marikaki 3:13
09 K. Kostis - Ap' Tin Porta Sou Perno 4:27
10 Servet Hanim - Yeni Turk Zeybegi 3:31
11 Konstandinos 'gus' Doussas - I Trata (The Trawler) 4:06
12 Antonios Dhimandidhis 'dalgas' - Ap 'tin Poli Enas Mortis 3:15
13 Roza Eskenazi - Merakli Rast Manes 3:17
14 Roza Eskenazi - Binda Yiala (P. Toundas) 3:22
15 Antonios Dhimandidhis 'dalgas' - To Baglamadhaki Spase 3:14
16 John Halkias (Jack Gregory) - Mourmouriko Zeimbekiko 4:25
17 Marika Fradzeskopoulou 'politissa' - Ap' Tou Memeti To Nero 3:12
18 Zacharias Kasimatis - To Koutsavaki 3:15
19 Markos Vamvakaris - Ores Me Threfi O Loulas 3:08
20 Rita Abadzi - Zoi Ine Afti Zoitsa Mou 3:18
21 Stellakis Perpiniadhis - Argiles 3:11
22 Kostas Roukounas 'samiotis' - Pou Ine Ta Chronia Ta Palia 3:19
CD3
01 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Manges Karavotsakismeni 3:19
02 Stellakis Perpiniadhis - Elleni Mikropandremeni 3:10
03 Roza Eskenazi - Voliotissa 3:20
04 Aggelitsa Papazoglou - Galata Manes 3:24
05 Dhimitris Atraidhis - Rast Mahour 3:05
06 Stavros Tsouras - O Stavrakas Mes' Ston Teke 3:10
07 Maria Markopoulou 'salonikia' - Bachrie Tsifte-Telli 3:09
08 Anestis Dhelias 'dhelios' - To Sakkaki 3:22
09 Yiorgos Batis - O Boufedzis 3:19
10 Yiorgos Batis - To Barberaki 3:27
11 Markos Vamvakaris - Kaftone Stavro, Kaftone 3:12
12 Yiorgia Mittaki - S'ena Deke Skarosame 3:14
13 Stellakis Perpiniadhis - Varvara 3:10
14 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Sfouggaradhes 3:09
15 Andonis Kalivopoulos - I Eleni I Zondochira 3:11
16 George Katsaros - M'ena Karedzi Blegmeni 4:15
17 Markos Vamvakaris & Korrina Thessalonikia - Dhen Pavi Pia To Stoma Sou 3:11
18 Efstratios Payioumidzis & Markos Vamvakaris - M' Eblexes Vre Poniri 3:14
19 Kostas Roukounas 'samiotis' - Mi Mou Les Pos Dhen Me Thelis 3:03
20 Stavros Remoundhos - Manes Hitzaskiar-Pireotikos 3:06
21 Stellakis Perpiniadhis - Manges Mou Symoforthite 3:09
22 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Manes Rast Neva 3:19
23 Stelios Keromytis & Tassia Vryoni - Ean Dhen Isoun Ftisikia 3:15
24 Stelios Keromytis - M'ekapses Skyla 3:15
CD4
01 Dhimitris Roumeliotis - Parigoria Ta Matia Sou 3:19
02 Apostolos Hadzchristos & Konstandinidhis - Echo Vathia Ton Pono 3:20
03 Efstratios Payioumidzis & Stellakis Perpiniadhis - Tora Yirnas Stis Yeitonies 3:12
04 Efstratios Payioumidzis & Vassilis Tsitsanis - Dhen Se Thelo Pia 3:18
05 Efstratios Payioumidzis & Vassilis Tsitsanis - Stis Salonikis Ta Stena 3:28
06 Antonios Dhimandidhis 'dalgas' & Apostolos Hadzchristos - Kala Mou Topane Mario 3:22
07 Efstratios Payioumidzis & Vassilis Tsitsanis - O Tsitsanis Sti Zoungla 3:10
08 Efstratios Payioumidzis & Vassilis Tsitsanis - Dhodheka I Ora 3:12
09 Yiannis Papaioannou - Levendikos Horos 3:02
10 Daizy Stavropoulou & Vassilis Tsitsanis - Sklirokardhi 3:12
11 Dhimitris Gongos 'bayianderas' & Manolis Hiotis - To Tragoudhi Tis Agapis 3:15
12 Haralambos Mavridhis - Pio Pera Ap' To Zannio 3:10
13 Apostolos Hadzchristos & Yiorgos Kavouras - Dhen Vrethike Yiatros 3:04
14 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Ston Lofo Tou Skouze 3:13
15 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Dhespo 3:21
16 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Ta Tsaggarakia 3:18
17 Efstratios Payioumidzis - Koritsi Apono 3:37
18 Daizy Stavropoulou & Haralambos Mavridhis - Tha Pao Na Ziso Sta Vouna 3:15
19 Efstratios Payioumidzis & Vassilis Tsitsanis - Hadzi Baxes 3:12
20 Apostolos Hadzchristos & Yiorgos Stamoulis - Ftochia 3:18
21 Nikos Vrachnas - Randevous San Perimeno 3:14
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