Now & then: a musical journey to Greece

A few months ago, I published my post ‘Beyond Eurovision: A musical journey in Europe’, where I ‘visited’ 22 European countries, listening to some of my favorite musicians from each of these countries. When I visited my home country, Greece, I struggled to choose among the many musicians I grew up listening to. In the end, I went on with those I consider ‘the classics’: composer Manos Hatzidakis and soprano Maria Callas.

 

Then… a musical journey to Greece

 

Manos Hatzidakis

 

Manos Hatzidakis (also spelled Hadjidakis; 23 October 1925 – 15 June 1994) was a Greek composer, whose music has traveled the world. In 1960, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with the now classic ‘Ta Pediá tou Pireá’. The Oscar-winning song was first performed in Greek by Melina Merkouri in the 1960 film ‘Never on Sunday’. It has since been recorded in a number of languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch, Yiddish, Polish, Czech, Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Portuguese.

 

 

 

Listen to:

‘Gioconda’s Smile‘ (1965 album)

‘Transformations‘ (2003 album with remixes/covers by Greek musician K. BHTA)

‘Reflections‘ (2005 album, adaptation of the 1970 original, by the Greek band Raining Pleasures; all songs are in English on both versions, but they have also been re-recorded in Greek)

 

Maria Callas

 

Greek soprano Maria Callas (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century. To many of us, Callas is better known for her dramatic life and personal tragedy rather than her musical career, that has often been overshadowed by her love affair with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

 

Vicky Leandros

 

My musical journey around Europe also included Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in the continent (and in the world), which has won the Eurovision Song Contest five times. The third Luxembourgian victory came in 1972 when Greek singer Vicky Leandros represented the land-locked country with ‘Après Toi’. This was the second time that Leandros represented Luxembourg in Eurovision; she had already participated in 1967 when she finished fourth with ‘L’amour est bleu’. Born on the Greek island of Corfu, Leandros has had an international career spanning more than five decades, with her songs being released in Greek, French, English, German, and Spanish.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Moge der Himmel‘ (2009 album, mostly in German)

 

Nana Mouskouri

 

But Leandros was not the first Greek artist representing Luxembourg in the contest. In 1963, nine years prior to her victory, Nana Mouskouri finished in the 8^th place with the song ‘À force de prier’. Despite not being a Eurovision winner, Mouskouri has had a hugely successful career spanning six decades and holds the title of the biggest-selling female artist of all time. Born in Greece in 1934, she has released songs in at least twelve different languages, including Greek, French, English, and German.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Forever Young‘ (2018 album, featuring covers of mostly older songs)

 

Now… a musical journey to Greece

 

Having recently (physically) visited my home country, I was reminded of all those contemporary artists whose music travels me back there no matter where in the world I may happen to be. So, today, I’d like to take you on a musical journey to Greece; the soundtrack will include some of my favorite artists and songs that my compatriots enjoy on the radio or in live concerts. In fact, as an avid music fan, I’m lucky to have seen 11 of these 20 musicians performing live (usually in open-air theaters back home, although some of them have recently performed in London too).

 

 

Greek music is often classified into traditional (i.e. what people dance to in weddings), pop, and folk. Folk music can further be divided into ‘laiko’ (literally translating to popular) and ‘entehno’ (translating to artistic), which are usually considered as polar opposites, with pop acting as a bridge between the two. ‘Laiko’ is by far the most popular genre and is often blended with or influenced by oriental (Turkish and Arab) music, whereas ‘entehno’ can have influences from the music of other South European countries. In fact, a lot of Italian songs have been covered in Greek by either ‘entehno’ or pop artists. The artists featuring in this musical journey are considered either ‘entehno’ or pop.

 

Haris Alexiou

 

If I had to pick one artist to represent contemporary Greek music, that would easily be Haris Alexiou, one of the most popular female singers in Greece, with a career now spanning well over four decades. If, however, I had to choose my favorite album of hers, let alone my favorite song, I would definitely be struggling with the task. Originally included in her 1997 album ‘Ena Fili Tou Kosmou’, the song ‘Gia Ena Tango’ also features in the soundtrack of the 2013 film ‘Before Midnight’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Di’ Efchon’ (1992 album)

‘Odos Nefelis ‘88’ (1995 album)

‘Os Tin Akri Tou Ouranou Sou’ (2003 album)

‘I Agapi Tha Se Vri Opou Ke Na ‘Se’ (1999 album)

‘Ta Onira Ginonte Pali’ (2014 album)

 

Dimitra Galani

 

Dimitra Galani has been recording music since the early 1970s, and has released over 30 albums since. She has collaborated with a great number of artists, and in the last few years she tends to collaborate with lesser-known but equally talented musicians, including Efstathios Drakos (on their 2016 album ‘To Vals Ton Hamenon Meta’), and Papercut (on the 2019 song ‘Kai T’ Allo Kalokairi’). Her 2009 album ‘Pixel’ includes remixes of some of her greatest hits, whereas her latest release ‘Chronos Project’ includes jazz covers of older Greek songs.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Dama Coupa’ (2007 album)

‘Pixel’ (2009 album, featuring mostly remixes of Dimitra’s older songs)

‘To Vals Ton Hamenon Meta’ (2016 album)

‘Chronos Project’ (2019 album, featuring jazz covers of older Greek songs)

 

 

Or, simply see Dimitra live in concert; her tour with Natassa Bofiliou concludes in Athens on 18^th September 2019.

 

Alkistis Protopsalti

 

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Alkistis Protopsalti has been one of my favorite Greek artists since I was a child growing up in the 1990s. I last saw her live In London last year when she performed at the Union Chapel. Like Dimitra Galani, her prolific career also spans over four decades. If I were to choose my favorite albums of hers, I would probably go for those released when I lived in Greece, but I am aware that I am not doing justice to her earlier and later works.

 

 

Listen to:

‘San Ifaisteio Pou Xypna’ (1997 album)

‘Pes Mou Thalassa’ (2003 album)

‘Na Se Vlepo Na Gelas’ (2005 album)

‘Sto Oraiotero Simeio’ (2007 album)

 

 

Or, simply see Alkistis live in concert; she is due to perform in Cyprus on 4^th and 5^th September 2019, and then in Pireaus (Athens) on the 16^th September 2019. She will then continue to North America and Europe.

 

Tania Tsanaklidou

 

Tania Tsanaklidou started her career in the 1970s as an actor rather than a singer. In 1978, she represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest. Her musical career really took off in the 1980s when she released the ground-breaking songs ‘Mires’ and ‘Zelatina’, both included in her 1988 album ‘Mama Gernao’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Mama Gernao’ (1988 album)

‘Savvatovrado’ (1990 song)

‘To Chroma Tis Meras’ (2001 album)

‘Prosopografia’ (1999 album)

 

Natassa Bofiliou

 

I had already moved to England and was living in Leeds when I first heard of Natassa Bofiliou and listened to her music (her 2012 album ‘Oi Meres Tou Fotos’). I got instantly hooked, and over the following years I had been trying to see her live, until she came to London (where I now live) earlier this year. Her concert at the Union Chapel, a beautiful (actual) chapel in Islington, certainly lived up to my expectations, which had been rising over the last few years, whilst Natassa kept on releasing new music. The only problem is that I cannot decide which album of hers I like the most.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Oi Meres Tou Fotos’ (2012 album)

‘Protes Lekseis’ (2014 album)

‘Vavel’ (2016 album)

 

 

Or, simply see Natassa live in concert; her solo tour concludes on 9^th September 2019, and she will then perform with Dimitra Galani in Cyprus (12 & 13^th September 2019) and Greece (Athens, 18^th September 2019).

 

Eleonora Zouganeli

 

Eleonora Zouganeli’s first album was released in 2008 and featured one of my favorite songs of hers: ‘Kopse Ke Mirase’. So far, I have seen her live in concert twice; the first time was in Greece a few years ago, whereas the second time was last year when she visited London. This summer, she has already visited many Greek islands, as well as towns in the mainland. She is due to perform near Athens on the 2^nd and 11^th September 2019, in Thessaloniki on the 9^th September 2019; her tour concludes in Cyprus on the 20^th September 2019.

 

 

 

Listen to:

‘Diskoli Siopi’ (2017 song)

‘Deftera Klidia’ (2018 song)

 

 

Or simply listen to her 2018 latest album ‘Pou Me Ftasane Oi Erotes’.

 

Andriana Babali

 

As a singer, Andriana Babali has a very unique and characteristic voice. As an artist, she has consistently been making quality music for almost two decades now. She has released six albums in total, with ‘The Rose Tattoo’ standing out due to the fact that she has covered and breathed new life into older Greek and international songs.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Moira Mou Egines’ (2003 song)

‘The Rose Tattoo’ (2009 album)

 

Eleni Peta

 

Singer and cellist Eleni Peta has been a favorite of mine since the 1990s. Although most of her recorded songs are in Greek, her live performances include songs in several other languages, such as English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Afto Pou Ksero’ (1999 song)

‘Aroma Parakseno’ (2009 album)

‘Duende’ (2011 album)

 

Maraveyas

 

You may have noticed my affinity and preference for female singers. This has always been the case, but of course there are a few exceptions. Singer-songwriter Maraveyas is a notable one. Even though Maraveyas is not a recently emerged artist, he has gained in popularity in the last couple of years, having been a coach on the ‘Voice of Greece’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Fila Me Akoma’ (2010 song, duet with Panos Mouzourakis)

‘Faros‘ (2016 song)

 

Sakis Rouvas

 

One of the most popular Greek singers since the early 1990s, Corfu-born Sakis Rouvas is the ultimate pop star in Greece. Having twice represented the country in the Eurovision Song Contest, he has achieved recognition in Europe too (albeit not success). More recently, he has also been a coach on the ‘Voice of Greece’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Ola Kala’ (2002 album)

‘S’ Eho Erotefthi’ (2005 album)

‘Iparhi Agapi Edo’ (2006 album)

‘Parafora’ (2010 album)

 

Marios Frangoulis

 

Alongside his 20-year-long discography, tenor Marios Frangoulis has also performed in operatic as well as theatrical productions, and has collaborated with Greek and international artists, including Alkistis Protopsalti and the classical crossover sopranos Sarah Brightman and Sissel Kyrkjebø. Born in Zimbabwe, he is a multilingual performer, mostly singing in Greek, English, Italian and Spanish.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Follow Your Heart’ (2003 album)

 

Evanthia Reboutsika

 

Contemporary composer Evanthia Reboutsika has composed music for Greek and Turkish films and TV series, including the 2003 Greek film ‘A Touch Of Spice’. She has also collaborated with and written songs for Greek artists, such as Alkistis Protopsalti on their album ‘Gia Pou Travas Elpida’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘To Asteri Ki I Efxi’ (1997 album)

 

Or, simply see Evanthia live in concert; she is due to perform in Athens on the 11^th September 2019.

 

Keep Shelly In Athens

 

Keep Shelly In Athens are a chillwave/dream pop duo consisting of composer RPR and singer Jessica Bell. Bell replaced Myrtha, who had replaced the original singer Sarah P. Originally from Athens, their minimalistic sound and English lyrics have made them popular with audiences all over the world; they have performed in European countries, as well as in North America, including at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. In 2018, their European tour included gigs in London (where I saw them) and Leeds. Their latest release is called ‘Cyclades’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘At Home’ (2013 album)

‘Now I’m Ready’ (2015 album)

‘In Love With Dusk’ (2016 album)

‘Philokalia’ (2017 album)

 

 

Sarah P

 

Sarah P was the original singer of Keep Shelly In Athens, until she left the duo in 2014. She continues to sing in English, and has released several solo projects since.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Maenads’ (2019 release)

 

Monika

 

Monika is another Greek singer who, like Sarah P, sings mostly in English. Despite this, her debut album ‘Avatar’ put her on the music map of Greece. Since then, Monika has released two more albums and has collaborated on an international level, including with the French electronic music producer Yuksek on his 2017 album ‘Nous Horizon, Vol 2’. Her latest album ‘Secret In The Dark’ has been influenced by her swimming in the dark for eight hours and nearly losing her eye-sight from over-exposure to salt water, after jumping off a ship that had caught fire.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Avatar’ (2008 album)

‘Exit’ (2010 album)

‘Secret In The Dark’ (2015 album)

 

Minor Project

 

Efstathios Drakos, who collaborated with Dimitra Galani on the 2016 album ‘To Vals Ton Hamenon Meta’, is the frontman of the lesser known music band Minor Project. Their 2016 album ‘In Colors’ features 11 tracks, all in English, including the English version of ‘Ekdromi’ by Galani and Drakos.

 

 

Listen to:

‘In Colors’ (2016 album)

 

Monsieur Minimal

 

Monsieur Minimal is a relatively unknown Greek indie pop musician. He has collaborated with famous singers, such as Dimitra Galani on the 2010 song ‘Mia Zoi’ and Andriana Babali on the 2017 song ‘Flert’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Love Story’ (2008 song)

‘Mia Zoi’ (2010 song, featuring Dimitra Galani)

‘Erotica’ (2017 album)

 

Sundayman

 

I first discovered Sundayman in 2009, when I came across his song ‘Now That I Found You’ and its brilliant videoclip. Although he is a little known music composer and producer, he has nonetheless released three albums so far.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Now That I Found You’ (2009 song)

 

Marina

 

Formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds, Marina is a Greek-British indie pop singer-songwriter, who rose to prominence in 2010 when her debut album ‘The Family Jewels’ was released. Named after two basic emotions, ‘LOVE + FEAR’, Marina’s fourth studio album was released earlier this year. This concept album of two halves was inspired by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, famous for her writings on dying, bereavement and the five stages of grief.

 

 

Listen to:

‘LOVE + FEAR’ (2019 album)

 

 

Or, simply see Marina live in concert; her worldwide tour includes performances in North America in September 2019 and then in Europe. She is due to perform in London on 4^th November 2019. Her tour concludes in Athens on the 16^th November 2019.

 

Arleta

 

Arleta sadly passed away in the summer of 2017, aged 72, but her music remains fresh and relevant. With a career spanning five decades, she is considered one of the main representatives of the Greek New Wave. In 2009, following a 13-year hiatus, she released her double album ‘Kai Pali Hairetai!’, including new songs, as well as new versions of some of her greatest hits, including ‘Bar To Navagio’, ‘Batida De Coco’, and ‘Ta Isiha Vradia – To Tragoudi Tis Erimou’.

 

 

Listen to:

‘Kai Pali Hairetai!’ (2009 album)

 

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Alex

 

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)