Bouzouki Greek

"Rebetiko" is a genre of Greek subcultural folk song quite analog to Portuguese fado, American blues, Argentinian tango or Spanish flamenco. Giorgos Dalaras, son of a rebetiko singer, decided to select 28 songs from the huge repertoire of rebetika, and released a double album in 1975 which became very popular. This double CD contains these 28 songs remastered, plus 2 more bonus songs. Dalaras, with his great voice, gives a new "life" to these old songs. A masterpiece of the greek folk musical scene, with delightful bouzouki parts. Enjoy.

Grigoris Bithikotsis, was the greater singer that has ever passed from the greek musical scene. He was the "standard choice" for the most important works of Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis and Stavros Xarhakos, the three top greek composers of all times. Bithikotsis was also a talented songwriter with lots of best selling personal albums. Many timeless folk songs are his compositions. This multi-platinum album released in 1968, contains some legendary songs of Bithikotsis, that remain popular till today, after all these years. Enjoy a superb CD.

Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis is probably best known for the soundtrack to the film 'Zorba the Greek,' but he has produced an extensive body of concert music and includes Olivier Messiaen among his teachers. Much of his work has a political subtext and attempts a synthesis of popular, folk and classical symphonic styles, communicating directly with simple rhythms and a pared-down harmonic vocabulary reminiscent of Carl Orff. The oratorio "axion esti" is a setting of a poem by Nobel Prize winner Odysseus Elytis that refers to events of the Second World War and the subsequent German-Italian occupation of Greece. The nationalist flavor of the piece is underscored by the use of Byzantine church music, Greek folk dances and native instruments such as the bouzouki, in addition to a vocalist cast as a "folk singer." This 1983 Dresden performance, conducted by Theodorakis himself, is sung in German.

Yiannis Papaioannou was (together with Markos Vamvakaris and Vasilis Tsitsanis), one of the great pioneers of this special kind of greek folk songs called "Rebetika". He composed hundreds of legendary songs that remained timeless among the treasures of the Greek musical pantheon. This very rare 4CD set, contains original recordings from 1930's of great Papaioannou's songs, digitally remastered. In the first 3 CDs you will find genuine interpretations with many rebetiko legends of the 30's, while the 4th is a live recording with Yiannis Papaioanou from the music hall he performed. The sound quality is the best possible (for recordings of 30's). An invaluable and touching collector's item.

Stratos Dionysiou (8 November 1934 - 11 May 1990) was a very popular "laika" greek singer with millions of fans in Greece and worldwide. His voice had a unique timbre and he recorded hundreds of very beautiful songs by all the legendary masters of laika and rebetika like Vasilis Tsitsanis, Yiannis Papaioannou, Giorgos Mitsakis and Manolis Chiotis. But his great success came when he recorded a zeimbekiko by Mimis Plessas, "Fire is raining down my path" that became his mega hit followed by many others by one of the most talented greek composers ever, Akis Panou. This superb compilation includes 60 top hits of Stratos Dionysiou. Enjoy the singer that is considered to be among the five "best" folk greek voices ever.

In 1960, Manos Hadjidakis composed the music for Jules Dassin's film "Never on Sunday" with the popular greek actress Melina Merkouri, and won the Academy Reward for that year (best film music). The title song (known also as "The children of Pireaus"), Manos Hadjidakis and Melina Merkouri became popular worldwide. The orchestra included some of the best greek musicians ever, like the unforgettable bouzouki virtuoso, Giorgos Zabetas. Nice booklet with rare photos included. Enjoy beautiful typical greek music, ripped in lossless from a 2013 remastered re-release.

Christos Nikolopoulos is a greek folk music composer and one of the best bouzouki virtuosi. He is very popular with hundreds of best selling songs and bouzouki instrumentals. This is a famous CD with songs and istrumetals in dancing rhythms, mainly "hasapiko" and "zeibekiko". Greek music at its best moments. Track no 3, is considered as one of the best "zeibekika" ever written. You will find a nice booklet scanned with many photos. Enjoy.

Created in Israel and nurtured in the musical halls of Manhattan the multicultural and instrumental band, ESTA, brings a thrilling and pulsating musical experience that reflects the many ethnic flavors of Israel's vibrant society. ESTA has performed in a variety of prestigious festivals and venues throughout Europe, Israel, and the United States. ESTA has appeared at Radio France in Paris, the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Israel, Festival L'Art De La Paix (The Art of Peace) in Belgium, and New Music Seminar in New York City.

A wonderful collection of 45 legendary hassapika songs, composed by top greek composers like Vassilis Tsitsanis, Markos Vamvakaris, Yiannis Papaioannou, Stavros Xarhakos, Giorgos Zabetas, Christos Nikolopoulos and many more. More than 20 top voices, backed by the best bouzouki virtuosi of all times, will guide you through the best moments in the last 80 years of the greek folk musical pantheon. Enjoy a dancing trip at the stars.