Search - Manos Hadjidakis :: Gioconda's Smile

A blend of despair and reminiscences

Constantinos V. | Houston, TX USA | 07/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Manos Hadidakis (along with Mikis Theodorakis) is one of the greatest Greek composers that lived in the 20th century. His album Gioconda's smile contains instrumental songs. The album was originally mastered and recorded in New York back in 1965. The producer of the album was Quincy Jones. This version of the album came out in December 1998. The dvd booklet is excellent. It is bilingual (English and Greek) It includes pictures that Manos himself has taken in New York, and also interesting details about each song.



The two pictures of the composer with Quincy Jones eloquently underline that, as the composer says, the songs are a blend of despair and reminiscences. Just to look at Manos' facial expression on one of the pictures in the booklet, is worth bying this cd.



Interestingly the songs are instrumental so the language is not an obstacle. On the same time though the orchistration along with the rythm of the songs convey the soul and feeling of the greek culture.



Manos is a phenomenon. Although he died some years back his music lives on. New versions of his albums keep coming out and they sell a lot. His music has a great appeal even to young people and artists remake his songs. This album is an excellent way to introduce yourself to Manos' music. It contains both slow-paced sad songs and faster happier ones that bring to mind circular greek dances.



I highly recommend it. I "discovered" it back in 1986 (that was also my first contact with Manos' music) and it remains the favourite piece of Manos for me."