Search - Markos Vamvakaris :: Bouzouki Pioneer, 1932-1940

Bouzouki Pioneer, 1932-1940
Markos Vamvakaris
Bouzouki Pioneer, 1932-1940
Genre: International Music
 
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #1

Márkos, the "Patriarch" of the bouzoúki, was born dirt poor on the island of Syros and came up in the slums of Piraeus. ". . . there I was initiated into the harsh life of a working man, married for the first tim...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Markos Vamvakaris
Title: Bouzouki Pioneer, 1932-1940
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: Rounder
Original Release Date: 1/1/1932
Re-Release Date: 7/10/2009
Genre: International Music
Styles: Europe, Continental Europe, Middle East
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 011661113923

Synopsis

Album Description
Márkos, the "Patriarch" of the bouzoúki, was born dirt poor on the island of Syros and came up in the slums of Piraeus. ". . . there I was initiated into the harsh life of a working man, married for the first time, got hooked on hashish, and, above all, was seduced by that instrument -- the bouzoúki." "The man was an inexhaustible river. If he'd lived a thousand years, he'd have gone on writing beautiful Rembetica." --Spyros Garízas
 

CD Reviews

What a trip!!!!
Mr. J. Rigas | London United Kingdom | 03/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album includes some of Vamvakaris' best work. The songs are a fine example of when Greek music and lyrics had a real edge to them. After all they are Rebetika songs written and sang by the Grandfather of Rebetika music himself. All the songs have a raw earthiness to them partly because of Vamvakaris' voice, partly because of the lyrics and partly because of the unique style in which he plays the bouzouki. The lyrics talk of love, hashish smoking, betrayal and the trials of working class urban life in 1930s Greece amongst other things. These themes could almost be describing some of the themes prominent in American Blues. It's no surprise then that Rebetika are unofficially known as the Greek Blues. What is really good about this edition is the fact that it makes the lyrics accessible to non-greek speaking listeners. For each song the lyrics are written in greeklish (ie greek written with english characters) along with their written translation in English. Anyway I've rambled enough. So, whether you're a veteran Vamvakaris/Rebetiko fan or just a curious by-stander this is a really good buy."