Track Listing

1. To Parelthon Thimithika (I Remembered the Past) - Apenanti, Melina Aslanidou
2. Eleni (Helen)
3. Pino Pino (I Drink, I Drink) - Anastasia Moutsatsou
4. Sou Axize Mia Kaliteri Agalia (You Deserved a Better Love) - George Dalaras
5. Iparhis Kapou Esi (If You Are Somewhere)
6. Ragizi Apopse (Broken Pieces) - Children of the Revolution
7. Arnisi (Denial) - Melina Kana
8. M' Agapas, Tha S' Agapo (If You Love Me, I Will Love You)
9. Ela Mia Nichta (Come by One Night)
10. Ah, Feggaraki Mou (Oh, My Little Moon) - Gerasimos Andreatos, , Sofia Papazoglou
11. Ta Ziliarika Sou Matia (Your Jealous Eyes) - Glykeria
12. Exinta Dis Solaria (Sixty Billion Dollars) - Athanasios Makedonas,

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26029 in Music
• Released on: 2004-06-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Amazon.com
Because it focuses on some of the country's most commercially successful artists of the last two decades, this smoother-than-usual Putumayo sampler of contemporary Greek music will disappoint listeners in search of the kind of joyous party ambiance you may find in a touristy Athens taverna. The mellifluous strains of the traditional bouzouki are a constant presence, but the twelve songs here boast the sophisticated arrangements and lilting melodies of European pop at its cosmopolitan best. A somber ballad with touches of accordion, veteran singer/songwriter George Dalaras' "Sou Axize Mia Kaliteri Agalia" dazzles you with an opening line of exquisite irony ("I don't care/Who you're listening to this song with tonight") while the raspy vocals of Glykeria turn "Ta Ziliarika Sou Matia" into a visceral anthem of romantic obsession. Songs by lesser known artists such as Kostas Makedonas and Theodosia Stiga are equally compelling. A few serious omissions: the endearingly anarchic Dionisis Savopoulos, the Middle-East-meets-techno shenanigans of Ana Vissi and the delicate ballads of Arleta--the Greek equivalent of Joni Mitchell. --Ernesto Lechner

Customer Reviews

Don't be scared off by the word "Bouzouki"
The reviewer from Amazon seemed to complain that this CD isn't a great "party mix." Depends on what kind of party you're throwing, I guess. I think this would be a great CD for an evening get-together with friends who are "ethnically" inclined. It's not dance music, but it provides some great ambience. It's also great music to sit down and actually pay a lot of attention to. Shocking, I know! Some of the lyrics and melodies are incredibly beautiful, and instantly bring to mind both the spectacular Grecian landscape and the passion and hardships rooted in a people who struggled for so long under oppresive regimes.

Sure, there are some bouzoukis... but trust me, they're not as dorky as they usually are. This is a cool CD. Don't pass it up.

Yes, yes, yes!
Now and then a compilation of different artists hits the jackpot- this one is a winner. Many CDs with Greek music are disappointing because they have one sing-along bouzouki cut after another. This CD has wonderfully soulful, melodic Greek music, featuring a wide range of excellent artists with different instruments and rhythms. Buy it!

A Great Buy!
i bought this CD after listening to the clips on Amazon and the Putomayo Website. The tunes are well thought out and catchy. You'll be singing along to Pino Pino (and you probably won't even know the words). I listen to this CD when I drive my car during traffic, or have dinner guests. It really feels like I'm in Greece when I listen to it. To boot, the cover is made of a durable cardboard painting which opens up and voila! Inside it is a mini booklet of beautiful Greek photographs.
Also makes a lovely gift for your Greek and non-Greek friends.