Greek Music

  If you've ever eaten in a Greek restaurant or danced in a Greek nightclub, you probably heard echoes of Rembetiko music, though what you heard may not have been strictly speaking Rembetiko since it never achieved the mainstream popularity of other styles.

 Rembetiko has greatly influenced some important Greek composers, musicians and performers who look to it for a sense of soul or deep feeling much the way American jazz, rock and country performers look to blues.  In fact, Rembetiko is often referred to as Greek blues not in the sense of musical form, but in the deep feeling it evokes.

 Rembetiko's origins are traced primary to the Roma people (a.k.a. gypsies) who brought an 'Eastern' sound to Europe and engaged in activities outside the realm of polite society.

 Social rebels, especially marijuana smokers, were drawn to this music: now the sound of Rembetiko, like blues and that other famous gypsy style Flamenco, has spread around the world. The authorities tried to stamp it out but only succeeded in spreading it beyond its area of origin.  To jazz and rock fans, this story should sound familiar.

 So now we have a two-cd set of this lively, exciting music being played and recorded throughout Europe and the Americas. If a follow-up to DIASPORA OF REMBETIKO comes out in 20 years, it will probably add Japan, South Africa and many other places where Rembitko has put down roots.   Naturally when music spreads, it mingles with local traditions and exciting fusions are born.

 For a mild shock and a big grin listen to cut 11 on the second cd featuring Louisa Red playing a Delta slide guitar blues mixed with Stelios Vamvakaris' Rembitko.

 For something completely different, listen to the Rembetiko hipsters (Eastern meets Western) comedic tune 'Mes Tis Polis to Hamman'.

 There are thirty-tree very interesting and different takes on Rembitiko: even Diamonda Galas, who can be downright scary at times, sounds like a real Rembitko club signer here.

 There are several pages of liner notes which you don't have to unfold or try to stuff back in the package, as it's in handy booklet form: this is a real plus.

 No home can be complete without THE DIASPORA OF REMBETIKO.