In review--Sunny Music from the Greek Isles
World
Michalis Terzis
Magic of the Greek
Bouzouki
Arc Music
For those of us who don’t live in, travel to Greece or come
from Greek origin probably only hear traditional Greek music while eating at a
Greek restaurant or as the soundtrack for the comedy movie, My Fat Greek Wedding. People of a certain age will also recall the
soundtracks from the movies Zorba the
Greek and Never on a Sunday (two
must-see classics). Greek music comes in
two emotions for the most part, desperately tragic as in rembetika and exuberant
as in Greek dance or feasting songs.
While I enjoy Greek vocal music, instrumental music with its
bouzouki, baglamas (Turkish instrument), lutes, zither, mandolins, guitar, piano,
bass, percussion sound invigorating or just plain haunting depending on the
song. However, I think most non-Greeks
will conjure thought of Greek wedding music or the lively circle dance songs. We think of sunny islands, the sea, sand, and
rich food. However, stuffed grape leaves
aside, I prefer the music over all the other Greek cultural experiences. This music provides fodder for imagination as
we visualize ourselves strolling among Greek ruins on a remote island and it
helps the rich food go down more easily (this isn’t a scientific observation).
Michalis Terzis, who is no stranger to traditional or
popular Greek music, rounded up an ensemble of younger musicians on traditional
acoustic instruments that provide us zing and zest. The tracks range from quick tempo circle
dance such as the opener Chasapiko
Politiko and the Dance from Aivalí
to melancholic love song, Sto’pa kai sto
xanaleo with its cello, lutes and violin.
The invigorating Emvatirio Smirnis
(March of Smyrna,) resembles cartoon music in comparison as it bounces
along without a care in the world. The last track, Tatavla-Chasaposerviko, another circle dance features the Greek zither, santouri along with double bass, classical guitar, traditional lutes, bouzoukis, baglamas and piano and it closes the recording with a flourish. The
musicians bring us traditional songs from different regions of Greece while
offering us a sunny respite from the world.
(The CD booklet provides cultural notes for each track).
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