30 Mar 2009

Pharos April 27 2009, George Yioldassis, Bouzouki


The Life and Music of Giorgos Zambetas
Legendary Composer of Greek Laika
Yiorgos Yioldassis, Bouzouki; Yianni Mavrogeorge, Guitar, Thomas Makris, Vocals & Baglama with Kanella Stefanis, vocals.
Giorgos Zambetas (Γιώργος Ζαμπέτας) (1925-1992) was one of the greatest composers and performers of Greek Laïká during the ‘50s and ‘60s. He is perhaps most familiar to North American audiences for the tune Horos tou Sakena featured in the soundtrack of Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite and the ubiquitous sing-along dance song, Siko Horepse Sirtaki, (think “la, la, la la la”).
George Yioldassis will give a short presentation on the life of George Zambetas including readings from the Ionna Kliasiou’s book, And the Rain Fell Straight Through: The Life of Giorgos Zampetas (Και η βρόχα έπεφτε ράι θρου). The band will follow with musical performances of some timeless classics from the Zambetas songbook.

Some musical links:
Nina Mouskouri sings Siko Horepse Sirtaki: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MWGJzMyhxQ
Petros Andreou plays Xoros tou Sakaina http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvc9J1HKQnc&feature=related