Publisher's Synopsis
Rembetika is a popular style of Greek folk music that deals with the sorrows and troubles of everyday life, much like the Blues in the United States. Originating from oral tradition, Rembetika merges traditional Turkish and Greek musical elements with lyrics that deal with more modern, urban issues. The Rembetika music collected for Greek Rhapsody was recorded from 1905-1956 in Greece, Istanbul, the United States and even a German prison camp during the First World War. The set is mostly, but not entirely, made up of instrumental music, steering clear of vocally dominated songs. The publication comes with two CDs that feature 42 meticulously remastered tracks from 78 rpm recordings of Greek instrumentals, including rare and never-before-issued tracks. Delving deep into the history of this period, this publication offers a unique panorama of the instruments and styles of Greek folk music.
