Dalaras

[Anton Efendi]

I figured I'd put some nice rembetiko performances by Dalaras to this section. Instead of an audio file however, I recently came across this on YouTube. Let me tell you, it's worth every second. Dalaras at his best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGkX0ZyFEEo

The song's name is Η πεντάμορφη - I Pentamorfi ("the beauty"), music and lyrics by Apostolos Hatzichristos "Smyrniotaki" (born in Smyrna, 1901, and died in Athens 1959).


Σιγά-σιγά φίλε μου τ' αμάξι
έφτασ' η πεντάμορφη τις καρδιές να κάψει

Σε εξοχικό (or μαγκικό) ήρθε να γλεντήσει
και σα ρεμπέτισσα μια βραδιά να ζήσει

Ρομαντικό στέκι αν ξέρεις, πάμε
τέτοιες νύχτες όμορφες πρέπει να γλεντάμε

---

My translation:

Slow down the car my friend
The beauty has arrived, to burn (everyone's) hearts

She came to the tavern to have a good time
And to live like a Rembetissa for one night

If you know a romantic hangout, let's go
We must have a good time in such beautiful nights

[Najib]

Thanks, his 50 years of Rebetiko double CD is a wonderfully recorded CD, doesn't leave my car, and I can't wait to see the guy live in May (my first Dalaras concert).

[AmbroseBierce]

Sorry, not my cup of tea really. Too many plucked strings instruments in one place for my taste. I appreciate his singing to some extent, but again, too smooth for me. If Dalaras was American I'd say he hasn't got the blues.

[Najib]

Ambrose,

So good to hear from you man.

You're not alone regarding Dalaras. All the Rebetiko aficionados hate him, and hate him more because of the double CD that he's made.

For me I love his voice and style, not rough enough, I agree, but a fantastic talent.

[AmbroseBierce]

I wouldn't say the missing roughness is the main problem for me. It's rather I don't feel he suffers with the music - he brings a song in a nice way, no mistakes of course, clean rhythmically, but so what? Many can do that. Where's the tarab?