Red Vinyl
Heavy, exquisite ballads from Greek American song maker Giorgos Katsaros Adding to Mississippi’s ongoing collection of underground Greek music, we bring 10 ultra-rare recordings of heartbreak and vice from unsung rebetika legend, Giorgos Katsaros. Born in 1888 on the Greek island of Amorgos, Katsaros’ became enchanted with the songs he picked up as a kid in the 7 streets of Piraeus and Athens. Encouraged by his grandfather, an amateur singer, Katsaros grew up to develop a singular style—a repertoire consisting of old Asia Minor songs, island songs of his homeland, well-known Athenian songs of the time, and anonymous ‘rebetiko’ songs. This repertory, which spoke of street life, gambling, and love, represented the working-class men of early 20th-century Greece: outcasts who dealt with the indignities of an unstable economy and an inauspicious future by drinking wine, smoking hashish, and dancing. On these 10 tracks, taken from Katsaros’s 64 surviving recordings, his laid-back, sharp guitar melodies compliment his deep, mournful voice, building songs that zig-zag in mesmerizing ways. Translations of lyrics like “The Upper Village Of Syros” and “The Tavern and the Dice” provide a glance at Katsaros’ timeless storytelling - hard luck, lawbreaking, and romance all come through in his songs. This collection, painstakingly curated and remastered, represents a powerful time in Greek American history, where young immigrants living in cities like New York, Atlanta, and Philadelphia sang of longing, the hardships of blue-collar work, and the dangers of nightlife. By conserving songs that otherwise might have been lost forever, Katsaros had a successful run in the States: despite the myths, tall tales, and mysteries surrounding his persona, his commercial success was undeniable. Honored in Greece and rediscovered by younger generations, he played his last show there in 1996, well into his 90s (or 100s, depending on whose timeline you believe). Giorgos Katsaros offers a new listen at the artist’s work through incredible sound quality. Available in black and transparent red vinyl, including a 4-page booklet featuring photos, biography, and notes about the artist. Co-release by Mississippi Records and Olvido Records.
