This is my blog where I write about music, and myself. Vaudeville, burlesque, blues, jazz, novelties, and whatever else I feel like posting. Mostly from my own LPs and 78s. Comments and feedback always appreciated. Please do not link directly to mp3s. It's rude.

China Night, Japanese song for Americans

??
China Night
1977 Gusto Records, Inc.

This one is from the same batch as Japanese Rumba way back when.
I can't translate the artist but the song is called "China Night." Internet searching gives me the impression that every American family stationed in Japan in the 50s had this record.
Turns out there's even another blog about it.

Labels: international, japanese

Posted by: Kara Mae 1/26/2008 (1) comments

Bouzoukee Party

Na Zisi E Nyfi Ki'O Gambros

"Bouzoukee music can rightfully be called Greek jazz.
Today, the bouzoukee bistros in new York, besides doing a roaring trade, boast a following of renowned aficionados. Among the sophisticated members of the bouzoukee cult are singer Tommy Sands, actress Sophia Loren, actor Dana Andrews, playwrights Tennessee Williams and William Inge not to mention socialites, college students and tourists from all corners of the world.
That is not to say, of course, that the Greek people, to whom this haunting and hypnotic music really belongs, aren't among its most devoted camp followers. For on any night during the week, braving summer rains or winter snow storms, you'll find youthful sailors from the just-harbored Hellenic ships, middle aged Greek business men with their wives, raucous old bachelors sitting back in their favorite bouzoukee clubs to revel in the rhythms of the bouzoukee.
"And what exactly is a bouzoukee?" the uninitiated ask.
A bouzoukee is a long-handled, gourd-shaped, handmade instrument that dates back to the long-gone days of the old Byzantium. Yet, it's remained a favorite instrument in the Bohemian atmosphere of the open-air tavernas along the colorful waterfront of Piraeus in Greece, providing the musical background for solo dances of fishermen and mariners who oftentimes balance tumblers of drinking water or wine on their heads while twirling to the bouzoukee's stirring music.
Now in New York, there's bouzoukee music to please all tastes from sensuous tsiftetellis to mournful laments of lost loves to taxims (or solo improvisations) at the crowded bouzoukee hideaways in Manhattan's fur district.
Usually seated on a rose-lighted bandstand at the far end of the nightclub, the bouzoukee player plucks the strings so effortlessly he's likely not to call much attention to himself or to his instrument of handsome inlaid ebony wood with mother-of-pearl trim. Bouzoukee players sit; one never has an image of them at their feet. And, judging by the dozens I've known, they all affect black, bushy moustaches (all except young Yanni Tattasopoulos and Yanni Stamatiou whose bouzoukee is heard in this album) which accent their gold-capped teeth whenever they break into a smile.
While the bouzoukee is played, some youngish man with eyes dreamy from his drink of ouzo will step forward and snap his fingers as he begins tracing intricate, syncopated patterns on the hardwood dance floor. Sometimes he dances alone, sometimes with a male friend, occasionally with a girlfriend or wife.
With Nina's latest "Bouzoukee Party" album, you can hear the outstanding music of Yanni Tattasopoulos and Yanni Stamatiou, two of Athens' best bouzoukee players. Miss Poly Panou, renowned in Greek circles for her singing artistry, adds richness to the bouzoukee music with her earthy interpretations of a number of songs.
They are all accompanied by a lively orchestra. And with every spin of the turntable, this inimitable Greek jazz will fill you full of good-time partying spirit."

Bouzoukee Nights

Labels: international

Posted by: Kara Mae 12/19/2005 (1) comments

Japanese Rumba

I just got back from the post office, and I feel like I just got a huge breath of fresh air.
I bought some stupid stuff this week.
I'm not patient enough to scour yard sales very often. I always see the same 500 records at all of the thrift stores. Their junk jewerly is too expensive. The car trips are too expensive.
And so it is that I sometimes find myself on ebay buying the most pointless things.
This week it was 78s. Japanese 78s. For awhile now my feeble mind has been intrigued by the simple concept that America isn't the only country with a history of recorded music.
I can't count how many times I've put a record on my Califone and tried to imagine someone buying this record, hearing this song for the first time, hating it, returning it, or liking it, playing it over and over driving the neighbors crazy. I don't know why recently, it is all of the sudden so much more exciting to imagine this taking place in some other country. I guess In my past life I didn't travel much either.
I love this music. I've been playing these 8 sides, over and over again. There's a "Japanese Rumba," a Korean folk song, a song in English, and some 1930s Japanese pop songs. Every single one of them is thrilling to me.
Am I just getting off on the obscurity of it? Am I secretly thrilled that even less people care about this than all of my other records? I feel like I'd be too embarrassed to mention this interest in conversation. I'm writing this whole entry out of shame.
Blahhhh I'm really into listening to foreign 78 rpm records.
Please, just shut up, I bet you secretly listen to Ashlee Simpson.
Well yeah, I mean.. I do... but
I want to play these one more time. And I want to look for some Italian ones this time...

Labels: international, japanese

Posted by: Kara Mae 10/22/2005 (1) comments

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