Music from Greece

In the summer of 1979, Greek folk singer Domna Samiou (1928-2012) toured Sweden (with a band and dance troupe) performing a series of concerts for both Greek émigré communities and interested Swedes. Recordings of these were released in 1980 as My Bird in Exile. Well received at the time, the album has long been unavailable – this reissue is its debut on CD and comes with nine extra songs from the 1979 recordings plus a very handsome booklet (in English and Greek) with lots of information, song translations and photos.

Samiou was the child of parents who were forced out of Asia Minor after the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922. She learned the rebetika songs of this community but, as a musician and researcher, also took a keen interest in music from across Greece. Working as a researcher and producer of Greek folk music for radio she was encouraged to perform and developed a reputation in Athens as a gifted folk singer – not releasing her first album until 1974.

This concert finds Samiou leading a large ensemble – various musicians are employed to play on certain songs (two other vocalists sing three numbers). The sound quality and performances are excellent throughout, the musicians playing with purpose while Samiou sings with a deep, guttural intensity. A thrilling album and very highly recommended.