Music in Crete

Subject: Music in Crete
From: Folkie
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 07:44 AM

I've booked a package holiday to Crete and am wondering if we'll be able to find any music while we're there. We're staying on the north coast a few miles from Rethmynon. Any ideas anyone?

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: Steve-o
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:32 AM

Sorry, don't know Rethmynon. However, I was in Chania a few years back, and my guess is it would be similar. Right along the harbor there were two or three "pubs" or "bars" that had live bouzouki music (with dancing out into the streets) every night, starting at about midnight. It was spectacular. Here's my recommendations: Plan on staying up real late and getting up late. Start the morning about 11:00 at waterside, sipping Greek coffee- all day on the beaches and prowling hillsides and ruins- late dinner, including piles of the incredible calamari they've just caught- drink Kokinelli and listen to the bouzouki until they stop. Try dancing, if you dare. Opa!!

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: GUEST,Wolfgang
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:40 AM

Arriving in Rethymnon many years ago with a friend, we heard the Fureys singing from inside a pub. We walked in, had a wine and asked the barkeeper why he had this music playing. He was Irish and spent the winter in Crete.

Otherwise, you'll hear recorded Crete music all over the town. As for life music, I go with Steve's guess from my experience from many years ago.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:53 AM

Also, look out for posters in shop windows etc. You may find an event in an outlying village, where they often have Saturday night do's which are quite different from what you get in the tourist bars etc.

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: Trevor
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 12:03 PM

Better still, find out whether there is a festival of any sort whilst you're there (the religious type - saint's day etc) and go to the party in the square. The music and dancing will be the real thing, for the locals rather than tourists, you'll be made welcome and you'll experience Greek tradition at it's best.

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: Trevor
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 12:07 PM

My posting crossed with yours guest - that's the kind of thing I had in mind.

Also, if there's a wedding going on anywhere, the formal 'reception' bit usually decamps to a party in the square to which anyone around is welcome.

Just keep your ear to the ground.

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 09:23 PM

Listen out for the concrete tunes.

Robin

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: fat B****rd
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 02:33 AM

We were in Elounda a couple of years ago and if Kristos and Petra's taverna is still open he will willingly stop playing "tourist music" and trot out Rembetika on request. Opa !! indeed.

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: Big Tim
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 04:52 AM

Rethymnon is not the least commercial spot on Crete. Head west for Georgeopulous, Hania and beyond, and south towards Ayia Galina and Libya! Even in Reth. tho, I'm sure you'll still manage to have a good time! I'm jealous!

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 01:38 PM

I've never been there, so please excuse a drift in thread direction.

I have an LP. Albatros label, of Musica Popolare di Creta, vol. 1.
Volume 1 features fiddlers. It was mostly recorded in 1977, but some of the fiddlers were old people, and some older 78s are included on the album. As the album notes say, "these recordings clearly demonstrate that the violin, which is 'boycotted' on official level because it is not considered a 'national instrument' (with respect to the lyra) - since 1954 there exists a ban on transmitting folk music for violin over the Greek national radio network - is, despite this fact, a living and participating instrument (and not only in recent times) in folk music communication in Crete and primarily in the Province of Chania."

The series editors announced intentions also to produce recordings of lyra, bagpipes, bamboo flute, laouto [like lute and oud?] and vocal music.

Subject: RE: Music in Crete
From: Folkie
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 08:13 AM

Thanks everyone for all your help