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At the beginning of the 20th century, Europe was living in peace and prosperity. The "Belle Époque" was an outgrowth of previous important historical events and developments. The networks that were created and which evolved funneled both people and their products, tangible and intangible. It was within this multi-layered world that sound recording and sound reproduction was invented. Cosmopolitanism in large urban centers favored polystylisms and polymorphisms. Colonialism, revolutions, conflicts, refugee flows; the theater, cinema, radio, photography, orchestras’ tours, but also releases in all kinds of commercial channels in a world that evolved dynamically and anisotropically formed a complex network of "centers" and "peripheries" in alternating roles setting musical idioms in motion, both literally and figuratively. The networks in which the Greek-speaking musics participate, constantly conversing with their co-tenants, are magnificent. Discography had already provided important tools in understanding the relationships that developed between "national" repertoires. Within these networks, already existing tendencies and aesthetic currents are often created or integrated, especially during the period when the phenomenon of sound recording and reproduction takes on commercial, mass and universal dimensions. A typical example is exoticism, as manifested in its various representations.
It has been encountered in the European vocabulary since the end of the 16th century, although its widespread prevalence as a trend was associated with the colonial imperialism of the 19th century (Netto, 2015: 13). Since then, the term has incorporated various levels of interpretation of anything deemed as "Other". Its meaning concerns, on the one hand, the characteristics of that which is outside the sphere of identity and, on the other hand, the attraction exerted by that which has such characteristics. The widespread acceptance of the phenomenon of exoticism is obvious: the multidimensional linguistic, musical and visual production wealth accumulated around and within exoticism created a common stock of knowledge that perpetually feeds the collective and individual imaginary.
Focusing on the modern Greek communities, we find very early established traces of exoticism in poetry and literature, which are quickly transferred to the theater, enriched in terms of their visual and dramatic texture. The explosion of popular forms of spectacle and mass entertainment in the 20th century will radiate their reach. In Greece, among all artistic fields, the most persistent and most obvious presence of exoticism is found in popular song. In the era of discography, the advance of exoticism is irresistible and leaves a very strong imprint. However much it seems to be defined by the principle of "locality", exoticism is a global aesthetic constant, a "common" language of the new age strongly marked by modernism and inscribed in a complex and lengthy process of osmosis among "national" musics, which produces repertoires with "ecumenical" or global characteristics.
The places represented in exoticism, that is, the East, Latin America, Spain, Hawaii, are par excellence imaginary, disconnected from the real world. They are revealed like a theatrical stage, with alternating scenes, where fantasies are dramatized, overwhelm the senses and release intense emotions, offering the "visitor" an ideal experience, outside the limitations of the conventional world: an eternal feast, pleasures, adventure.
Hawaiian orchestras are one of the first recording trends that gained international recognition and for almost a decade constituted a particularly dynamic drive in the field of elafro (light music) and defined its aesthetics. The popularity of the Hawaiian (lap steel) guitar integrated the instrument in orchestras beyond those that were purely "Hawaiian", producing new mixtures; in this new context, without losing its exotic character, the instrument was used in the representations of the Latin world and the Gypsies.
The characteristic instrumental and performative peculiarities of the Hawaiian guitar, the slide and the vibrato, produce a constant major mode atmosphere; the minor one is not absent, but occurs clearly less often. This contributes to a sense of sweet relaxation and festive laziness, that the lyrics of the songs help build in the first place. This mood is supported by choirs that often engage in demanding polyphonic renditions, with complex harmonies and contrapuntal movements. Imaginary Hawaii is set outside the modern world, but also close to it, making it the ideal destination for temporary escapes. It is described as a marine paradise with tropical characteristics.
Greek-speaking discography welcomes the dreamy shores and exotic islands of Hawaii in the late 1920s, following the dictates of a trend that has already dominated the USA since the beginning of the century. "The soft heavenly melodies, framed by Hawaiian guitars and smooth voices, were something dreamlike, bringing peace and tranquility to the heart of even the most neurotic person. It was something unprecedented for the time" (Polymeris, 2003: 36-37).
The "Aspra Poulia" (White Birds) are the most important representatives of this trend and their recording activity includes about 50 recordings. The mastermind of the orchestra, the multi-talented Kostas Bezos, has a remarkable recording career of about 120 recordings (Klein, 2007). Worth mentioning is Bezos' parallel, smaller recording career, under the pseudonyms A. and K. Kostis. In these recordings, the influence of the performative "Piraeus style" can be observed, although in some cases the marginal world is commented satirically and in a burlesque way. Other important representatives of the Hawaiian guitar are the orchestras of the Cypriot Aristarchos Dimitriou (who participates in the recording), the orchestra of Zozef Korinthios and "Oi boem" (The Bohemians) of Giannis Vellas. Alongside the domestic bands, Hawaiian orchestras abroad are also active: In Asia Minor, after the end of the First World War, Joe Puni tours. Touring Europe for eight years, Tau and Rose Moe's orchestra in the mid-1930s performs in Greece, plays on the radio, and offers guitar lessons.
The Greek orchestras playing Hawaiian music, in addition to the musical standards of the American orchestras, also adopt the way they dress. The "Aspra Poulia" and the orchestra of Zozef Korinthios choose to dress in white (like the genre's popular US exponents, "King" Bennie Nawahi and Sol Hoopii), and the "Bohemians" are photographed wearing an unspecified type of folklore attire (see Polymeris, 2003: 39).
The song "Aspra Poulia" (White Birds), which on the label of the record is described as a "Hawaiian tune", describes the nostalgia of the Hawaiian Kanala whose beloved Guada is no longer alive.
A point of reference for this recording is the confluence of the two leading trends in the discography of elafro (light) music of the interwar period in Greece, that is, Hawaiian orchestras and tangos. The harmonies between the voices in the singing parts and between the instruments in the instrumental ones leave a strong imprint on the identity of the resulting sound context. It is one of the recordings made by the English record company The Gramophone Co Ltd in Athens, between May 11 and June 14, 1931, with sound engineer Arthur Douglas Lawrence.
In the presentation and review of new record releases column "Neoi diskoi grammofonou" (New gramophone records), which was hosted in the monthly music magazine Mousiki Zoi (Musical Life) (issue 11-12, August-September 1931, page 250) and signed by an editor nicknamed "Mousikos" (Musician), this recording, among others, is presented: "The song 'Aspra Poulia', written for solo singing, choir and orchestra, is a song destined to gain great popularity due to its melodic grace and popular spirit that distinguishes it. This one is also beautifully performed by Mr. Vlassis (His M. V. 2024)".
In Greek-language historical discography, a cover of the song by the Hawaiian orchestra "Aspra Poulia" (White Birds) with Kostas Bezos and Aristarchos Dimitriou, recorded in 1931, in Athens (Columbia WG259 – DG163), can also be found.
Research and text: George Evangelou and Nikos Ordoulidis
At the beginning of the 20th century, Europe was living in peace and prosperity. The "Belle Époque" was an outgrowth of previous important historical events and developments. The networks that were created and which evolved funneled both people and their products, tangible and intangible. It was within this multi-layered world that sound recording and sound reproduction was invented. Cosmopolitanism in large urban centers favored polystylisms and polymorphisms. Colonialism, revolutions, conflicts, refugee flows; the theater, cinema, radio, photography, orchestras’ tours, but also releases in all kinds of commercial channels in a world that evolved dynamically and anisotropically formed a complex network of "centers" and "peripheries" in alternating roles setting musical idioms in motion, both literally and figuratively. The networks in which the Greek-speaking musics participate, constantly conversing with their co-tenants, are magnificent. Discography had already provided important tools in understanding the relationships that developed between "national" repertoires. Within these networks, already existing tendencies and aesthetic currents are often created or integrated, especially during the period when the phenomenon of sound recording and reproduction takes on commercial, mass and universal dimensions. A typical example is exoticism, as manifested in its various representations.
It has been encountered in the European vocabulary since the end of the 16th century, although its widespread prevalence as a trend was associated with the colonial imperialism of the 19th century (Netto, 2015: 13). Since then, the term has incorporated various levels of interpretation of anything deemed as "Other". Its meaning concerns, on the one hand, the characteristics of that which is outside the sphere of identity and, on the other hand, the attraction exerted by that which has such characteristics. The widespread acceptance of the phenomenon of exoticism is obvious: the multidimensional linguistic, musical and visual production wealth accumulated around and within exoticism created a common stock of knowledge that perpetually feeds the collective and individual imaginary.
Focusing on the modern Greek communities, we find very early established traces of exoticism in poetry and literature, which are quickly transferred to the theater, enriched in terms of their visual and dramatic texture. The explosion of popular forms of spectacle and mass entertainment in the 20th century will radiate their reach. In Greece, among all artistic fields, the most persistent and most obvious presence of exoticism is found in popular song. In the era of discography, the advance of exoticism is irresistible and leaves a very strong imprint. However much it seems to be defined by the principle of "locality", exoticism is a global aesthetic constant, a "common" language of the new age strongly marked by modernism and inscribed in a complex and lengthy process of osmosis among "national" musics, which produces repertoires with "ecumenical" or global characteristics.
The places represented in exoticism, that is, the East, Latin America, Spain, Hawaii, are par excellence imaginary, disconnected from the real world. They are revealed like a theatrical stage, with alternating scenes, where fantasies are dramatized, overwhelm the senses and release intense emotions, offering the "visitor" an ideal experience, outside the limitations of the conventional world: an eternal feast, pleasures, adventure.
Hawaiian orchestras are one of the first recording trends that gained international recognition and for almost a decade constituted a particularly dynamic drive in the field of elafro (light music) and defined its aesthetics. The popularity of the Hawaiian (lap steel) guitar integrated the instrument in orchestras beyond those that were purely "Hawaiian", producing new mixtures; in this new context, without losing its exotic character, the instrument was used in the representations of the Latin world and the Gypsies.
The characteristic instrumental and performative peculiarities of the Hawaiian guitar, the slide and the vibrato, produce a constant major mode atmosphere; the minor one is not absent, but occurs clearly less often. This contributes to a sense of sweet relaxation and festive laziness, that the lyrics of the songs help build in the first place. This mood is supported by choirs that often engage in demanding polyphonic renditions, with complex harmonies and contrapuntal movements. Imaginary Hawaii is set outside the modern world, but also close to it, making it the ideal destination for temporary escapes. It is described as a marine paradise with tropical characteristics.
Greek-speaking discography welcomes the dreamy shores and exotic islands of Hawaii in the late 1920s, following the dictates of a trend that has already dominated the USA since the beginning of the century. "The soft heavenly melodies, framed by Hawaiian guitars and smooth voices, were something dreamlike, bringing peace and tranquility to the heart of even the most neurotic person. It was something unprecedented for the time" (Polymeris, 2003: 36-37).
The "Aspra Poulia" (White Birds) are the most important representatives of this trend and their recording activity includes about 50 recordings. The mastermind of the orchestra, the multi-talented Kostas Bezos, has a remarkable recording career of about 120 recordings (Klein, 2007). Worth mentioning is Bezos' parallel, smaller recording career, under the pseudonyms A. and K. Kostis. In these recordings, the influence of the performative "Piraeus style" can be observed, although in some cases the marginal world is commented satirically and in a burlesque way. Other important representatives of the Hawaiian guitar are the orchestras of the Cypriot Aristarchos Dimitriou (who participates in the recording), the orchestra of Zozef Korinthios and "Oi boem" (The Bohemians) of Giannis Vellas. Alongside the domestic bands, Hawaiian orchestras abroad are also active: In Asia Minor, after the end of the First World War, Joe Puni tours. Touring Europe for eight years, Tau and Rose Moe's orchestra in the mid-1930s performs in Greece, plays on the radio, and offers guitar lessons.
The Greek orchestras playing Hawaiian music, in addition to the musical standards of the American orchestras, also adopt the way they dress. The "Aspra Poulia" and the orchestra of Zozef Korinthios choose to dress in white (like the genre's popular US exponents, "King" Bennie Nawahi and Sol Hoopii), and the "Bohemians" are photographed wearing an unspecified type of folklore attire (see Polymeris, 2003: 39).
The song "Aspra Poulia" (White Birds), which on the label of the record is described as a "Hawaiian tune", describes the nostalgia of the Hawaiian Kanala whose beloved Guada is no longer alive.
A point of reference for this recording is the confluence of the two leading trends in the discography of elafro (light) music of the interwar period in Greece, that is, Hawaiian orchestras and tangos. The harmonies between the voices in the singing parts and between the instruments in the instrumental ones leave a strong imprint on the identity of the resulting sound context. It is one of the recordings made by the English record company The Gramophone Co Ltd in Athens, between May 11 and June 14, 1931, with sound engineer Arthur Douglas Lawrence.
In the presentation and review of new record releases column "Neoi diskoi grammofonou" (New gramophone records), which was hosted in the monthly music magazine Mousiki Zoi (Musical Life) (issue 11-12, August-September 1931, page 250) and signed by an editor nicknamed "Mousikos" (Musician), this recording, among others, is presented: "The song 'Aspra Poulia', written for solo singing, choir and orchestra, is a song destined to gain great popularity due to its melodic grace and popular spirit that distinguishes it. This one is also beautifully performed by Mr. Vlassis (His M. V. 2024)".
In Greek-language historical discography, a cover of the song by the Hawaiian orchestra "Aspra Poulia" (White Birds) with Kostas Bezos and Aristarchos Dimitriou, recorded in 1931, in Athens (Columbia WG259 – DG163), can also be found.
Research and text: George Evangelou and Nikos Ordoulidis
© 2019 KOUNADIS ARCHIVE
