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The declaration of war by fascist Italy and its victorious confrontation by the Greek army in Albania mobilized the forces of Greek music. From October 1940 to April 1941, creators of all genres recorded the events in new songs or adapted lyrics with similar themes to older hits.
One such case that falls into the second category of these songs is the recording "Ntoutse Ntoutse". It includes a cover of the melody of the song "Maro", set to music by Theofrastos Sakellaridis, with adapted lyrics refers to the Greco-Italian war of 1940-41 and satirizes Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, founder and leader of the Partito Nazionale Fascista (National Fascist Party). The lyrics are written by Giorgos Oikonomidis.
On December 13, 1940, in Athens, Nikos Gounaris recorded the song “Ntoutse Ntoutse” for the first time accompanied by Michalis Souyioul’s orchestra (His Master's Voice OGA 1131-1 – AO 2684). The recording was reissued in the United States by RCA-Victor 26-8167-B and Orthophonic S-564-B. Approximately a year later, on November 15, 1941, the present recording by Antonios Simos was made in New York (Columbia USA CO 31971 – 7219-F).
It should be noted that the adaptation of lyrics with themes relevant to the current affairs of the time (political, social, military, etc.) to popular melodies, of Greek or foreign origin, is frequently found both in Greek music (see here and here) and in musical theater (see here and here). As Nikos Dionysopoulos mentions (2009: 165): "It is common knowledge that, in these cases, songs and easy melodies which function as a familiar and catalytic background to the topical lyrics are always chosen with the aim of their greater reach and easier dissemination".
The song "Maro", with music by Theofrastos Sakellaridis and lyrics by Alekos Sakellarios, comes from the revue "Trelli symfonia", with text by Alekos Sakellarios - Dimitris Evangelidis and music by Theophrastos Sakellaridis. The play premiered on December 17, 1937 by the Kokkinis-Mavreas troupe at the Ideal Theater and completed its performances on February 8, 1938.
In Greek historical discography, the song was recorded by Nikos Gounaris with the orchestra of Zozef Korinthios (“Maro”, Columbia C.G. 1690 – D.G. 6351 Athens, 1938 and reissued as Columbia USA Co 23264 – 7153-F), and by Danai Stratigopoulou with the orchestra of Michalis Sougioul (“Maro” His Master’s Voice OGA 756-1 – AO 2472, Athens, May 1938; reissued as Orthophonic S-430-A).
In 1955, the Romani violinist Bela Babai and his orchestra recorded an instrumental version of the song under the title "Maro Maro" for the LP (LP "Gypsy Love", Columbia CL 636 και Philips B 07066 L).
The song also entered the German-speaking discography. In 1962, Tzimis Makoulis (under the stage name Jimmy Makoulis) recorded "Maro, Maro" in Germany with the orchestra of Josef Niessen, featuring German lyrics by Austrian Fred Rauch (Ariola 8/0 45 383 Y G-45383 Y-1 – 45 383 A).
An instrumental version can also be found in the discography of the United Kingdom. In 1963, English trumpeter and vocalist Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen adapted the melody and recorded it in London under the title "Casablanca" (Pye Jazz 45 00164A-3WMH – 7NJ.2064 and Astor AP-1009).
The declaration of war by fascist Italy and its victorious confrontation by the Greek army in Albania mobilized the forces of Greek music. From October 1940 to April 1941, creators of all genres recorded the events in new songs or adapted lyrics with similar themes to older hits.
One such case that falls into the second category of these songs is the recording "Ntoutse Ntoutse". It includes a cover of the melody of the song "Maro", set to music by Theofrastos Sakellaridis, with adapted lyrics refers to the Greco-Italian war of 1940-41 and satirizes Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, founder and leader of the Partito Nazionale Fascista (National Fascist Party). The lyrics are written by Giorgos Oikonomidis.
On December 13, 1940, in Athens, Nikos Gounaris recorded the song “Ntoutse Ntoutse” for the first time accompanied by Michalis Souyioul’s orchestra (His Master's Voice OGA 1131-1 – AO 2684). The recording was reissued in the United States by RCA-Victor 26-8167-B and Orthophonic S-564-B. Approximately a year later, on November 15, 1941, the present recording by Antonios Simos was made in New York (Columbia USA CO 31971 – 7219-F).
It should be noted that the adaptation of lyrics with themes relevant to the current affairs of the time (political, social, military, etc.) to popular melodies, of Greek or foreign origin, is frequently found both in Greek music (see here and here) and in musical theater (see here and here). As Nikos Dionysopoulos mentions (2009: 165): "It is common knowledge that, in these cases, songs and easy melodies which function as a familiar and catalytic background to the topical lyrics are always chosen with the aim of their greater reach and easier dissemination".
The song "Maro", with music by Theofrastos Sakellaridis and lyrics by Alekos Sakellarios, comes from the revue "Trelli symfonia", with text by Alekos Sakellarios - Dimitris Evangelidis and music by Theophrastos Sakellaridis. The play premiered on December 17, 1937 by the Kokkinis-Mavreas troupe at the Ideal Theater and completed its performances on February 8, 1938.
In Greek historical discography, the song was recorded by Nikos Gounaris with the orchestra of Zozef Korinthios (“Maro”, Columbia C.G. 1690 – D.G. 6351 Athens, 1938 and reissued as Columbia USA Co 23264 – 7153-F), and by Danai Stratigopoulou with the orchestra of Michalis Sougioul (“Maro” His Master’s Voice OGA 756-1 – AO 2472, Athens, May 1938; reissued as Orthophonic S-430-A).
In 1955, the Romani violinist Bela Babai and his orchestra recorded an instrumental version of the song under the title "Maro Maro" for the LP (LP "Gypsy Love", Columbia CL 636 και Philips B 07066 L).
The song also entered the German-speaking discography. In 1962, Tzimis Makoulis (under the stage name Jimmy Makoulis) recorded "Maro, Maro" in Germany with the orchestra of Josef Niessen, featuring German lyrics by Austrian Fred Rauch (Ariola 8/0 45 383 Y G-45383 Y-1 – 45 383 A).
An instrumental version can also be found in the discography of the United Kingdom. In 1963, English trumpeter and vocalist Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen adapted the melody and recorded it in London under the title "Casablanca" (Pye Jazz 45 00164A-3WMH – 7NJ.2064 and Astor AP-1009).
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