Days Strange and Beautiful (Active Member, 2000)

Active Member on stage

band that was formed a night after a live concert of Public Enemy in Athens, June 1992: "Active Member". On Sunday in Greece we have elections and there if there would be only one thing missing from these, this would be active members.

A great band, giving birth to a sound and a musical form that in 1992 would be a joke if with Greek lyrics, baptised its music as "Low Bap" and with sentimental, strongly political, urban lyrics did what no other Greek hip-hop band achieved: influenced & expressed a 80s generation and teased a 70s one that was facing this music with skepticism.

A song about days that feel as strange as beautiful. That's how most Greeks feel now. Or at least those with a greater sense of identity.

Days Strange and Beautiful

album: Days Strange and Beautiful (Μέρες Παράξενες Θαυμάσιες Μέρες), 2000

*Bonus Track: The Myths of the Swamp

A poem (G.Aggelakas)

"Sitting a whole afternoon

on my old patched armchair

not expecting anyone to knock on my door

and no one to caress me

and no one to whip me

and no one tto accept me

and no one to reject me

I felt something coming

that could be happiness

So then I stood up to write down these words

and everything got lost."

["Καθισμένος ένα ολόκληρο απόγευμα
Στην παλιά μπαλωμένη μου πολυθρόνα
Μην περιμένοντας κανέναν να μου χτυπήσει την πόρτα
και κανέναν να με χαϊδέψει
και κανέναν να με μαστιγώσει
και κανέναν να με δεχτεί
και κανέναν να με απορρίψει
Ένιωσα να με πλησιάζει κάτι
που θα μπορούσε να 'ταν η ευτυχία
Τότε σηκώθηκα να σημειώσω αυτές τις λέξεις
Και όλα πήγαν στράφι"]

a poem by G.Aggelakas.

Welcome back and shall we have a great new season.

Paper Moon (Manos Hadjidakis, 1949)

Melina Mercouri, her most famous picture

ear visitor, prepare for great, for brilliant stuff. Oh-oh spaggetti o. Today is the famous full moon of August. Full moon! The brightest moon of the year will cross the Athenian sky to fall huge and red. Hundrends of archeological sites will stay open till very late tonight with all lights switched off since the reflections of the moonlight to these marbles is one time thing and the Acropolis museum will host a band playing songs about the moon.

Mr. Theodosiou -who is a professor of Astrophysics at the university of Athens- stated clearly: "We were so wrong to step on the moon [...] you know, some things in life should better remain a legend, a myth, a mystery.. and although tonight's moon is neither bigger nor brighter than of other months, we like to believe so in August that the night is warm and the reflection on the ancient marbles so beautiful".

So, there is question... What makes the moon so important? What makes it mysterious and what brings it into songs, poems, books etc.? The fact that it reminds us that we live on a planet is a good answer but not a very successful one since the moon was already too deep into our poems and music long before we realize that earth is not flat. The answer I suppose is "love". And probably this is what Manos Hadjitzidakis had in mind when he composed the following song:

Paper Moon [Χάρτινο το Φεγγαράκι]

music: Manos Hadjidakis

lyrics: Nikos Gatsos

vocals here*: Melina Merkouri

* Herodion = the Roman theater on the hill of Acropolis.

Sea shall bring in birds

and golden stars (will come with) the wind

to caress your hair

to kiss your hand

Of paper is the moon,

the beach is fake,

if you believed me a little

everything would be true

Without your love

time goes by so fast

Without your love

the world is smaller

Of paper is the moon,

the beach is fake,

if you believed me a little

everything would be true.

Melina Merkouri was the Minister of Culture in Greece and she was the first to sing this song acting in the play "The Streetcar named Desire" by Tennessee Williams directed by Karolos Koun. An extremely influential political figure in post-junta period (after 1974) in Greece.

Surrealism in Athens and the Salvation of Soul (1985, Stamatis Kraounakis & Lina)

Lina Nikolakopoulou

urrealism is an element of everyday life in Athens. Let me explain: You wake up when the TV timer switches on, and the sounds of a fight between a truck driver that is on strike and the minister of transport is on its best. Although it's too early for such stuff, you decide to switch off the TV when the crowd of truck drivers behind their representative is rhythmically singing the name of the beautiful young journalist lady that presents the news.

Little before you enter your car you realize that there is a penalty on it because you are supposed to have parked illegally although you have been parking there the last 4 months without a problem and there is absolutely no sign that proves it illegal!

You wait at the traffic lights even when they are green (especially then) simply because of the traffic jam caused by a 2km waiting line of cars for a fuel station. The truck drivers strike left the fuel stations without fuel and only a 10% of fuel stations operate in Athens these days. This, of course, is a great reason for Athenians to wait 2hours in a car line with 35C temperature, to full their cars and buy fuel in bottles as if there is a war coming and there will be no fuel for the next 3 years.

Waiting there, watching two guys fighting because the one tried to cheat the line in front of the other, breathing deep to stay calm you switch on the radio.

And there it comes:

Lina Nikolakopoulou & Stamatis Kraounakis

The salvation of soul [H σωτηρία της ψυχής]

music: Stamatis Kraounakis

lyrics: Lina Nokilakopoulou

vocals: Alktistis Protopsalti

album: Κυκλοφορώ κι Οπλοφορώ (= I'm out & armed).

Countryside’s mornings shall find us again within folded arms in bed,
And it won’t matter that we’re up so early, looking around, but seeking nothing.

All certainty materials are sweet words recorded in tapes,
for all those which passed so swiftly, yet was fully embraced by our heart.

The salvation of soul is a very big thing,
Like a journey of relaxation with a hidden wound

If only we extended the steps of our lives on a deserted beach,
It wouldn’t matter that, all our kisses, before they age, will be washed by the waves

And right by the edge of the seashore we would generously give old pieces of our being,
Those which were so small, but casting a shadow big enough to resemble our palace.

The salvation of soul is a very big thing...

A Rembetiko of 1952 (scene from "The Minor of Dawn")

k, it's late in the afternoon and the Athenean heat a world of pain for all, however the air breeze that climbs up to my 5th floor and the quite urban view of my window made me listen again to a song that was certainly written on a winter night.

You 'll never get to understand its song beuty unless you sing it. I know its hard but give it a try. Picture yourself on a Greek island, on some mountainous village (those with the white houses all over) having a drink sitting outside at a warm night and few tables far from you, a couple of guys with their instruments start playing.

Oh, man. I need holidays.

Your tired footsteps [Το κουρασμένο βήμα σου]

lyrics: Kostas Virvos

music: M. Bakalis (1952)

Here is a scene of an 80's TV series named "The minor of dawn" which was dedicated to rembetiko music. The lyrics in English are given as subtitiles. This specific song was written few years after rembetiko supposingly seased to be. Its form is such, however the presence of a 4-string bouzouki along with other characteristics of its structure places it a bit towards the form of music that followed rembetiko: Laiko (=people's music). We will have the chance to talk about that genre several times since it spreads in almost 4 decades (1950s-60s-70s-80s) and it can't be overlooked.

...What was I saying? Ah, yeap, that I need holidays. That has to wait a bit...

The Match is About to Start! (Loukianos Kilaidonis, 1979)

ith the excitement for the world cup on its high-up, although Greeks are already home, I remembered that song by Loukianos Kilaidonis that goes back to 1982 (a year before the party) that makes fun in a really nice way of how people get crazy about football. It's strange that even today, 28 years later, some still sing it without understanding its sarcasm. A good quality studio version is followed by a live concert (Lycabettus, 1982) by the architect that worked as such for just a day and then he went to be a sailor long before he ends up as a musician to perform silly American melodies with sophisticated Greek lyrics.

The match is about to start

music, lyrics: Loukianos Kilaidonis

The match is starting

the roads are empty

it is about time

the match to start

The match is starting

the city is deserted

hurry up folks

the match is about to start

Oh, how much I fancy

watching team scarfs all around

watching flags

and scoring goals

Oh, how much puts us together

and how thrilling it is

Diakogiannis'* voice

The match is starting

get off my back now

it is about time

for the match to start

The match is starting

everyone stays still

silence please,

the match is about to start

Oh, how much I fancy

watching team scarfs all around

watching flags

and scoring goals

Oh, how much puts us together

and how thrilling it is

Diakogiannis'* voice

And whoever knows

what are all these about

he should explain to me

only when the match is over.

*Giannis Diakogiannis: Retired Greek Sportcaster (a good one)

Loukianos Kilaidonis has definately been the "Lucky Luke" of Greek music. At least he feels so, ending up another of his songs with the last page famous line to Luke's beloved horse: "Let's go Dolly..."

For Someone Out There is Already Too Late (Mikis Theodorakis & Manos Eleftheriou, 1974)

Manos Eleftheriou

he lack of time won't win again over this magnificent song. Mikis Theodorakis -beign along with Manos Hadjidakis the most important composers of modern Greece- dresses up with music the lyrics of Manos Eleftheriou and Maria Farantouri is there to sing.

What a meeting. One time thing. For more about Mikis Theodorakis and that specific period these songs were written, there is a great article you can read here that describes some things in chronological order in a nice musical point of view.

Who, my life

music: Mikis Theodorakis

lyrics: Manos Eleftheriou

sings: Maria Farantouri

Who, my life, who is hunting it down

to single it out in the middle of the night

squealing & screaming the trucks go by

like a fish they've captured me in the net

For someone out there it's already too late

who, my life, who is hunting it down?

Who, for my life, who is in ambush for it

in this world's narrow alleys who is targeting it

where is the one who knows to speak, who knows how to believe

For someone out there it's already too late

who, my life, who is hunting it down?

Mikis Theodorakis

The KKK Took My Baby Away (Ramones in 1981 and Burger Project Today)

Burger Project new album cover "We live in Athens"

hen Ramones released their 6th album in 1981 had no idea that a Greek band (named Burger Project) would be interested in performing one of their songs that way. Neither the Greek band had any idea that they will ever be famous when they uploaded that performance (they were playing at someone's wedding party). Life can be funny, don't you think? You think.

Ramones first:

and the Burger Project follow:

More about those guys in future posts. Although I think that you will do the search yourself anyway, especially if you are not so big Ramones fans (I am not).

What is to me the drop (M.Hadjidakis singing Nikos Gatsos, 1972)

Nikos Gatsos

hat does it matter, the drop that shines on your forehead?

I know the thunder wrote its name on your lips
I know an eagle built its eyrie in your eyes
but here on this marshy bank there is one road only
only one treacherous road and you must cross it
you must soak in blood before time catches up with you
and you must cross to the other side to see your companions again
flowers birds deer
to find another sea another kindness...

Poetry by Nikos Gatsos, a part of the epic poem "Amorgos". Amorgos is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece with a strange mysterious landscape that captivates every visitor's mind. I guess this simplicity in sight along with the rich in sentiments land was what inspired Nikos Gatsos to write a huge surreal poem fundamentally mirroring the Greek culture and give it the island's name. Manos Hadjidakis composed music for this and sung it himself in 1972. This recording was only released 3 years ago.

What is to me the drop [Τι να μου κάνει η σταλαγματιά]

poem: Nikos Gatsos

music: Manos Hadjidakis

vocals: Manos Hadjidakis

Little before we announce the Manos Hadjidakis week "over" do remember previous posts with:

1. The stunning composition "When the clouds come", 1965

2. Manos and the New York Rock and Roll Ensemble performing again Nikos Gatsos' Kemal, 1969

"Amorgos" album cover

When The Clouds Come (Manos Hadjidakis, 1965)

hat did he know? Manos Hadjidakis certainly didn't know that these would happen today. I read the IMF (International Monetary Fund) & ECT (European Central Bank) measures for Greece. I know -as a 25 year old - that my grandchildren will still be paying back these loans. And I know how bad it feels to let others intrude and decide yours, your children's and grand-children's fate while I do not want to drive any sort of optimism at paying back someone that uses a whole country as a business. And I now realize how perfectly this song describes how it is When the clouds come.

When the Clouds come

album: Gioconda's Smile

composed by Manos Hadjidakis

New York, 1965

The song is the first song of the most legendary musical piece of art a Greek ever made. The first drum is the calling voice, the repeated melodies the clouds themselves and the mandolin that follows, the smile that sets us free.

Often played in Athens' metro. And the music runs into us as a subway train getting closer to elegant sentiments deep inside, releasing them in the air, unlocking their existence. And in a 3 minutes time clouds come and pass by; I hope again. Magnificent.

That day won't be late (Manos Loizos, 1980)

Manos Loizos

riginaly from Cyprus, born in 1937 Alexandria, Egypt, lived in Greece and died young in Moscow in 1982, Manos Loizos was a diamond of Greek music [see also previous post for another of his songs]. His songs are simple and beautiful. His political action (with the Greek Communist Party) especially the 7 years of dictatorship (1967-73) put him to a lot of trouble but he always remained a low profile musician and people loved his songs. There is a presence of elegance along with simplicity at all his works and this make them seem easy listening. However, there is a fight of a whole generation engrained in them. With a strong political view as well as with emotions. In the next one? Hope.

That day won't be late

lyrics: Fontas Ladis

music: Manos Loizos

vocals: Manos Loizos & Dimitra Galani

That day won't be late

when I'll see you again in front of me.

The sunlight will be broken

and you will be running towards me.

Your forehead will be spreading

golden rain in the sky

and your nice face

will be paler than the moon.

And when our heatrs will become one

everything will be shinning differently

and the whole old world

will be vanished in our shades.

That day won't be late,

my hunted bird,

the West once took you away,

the East is bringing you back.

Candles (Konstantinos P. Kavafis, 1899)

A Christian worshiper holds a candle inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City.

April 2, 2010. (REUTERS/Baz Ratner)

Κεριά

Του μέλλοντος οι μέρες στέκοντ' εμπροστά μας
σα μιά σειρά κεράκια αναμένα -
χρυσά, ζεστά, και ζωηρά κεράκια.
Οι περασμένες μέρες πίσω μένουν,
μια θλιβερή γραμμή κεριών σβησμένων·
τα πιο κοντά βγάζουν καπνόν ακόμη,
κρύα κεριά, λιωμένα, και κυρτά.
Δεν θέλω να τα βλέπω· με λυπεί η μορφή των,
και με λυπεί το πρώτο φως των να θυμούμαι.
Εμπρός κυττάζω τ' αναμένα μου κεριά.
Δεν θέλω να γυρίσω να μη διω και φρίξω
τι γρήγορα που η σκοτεινή γραμμή μακραίνει,

τι γρήγορα που τα σβυστά κεριά πληθαίνουν.

Κωνσταντίνος Π. Καβάφης

Candles

Days to come stand in front of us,
like a row of burning candles -
golden, warm, and vivid candles.
Days past fall behind us,
a gloomy line of burnt-out candles;
the nearest are still smoking,
cold, melted, and bent.
I don't want to look at them: their shape saddens me,
and it saddens me to remember their original light.
I look ahead at my burning candles.
I don't want to turn, don't want to see, terrified,
how quickly that dark line gets longer,
how quickly one more dead candle joins another.

Konstantinos P. Kavafis, 1899

A beautiful poem by Konstantinos P. Kavafis (bio here). Remember the one for the city that he also wrote. Very important guy.

Happy Easter and greets from a small Balkan city that is at its best this time of the year... When back to base, a very special song is coming.

Fssst... Boing! (A twisted Shake, 1963)

reek movies of 50s, 60s & 70s are the best mirrors for the modern Greek culture. The fiery social changes that were taking part in the US and the rest of Europe could neither spread in Greece as well nor stay away either. The result? A beautiful mess. Greece was definitely not mature for social changes but somehow should adopt the trends that come along. There is the tricky part...

Anyway, today I am going straight to the main dish. A song written by Mimis Plessas, performed by unknown people and sang by the famous actor of the time Kostas Voutsas at the movie "Something to burn" (1963). Ntinos Iliopoulos was one of the greatest comedians of these years and that's why the videos that follow do not need subtitles to laugh (& the movie made a ticket record when it was released). At the first he is trying to dance to impress the girl and the band make fun of him...

... and at the second they visit him at his office saying "Last time, we were missing one, check this one!"

Amazing actors, times and innocence.

Mid-War Athens (Sofia Vembo & Imam Baildi, 1939 & 2007)

imam baildi

thens has not always been a stressful ugly capital of 5 million scarily stolid people. There were nice times that the city had been a truly beautiful and peaceful city. Seriously. It's hard for me to believe too, but it's true. Just take a look to some before-after pictures (everybody likes before-after pictures..):

Omonoia Sqr.(1920s?)

Omonoia Sqr. (2007)

Lycabettus picture from Acropolis, then

Lycabettus picture from Acropolis, now

Ok, back to the dark reality. All these nice buildings were torn down, all tram-lines were removed in order to sell our allies cars to buy their protection and there we are stuck in the traffic in an ugly city. Take it or leave it, you might say.

Only thing's left from that period is music. A romantic urban music strangely influenced from our European friends, since Greece never experienced a serious urbanization or industrialization since that time. Anyway, the combination was nice, it worked, people liked it, musicians too (not the rembetiko ones of course - but we are anyway talking about a totally different class) and beautiful songs were written for love, wine, and having fun.

The song

Today, two versions of the same song are presented: 1. The original one written by Giannides, Spyropoulos & Papadoukas in 1939 and performed by the great Sofia Vembo. 2. A remake of the modern Greek band Imam Baildi.

I am sure the pics and the songs will give you a really good example of how the city has changed. Still lyrical, but mostly in a nostalgic tone and the decades added a rhythm too. You can dance with it's sterilized beat, or dream with its melody parts. It's your call.

How Sorry I am (Original Version)

music: K. Giannakides

lyrics: Vasilis Spyropoulos

Remake: Imam Baildi

I have met so many loves, and I loved and I broke up

but wherever I was, It was you I was looking for

In all my thousands of dreams, my lips were looking for yours

and my soul as well as my secret passions

How sorry I am, for all there years that we lost

before I meet you, the one I have waited so long.

and how afraid I am that one day I might lose you

because I would never forget you...

Stand by me, my sweetest love

I still want to tell you...

How sorry I am, for all there years that we lost

before I meet you, the one I have waited so long.

and how afraid I am that one day I might lose you

because I would never forget you...

- Remember the other music genre that was very vibrant between the World Wars, Rembetiko.

The Shipwrecks (Miltos Sachtouris)

arthquakes in Haiti & in Chile. On all cases the Greek media were trying to make sure that no Greek was hurt, despite the incredible losses of human lives and the massive destruction in both areas. If all Greeks are ok, then there's no problem. Humanity can go further. How hypocrites can we be? How self-involved? Well, there is an answer. It's a poem, by the great Miltos Sachtouris.

Τα ναυάγια

Μακριά στον ορίζοντα γίνεται

ένα ναυάγιο,είναι πολύ μακριά

και δε γνωρίζουμε τους πνιγμένους,

τους φίλους και τους συγγενείς που

τους θρηνούν.

Αλλά κι εδώ κοντά γίνεται ένα άλλο

ναυάγιο,κι αλίμονο,ξέρουμε

τους πνιγμένους,καθώς και τους

φίλους και τους συγγενείς που τους θρηνούν.

Μ.Σαχτούρης

The Shipwrecks

Far beyond the skyline

there is a shipwreck, really far

and we neither know those that drowned

nor their friends and families

who weep.

But also here, nearby, there is another

shipwreck, and, alack, we do know

the drowned, as well as their

friends and families who weep.

M. Sachtouris

El Hombre Solo (Diafana Krina, 2003)

iafana Krina (Διάφανα Κρίνα = transparent lilies) had been the tip of the iceberg we used to call Greek Rock during late nighties and early 00s. Deeply lyrical, instrumentation that reached perfection and that mystery floating over the band was a greatly tempting combination. Thanos Anestopoulos with his exquisitely deep voice sung lyrics inspired from the poetes maudites and the band switched many times to different playing styles experimenting with new instruments and forms.

Their 3 first albums (Έγινε η απώλεια συνήθειά μας - Loss became our habit, 1996, Κάτι σαράβαλες καρδιές - Some Wrecked Hearts, 1998 & Ευωδιάζουν αγριοκέρασα οι σιωπές - The silence smells like wildcherries, 2000) are all masterpieces. The first one put the band on the map and it still contains their most recognizable songs. It was clearly depressing, purely rock and a totally different point of view in 1996. The second one was the most introvert one. Today, 12 years later, I still listen to new stuff in it. The 3rd was their most mature album. Guitars are on fire, great new songs are released and a strange balance between new sounds and old forms was achieved. Since then, an other 4 albums have been released but, in my opinion that was it.

A bright moment of their 4th album "Whatever's left of happiness" is today's song: El Hombe Solo (The lonely man). It is about a man that loved the world so much but ended up being alone. Really alone.

El Hombre Solo

Diafana Krina

He knew it would happen one day
that crack he used to carry
-boiling wound, bleeding silence-
would shatter him forever through and through

He shook the dust off him
and speechless moved on through the chilled wind
the kids behind Gazi swore at him
and someone poured water on him from a balcony

And dogs stared with tears in their eyes
him disappearing in the night's bottom
like someone who never existed
he who loved the world so much.

Remember the other famous Greek Rock band, and the father of all Greek Rock bands.

The City (Konstantinos P. Kavafis)

Kostantinos P. Kavafis at a 1983 postage stamp

Είπες· «Θα πάγω σ' άλλη γή, θα πάγω σ' άλλη θάλασσα,
Μια πόλις άλλη θα βρεθεί καλλίτερη από αυτή.
Κάθε προσπάθεια μου μια καταδίκη είναι γραφτή·
κ' είν' η καρδιά μου - σαν νεκρός - θαμένη.
Ο νους μου ως πότε μες στον μαρασμό αυτόν θα μένει.
Οπου το μάτι μου γυρίσω, όπου κι αν δω
ερείπια μαύρα της ζωής μου βλέπω εδώ,
που τόσα χρόνια πέρασα και ρήμαξα και χάλασα».

Καινούριους τόπους δεν θα βρεις, δεν θάβρεις άλλες θάλασσες.
Η πόλις θα σε ακολουθεί. Στους δρόμους θα γυρνάς
τους ίδιους. Και στες γειτονιές τες ίδιες θα γερνάς·
και μες στα ίδια σπίτια αυτά θ' ασπρίζεις.
Πάντα στην πόλη αυτή θα φθάνεις. Για τα αλλού - μη ελπίζεις -
δεν έχει πλοίο για σε, δεν έχει οδό.
Ετσι που τη ζωή σου ρήμαξες εδώ
στην κώχη τούτη την μικρή, σ' όλην την γή την χάλασες.

Κωνσταντίνος Π. Καβάφης (1910)

----------------------------------------------------------------

You said; "I will go to another land, I will go to another sea.

Another city will be found, better than this one.

Every effort of mine is condemned by fate;

and my heart is -- like a corpse -- buried.

How long in this wasteland will my mind remain.

Wherever I turn my eyes, wherever I may look

I see the black ruins of my life here,

where I spent so many years, and ruined and wasted."

New lands you will not find, you will not find other seas.

The city will follow you. You will roam the same

streets. And you will age in the same neighborhoods;

in these same houses you will grow gray.

Always you will arrive in this city. To another land -- do not hope --

there is no ship for you, there is no road.

As you have ruined your life here

in this little corner,

you've wrecked it now the whole world through.

Konstantinos P. Kavafis, 1910.

PS. Almost a month now, we have been trying to avoid the hard work that is needed for a song to be posted by giving quotes and... now a poem. To me, these might be even more precious than any song, but the main theme of the blog remains music. So stay tuned, since great ones are about to come soon!

Thanasis' Quote

"

ust as the underground water finds a rock opening and forms a spring, there is a universe music that flows into us that is looking for cracks. And there are some bright minds that momentarily let it come up".

Thanasis Papakonstantinou

The Meaning of Life, If You Come From Samos (A Long Time Ago)

Platanos village, Samos

eople started spending their time in front of TV and computer screens only very recently. Of course, few decades ago this was not even an option and there are still some places that it remains like this. If the weather is good, the air breeze pleasant, the tree shadow relieving and the company is "she", what else should you need? These thoughts pushed this man write this song. We do not know who he is, or when exactly it was written. All we know is that he had left his beloved island Samos to move to Belgium and work there at the mines. He wrote this song feeling so homesick and desperate to express his love for his homeland. We perfectly understand him. And if you scroll down to listen to it and read the lyrics, you will too - definitely.

First video is how this song is originally played and danced in a local fest, and the second is the recent performance by a Greek reggae band, which I think is great... These songs push you dance, although they are kind of sad. But, I think that's the point.

and the Locomondo's performance:

Platanos' Water

I wish I had Platanos'* water

and wine from Kolona*

I wish I had as well my love

and kiss her

Platanos' water

is what the village's proud of

and whoever tastes it

is born again

Samo's wine that is sweet

I am gonna drink till I get drunk

now that I am so far away

not to forget you

* Platanos ( = platan, the tree) and Kolona (= column) are both names of Samos' places. Platanos is a village on the mountain and Kolona is a cape on the south.