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.