The Greek Siren - Anna Vissi

There's one indiscutible truth about Anna Vissi: she is the queen of Greek pop... But not exactly. Anna doesn't always sing straight pop, and most of her albums could be considered as part of an altogether far better category: Modern Laika. Now, you must ask yourselves, what the heck is Modern Laika? Well, simply put, Modern Laika is an everything-goes sort of genre that fuses Greek traditional music with influences of all sorts. And when I say all sorts, it's ALL sorts!!!! But if you don't believe me, just go and buy one of Anna's amazingly varied records. Some of them are kinda bizarre, and sure, she has had a couple of really shit moments (even God had them - we just CAN'T blame The Anna, can we?), but the vast majority of them are amazing. You can buy them here.

And that's exactly what La Vissi has done: EVERYTHING. From hard rock to house to Turkish pop to acoustic folk to a myriad of styles, she has covered them. That's how versatile she is. BUT the great thing about Anna is her voice. There's only one thing I can say about it: wow! It's a gutsy, raw, thunderous mezzo that will take you to Heaven from note one (there's no way you could tell I'm a fan, is there? LOL). Which leads me to the next things I want to say: Anna has been labelled the "Greek Madonna". Even though comparisons with successful 'singers' must be flattering for some, comparing Anna to a nasty old hag that burned up fourteen years ago ISN'T fair. Anna is just great. Madonna... Well, don't they say that Britney is her successor? That explains it all.

Mind you, it has been difficult to make a proper selection - I really wanted to show the many exciting things that Anna has done in her thirty-four years of career (she started singing professionally in 1973, when she was fifteen... You do the math! And then thank The Almighty One for the fabulous airbrushing that she gets in these photos, ahem). Still, I really, really hope you enjoy this... I sure do! Well, enjoy! :-)




Για Σένα Θα Πεθάνω - Gia Sena Tha Pethano/I'm Gonna Die For You

This is from Anna's latest album, Nylon. Personally, I don't like it much - I think it tries to be so experimental, that it ends up being downright silly. If you want to hear Anna singing techno-rock, or be admired at how she swaps verses with a Greek rapper -how awkward is that?- over a cacophony of violins, then you'll love this album. I'm a bit of a traditional person (that's code for a dull, annoying cunt ;-) ) and prefer her traditional numbers AND the awesome rock songs! This is one of those songs. When I listen to this, I just wanna lock myself in a room and do my best Tina Turner impersonation... Yes, I need a psychiatrist THAT bad. Video.

Φεύγω - Fevgo/I'm Leaving

This is from Anna's penultimate album Paraxenes Eikones (Strange Images). Oh my God, is that album FANTASTIC or what!!! Not only are the songs awesome, but you get 25 of them in a spectacular double album. If you have to buy one of Anna's cds, this is it. There's no way you won't be satisfied. I have chosen this song because it's quite exotic, but nothing too strange. It's very danceable, and combines a beautiful guitar arrangement with a thumping beat that will have you dancing in no time. AMAZING.

Αγάπη Υπερβολική - Agapi Ypervoliki/Excessive Love

This is one of the catchiest, funniest and most danceable songs I've ever heard. Try to keep still with this! It's from the first one of Anna's double albums, Kravgi (Scream), and it's also excellent. Again, you get 24 songs from absolutely all genres, and all of them will leave you awe-struck - I can assure! Watch the hilariously tacky video here.

Τα Ραδιόφωνα - Ta Radiofona/The Radio Players

Right, this isn't exactly a ballad - it's more Greek folk than anything. BUT it's so spectacular you won't be disappointed. So please, don't be scared of it - try it, and you'll be hooked for life. This is from one of Anna's more experimental records, X (Chi) - here you have techno tunes mixed with swing, Middle Eastern electro-folk (how bizarre does that sound?) and bellydance hip hop. That's how fabulous that album is. Uh-huh.