SONGS OF THE GREEK UNDERWORLD: The Rebetika Tradition, incorporating

the SOAS Rebetiko Band Songbook

by Ilias Petropoulos

translated and introduced by Ed Emery

Publishing details:

ISBN 0906305195 / 9780906305195

RN Books, London, 2022

224 pages, with B/W and colour illustrations,

and lyrics of 120 songs, with chords and some musical notations

To order copies, e-mail [email protected]

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INTRODUCTION:

Ilias Petropoulos (who died in Paris in 2003) is a famous (some would say infamous) grand old man of Greek letters. In his lifetime he was a dynamo of learned and provocative articles and books on every aspect of Greek culture. More than 80 books and a thousand articles.

He wrote especially about the Rebetiko music of Greece. Notably his Rebetika traghoudhia (for which he was imprisoned under the 1967 Fascist junta), and the smaller Rebetologhia, of which our present publication is the translation and adaptation.

At this launch the book, and the life works of Petropoulos, will be introduced by Ed Emery (research associate at SOAS, London).

As well as being the translator of the book, Emery is also an ethno-musicologist. For the past 20 years he has been the organiser of the SOAS Rebetiko Band, a devoted team of music enthusiasts who play rebetiko, which has been called the urban blues of modern Greece. At this book launch the band musicians will play songs from the repertoire.

The book launch will be a unique opportunity to look into questions of Greek popular culture, Greek linguistics, and the musics of the Mediterranean.

DATE: Saturday 28 May 2022

TIME: 4.00 to 5.15pm

VENUE: The Taylorian Institute, St Giles', Oxford OX1 3NA

ADMISSION is open to the general public, and is free

Wine and soft drinks will be served.

Copies of the book will be on sale with a 20% discount.

Relevant websites for the book:

www.geocities.ws/songsofthegreekunderworld

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Petropoulos

The book launch will be followed by an evening concert showcasing the recent repertoire of the band (Venue: The Old Fire Station, George Street, OX1 2AQ, 7.30pm).

ALSO: Musicians and singers may be interested to know that we are in the process of setting up a Rebetiko Band in Oxford. Open to all interested parties.

For further details, contact:

[email protected]

Universitas adversitatis

Last updated: 29.iv.2022

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