Katsaros is one of the main figures of the Greek Music Scene in the US in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. His unique style is based on his voice, either melancholic, harsh or light-hearted depending on the lyrics, and the guitar playing he invented. In many songs, he just doubles the melody he sings on one of the higher guitar strings and keeps a pedal note on one of the lower strings. In others, he starts with a brief improvisation on guitar and continues with a simple accompaniment based on simple chords over a pedal note. Whenever there’s an instrument other then the guitar, it’s a violin playing in the Smyrneiko style and/or percussion playing basic rhythmic patterns. In any case, the arrangements’ simplicity allows for the lyrics and the song’s mood to be exposed in a straightforward and extremely moving way.
He performed all around the States, in South America, Africa, Australia and Japan. His repertoire was based on Smyrneika and Rembetika, along with lighter sentimental songs. He recorded some 120 songs, mainly under Columbia and Victor. Included in this collection are 18 of these songs, along with a text on his life and the recording activities of the Greek Music Scene in the US as a whole.

TITLE: YIORGOS KATSAROS

CDno: 4685

CATEGORIES: GREEK MUSIC IN THE US

TRACKS
1. PITZAMES (Pajamas) 4:25
2. AFTA TA KLEFTIKA SOU MATIA (These tricky eyes of yours) 3:25
3. EGO GIA SENA XENYHTO (I’m staying sleepless over you) 3:20
4. HTES TO VRADY STOU KARYPI (Last night at Karypi’s joint)
5. SY MOU ‘KANES NA PERPATO (You’ ve got me walking around) 2:55
6. KAI GIATI DE MAS TO LES (And why won’t you say so) 4:40
7. EAN EIHA EKATO (Should I have a hundred) 4:15
8. PAIZO POKA PAIZO PINAKL (I play poker and pinnacle)
9. TO KAIMENO TO GAIDOURAKI (Poor little donkey) 4:30
10. SALTADOROI (Snatchers – M. Yennitsaris) 2:50
11. OLI MERA PAIZEI ZARIA (All day long he throws the dice) 4:20
12. EIMAI O VAGGELIS O BEKRIS (It’s me, Vaggelis the drunkard) 2:57
13. POU PAS MEMETI MOU (Where are you going, Memetis) 2:50
14. ME KOURASAN TA FILIA SOU (I’m sick of your kisses) 3:30
15. ME TIS TSEPES ADEIANES (With empty pockets) 4:30
16. ERHOMAI TON TOIHO TOIHO (I’m coming secretly) 4:37
17. MES TOU MANTHOU TON TEKE (In Manthos’ hash-joint)
18. VRE TI MAGAS POU ‘MAI GO (Hey, ain’t I some guy) 4:40