Skip to main content
Play Video

Why the Mountains Are Black - Primeval Greek - Why The Mountains Are Black - Primeval Greek Village Music: 1907-1960

We're sorry-this item is unavailable.
Contact our experts for a recommendation of great alternatives. Call us at 800-449-9128.

Overview
Release Date:02/19/2016;Notes:Limited double vinyl LP pressing. Third Man Records is proud to present a truly rare musical oddity—a two disc collection of primal and unhinged Greek village music that at times sounds more like free jazz or doom folk, feral and trance-like as it is. After years of research, fieldwork and collecting, Christopher King—Grammy-winning producer, sound-engineer, curator and writer—has gathered together from his private 78 rpm archive the most mind expanding and libido inducing song and dance music from the rural hinterlands of mainland Greece and its islands. Recorded between 1907 and 1960, this collection contains the first and the last—the alpha and the omega—of Greek demotika—or folk music. And it is not what you would expect. Remastered from the original 78 rpm discs, this set contains 28 previously unissued recordings made in the cramped, primitive studios of Athens, Greece, New York, NY, and Chicago, IL. Crazed Macedonian bagpipes, keening violins, shiver-inducing zournas and shepherd-pipes are found throughout the two discs. Cover artwork is by legendary underground artist R. Crumb and designed by Grammy winning Susan Archie. A beautifully thought-provoking if not radical essay on this music by King accompanies the lavish package. Not simply for historians or collectors of long gone sounds, this compilation is intended to push the limits of what we have come to expect of music, its purpose and indeed its origin. You will experience a profound musical transformation immediately upon listening.;Track List:1. Kalamatianos;2. Sousta Rethymniotiki;3. Giati Ine Mavra Ta Vouna (Why the Mountains Are Black);4. Ousak Tsiftelli;5. Enas Aetos;6. Mirologi-Epirotiko Makedoniko;7. Makedoniko Hasapiko;8. Selfos;9. Enas Aetos-Tsamiko;10. E Triantafylllia;11. Pera Ston Pera Maxala;12. Syrtos Haniotikos;13. Syrtos Politikos;14. Kalymnikos Issos;15. Arvanitiko O Aetos;16. Svarniara;17. Kalamatianos;18. Platanos;19. Golfo;20. Patinada Tis Nifis;21. Pousteno Boufiou;22. Karagouna Gianniotiko;23. Kotta Mou;24. Syrtos Politikos;25. Eseis Padia Vlahopoila;26. Kritiki Sousta (Fast Dance from Crete);27. Tzarama;28. Kalymniki Sousta
Shop with a Friend
Free Shipping
  • Free Standard Ground shipping (48 contiguous states, some overweight and Used/Vintage items excluded).
  • Orders placed before 3 p.m. ET usually ship the same business day.
Learn More
2-Year Free Warranty on Guitars

Every guitar or bass you purchase from Musician's Friend (electric or acoustic, New or Open Box) includes two years of protection from manufacturer defects.

Contact Us for Details
We're Here for You

Our Gear Advisers are available to guide you through your entire shopping experience. Call or Chat for expert advice and to hear the latest deals.

Contact Us
Proactive Advisor Support Chat