Grigoris Bithikotsis (Greek Γρηγόρης Μπιθικώτσης December 11, 1922 - April 7, 2005) was a popular Greek folk singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades.
Bithikotsis was born in Peristeri, Athens, in 1922 to a poor family. He became interested in music at an early age, and acquired a bouzouki as soon as he was able. At first, he had to hide the instrument at a friend's house and practice in secret, as his father disapproved of the new rembetiko style that had captured his son's interest.
He met composer Mikis Theodorakis in 1959 and the two collaborated producing folk songs. Bithikotsis composed over 80 songs, including: Stu Belami to ouzeri and Toy Votanikou o magas. He possessed a rich singing voice with which he performed his own compositions and those of Theodorakis, who frequently chose his friend Grigoris to perform his masterpieces. The two contributed greatly to the then-emerging laika style of Greek music.
A leftist, he was exiled to the island of Makronisos in the 1950s during the reign of King Paul.
Throughout his life, Bithikotsis performed frequent concerts at numerous venues, including one in Athens upon the occasion of his eightieth birthday.
He died in Athens, in 2005, following 3 months of hospitalization. His funeral was attended by thousands, including representatives of all the Greek political parties. (wikipedia.org)
CD1 - Sings Mikis Theodorakis (1960-1964)
------------------------------------------------------------------
01. Pou Petaxe T' Agori Mou (Summ. Kaiti Thumi)
02. Mera Magiou Mou Misepses (Summ. Kaiti Thumi)
03. Mana Mou Kai Panagia
04. Drapetsona (Summ. Manolis Hiotis)
05. Vrehei Sti Ftohogeitonia
06. Margarita Margaro (Summ. Antonis Kleidoniaris)
07. Arnisi (Sto Perigiali To Krufo)
08. Kratisa Ti Zoi Mou
09. Mesa Sta Maura Sou Mallia
10. To Tragoudi Tis Xeniteias (Feggari Magia Mou 'kanes)
11. Aprilis
12. Ena Deilino
13. Karavi Kalotaxido
14. To Feggari Kanei Volta (Summ. Hristakis)
15. Varka Sto Gialo (Summ. Ria Kourti)
16. Autous Pou Vlepeis
17. I Mpalanta Tou Antrikou (Summ. Maria Farantouri, Antonis Kleidoniaris)
CD2- Sings Mikis Theodorakis (1964-1967)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
01. Strose To Stroma Sou (Summ. Mihalis Ioannidis)
02. Gonia Gonia
03. Einai Makrus O Dromos Sou
04. Vraduazei
05. Strata Ti Strata (Summ. Mihalis Ioannidis)
06. Ein' O Kaimos Mou Ena Pouli
07. Ena To Helidoni
08. Tis Dikaiosunis Ilie Noite
09. Tis Agapis Aimata
10. Anoigo To Stoma Mou
11. Auta Ta Dentra
12. Oloi Dipsane
13. Otan Sfiggoun To Heri
14. Tha Simanoun Oi Kampanes
15. Hrusoprasino Fullo
16. Helidonaki
17. Tha Rixo Petra Sti Zoi
CD3- Sings Akis Panou, Apostolos Kaldaras (1964-1968)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
01 - Eho Mia Varka Me Koupia (Summ. Antonis Kleidoniaris)
02 - Kardia Mou Min Paraponiesai (Summ. Voula Gkika)
03 - Ap' Ti Zoi Sou Hathika (Summ. Voula Gkika)
04 - De Tha 'sai To Finale (Summ. Voula Gkika)
05 - Pligomeno Pouli (Summ. Voula Gkika)
06 - Tha Kleiso Ta Matia (Summ. Haroula Lampraki)
07 - Mi Mou Les Emena Tetoia
08 - Moira Mou Giati M' Afineis
09 - Roloi Kompoloi
10 - Tora Me Moni Tarifa (Summ. Voula Gkika)
11 - Otan Simanei I Wra (Summ. Voula Gkika)
12 - Telos Den Ehei O Ouranos (Summ. Viku Mosholiou)
13 - Oso Ftino Krasi Ki An Pio (Summ. Apostolos Kaldaras)
14 - St' Apostoli To Koutouki (Summ. Apostolos Kaldaras)
15 - Afou Amartisan Ta Duo Sou Heili (Summ. Apostolos Kaldaras)
16 - Tora Pou 'rhontai Ta Hionia
CD4 - Various (1960-1965)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
01. Eim' Aitos Horis Ftera
02. I Kura
03. Aponi Zoi (Summ. Ria Kourti)
04. Sta Heria Sou Megalosan (Summ. Ria Kourti)
05. Savvatovrado Stin Kaisariani
06. Apo Vutho S' Allo Vutho (Summ. Antonis Kleidoniaris)
07. Fos Tis Augis (Summ. Antonis Kleidoniaris)
08. Ypomoni (Summ. Aliki Vougiouklaki)
09. Matia Vourkomena (Summ. Viku Mosholiou)
10. Aspri Mera Kai Gia Mas
11. Paei O Kairos
12. Sto Laurio Ginetai Horos
13. Spasmena Triantafulla (Summ. Voula Gkika)
14. Ela Mia Nuhta Stin Athina (Summ. Ria Kourti)
15. Hameni Agapi (Summ. Voula Gkika)
16. Tou Votanikou O Magkas (Summ. Manolis Hiotis)
17. To Trelokoritso (Summ. Litsa Zika)
CD5- Various (1966-1980)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
01. Aurio Pali
02. Eihame Perifania
03. M' Ena Parapono
04. Mesa Ap' To Palio Mou Spiti
05. Mia Kuriaki
06. O Mpaglamas
07. Pou 'nai Ta Hronia (Summ. Haroula Lampraki)
08. Pires Ap' Ta Matia Mou
09. As Itan T' Oneiro Na Vgei
10. Klapste Ouranoi Ki Asteria
11. Ta Rologia
12. Helidoni Se Klouvi
13. Filntisenio Karavaki (Summ. Voula Gkika)
14. Milise Mou (Summ. Voula Gkika)
15. Spiti Mou
16. Osous Den Pire I Monaxia
CD6 - The Songs Of Grigoris Bithikotsis
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
01. Eihe Ki Ekeinos Mian Agapi
02. Episimi Agapimeni
03. Mia Gunaika Feugei
04. Stou Mpelami To Ouzeri
05. O Kur Thanos
06. Alfa-Omega
07. Fere Mia Zaria Kali (Summ. Voula Gkika)
08. Ouranio Toxo (Summ. Afroditi Manou)
09. Osa Erthoun Ki Osa Pane (Summ. Afroditi Manou)
10. Karavi Me Simaia Xeni (Summ. Voula Gkika)
11. Egnatias 406 (Summ. Voula Gkika)
12. Ena Amaxi Me Duo Aloga (Summ. Voula Gkika, Nikos Karanikolas)
13. Sti Megali Leoforo
14. Ta Paidia Stin Eleusina
15. Sto Koutouki Tou Arapi
16. S' Ena Treno
17. Tis Anoixis Louloudi Mou
Label: Real News / Minos-EMI
Released: 2010
Codec: Flac
Compression Level: 5
Quality: High
CD-rips by alekow (EAC and Flac)
Covers Included (400dpi)
Released with the newspaper 'Real News'
Enjoy, Seed and Share