If you’re an ESC fan then you’ve heard of Anna Vissi. She’s Eurovision royalty having appeared in the contest on three occasions representing both Cyprus and Greece. She last appeared in the contest in 2006, representing Greece in her adopted home city of Athens. I was among the 20,000 persons strong audience singing along to her chat-topping hit, ‘Everything’. It recently won our poll for “best song from the host country.”
Prior to that event, and since then, Anna Vissi has been headed in one direction: up. Dubbed the Greek Madonna for her innovation, tenacity and re-invention, Anna—Ms. Vissi if you’re nasty—has remained at the top of the Greek music industry for over 40 years. In 2012, Sony Music in co-operation with EMI released a limited edition 5-CD compilation to mark Anna’s 40-year musical career. The compilation sold out in a record 3 days, and peaked within the Top 3 of the official Greek IFPI charts. This month her new single ‘I Kathimerinotita Mas’ has topped the Greek iTunes charts.
So, what’s my verdict? I like the opening bars of this emotional ballad. Its folk hues marry well with her voice. Anna is proud of her heritage and continues to record songs in Greek. However, the production, which is handled by Dmitri Gherkou, is decidedly contemporary. In true Anna Vissi style, the visual treatment features only her. However, she encapsulates the emotions of love, separation and longing well. No backup needed. Anna looks beautiful on screen. She conveys power in the performance, and this comeback is testament that she’s still got it.
Rating: 4/5
Deban Aderemi contributed this report from the U.K. Follow him on Twitter @debanaderemi. Then follow Team Wiwi on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.
woah I didn’t know her career has gone on for that long, incredible!
This song would sound good in Italian 😀
Lol, she looks so miserable in that picture at the top. It’s probably because she feel like she’s aged 5 years rather than 5 minutes while singing the song. That’s certainly how it feels listening to the song 😛