Published: 2007-11-27
ISBN:
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
In recent years Anna Vissi; the Greek pop-music star whose career has spanned over three decades; has been loudly promoted as the ‘Greek Madonna’; in an attempt to export her image and music to the international market as well as to redefine and increase her audience and appeal in Greece. While the purpose of this characterisation; which Vissi herself has embraced; is of course mainly commercial; it resonates with several crucial aspects of present-day Greek popular music. By observing the most significant characteristics of Vissi’s career; performing styles; personas and reception; this article examines some of the possible meanings of Vissi’s new image as ‘the Greek Madonna’. In particular; it focuses on the ways; in which she has arguably reaffirmed and/or reinterpreted traditional Greek popular music styles and the authenticity debate surrounding them. It ultimately argues that ‘the Greek Madonna’ remains typically Greek.
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Discography
Eurovision Song Contest Athens 2006; the Official Double DVD; CMC-EBU; C 00208-9. 2006.
Vissi; Anna; Fotiá [Fire]; L.P.; CBS Records; CBS 466286. 1989.
—— Klíma Tropikó [Tropical Climate]; C.D.; Columbia Records; COL 483908. 1995.
—— Anna Vissi Live; Double DVD; Sony Music Greece; COL 202760 7. 2004.
—— Call Me; CD single; Vanilla/Moda Records and Sony BMG. 2005.
Internet Resources
Anna Vissi’s biographical information: Dillon ; Charlotte; ”All Music Guide; Artists”; The Online Billboard Magazine http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=266351 (16 Aug. 2007).
Anna Vissi’s official international fan-webpage: http://www.anna-vissi.info/english/biography/01.html (16 Aug. 2007).
Anna Vissi’s official webpage: http://www.annavissi.net (16 Aug. 2007).
Anna Vissi’s videos:
A medley of some of her recent music videos on youtube.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duymqg5-WFs (16 Aug. 2007).
Interview for GBTV in 2005: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGkRWHDes7E (16 Aug. 2007).
The official video clip of the song ”Call Me”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=algXWhcv3Ls (16 Aug. 2007).
The Greek rock remix of ”Call Me” in Greek [”Eísai”] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HcDQIkFiM (16 Aug. 2007).
Anna Vissi on MAD TV in 2001 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTELLzIbbCs&NR in Greek (16 Aug. 2007).
Anna Vissi”s Eurovision performance on 20 May 2006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRJJPpAqzGM (16 Aug. 2007).
Comments on Anna Vissi
Greek lyricist Éve Droútsa on Antenna TV in February 2006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7tbIUJghVs&mode=related&search
(16 Aug. 2007). posted on esctoday.com by the member called Good Vibes [29723] on 15 Mar. 2006 at 00:56:27; http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/5784?id=5784&offset=702#reactions (16 Aug. 2007).
Christina Aguilera; live at the MTV Music Video Awards in 2006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxJhOZLj1yI (16 Aug. 2007).
Guns ’n’ Roses; live at the Ritz; New York; on 02 Feb. 1988: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5wRW7I4Dqc (16 Aug. 2007).
Freddie Mercury; live at Wembley in 1986: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BApaVMqAVtc (16 Aug. 2007).
MAD TV website:
http://www.mad.tv/ (16 Aug. 2007); also see: http://www.mad.tv/mad4mad/?go=about&abid=16135 (16 Aug. 2007).
Stergíou; Leonídas; ”He Historía tes Hellenikes Teleórases” [”The History of Greek Television”] in the Greek newspaper Kathimerini; published on 04 Apr. 2006 in Greek http://portal.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_kathfiles_100030_04/04/2006_149723 (16 Aug. 2007).
