AlekaKanellidouFrontIntroduction

Aleka Kanelidou (29th of January 1946) is a popular Greek singer with a distinctive vocal sound, the daughter of violinist Yannis Kanelidis. She started her career halfway the 1960s in Athens, her major break-through came when she sang Mimi Plessas’ song 'Crazy Girl' in the film “The Sea Beads” (as a double for Zoe Laskari) in 1967. That same year she recorded two songs with Vangelis, 'The More I See You' and 'Stranger' which were released together on a 7” single. In the 1960s and 1970s Aleka performed several times at the Thessaloniki Song Festival, winning the 3rd place in 1974. In her career she collaborated with well-known composers and lyricists, most notably with Nini Zaha. In total she released 18 albums, singing songs of different genres, including the jazz music that she loves.

In 1967, when Aleka was just starting her career, she also worked with Vangelis on the song ‘I Remember The Day’, which is performed in a scene of the Vangelis-scored movie “Frenzy” (Frenitis). A year later Vangelis wrote the song 'Summer Dream' for the film "Operation Apollo", which is said to be sung by Kanelidou as well (needs confirmation). Unfortunately both these songs remain unreleased outside of the films. There is also a recording of Nikos Mastorakis’ radio show "Surprise Party" from that year, where Vangelis and Aleka play a number of English songs.

 

Tracklist and credits

  • ‘The More I See You’ written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon
    Orchestra by Vangelis Papathanassiou

  • ‘Stranger’
    Composed by Vangelis Papathanassiou
    Lyrics by Nikos Mastorakis
    Orchestra by Vangelis Papathanassiou

TheMoreISeeYouLabelDiscography

7” single

This vinyl single is quite rare and difficult to find.

LP

StrangerLabelCD

 

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