Isokratisses : Cry With Tears – Greek-Albanian Songs of Many Voices

Isokratisses (Greek for ‘women who sing the ‘iso’ or ‘drone’) is a vocal ensemble comprised of eight women who carry the ancient tradition of polyphonic songs from Epirus: a region in northern Greece and southern Albania. Born and reared in the Greek speaking villages around Deropoli and Politsani in Albania, the women of Isokratisses have sung these songs since childhood. The group ranges in age from 19 to 56 with some sisters in the group as well as an aunt. They were nurtured by this archaic music, listening and singing it with their family and friends. The songs were passed down from generation to generation.

Track Listing:
1. Between the Three Seas – Isokratisses
2. On Deropoli’s Plain – Isokratisses
3. The Ballad of the Handkerchief – Isokratisses
4. Five Months Married – Isokratisses
5. Bitter Orange – Isokratisses
6. Last Night’s Dream – Isokratisses
7. You’ve Put a Spell On Me – Isokrati