In his hometown of Sitia on the island of Crete, Stelios Petrakis learned to play Cretan lyra (a 3-stringed fretted lap fiddle), and then expanded his repertoire to also include Greek, Turkish and Bulgarian music. Besides his solo performances, the multi-instrumentalist has collaborated with an impressive list of international artists who represent several Mediterranean musical traditions. He is also a luthier who has built lyras, laouto, boulgari, traditional and modern saz, and a few mandolins.

The Stelios Petrakis Quartet features the great musical traditions of Crete with a repertoire of traditional pieces and Petrakis’ own tradition-inspired compositions. Their 2015 live recording, Avgi: Live in Heraklion, was very well received. Now, on Spondi (Libation), the rest of the quartet includes Dimitris Sideris (lute), Michalis Kontaxakis (mandolin) and Nikos Lembesis (dance).  Sideris handles most of the vocals, but two tracks (“Kalos Andamothikame” and “Syrta”) also have singer Vasilis Stavrakah.

The best showpieces for the formal, elegant Cretan Quartet are the opener “Spondi “and closer “Maleviziotis.”  Three guest instrumentalists add colorings of zarb, daff, bendir, udu, Cretan bagpipe, and pandero de Peñaparda (Salamanca).   Songs like “Tempranillo,” “H mia for a,”  “Kalos Andamothikame,” and “Sto Barbareso tis avles” have enchanting sounds. The 60-page hard cover booklet that accompanies Spondi includes many photographs and interesting liner notes (in Greek, French and English).

A very satisfying project of soulful music, Spondi is not only inspired by libation, a ritual to Mother Nature, but also by a respect for antiquities, old tales, good company, magical memories, freedom and independence.  The quartet paints soundscapes that are carefully cultivated, emotionally-charged and memorable. A track of joyous celebration fits nicely in juxtaposition to ones that might reference atrocities of war or disgraceful, primitive customs of forced or child marriage.

I also recommend viewing some videos of The Stelios Petrakis Quartet to more fully appreciate their virtuosity and showmanship. Whether their world music uses traditional melodies or lyrics, or are original compositions by Petrakis, we hear pieces that are powerfully expressive, timeless and poignant. In Greek, one would say, “Καλή Ακρόαση!  (Kalí Akróasi!)” Good Listening!  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)