Apagorevmeno

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Apagorevmeno
Απαγορευμένο
Studio album by Anna Vissi
Released December 9, 2008
(see release history)
Recorded 2008
Genre Pop, contemporary laïko, rock, dance
Length 62:25
Label Sony BMG Greece, Columbia
Producer Greg Ladanyi, Anna Vissi, C. J. Vanston, Patrick Leonard, Glen Ballard, Matheos Sprague, Giannis Kifonidis, Alex Papakonstantinou, Marcus Englof, Grigoris Kollias
Anna Vissi chronology

Nylon
(2005)
Apagorevmeno
(2008)
Agapi Einai Esi
(2010)
Singles from Apagorevmeno
  1. "To Parelthon Mou"
    Released: 29 October 2008
  2. "Apagorevmeno"
    Released: 26 November 2008
  3. "Stin Pira"
    Released: 9 March 2009
  4. "Alitissa Psihi"
    Released: 3 June 2009
  5. "Apo Makria Kai Agapimenoi (Alex Papakonstantinou Edit)"
    Released: 11 October 2009
  6. "Fabulous"
    Released: 22 October 2009

Apagorevmeno (Greek: Απαγορευμένο; English: Forbidden) is Greek singer Anna Vissi's 25th studio album, released in Greece and Cyprus on December 9, 2008 by Sony BMG Greece. It is Vissi's first studio album since 2005 and the first since her 1981 self-titled album to not include any songs or input by Nikos Karvelas. The album was mostly produced with the Maple Jam Music Group in Los Angeles, United States, and by its head producer Greg Ladanyi.[citation needed]

The album was reissued with three new songs and two remixes as Apagorevmeno+ on November 16, 2009.

Background

Vissi had been working on the album for two years. In an interview with Down Town Magazine in July 2008, Vissi said that she felt the same way as she did at the start of her career by having already listened to over 600 songs in the studio in an attempt to find songs she liked. She also stated that this would be the first album of which Nikos Karvelas would not be contributing any songs to, expressing that the two have gotten tired of each other, but clarified that this does not rule out a collaboration in the future.[1]

On October 30, 2008, Vissi gave an interview on MAD TV's OK with Themis Georgandas. She added that ten of the tracks were arranged in Los Angeles, while she had a hand in the production of all tracks.[2][3] By the end of November, the name Apagorevmeno (Forbidden) had been selected and it was announced that the album would be released on December 9, 2008.[4] The final version contains 15 tracks in total, with the single "To Parelthon Mou" and the cover "Kontra" being included as bonus tracks.[5]

Photographs that Dave Stewart took of Vissi on a beach in Malibu, California where also supposed to be included in the CD booklet but seem to be left out, presumably to be instead included on her never materialised 2010 English language album.[2][3]

Production

The album was produced with the Maple Jam Music Group in Los Angeles, California, and by its head producer Greg Ladanyi. Vissi is also signed to Maple Jam for artist management since 2008.

Among the original composers were Patrick Leonard and Giannis Kifonidis with three songs each, Giannis Hristoudoulopoulos with two songs and Alex Papakonstantinou, Grigoris Kollias, and Anna Vissi herself with one song each. The songs by Patrick Leonard were originally written with English lyrics for Vissi's possible upcoming, though never released, 2010 English album, but were instead re-recorded using Greek lyrics to appear on this album. The title track "Apagorevmeno" is also co-composed with Kara DioGuardi. Among the lyricists are Mirto Kontova with six songs, Eleana Vrahali with five songs, and Giorgos Mitsigkas, Grigoris Kollias, Valia Kaladzi and Vagellis Papazoulou with one song each.

Three Greek language covers appear on the album: a bonus track, Dan Wilson's song "Breathless" titled "Kontra", Luz Casal's song "Ni Tu Ni Yo" titled "Metallo", and Christina Aguilera's song "That's What Love Can Do" titled "An S'Erotefto".[2][3] The latter was an Aguilera B-side track composed by Aguilera herself and Glen Ballard which appeared on the limited edition CD Justin & Christina used to promote the Justified and Stripped Tour.

Vissi composed the song "Apo Makria Kai Agapimeni" with lyrics by Mirto Kontova as a reflection of her relationship with Nikos Karvelas. The song "Risko" (Risk) was described by Vissi and its lyricist Eleana Vrahali as a rock zeibekiko, as well as the song "Alitissa Psihi" (Vagrant soul) composed by Vagia Kaladzi with lyrics Giannis Kifonidis received a similar description.[2]

A remake of the Rebetiko song "Pente Hronia Dikasmenos (I Foni Tou Argile)", originally recorded in 1936 by Vangelis Papazoglou, appears on the album as "Pente Hronia Dikasmenos" produced and remixed by Matheos Sprague. Vissi's rendition presents a fusion of vintage Greek urban folk music, or rebetiko, with contemporary urban music by including English language R&B and rapping elements. Argile is Greek for hookah, while the featured rappers also refer to smoking with a hookah pipe.

Composers of the additional songs on re-release of the album titled Apagorevmeno+ include Alex Papaconstantinou, Giannis Kifonidis, and Anna Vissi with one song each. Among the lyricist are Vagia Kalantzi with one song, and Anna Vissi with two songs. In the lyrics for Fabulous, Vissi breaks out of the first-person narrative, referring to herself in the third person by telling the listener that she is going to see her own show to hear "Tsoules" and "Alitissa Psihi".

Release

The release of Apagorevmeno marks Anna Vissi's 25th studio album. It was released on December 9, 2008 in Greece and Cyprus by Sony BMG Greece. It is her first studio album since 2005's Nylon and includes the bonus tracks "To Parelthon Mou" from the soundtrack of the film Bank Bang and a Greek-language cover of Dan Wilson's song "Breathless" titled "Kontra".[6]

Apagorevmeno was repackaged and re-released with three new songs and two remixes as Apagorevmeno+ on November 16, 2009. This new 19-track version is in DBS packaging and carries a fixed price of €9.90, roughly half the price of a typical album in the Greek market. The re-release replaces the song "Apo Makria Kai Agapimeni" with the remixed version.

Reception

Commercial performance

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Avopolis [7]
Music Corner favorable[8]

The newspaper, Real News, distributed the album Apagorevmeno on 8 August 2010.[9] The newspaper sold 60,320 units publication that included the album.[10]

Chart performance

Apagorevmeno debuted at number three on the IFPI Greek Albums Chart on week 51,[11] and was certified gold within its first week of release. The album moved up to number one on its second week where it remained for its third week,[12] and fell to number nine for its fourth and fifth week.[13]

Though the album was released on December 9, 2008 just three weeks before the end of the year, it still made it into the top ten on both of IFPI's year-end charts: Top 50 Greek albums of 2008 in the 9th spot and Top 50 Greek and Foreign Albums of 2008 in the 10th spot.[14][15][16]

In March 2009 IFPI Greece announced that they would close their charts for a period of time in order to renew their charting system, thus it is no longer possible to track sales of "Apagorevmeno". IFPI Greece is set to resume public release of the Greek albums chart in late 2010.

In Cyprus the album debuted at number one of the charts of Musical Paradise (official IFPI representative of Cyprus via IFPI Greece) where it remained for eight weeks. It gained gold status on the second week of its release, and reached platinum status on its eighth. It remained in the top 10 for 12 weeks. In September 2009 during Vissi's visit in Cyprus, Musical Paradise confirmed that the album is officially certified 2x platinum in Cyprus as well. With its re-release the album re-entered the Cypriot official album charts at no1 for a further 3 weeks (making a total of 11) and remained on the top 10 for a further 3 months (24 weeks in top 10 in total).

Promotion

Cosmote once again sponsored a Vissi album, and as in the past, it released a series of commercials for the album including a TV commercial featuring Anna Vissi with the song "Apagorevmeno".[17] On November 26, 2008, Cosmote was the first to release the three songs "Apagorevmeno", "Apo Makria Kai Agapimeni" and "Kontra" onto their music store as part of their mobile music campaign.

On October 29, 2008, the song "To Parelthon Mou" was released simultaneously to all radio stations in Greece and Cyprus along with its music video. It was the theme song from the Greek film Bank Bang, released in December 2008.[18][19]

On February 10, 2009, Vissi appeared on the Women of the Year 2008 awards by magazine Madame Figaro in Cyprus. At the awards, Vissi announced that she has set up a scholarship fund along with the magazine to award to one young female student annually. Vissi also sang "Apagorevmeno", "Kontra", "To Parelthon Mou" and "Stin Pira".

Apagorevmeno Summer Tour

Vissi had originally planned to start performing at Athinon Arena in February 2009 in support of the album,[20] however she opted to stage a big concert in Athens during the summer instead, along with a 2009 summer tour around Greece.[21] The tour was titled Apagorevmeno Summer Tour.

The Fabulous Show

Vissi's concert series for the winter season 2009-2010 was at Athinon Arena and debuted on October 31, 2009 and was concluded on March, 27. Vissi was appearing three times a week and the show was named The Fabulous Show after her single "Fabulous".[21] Supporting acts included the band Ble, Giorgos Sampanis, and Vera Boufi, who is Vissi's niece, special guest star was rebetiko singer Mario.

Track listing

Apagorevmeno

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Apagorevmeno" (Απαγορευμένο; Forbidden)Patrick Leonard, Kara DioGuardi, Eleana VrahaliLeonard 4:20
2. "An S'Erotefto" (Αν σ' ερωτευτώ; If I fall in love with you)Glen Ballard, Christina Aguilera, VrahaliBallard 3:29
3. "Apo Makria Kai Agapimeni" (Από μακριά και αγαπημένοι; From far away and loved)Anna Vissi, Mirto KontovaVissi, Greg Ladanyi, C. J. Vanston 4:01
4. "Risko" (Ρίσκο; Risk)Giannis Hristodoulopoulos, VrahaliVissi, Ladanyi 3:30
5. "Anakohi" (Ανακωχή; Truce)Leonard, Adam Cohen, KontovaLeonard 4:19
6. "Stin Pira" (Στην πυρά; In the fire)Alex Papaconstantinou, Adam Baptiste, Marcus Englof, KontovaPapakonstantinou, Englof, Vissi, Ladanyi 3:07
7. "Pente Hronia Dikasmenos" (Πέντε χρόνια δικασμένος; Five years convicted)Vangelis PapazoglouMatheos Sprague 5:25
8. "Metallo" (Μέταλλο; Metal)Bolero Nordico, Maria Angeles Alvarez Beigbeder Casas, Viviana Alvarez Beigbeder Casas, KontovaGiannis Kifonidis, Vissi, Ladanyi 3:48
9. "Kane Kati" (Κάνε κάτι; Do something)Hristodoulopoulos, VrahaliVissi, Ladanyi, Vanston 4:52
10. "Gia Ena Lepto" (Για ένα λεπτό; For one minute)Grigoris KolliasVissi, Ladanyi, Kollias 4:02
11. "Alitissa Psihi" (Αλήτισσα ψυχή; Vagrant soul)Kifonidis, Vagia KaladziVissi, Ladanyi, Vanston 4:31
12. "Thelo Mia Agapi" (Θέλω μια αγάπη; I want a love)Leonard, Adam Cohen, VrahaliLeonard 4:02
13. "Pio Konta" (Πιο κοντά; Even closer)Kifonidis, KontovaKifonidis, Vissi, Ladanyi 5:25
Bonus tracks
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
14. "Kontra" (Κόντρα; Against each other)Dan Wilson, KontovaVissi, Ladanyi, Vanston 3:52
15. "To Parelthon Mou" (Το παρελθόν μου; My past)Kifonidis, Giorgos MitsigkasVissi, Ladanyi, Vanston 3:32

Apagorevmeno+

Singles

"Apagorevmeno"

The lead single and the album's title track is "Apagorevmeno" (Forbidden). It is composed by Patrick Leonard and Kara DioGuardi, with lyrics by Eleana Vrahali.[6] It was released on November 26, 2008 to radio stations, as well as debuting on the online music store of main sponsor Cosmote. The song was used by Cosmote in their advertising campaigns, including a television advertisement with Vissi.[17] The music video premiered on Vissi's official website on December 14, 2008.[22] The single debuted at #4 on the official Billboard Greek Singles Chart. It peaked at #1 on Christmas week and remained atop for 2 weeks in total.[23]

"Stin Pira"

The second single from the album is "Stin Pira". Written by Alex Papakonstantinou with lyrics by Myrto Kontova, the dance song had been a radio hit since the album's release.[24] A video was filmed at Athinon Arena and was released on March 9, 2008, directed by Greek-American film director Christine Crokos.[25] The video is said to have an international feel to it, with many visual effects and strong choreography throughout the whole video. Vissi is accompanied by four female dancers. Good friend Patricia Field was the fashion stylist, as well as appearing in the uncut version of the video, while she and Greg Ladanyi oversaw the production of the video.[25] Vissi changes outfits seven times.[25] The single had a 12 week run on the Billboard Greek Singles Chart Top 10 chart. It debuted at #10 and peaked at #3 for three non-consecutive weeks.[23]

"Alitissa Psihi"

The third single from the album is "Alitissa Psihi". A music video was filmed in Monument Valley, Arizona, directed by Greek-American film director Christine Crokos and with styling by Patricia Field. Vissi performed the song in 2009 Mad Video Music Awards. The single peaked at #4 of the iTunes Greece digital download charts and at #7 on the Billboard Greek Singles Chart.[26]

"Apo Makria Kai Agapimenoi (Alex Papakonstantinou Edit)"

Vissi announced the fourth single on a radio show, stating she was shooting the music video for the track with Christine Krokos directing once again. The single was a remix by Alex Papakonstantinou which debuted on her Apagorevmeno summer tour and is included on Apagorevmeno+ released on November 16, 2009. Vissi had previously mentioned that "Gia Ena Lepto" would be the fourth single. The music video was shot at a concert in Santorini part of her summer tour on August 16, 2009.[27] Fireworks were shot off during the concert for use in the video. The video was originally supposed to be released on September 27, 2009, but due to the death of her manager Greg Ladanyi, the release date was delayed until October 10, 2009. The video is dedicated to Greg Ladanyi.

"Fabulous"

Anna Vissi "Fabulous"
20 second sample

Problems playing this file? See media help.
The song Fabulous premiered exclusively released on Rythmos FM on October 22, 2009. An interview was arranged for November 4, 2009 with Makis Pounentis of Rythmos FM.[28] Upon its release it quickly shot up to the number 1 spot on Rythmos FM's charts. The song was subsequently released as a digital download on November 13, 2009. It is included on the repackaged Apagorevmeno+ released on November 16, 2009. The song is composed by Alex Papakonstantinou with lyrics by Vissi and is the theme of Vissi's winter appearances at Athinon Arena titled "The Fabulous Show". The song debuted at number 4 on the Billboard Greek Digital Downloads Chart for the week of December 5, 2009.[29] It peaked at number 11 on the Greek Nielsen Music Control Airplay Chart for the week of November 24–30, taking the highest placing of a Greek language song for the week.[30] A music video was shot and released on March 5, 2010,[31] directed once again by Christine Krokos, presenting Vissi's premiere at Athinon Arena. The video clip of the song was voted as the 10th best video clip of 2010, being the highest placed by any Greek artist that year.[32]

Personnel

Management

Performance

Visuals and imagery

Instruments

  • Patrick Leonard - keyboard, strings, piano, drum programming, percussion
  • Alex Papaconstantinou - drum programming, bass synthesizer, keyboards, moog synthesizer, electric bass guitar
  • Grigoris Kollias - drums, bass guitar, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, moog synthesizer
  • C. J. Vanston - keyboards, guitars, strings, piano, vibes, toy piano, drums, bass guitar
  • Giannis Kifonidis - strings, drum programming, keyboards, piano, Irish bagpipes, strings arrangement
  • Giannis Histodoulopoulos - electric piano, organ
  • Zac Rae - keyboards, piano
  • Jay Gore - electric guitars, acoustic guitars
  • Foivos Zaharopoulos - acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • John Shanks - guitar
  • Joel Shearer - guitar
  • Tim Pierce - guitar
  • Foivos Zaharopoulos - electric guitar
  • Leland Sklar - bass guitar
  • Sean Hurley - bass guitar
  • Takis Fitos - bass guitar
  • Sean Hurley - bass guitar
  • Stevie Black - strings
  • Panagiotis Stergiou - bouzouki
  • Jesse String - bouzouki
  • Blair Sinta - drums
  • Kostas Laskarakis - drums
  • Aaron Sterling - drums
  • Kostas Liolios - drums
  • Ryan Hoyle - drums
  • Joe Pusater - percussion
  • Stewart Cole - trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jordan Katz - trumpet
  • Chris Tedesco - trumpet
  • Damanios Dudu - violin
  • Wendy Clark - violin
  • Rountina Tsanta - violin
  • Stella Georgiou - violin
  • Misa Smirnof - viola
  • Giorgos Giakoumis - viola
  • Ivi Papathanasiou - cello
  • Haralambos Arkatinis - contrabass

Technical and production

  • Greg Ladanyi - production, recording engineer, mixing
  • Anna Vissi - production
  • C. J. Vanston - production, recording engineer, mixing
  • Patrick Leonard - production, loop programming
  • Alex Papakonstantinou - production, recording engineer, mixing
  • Giannis Kifonidis - production, recording engineer, sampling, loop programming
  • Glen Ballard - production
  • Grigoris Kollias - production, recording engineer
  • Matheos Sprague - production
  • Marcus Englof - production
  • Nick Sena - recording engineer
  • Michael Perfitt - recording engineer
  • Scott Campbell - recording engineer
  • Brian Worwick - assistant engineer
  • Jolie Levine - production coordinator
  • Angela Vicari - production coordinator
  • Jesse String - recording engineer
  • Mike Degen - recording engineer, mixing
  • Tony Cousins - mastering engineer

Release history

Region Date Label Format Version
Greece December 9, 2008 Sony BMG, Columbia CD, Digital download Original release
Cyprus
Greece November 16, 2009 Sony Music, Columbia Re-release
Cyprus

Charts

Chart Peak
position
Weeks on chart Certification
Greek Albums Chart 1 8 2x Platinum[33]
Cypriot Album Chart 1 25 2x Platinum[33]
Top 50 Greek Albums of 2008[14] 9 N/A N/A
Top 50 Greek and Foreign Albums of 2008[15] 10 N/A N/A

References

  1. "H Άννα Βίσση στο Down Town" (in Greek). MAD TV. 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-08-06. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Georgandidis, Themis. "Interview with Anna Vissi". MAD TV 's OK (2008-10-30). Retrieved on 2008-10-31.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Panayides, Panayiotis (2008-10-31). "Anna Vissi talks about her comeback and future plans". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2008-10-31. 
  4. "Άννα Βίσση: we want more!" (in Greek). MAD TV. 2008-11-27. Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2008-11-28. 
  5. "Η Άννα Βίσση επιστρέφει δυναμικά στη δισκογραφία με το νέο της άλμπουμ "Απαγορευμένο"..." (in Greek). Music.net.cy. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-12-02. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 "ΑΝΝΑ ΒΙΣΣΗ - ΑΠΑΓΟΡΕΥΜΕΝΟ (Press Release)" (in Greek). Sony BMG Greece. 2008-12-08. Archived from the original on 2008-12-21. Retrieved 2008-12-09. 
  7. "Avopolis review". Archived from the original on 2009-09-15. 
  8. "Music Corner review". Musiccorner.gr. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  9. "REAL NEWS 8-8". YouTube. 2010-08-02. Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
  10. "Δελτίο Κυκλοφορίας". Argosmis.gr. 2001-05-14. Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
  11. "Top 50 Ελληνικών Aλμπουμ: Εβδομάδα 51/2008" (in Greek). IFPI. 2008-12-29. 
  12. "Top 50 Ελληνικών Aλμπουμ: Εβδομάδα 53/2008" (in Greek). IFPI. 2009-01-12. 
  13. "Top 50 Ελληνικών Aλμπουμ: Εβδομάδα 2/2009" (in Greek). IFPI. 2009-01-19. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 "Annual Charts- Year 2008: Top 50 Ελληνικών Aλμπουμ". IFPI. January 2009. Archived from the original on 27 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-22. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Annual Charts- Year 2008: Top 50 Ελληνικών και Ξένων Aλμπουμ". IFPI. January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-22. 
  16. Panayides, Panayiotis (2009-01-26). "New records for Anna Vissi". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 
  17. 17.0 17.1 "Anna Vissi - Apagorevmeno - Cosmote Myview Spot [fannatics.gr". YouTube. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
  18. "Η μεγάλη επιστροφή.... Με ένα παρελθόν που θα σε αγγίξει. Άννα Βίσση." (in Greek). Kosmoradio 95.1. Archived from the original on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-18. 
  19. "Anna Vissi - To Parelthon Mou, The LOVE RADIO / MAD TV teaser [fannati". YouTube. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
  20. "Η Άννα Βίσση στο Αθηνών Αρένα" (in Greek). MAD TV. 2008-07-11. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-06. 
  21. 21.0 21.1 "Ακύρωσε τις εμφανίσεις της η Άννα Βίσση" (in Greek). MAD TV. 2009-02-05. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  22. 23.0 23.1 "Greek Digital Sales Chart by Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2008-12-18. 
  23. "Επισπέυδει την επιστροφή της στην Ελλάδα η Άννα Βίσση" (in Greek). MAD TV. 2009-01-17. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 
  24. 25.0 25.1 25.2 "Interview on Star News: Backstage at the video shoot". Star Channel. 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2009-02-16. 
  25. "Greek Digital Sales Chart by Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-08-15. 
  26. "Video Shoot". Star Channel. 2009-08-17. 
  27. Pounentis, Makis (2009-10-15). 2vs1 Morning Show (Rythmos FM). 
  28. "Music Business | Music Industry | Record Sales | Billboard Charts | Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  29. "Nielsen Music". Nielsenmusiccontrol.com. Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
  30. "Fabulous Music Video". 2010-03-05. Retrieved October 1, 2010. 
  31. "MTVGreece.gr". MTVGreece.gr. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
  32. 33.0 33.1 "Άννα Βίσση: Ακούστε την ακυκλοφόρητη "ΕΛΛΗΝ. VERSION" του "Αλήτισσα Ψυχή"". Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2011. 

External links

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