from Oannes * extending the tribute to our Anniversary of the “No” with music from the 40’s

Today we celebrate the Anniversary of the “No”, in Greece, commemorating the rejection by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum^✻ made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on 28 October 1940, the Hellenic counterattack against the invading Italian forces at the mountains of Pindus during the Greco-Italian War, and the Greek Resistance during the Axis occupation.

^✻ This ultimatum, which was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece, Emanuele Grazzi, shortly after 03:00 am on 28 October 1940, demanded Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified “strategic locations” or otherwise face war. It was allegedly answered with a single laconic word: όχι (No!). However, his actual reply was, “Alors, c’est la guerre!” (Then it is war!).

Η Ella Fitzgerald με την “Διάσημη Ορχήστρα Της” [επρόκειτο για την μπάντα του Chick Webb, μετά το θάνατο του drummer-bandleader, με την μέχρι τότε απλή τραγουδίστρια, πλέον, σε ηγετικό ρόλο]. Ακούμε τη δική της βερσιόν του τραγουδιού των Mitchell Parish, Peter De Rose, σε μια ακόμα ηχογράφηση του 1940

✻

Ella Fitzgerald with “Her Famous Orchestra” [this was Chick Webb’s band, after the death of the drummer-bandleader, with the hitherto simple singer now taking the lead].
We hear her own version of Mitchell Parish, Peter De Rose song, in yet another 1940 recording.

◼︎

❝ Love here in The starlit hour
Oh, heaven is in your eyes
While the wind is sobbing
Underneath the stars
Both our hearts are throbbing
Like two guitars
Love here in The starlit hour
Night whispering lullabies
Let me dream forever
Underneath the silvery skies
Will it be just as sweet again
The glamor, the glory that we know?
Will I find when we meet again
The glamor, the glory’s still a glow?
But tonight, let us forget tomorrow
Here under the midnight blue
Love will bloom and flower
In The starlit hour with you ❞

❦

Enjoy!

❦

As always, I’m happy to hear your thoughts, however I’d highly recommend a direct dialogue with the …’source’ [why comments are closed here], so please visit Oannes’ page where you can also listen to the song !

More about these reblogs

* For my friends who didn’t know, or first timers here, Oannes [aka Socratis Papahatzis] is my husband, partner in life and music and the one with my undying admiration. Together we have a band MK-O [the music of Marina Kanavaki & Oannes]. So, it’s my pleasure to share with you his [and sometimes mine] musical selections. • Do visit his site. He has my highest recommendation!