By request from a Discogs user: an early record on the Greek Record Company label recorded at Marsh Laboratories in Chicago, Illinois. Both sides of this 12″ disc are included in this video.
502 A – Ο Πλάτανος (The Plane Tree)
502 B – Μπαρμπουνάρα (Little Red Mullet)
Nikos Rellias was born in Goura, Corinth in 1892 and was a shepherd there until he emigrated to the U.S. in 1906, where he studied clarinet in New York City starting in 1909. He also performed with Marika Papagika and Kostas Papagikas around this same time.
Marsh Laboratories was founded by Orlando Marsh in Chicago in 1922. Marsh was a pioneer in electrical recordings with microphones – and a few years ahead of the big labels who were all recording acoustically (through an acoustic horn).
Recorded in Chicago circa 1923.
Released as Greek Record Company 502
Arapaki Eleni – vocals (on Μπαρμπουνάρα)
Nikos Rellias – clarinet
Spyros Stamos – santouri
The Πλάτανος (Plane Tree – or as it is commonly known in the U.S., a Sycamore tree) refers to a type of long-lived revered tree that often stands at the center of a village square in Greece. They can symbolize community, wisdom, and longevity. They could also have spiritual importance in Greek mythology and ancient Greek religious practices.
“Μπαρμπουνάρα μου” (my little red mullet) is a playful, affectionate nickname. In Greek slang of the time, it could imply someone flashy, desirable, or stylish—like the prized red mullet fish. It might also carry a flirtatious or teasing tone, especially in a rebetiko or cabaret-style song such as this one.
Μπαρμπουνάρα lyrics:
Εγώ με όλους παίζω κόρτε και γελούν
κι έτσι περνάω τον ωραίο μου καιρό
με μια ματιά μου μένουν όλοι σαν χαζοί
ξοδεύουν χρήμα για ένα μόνο μου φιλί
Αχ, μπαρμπουνάρα μου, νέοι, γέροι ψιθυρίζουν
τα μαύρα μάτια σου την καρδιά ραΐζουν
Έχω μανία να ανεβαίνω στα auto
μα η τρέλα μου είναι το τιμόνι να κρατώ
έτσι μ’ αρέσει να γλεντάω τη ζωή
δεν δίνω δυάρα ο κοσμάκης τι θα ειπεί
Αχ, μπαρμπουνάρα μου, νέοι, γέροι ψιθυρίζουν
τα μαύρα μάτια σου την καρδιά ραΐζουν
English Translation:
I flirt with everyone and they all laugh.
That’s how I spend my lovely time.
With just one glance, they all look like fools.
they spend money for a single kiss of mine.
Ah, my little red mullet, young and old whisper.
Your dark eyes shatter hearts.
I’ve got a craze for riding in cars,
But my real thrill is holding the wheel.
that’s how I like to party through life.
I don’t give a damn what people say.
Ah, my little red mullet, young and old whisper.
Your dark eyes shatter hearts.
NOTE: AI was used for translation. If you have suggestions to improve the translation, please let me know.
SOURCES:
https://vmrebetiko.gr/item/?id=4607
https://www.korinthia.net.gr/2025/03/23/107243/
https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A0%CE%BB%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%82
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