"A gifted singer with an interesting take on updating Greek traditions, but [usually, with her band] delivered in a somewhat over-fussy musical setting. Hearing her with just one accompanist, [you realise] what a wonderfully expressive voice she's got (you can hear for yourself as the performance [at the all-star fRoots 30th Birthday Concert] is up on YouTube). This album - like June Tabor & Oysterband's Ragged Kingdom - was catalysed by that night, just Stassinopoulou and Kalyviotis, the former on harmonium and percussion as well as vocals, the latter on lauto (Greek lute), live looping and electronics, performing a set of tunes from the rural Greek demotika tradition. As the album's title suggests, these are not straightforward interpretations - Greece's branch of the Folk Police will no doubt be issuing a warrant as I write - but the delivery and arrangements are pleasingly understated and clearly made by people who love the material. Kristi's voice quite rightly takescentrestage and it really is a thing of beauty, neither florid nor overly dramatic, she just sings these songs of love, longing and loss like she means every word ... A low key gem".
