Various "Closer Spirits Cafe" 2003(comp)****

Bars in Greece aren’t just places you go to have a drink. Or just to socialize, or flirt. They can be all of these things, of course, but above all they’re a place to enjoy your favorite music with other like-minded souls. Socio-musical tribes form in them and revolve around them. Well, maybe not all bars are like that, I’m talking about a specific kind, one that thrived at my old Athens neighborhood and which I experienced from the 80’s to 00’s. One of the best music bars of this kind was Closer: the very best music, and DJ’s who interacted with the customers, and who expertly mixed the newest alternative rock hits with classic oldies and cult artists whose discovery could change your life. Not to mention live gigs, often unannounced. You'd go for a drink in your favorite bar and Holly Golightly or Savage Republic would be playing in the corner. Bars in The Netherlands aren't like that. Here the function of the music, if it’s there at all, is ambiance. It’s usually a random playlist played at low volume. Dance clubs have DJ’s of course, but they don’t really play music, just a spastic beat for your body to move to. Anyway, Closer closed  down as it fell victim to the recent Greek financial crisis. Just one of those little things that, when added up, confirm that the country is going to hell...only it isn’t, because it opened again. Different address but same atmosphere and, once more, the best music in town. I really enjoyed visiting it on my last trip to Athens, and when I got back home I found this CD out and put it on the stereo.

So what if this isn't an official CD? It’s a CD-R compilation given away to loyal customers by the owners of Closer Bar at its second anniversary (2003). But it’s also a labor of love, and it very much shows it: from the intricate fold-out case to the 16-page booklet with short stories, poems or dedications by the club’s regular and guest DJ’s, each of whom chose a song for this compilation. Participators include some of the era's top alternative radio producers, club DJ's and music writers but one name hits a nerve more than others: Thanos Anestopoulos, singer of rock group Diafana Krina, who succumbed to an aggressive form of cancer before his 50th birthday. A melancholic and poetic soul, he is very much missed in the Athens music scene. For his contribution here, he quotes a poem by Giorgos Seferis and typically chooses for inclusion a song by Divine Comedy called "The Book Lovers", basically a roll call of Neil Hannon's favorite authors recited over quasi-classical music. Of course to a book lover it's more than just a list, every name brings to mind countless poignant, joyful, or thrilling moments. The collection opens naturally with Joy Division - who else did you think Closer got its name from? It's followed by Interpol, at the time the newest, hippest Joy Division reincarnation - chosen by Athens' favorite Goth DJ, George Fakinos. Co-owner and resident DJ Vaggelio chose her favorite, Nick Cave - a relatively obscure Roy Orbison cover. More gloomy atmospheric vibes follow (Cocteau Twins, Handsome Family, Tindersticks) but that's not indicative of a typical night at Closer.
It was usually much more rock'n'roll, and that's evident in the variety of songs here: from 60's legends (Yardbirds, Stones, Booker T & The MG’s) to The Clash (some of the DJ's dedicated their entries to then recently departed Joe Strummer), not discounting then contemporary alternative radio hits (Kid Loco) and what might be your introduction to your next favorite artist - be it the Velvet-y psychedelia of Brian Jonestown Massacre, punk blues of Beasts Of Bourbon or Paisley Underground of House Of Freaks, the main common thread being great musical taste. Well, you may not be able to buy or download this CD but thankfully if you're in Athens you can still visit Closer for either afternoon coffee or after midnight drinks. I know that's what I will be doing every time I visit the old neighborhood.

***** for Transmission (Joy Division), Jism (Tindersticks), No Hard Shoulder To Cry On (Julian Cope), Straight To Hell (The Clash), Green Onions (Booker T & The MG’s), Time Waits For No One (Rolling Stones), Psycho (Beasts Of Bourbon), For Your Love (Yardbirds), Make It Right (Tim Buckley)

**** for Hands Away (Interpol), Blind Dumb Deaf (Cocteau Twins), The Book Lovers (Divine Comedy), Passenger Pigeons (Handsome Family), Just For Today (Brian Jonestown Massacre), World Of Tomorrow (House Of Freaks), Here Come The Munchies (Kid Loco), Get Closer To You (Terry Callier)

*** for B-Minor (Lanterna), Running Scared (Nick Cave)