Nana Mouskouri sounds a positive note

After a farewell tour six years ago, Nana Mouskouri thought her career as a live performer was over.

But her love of performing remained so strong she decided to return to the stage, which leads to tomorrow’s show at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Remarkably, the gig comes just a few weeks before Nana’s 80th birthday, yet her stunning voice remains as strong as ever.

The unassuming legend puts that down to having a positive life.

“I don’t use any medicine for my voice. I just show it respect and treat it right I sleep well and don’t smoke,” she explained.

“When I stopped touring, I thought it was time as I’d been on the road for so long and there were young artists around.

“But I didn’t want to never sing again and as the years went by, having the chance to sing at this age, I wanted to celebrate the songs that made me who I am.”

Accompanying her on stage this time is her daughter, Lenou, who studied music in London.

Nana studied closer to home, at the Greek Conservatory in the 1950s, and singing in jazz clubs. But moonlighting as a jazz singer cost Nana her place in the school.

“When they asked me to leave the conservatory they said singing in the clubs was damaging my voice. I tried to convince them otherwise but it didn’t work.

“My family couldn’t afford my lessons, so that was how I paid for it. My parents were disappointed, but I thought I’d find other things and I never regretted it.”

Nana was right.

Throughout her long career, she’s tried to help others whenever she can, having been a UNICEF Ambassador for more than 20 years and an MEP for five years.

“I realised I’m not a politician. I’m better as a singer,” she laughed.

Fluent in six languages and a singer in many more, Nana says it’s important to personalise her concerts and promises something Scottish when she comes to Glasgow.

She added: “Whenever I do a tour, I say if I make it, we will see about the next one.

“When you are younger you don’t think about it, but you don’t know what’s going to happen.

“My ambition is to do this one right.”

Nana is at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall tomorrow.