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Is U.S. Ready for Nana Mouskouri?

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Nana Mouskouri is not exactly unknown in the musical world. The Greek-born singer has been a star in Europe, the Far East and South America for over 25 years. Worldwide, she sells more than 2 million cassettes and compact discs annually, and has released albums in seven languages. And yet in the United States she’s long been relegated to cult figure status.

That may be about to change. Polygram Records, determined to transform Mouskouri into “the Julio Iglesias of the ‘90s,” has booked the balladeer/folk singer on a 34-city North American tour that brings her to the Wiltern Theatre for a single performance Friday.

Mouskouri, 55, takes the sudden P.R. push--and the rigors of touring--in stride: “I like very much to be on the road. I’m used to living like a gypsy.”

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Mouskouri toured with Harry Belafonte for many years before striking out on her own. Her first U.S. exposure came in 1962 with the album “The Girl From Greece Sings,” produced by Quincy Jones. Her new “Only Love--The Best of Nana Mouskouri” includes such diverse fare as Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and Dire Straits’ “Why Worry.”

“I don’t consider singing work,” she says. “It makes me survive emotionally, morally. If I don’t sing, I don’t know where I would put myself.”

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