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The Georgian vocal
ensemble Darbazi
has been around since 1995, performing music from the Caucasus region that
bridges Europe and Asia. While director
Shalva Makharashvilli hails from that region, the
other nine or so members are primarily local, but you wouldn’t
know it, listening to this CD entitled Vakhtanguri.
This is folk music and vocal polyphony at its finest, and it’s
easy to hear why Darbazi has been so well received
during visits to Georgia.
The ensemble and soloists deliver each number with that wonderful
open-throated vocal style characteristic of Georgian music, good diction, and
outstanding harmonic intonation. The title song, described as a table song,
is one of the most intricate, and features yodelling from member David
Anderson (of Clay and Paper Theatre fame). The dance song Kakhuri Satsekvao
features Makharashvilli as melismatic vocal
soloist. Some of the numbers are accompanied by traditional instruments; both
plucked and bowed, expertly played by ensemble members. All songs are
traditional, and include “toasting” songs, dance, love, and work songs,
liturgical and epic poem settings, and songs about life in general. The CD is
dedicated to the memory of ensemble member John Martin, who passed away in
2007.
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