I recall when The Republic of Georgia was in the headlines in 2008, and it wasn't in regards to their music. This album was released when Russia was aggressively invading the small, independent, pro-Western democracy to subordinate it and remove its freely elected President. I put on Iveroni's album and said a prayer for the refugees who were being forced to flee from their homes in the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions. Today, in 2022, I pulled the album out and am listening again as I reflect on the heated tensions now building at the Russia/Ukraine border. While diplomats are doing their thing and forces are mobilizing for a possible war, there doesn't seem much we can do other than to put on some music and hope for the best.  

Regardless of tense situations in that region, Iveroni is five young talented musicians (Roman Lashkhia, Gieorgi Chikovani, Davit Batiashvili, Davit Gogitishivili, Beka Tcertcvadze). Their instruments are panduri, bass panduri, salamuri, and changuri. Panduri is a traditional Georgian three-string instrument widely found in all regions of East Georgia. It's generally used to accompany solo heroic, comic and love songs, as well as for dances too. Panduris from different regions of Georgia have different shapes. In olden times, families throughout Georgia had a panduri. They were reasonable, highly regarded and kept in a visible place. Lullabies were sung to protective spirits ("Batonebi") to help children sick with illnesses like measles.

David Nemsveridze explains, "The panduri and chonguri were also used as accompaniments to work. Shepherds often played these instruments (many ethnographic studies have been conducted on the role of the panduri in the lives of shepherds in Georgia). When a shepherd in the mountains had a strong feeling of happiness or sorrow and a wish for expressing it, he would reach for his panduri. This is reflected in many Khevsuretian poems: 'I sat down and began to make up poems and play Panduri…' 'I took you Panduri, sang a song about you!' A good panduri or chonguri player was greatly respected among the mountain inhabitants. No merriment would take place without him. That’s why these instruments of Georgian ancestors have been preserved up today." 

The salamuri is a widespread recorder-like instrument, found particularly in folk ensembles. One player can sometimes play two salamuris at once by using either hand. To express human sorrow, people believe that the salamuri was made. Legend states that when the first reed grew up on the orphan's grave, the wind blew and the reed moaned in a sad voice. Salamuri would also cheer the farmer in times of sorrow. A divine instrument, nothing can destroy it, even fire. Faces are seen in its ashes, and even broken parts emit sweet tunes. Some legends say that people were presented with the salamuri by God. Georgian musicians use their instruments to resemble nature's sounds. The salamuri is often described as sounding like a bird, and its tunes cheer people, tame animals, make birds sing, and its sad tunes relieve human sorrows. One folk tale says the salamuri's sad tunes could even make the grass cry. There are both reeded and un-reeded salamuri, with the former more difficult to play.

Iveroni's traditional songs emphasize vocals, and they relate stories of love, heroism, and brotherhood. Ranging from 1-3 minutes each, the 26 tracks by Iveroni provide a great deal of variety. One would think that Google could translate some of the song titles, but I had no luck. Regardless, some of my favorite tracks included "Karkuchit Chamovikvanet," "Mtao Gadmishvi," "Shavlego," "Ulia Moko," "Tcintckaro," "Kalospiruli," "Chrel Baghdadze," and "Sami Atasi Tclis." My guessis that most of these have specific traditional melodies, forms and dances associated with them. Producer Nathaniel Berndt traveled to the old city of Tblisi to record Iveroni on location. Additional liner notes would've been nice to explain more about this group, their music and songs.

Over a decade ago, the war with Russia left Georgia's countryside scorched by bombs and tank fire, and today Ukraine is threatened. I wonder if Iveroni has songs that would be appropriate in such a circumstance. Music is good therapy, and Iveroni should continue singing and playing to restore peace and freedom to the Caucasus Mountains ... and now ecourage Russian forces to withdraw from their borders with Ukraine and Belarus. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)