Album:  

Writer:

Giya Kancheli (გია ყანჩელი)

Length:

2:54

Notes:

This little beauty of a song is by Georgian composer Giya Kancheli, who sadly died last year. It appeared on a 2005 album "Music For Film and Theater". It could easily have been overlooked in the grand scheme of Kancheli's massive body of work but thanks to Katie's live performance of it on this album it has served as an introduction to the great man for many who may otherwise have never discovered him.

Now, when you visit Georgia—and I say 'when' not 'if' because if you don't promise to visit that amazing country then I'm not talking to you any more—I advise you to listen to this song carefully and learn the first couple of lines. Doesn't matter if you don't understand them, just learn them phonetically. When you arrive in Georgia and meet some actual Georgians (not the customs guards I hasten to add, who are as joyless there as everywhere) then just start singing the opening lines of this song. If you tried something like that with a stranger in the UK they'd consider you a nut job; in Georgia they will join in and love you like family. That's the best tip I can give you. That and don't even think about hiring a car. Just remember, it is pot-lebi not pot-belly, which always seems to find its way past my lips.

YouTube:

Here's a lovely performance by Katie in Tbilisi. I think it was filmed by a chimpanzee that nicked someone's camera but never mind, sounds great anyway. Kviteli Potlebi, Tbilisi 2009

Lyrics:

Kviteli Potlebi