ქეთო ჯაფარიძე - გენაცვალე (1938)

Keto Japaridze - Genatsvale. Keto Japaridze is rightfully stands as something of a legend among Russian romance performers. She was first noticed in early 1920s by Zakaria Paliashvili. Then she went to Berlin for three years to study singing and upon returning back in early 30s, she took big Russian cities by storm. That said, she also recorded a few Georgian songs, two of which are presented on this 78 rpm disc, pressed by Experimental Phonographic Factory in Leningrad. This record was pressed on an unusual, “duplex“ format, which featured not one, but two songs per side. Two songs by Keto Japaridze occupy side A. Side B of the record features a female chonguri player ensemble featuring Elene Pachulia-Chubabria and directed by Akvsenti Megrelidze. The word “Genatsvale“ doesn’t have the exact English translation. Literally, it means “let me take your place [in suffering]“, but it is instead used as interjection as a sign of endearment. This is a cover of