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The Travelling Jewish Wedding

The Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
The Travelling Jewish Wedding

The Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra of America and California was an itinerant band of engineers, doctors, teachers, and musicians who played their music at weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, and other celebrations. Formed in 1976 by friends who shared a love of Yiddish, Russian, and Rom (Gypsy) music, the band was among the first of its kind to blossom in California. Violin, lute, balalaika (a triangular, stringed lute), contra-bass balalaika, bouzouki (a pear-shaped, long-necked lute), accordion, domra (another long-necked lute), and guitar accompany singers from Israel, Russia, and Mill Valley. Tracks include Russian and Ukrainian folk songs, an Israeli love song inspired by King Solomon's Song of Songs, a ritual circumcision song in Ladino (the language of the Spanish Jews), and a classic Yiddish riddle song ("Tumbalalaika") about the mysteries of the heart. The album was originally issued in 1980 and later reissued as part of “THE WORLD” series (now part of the Mickey Hart Collection made available by Smithsonian Folkways).

Visit mickeyhart.net for additional photos and videos from this album

Track Listing

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101
Kalinka Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 04:49
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102
Tumbalalaika Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 03:36
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103
Tov L'Hodot Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 05:27
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104
Hana'ava Babanot Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 02:58
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105
Joshua's Yiddishe Momme Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 03:44
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106
Oylupnuv Obrutch Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 01:52
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107
Cuando El Rey Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 02:34
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108
Hungarian Dance #5 Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 03:15
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109
Trepak Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 03:17
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110
Guitara Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 03:29
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111
Svetyet Myesats Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 03:46
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112
Monti's Czardas Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra 02:59