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).

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Track Listing

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