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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
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
04:49
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102
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
03:36
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103
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
05:27
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104
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
02:58
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105
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
03:44
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106
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
01:52
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107
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
02:34
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108
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
03:15
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109
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
03:17
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110
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
03:29
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111
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
03:46
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112
Golden Gate Gypsy Orchestra
02:59