Fandango At Sonoma

A celebration of the ethnic music that was brought to California during the 1800's and early 1900's. A diverse ethnicity formed Old California's dance and music traditions, filling a social and cultural need of the European, Mexican, South & Central American, Hawaiian and Russian immigrants arriving at California's shores and borders. The selections are varied and rather eclectic, representing the tastes of the musicians and covering roughly a 100 year period of development of music in California. Played in a spontaneous style that one would have encountered in early California while attending a fandango, a wedding, a birthday, or simply an informal gathering of friends who would have enjoyed coming together on almost any occasion and playing the music from their varied ethnic backgrounds. With Sylverstre Bel Mondo Cane - diatonic accordion, vocals; Lee Birch - Violin, Tolaloche, Vocals; Barbara Brown - Ukulele, Percussion, Vocals; David Brown - Bass, Steel Guitar, Mandolin, Flute, Vocals; Deborah Fischbach - Mandolin, Jews Harp, Vocals; Brian Steeger - Violin, Vocals; Marianne Steeger - Guitar, Percussion, Vocals; plus guest appearances by Chris Caswell, harp and pennywhistle, and Melissa Fischbach, Rhythm & Vocals. Old folks love this CD.