This attractively illustrated one hundred twenty-five page companion to California Songs - Volume One - Nineteenth Century and California Songs - Volume Two - Twentieth Century includes eighty selections with words, music and chord symbols, plus historical commentary, background information on the songs and a bibliography.
Part One: Indian, Spanish and Mexican California
Spain explores California and establishes missions. Indians
at the missions chant the mass to European traditional and
popular music. Mexico gains independence from Spain and
creates a distinctive California culture. Americans arrive,
clash with Mexicans, and establish the short-lived Bear Flag
Republic. The United States declares war against Mexico.
Part Two: The Gold Rush
Mexico cedes California to the United States. The gold
discovery brings people from many countries. American
citizens cross the plains, sail around the Horn and cross the Isthmus. Immigrants arrive from China, and are barred from the mines. African-Americans come to the mines, some leave California for British Columbia. Steamboats fill the rivers. The Port of San Francisco becomes notorious for shanghaiing sailors. The Indian population shrinks.
Part Three: Railroaders, Boom and Bust
The Union Pacific, with the help of thousands of Chinese
railroad workers, completes the transcontinental railroad.
The Southern Pacific monopolizes rail traffic to and from
California. Farmers rebel against high-handed railroad
tactics. After ten years of depression, the boom begins again.
Part Four: Farmers and Ranchers
As California enters the twentieth century, its wine and citrus industries are flourishing. Basques from the Pyrenees
raise sheep. Cattle ranchers and cowboys sing songs from Mexican California and from the southern Appalachian mountains.
Part Five: Temperance and Suffrage, Cars and Movie Stars
Women organize against heavy drinking, sing militant songs. Women campaign for the right to vote. Californians sing of their love for (and frustrations with) automobiles. The movie industry moves to California, evolving from silent movies to spectacular films.
Part Six: Immigrants and Dust Bowl Refugees
Immigrants arrive from Italy, Portugal, Armenia and India to work on California's farms. The I.W.W. organizes farm workers. Japanese immigrants buy land and compete with established farmers. The Mexican Revolution sends thousands of refugees to California. Mexican farm workers organize unions, are deported, and replaced with workers from the Philippines. Dust storms on the great plains displace thousands, bringing more job seekers to California. Poverty is rampant.
Part Seven: World War Two, Songs of the Cities
World War Two absorbs men into the armed services. Women manufacture bombs, tanks, ships and airplanes. Japanese-Americans are interned in concentration camps, and many volunteer for military duty in Europe. The United States and Mexico create the Bracero program. Californians write and sing songs which reflect pride (and sometimes dismay), about their cities.
Husband and wife team Keith and Rusty McNeil have been
interpreting American history through folksong for the past 30
years. They have traveled throughout the United States and Canada,
researching and performing songs about America's social history and
popular culture. They have taught courses on history through folksong
at universities, state colleges and community colleges.
Their publications include Colonial & Revolution and Civil War
Songbooks, both with historical commentary. Their recordings include
American History Through Folksong - six volumes (15 CDs) of recorded
songs and narration; and California History Through Folksong - two
volumes (4 CDs).
In addition to their research and concert appearances, they conduct
traditional music tours and workshops in Britain, Ireland, France,
Spain, Japan and Zimbabwe.
When not traveling, the McNeils reside in Riverside, California.
