Songs from 4 generations of fathers and sons span decades in content- aging, spirituality, family, environment, politics- and eclectic musical styles- folk, rock, ska, horns, fiddle, gospel, ballads and Scandinavian accordian.

15 MP3 Songs in this album (54:42) !
Related styles: Folk: Modern Folk, Rock: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Type: Lyrical

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Details:
I've been writing songs for about four decades but haven't produced a complete recording. It took my son Nick's interest and musical contacts in Berkeley-especially Charlie Wilson of Sonic Zen Records--and the help of numerous other folks--to make this album a reality. Nick produced, composed, arranged and is a featured musician. It is dedicated to my dad, Ivan, an accordion player and my first 'jamming' partner who passed in 1995, and his dad, Charles, a violinist who left behind his hand written copy of The Tamarack Swamp Polka. These songs span generations--in time, content, history and collaboration-and are all about real people. It is my hope that working with musicians of my son's generation has made them fresh and relevant. Thanks for listening. Charlie Broten

This project began as many as 30 years ago, before many of the musicians featured were born.  Most of the songs on the record I know by heart, and some of them I count amongst my favorite pieces of music.  I cannot thank more the friends and family who helped make this possible--all of the musicians who gave their time and creativity; neighbors who gave their space; and strangers who leant their support.  More than anyone, I would like to thank my mother, Barbara, who for nearly 20 years put up with barrels of noise from two oversized Brotens.  I hope these songs carry the heart that was poured into them, and that their message won't be lost.  Nick Broten

Tracks 1,2,9 & 13: Charlie Broten-- OM Acoustic Kennedy guitar, fiddle & vocals; Nick Broten-- tenor sax; Tom Hardin-- bass; Jesse Engel-- electric guitar; Yanik Jayaram-- drum kit; Amy Shen-- alto sax; Brighten Godfrey-- trumpet; Charlie Wilson-- trombone & backing vocals; Dan Connor-- electric guitar (on Powerline Blues) & backing vocals (on No Mo Mono)

Tracks 3,4 & 6: Charlie Broten-- OM guitar & vocals; Nick Broten-- acoustic bass & tenor sax; Mingo Lewis Sr.-- percussion & drums; Byrd Duckett and Botiwa Jackson-- vocals extraordinaire; Tal Ariel-- Hammond B-3 organ

Tracks 5 & 14: Ivan Broten-- Accordion; Charlie Broten-- fiddles & bass

Track 7: Charlie B- OM guitar/vocal/violin, Dan Connor-bass/elec guitar/vocals and Greg Smith-lead acoustic guitar AKA String Theory; Mingo Lewis, Sr-percussion/drumset; Stephanie Lowe-backing vocals.

Track 8: Charlie Broten-- vocals/OM guitar; Ryan Finch-- piano; Derik Olson-- bass & backing vocals; Jesse Engel-- electric guitar; Mattie MacGuillivray-- drums; Charlie Wilson-- backing vocals

Track 10: Fiddlin' Pete Watercott-- fiddle; Derik Olson-- acoustic guitar; Charlie Broten-- fiddle & bass

Track 11: Charlie Broten-- OM guitar, fiddle & vocals; Tal Ariel- Hammond B-3 organ

Track 12: Charlie Broten-- OM guitar & narration; Nick Broten-- tenor sax; Mingo Lewis Sr.-- drums

Track 15: Nick Broten-- electric and acoustic guitars & bass; Charlie Broten-- vocals & violins; Dan and Sharon Connor, Nathan Morrison, Andrea and Summer Winkler-- vocals

All songs written by Charlie Broten except The Ghost of Manzanar and Generation Song written by Charlie and Nick Broten, No Mo Mono (A Tribute to the Mono Lake Committee) written by Charlie Broten and Roy Hood, Tamarack Swamp Polka written by the first Charles Broten. Starbuck Polka, North Branch Schottische and Lake Fanny Waltz public domain or author unknown. Lyrics available on Website.

Produced and arranged by Nick Broten and Charlie Broten
Additional production work by Charlie Wilson
Mixed and mastered by Charlie Wilson at Sonic Zen Records in Berkeley, CA
All songs recorded at Sonic Zen Records in Berkeley, CA, September 2008; January and April 2009 except for
Who?Everybody, Generation Song, Tamarack Swamp Polka/Starbuck Polka medley: recorded at Off the Charts Studio, Bishop, CA Spring 2009 Additional production Dan Connor
Lake Fanny Waltz, North Branch Schottische: Home recording 1992