California

There is no official California waltz but there is no lack of candidates. The earliest detectable California waltzes date to the gold rush days of the mid-19th century. The most recent was released in June of this year by a Brazilian jazz guitarist. Those and the ones in between will be reviewed in chronological order.

There are two California Waltzes from the gold rush days, both published in 1849 and available from the Notated Music collection in the Library of Congress.  One is by Eliza Fitz and the other by Royal Beal. Neither of these composers left a trace other than their California Waltz offerings. You can hear an example of a California Waltz from the gold rush days below.

The next version found was from 1921, Beautiful California Waltz, words by Raymond DeWitt and music by C.E. Storer.  This waltz was popular enough to be recorded by several piano roll companies and sheet music was issued. The piano roll issued by the Mastertouch Piano Roll company has been preserved and converted into a MIDI file by Terry Smythe.  You can hear it below.

In 1948 (?), western singer Eddie Dean and the Frontiersmen recorded a version of California Waltz by Dean, Hal Blair and Ethel Girvin on a 78 rpm record on the Crystal Label.  Crystal re-released the song at least once at a later date (1959?).  While hundred's of Eddie Dean tunes have been digitized and are available, California Waltz is apparently not among them.

The best known California waltz was written by Dorothy Stiles in 1951 and made famous by Tommy Duncan. You can hear it below and view lyrics and a score near the bottom of this page.

The story behind this waltz is apparently unknown.  I find no trace of other songs by Dorothy Stiles, only the references to her in copyright notices about the waltz.  Tommy Duncan, on the other hand, is well known as the primary vocalist for Bob Wills' famous Texas Playboys.  California Waltz was recorded after he left the Texas Playboys and first appeared on the B side of a 78 rpm record in 1951. It has since appeared on several reissues of his music, most recently the 1996 album Beneath a Neon Star in a Honk Tonk.

In ca. 1959, Jim Moore and the Golden Valley Boys released their California Waltz on the Fable Records label, Fable 705.  Fable records was owned by Sandy Stanton who also played guitar on the record.  Jim Moore has copyrights on some 1953 tunes, but I find no evidence that he wrote this one.

There is a "traditional" California Waltz recorded by Lynn "Chirps" Smith in 2003 on the Down in Little Egypt album. I believe Smith collected the tune in person and it is evidently not widely know in fiddle circles because I find no other references to it. A score is available here.

And, finally, there are two contemporary versions.  The first released in 2005 by Hans York on his
Inside Out album. Definitively modern, it takes the concept of a state waltz in a new direction.  The tune was composed by Evo Bluestein, a member of a famous California folk music family, and Hannsjoerg Scheid who also functions as art director for York's albums. York is joined by Elke Deipenbeck on the vocals. You can find the lyrics here and hear the waltz in the video below.

And finally, a laid back jazz version of California Waltz by Brazilian guitarist Guilherme Zanini and his band, Groove Solution which was released in June of this year.   Guitar great, Steve Vai, listening to the tune says it is "beautiful" and the "guitar sings very sweet." This is, perhaps an example of saving the best for last.

For those looking for a little music to play, here is a simplified score for California Waltz. as sung by Tommy Duncan, although not in the original key.

And, his lyrics:

California Waltz

The moon was shining on the sand and it seemed to understand
as we danced to the California waltz.
I held your lovely hand in mine and you won my heart the time
we danced to the California waltz.

The hills and moonlit sky told me our love would never die
and I'll always have you near me all through life.
So let me take your hand once more as we glide across the floor
and we'll dance to the California waltz.

The missing waltzes:

Sharon's Gate California Waltz - not a waltz.  It is in 4/4 time.  Probably irony, not stupidity.

Gary Yaeger's California Waltz - a nice Swiss waltz from the 1880's but as the notes with the video state, its real name is unknown.

There are no doubt other California Waltzes, if you know of one please let me know or leave a comment below.

Return to the Index.

To be added: Old California Waltz