“Going to California” with a Stradolin and Ovation mandolin

[Doug Brock]

After enjoying one of Don Julin’s performances of “Going to California,” I realized that I just didn’t know that song very well. YouTube of course has lots of versions, from Led Zeppelin performances, to performances by Robert Plant, and then lots of covers. And throughout, it was fun seeing what mandolin might be used (and IF a mandolin is used).

One of the Robert Plant videos showed a Stradolin and having read lots of Mandolin Cafe mentions of Stradolins I had to back up and get a closer look and listen. Then another Robert Plant video had an Ovation mandolin. Not as infamous as the Stradolin, but interesting anyway.

By the way, I recommend Don Julin’s video in which he demonstrates an arrangement for mandolin lead with octave mandolin rhythm. https://youtu.be/uUSm-SIbArI

Lovely tune!

[Lane Pryce]

Yeah that’s a great one. Sounds really cool with a good guitar too. Lp

[ccravens]

Here's a thread on this site with a good version:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ght=california


And:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ght=california

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ght=california

[Eric Platt]

This one is my favorite cover (David Rawlings Machine with John Paul Jones on mandolin) https://youtu.be/jYeq6XoOg8s

[Mando Mort]

Eric,
That David Rawlings Machine version is killer! Thank you for sharing. I have been working on recording a version with mandolin, acoustic guitar with the melody lines played on electric guitar.