need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)

Subject: Clarence Cooper
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 09:04 PM

Can someone provide background information about CLARENCE COOPER,
and current whereabouts?
He recorded 1 LP for ELEKTRA in 1955 ("Goin' Down the Road" EKL 27),
and performed and recorded as part of the TARRIERS (c.1957-59).
I've seen a listing of an EP issued in France, performed by Clarence Cooper, but have no information that it is the same person.
He possibly was part of a group which included Jean Ritchie, Eric Weissberg, and Judy Collins which recorded an album at the Limelight c.1963, issued on a 99-cent label, giving no information about the performers (identified as THE WANDERING FIVE with THE APPALACHIANS & FRIENDS).
IMDB lists a Clarence Cooper who appeared in a 1948 film "The Quiet One", again no information to indicate or rule out it being the same person.
Thanks for any information or leads you can provide.
Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 11:32 AM

Partly answering my own questions -
I've been able to locate a copy of EKL 27, which contains
some information, viz:
"Coop was born in Washington, North Carolina, in 1921. He is the youngest of eleven children. At sixteen he moved to Boston where he entered high school. At twenty he enrolled as a sociology major and a music minor at Hampton Institute. Coop became a counselor at the Wiltwyck School, a New York State institution which is famous for the splendid care it gives emotionally disturbed children. He found that the children responded extremely well to folksongs and consequently he became even more engrossed in searching out and performing new material, often learning different versions of songs already familiar to him from the youngsters in his care. It was while at Wiltwyck that Coop was given the important role of the sympathetic counselor in the widely acclaimed documentary film THE QUIET ONE.
Coop left Wiltwyck in 1950 and has since performed widely in person and on radio. This is his first record for ELEKTRA."
Sadly, this confirms the screen credit mentioned in my original note - IMDB stating that he died 6 December 1974.
Additional information: he performed at NEWPORT in the late 1960's
(1967 or 1968?). A note (on Mudcat) listing the contents of the
Newport Folk Festival Songbook states "Water is Wide, Clarence Cooper".
Concerning the LIMELIGHT record: I've just listened to it again,
and now having heard the Elektra album think that he does NOT perform on that album. Any other opinions?
Anyone having TARRIERS albums please let me know what he performs, which albums. Nice baritone voice....
Also, did anyone know him in those heady NY 1950-1960's folk days - perhaps you could provide recollections.
Thanks!
Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 07:56 PM

Thomas- Yes he does perform on that album (Hoot at the Limelight). I was on it also, doing among other things, a duet with Judy Collins, "The Little Turtle Dove." That's the one beginning, "Fare thee well my dear, I must be gone..." Gooper was there, and I think Eric Weisburg. The album was being done as a "Dime Store Record," to be sold for 99 cents. We all were allowed by our regular recording companies to be on this album if our names were not given. It was hard times- even Judy had to worry about paying her rent! We were all paid union scale for the session. Which was fine, as I don't think the album nor its companion, "Come On In, We're Pickin and Singin," ever sold much! But we had a good time getting together and making the music.

One other clue. We have a photo which George did at the first or second Newport Festival (while we were still doing it in the Newport tennis courts). It's a group of us trustees sitting together, Theo Bikel, Clarence Cooper, Pete Seeger and I (Jean R). An informal meeting as I recall. So- it could have been 1959, or one in the early sixties? If interested, the photo is number 5 from the bottom of the group shown as, "George Pickow's Gallery of Performers," on the website, www.jeanritchie.com Good Old Days!

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Roberto
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 02:06 PM

I only know a track by him, a recording of Erie Canal (the one with "fifteen years on the Erie Canal"), that I had on an Elektra anthology of Folk Music. I've put it on CD. If you are interested, let me know and I'll send it to you. R

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 10:21 AM

Roberto,
Thanks, but I have that on the 10" Elektra album.
FYI The 1955 album EKL 27 contains the following tracks:
A1 ST.JAMES INFIRMARY
A2 WATERBOY
A3 ERIE CANAL
A4 MOTHERLESS CHILD
B1 OLD KENTUCKY
B2 CARELESS LOVE
B3 GO WHERE I SNED YOU
B4 DARLIN'
B5 GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD FEELING BAD
Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 01:28 PM

Hello kytrad /Jean,
I've PM'd you with a bunch of questions. Thanks for the input.
Folks should checkout the photos on Jean's site - some wonderful people captured there.
There is a NY Times article from July 27, 1963 listing the following as musician who "conceived and run" the 1963 Newport Folk Festival:
Theodore Bikel, Bill Clifton, Clarence Cooper, Erik Darling,
Jean Ritchie, Pete Seeger and Peter Yarrow.
So the photo possibly dates from 1963, unless "Coop" was involved with the earlier festivals.
Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 05:10 PM

Jean, thank you, thank you! I have a copy of "Come on in..." and I never knew who the performers were until now. Did you sing the lead on "Dear Companion"? I think that's the finest performance I've ever heard of that song.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: IvanB
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 05:12 PM

Sorry, last post was mine, sans cookie.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST,Dave Samuelson
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 09:14 AM

An active participant in the Village folk scene, Clarence Cooper worked as a sales rep for a wine wholesaler during the day. He apparently began (if not completed) a second album for Elektra, backed by jazzmen Herbie Mann and Joe Puma, among others. Only one track, 'Erie Canal,' later surfaced on an Elektra sampler.

Bob Carey and Erik Darling recruited him into the Tarriers upon Alan Arkin's departure in early 1958. Just as Arkin's breezy jazz approach dominated the first incarnation of the trio, Cooper's arrival brought an uncompromising gospel intensity to the Tarriers' sound. Cooper's first album with the Tarriers was 'Hard Travelin'' in 1959. Released on United Artists, it's worth seeking out.

The Tarriers was primarily a New York club act, working whenever Darling was not on the road with the Weavers. When scheduling conflicts forced Darling's departure in December 1959, Eric Weissberg joined Carey and Cooper. With this new line-up, the Tarriers recorded 'Tell the World About This' for Atlantic -- arguably its best album. Folk Era reissued this set about three or four years ago; it's the only Cooper recording available on compact disc. Because the trio failed to deliver a 'break-out' single, Atlantic dropped the Tarriers from its roster after that one album. Unissued Tarriers performances on Atlantic -- including some Cooper showcases -- were lost in an NYC warehouse fire in the late seventies.

Manager Jack Rollins brokered a Decca contract for the Tarriers. They recorded two albums for the label along with a few stray non-LP singles. They also backed Oscar Brand on his only Decca LP. Because Carey became a problematic 'no-show,' Weissberg drafted his old college roommate Marshall Brickman into the band to play bass and provide stage patter. The Tarriers made one live album as a quartet. When Carey was fired in summer 1963, he was not replaced. Though brilliant, innovative musicians and arrangers, neither Weissberg nor Brickman were outstanding vocalists; Cooper became the trio's dominant voice. After making its final album for Decca, the Tarriers temporarily disbanded in April 1964. Brickman joined John and Michelle Phillips' 'The New Journeymen'; Weissberg served a six-month National Guard stint; and Cooper had surgery to repair a congenital heart condition. The trio reorganized in September with Al Dana replacing Brickman. After a summer 1965 European tour, the Tarriers disbanded. Weissberg and Dana became studio musicians; Cooper moved to Los Angeles and became a social worker. His lifelong heart condition contributed to his premature death.

Everyone who knew 'Coop' loved him as both an artist and for his warm, friendly personality. He deserves to be better known.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST,Dave Samuelson
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 09:17 AM

Clarence Cooper's stray Elektra track is '900 Miles' -- not 'Erie Canal.'

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Roberto
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 12:09 PM

I have two sampler LP by Elektra, one with Erie Canal by Cooper (and Ed McCurdy with Robin Hood and the Pedlar, etc), the other with 900 Miles by Cooper. R

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST,Dave Samuelson
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:45 PM

That's the same version of 'Erie Canal' appearing on Cooper's 10" Elektra LP.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 04:30 PM

Hi Dave,
Thank you for this information.
Do you know anything about his death (very young 50's)?
I have not been able to locate an obit for him in the NY Times - surprising due to his participation in running the Newport Folk Festival, and performing with the Tarriers.
Perhaps someone can find the obit (might have missed it), or some other source (such as Sing Out or other folk publication)???
In searching the NY Times (1969)I did find an article listing a Clarence Cooper as co-screenwriter on a film about LEADBELLY, indicating it would star James Earl Jones. The film released does not list Cooper in the credits, and the lead was taken by Roger Mosley.
Is this the same person?
Best wishes, Thomas.

The two samplers are:
   Elektra SMP 2 Folk Sampler (1956) (ERIE CANAL)
   Elektra SMP 3 Folk Pops 'n Jazz Sampler (1957)(NINE HUNDRED MILES)

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 08:36 PM

IvanB- and all, I've just come back from a jaunt, and found your note. Yes, that was myself singing, "My Dear Companion," my modern variant of the older song I've always known. After awhile the recording came to Alice Gerrard Seeger's attention; she and Mike recorded it in a more compact version; Flatt & Scruggs recorded it with one of the wives claiming writers' credit,and when I complained, they offered to "co-author" it with me! Finally it got onto the "Trio" album and was made nationally known by the lovely arrangement and performance by Parton/Ronstadt/Harris. I still sing it, though..... Many thanks for your kind words.   JR

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST,Dave Samuelson
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 10:41 AM

I never found a printed obit on Clarence Cooper. The LA Times abandoned listing death notices by that time, leaving them to appear in suburban or neighborhood papers. Nor did anything appear in the New York press. As with his fellow Tarrier Bob Carey, Cooper's remarkable life, talent and accomplishments literally slipped through the cracks.

Cooper's cardiac problems paralleled Bobby Darin's. Unfortunately, I don't have an official certificate that verifies heart failure as the cause of his premature death.

Cooper's involvement with an early version of the 'Lead Belly' film is news to me, but he was certainly capable of creating a screenplay about the legendary songster's life.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 01:52 PM

I've just obtained an ELEKTRA 45rpm single:

ELEKTRA EKSN 45-1
(H8 0W3304-1A) SIMILAU(Clar-Coleman)          Charlie Music 2:15
(H8 oW3305-1A) LADIES AT THE MARKET (Cooper) Elektra Music 1:42
CLARENCE COOPER
with Pennywhistle, Bongo, Guitar and Bass Accompaniment

hope to be able to listen to this in the next few days.
I assume these tracks are from the unreleased album.

ARE THERE ANY OTHERS ?????

Thanks, Thomas.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST,Dave Samuelson
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:53 AM

This is a truly remarkable find. Frankly, I now suspect that stray '900 Miles' stemmed from a three-song 'singles' session and was not part of an unreleased album. The matrix numbers look like those Columbia assigned to custom pressings. I don't think Elektra assigned ever assigned internal master numbers to its recordings.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 20 Aug 10 - 08:53 PM

The 1948 film "THE QUIET ONE"
is on youtube: The Quiet One (1948) Clarence Cooper


Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST,Al Dana (Arioli)
Date: 21 Nov 13 - 06:53 PM

Thanks for this accurate history. Clarence, Eric and I toured Russia and Poland with Judy Collins in the summer of 1965. We were the last incarnation of The Tarriers. Their live album from the Bitter End, with Eric, Marshall, Clarence and Bob Carey is right at the top of what was called commercial folk. A great album. Al

Subject: RE: need info: Clarence Cooper (Tarriers member)
From: GUEST,dave wood
Date: 02 Dec 20 - 09:57 PM

I remember Clarence very well, having attended many concerts in Denver by the Tarriers, when they were still a trio, from '59 to '61.At a party I attended in '61, he sang a beautiful version of 'The Water is Wide', accompanied by Eric Weissberg. The Tarriers were the guests of honor at this party in Boulder, and Clarence's singing was well received, as well as Eric's guitar work. Clarence was also invited to a music party in a canyon home at 7000', above Boulder, but was unable to attend, ostensibly because at age 40 he had a heart condition that prevented him from performing at altitude. I still recall his marvelous voice.
Dave Wood
retired teacher, Boulder, Colorado