Lesser known folk groups

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Ely
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:44 PM

DonMeixner, My apologies on Carolyn Hester. The stuff I've seen of hers [my experience only] is early-mid '60's and, generally, it's not that great; her voice control wasn't very good. I'll keep looking.

Ely

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Big Red
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 12:18 AM

When I started this thread, I was hoping to get an idea of how much more I have to look forward to. Apparenty a lot. While I do have some of those mentioned, I have a long way to go. Not mentioned by part of my collection are; Heightsmen, Yachtsmen, Les Baxters Balladeers, Minstrels Three, Brothers Dooley, Mike St. Shaw Trio, Kinsmen (with Bud Dasdiell), Westside Four, Sundowners, Tradewinds, Westside Trio, Tripjacks, Wanderin Five, Appalachians and 3 from Montana. Some I like, some I don't. But its always fun to find a new one. Thanks to all you good folks out there that helped me on this.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 12:24 AM

I have one "Sundowners" album. Do you want a cassette? If you do, "message" me your snail mail address. Sorcha

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 11:19 AM

Art! just seen your supergroup pun.I know you're the Prince of Punsters but it was a classic. LMFAO!
RtS (green with jealousy, can't steal it, my name wouldn't fit!)

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 01:19 AM

And Art didn't even mention his favorite group: The New Crusty Nostrils! Or did he?

Sandy

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: TheOldMole
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:37 AM

Carolyn Hester's debut album is also known for being the first record Bob Dylan ever played on.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 02:04 AM

My GOD! If I ever had any doubts that I'm a total FOLK NURD, they were dispelled by this thread. With the exception of a couple of groups, I'm familiar with EVERY band named! Jeez Fielding, get a life!

A few more however: "The Gangreen Boys".

"The Crabgrass Ramblers".

"The Incredible Steam Driven Chicken".

"The Harvesters".

"The GinMill Syncopators".

Yup, I was in 'em all.

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,jhenderson
Date: 16 Mar 00 - 08:40 AM

I'd like to turn this old thread into a query about the Briarwood Singers.

I've been asked by someone who remembers her parents' record album from the early 1960s by the Briarwood Singers. She'd like to find information about this group - who the members were, what records they put out, where are they now, that kind of stuff. She wondered where to look, and I immediately thought of you guys.

Can any of you help?

Thanks, John

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Fortunato
Date: 16 Mar 00 - 08:56 AM

Rick, let me tell you about a twelve-step program for recovering folkaholics.

I, at least, only recognized 75% of them.

Nice trip down memory lane. Thanks, kids.

Fortunato

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,David Walker
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 12:22 AM

The Modern Folk Quartet is neat group with close harmonies in a kinda Jass tradition. They are great and I am in search for some of their lesser known albums. Such as Moonlight Seronade, Mozart, Bamboo Saloon and Highway Seventy. Just call me desperate I can't get enough of them.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,David Walker
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 12:42 AM

The Modern Folk Quartet is neat group with close harmonies in a kinda Jass tradition. They are great and I am in search for some of their lesser known albums. Such as Moonlight Seronade, Mozart, Bamboo Saloon and Highway Seventy. Just call me desperate I can't get enough of them.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 02:01 AM

Topcat asked about Stan Hugill. He passed away in '91 or '92. He was "discovered" late in life, and was recorded solo and with a shanty group called "Stormalong John." A member of that group was Irish singer Shay Black, of Black Family fame, who now tours with family members and hosts an Irish session at Berkeley California's Starry Plough pub.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Hollowfox
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 02:47 PM

Bottle Hill and Frummox

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Jacob B
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 03:58 PM

I have a recording by Art and Paul. That's Art Podell and Paul Potash. The liner notes say that they met when they were both working as waiters at Camp Ramah. I believe that one of them was later a member of the New Christy Minstrels. I like their version of "Moonshiner".

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Big Red
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 08:04 PM

Was suprised that the first and only thread I started was revised, if ever so briefly. Although not on my list of favorites, the MFQ are well worth a listen. I only have one of their albums and that is titled MFQ. May be their first. If you have any intrest in it get me your e-mail and we can make some arrangement. Always willing to share. This thread was worth it to me because I found out my collection has a long way to go. Next time I will ask for better ways to expand it.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: bigchuck
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 08:44 PM

One of my favorite duos from that era, that I don't think anyone's mentioned yet, were Bob Gibson and Bob Camp.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 03:14 AM

Bigchuck -

Would that be Hamilton Camp?

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 02:26 PM

And this just in -
My taste has always run toward the funny and the country. And when you're talking funny and folk, don't overlook the old recordings by the Smothers Brothers. They were good and funny. And if you're talking good and funny and country, check out Homer and Jethro. They have a live album (Live at the Country Club) that is terrific.

Also, there are some forgotten gems by quote-un-quote Country artists like Roger Miller, Glenn Campbell, Johnny Sea and the one-and-only Johnny Cash that have some classic acoustic/folk music on them. There is also a recording by Tompall Glaser and the Glaser Brothers that has some great harmonies and interesting songs. It kind of falls under the heading of alt-country roots.`

Chanteyranger - That would, iindeed, be Hamilton Camp. He was Bob Camp and then Hamid Hamilton Camp. A singer, actor, writer; a man of many hats and names.

Subject: Correction
From: Philj200
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 04:09 PM

Erik Darling (who I knew slightly) never played with the Tarriers. That was the very different Eric Weisberg, who still is working in the mileu.

Alan Arkin wasn't a fplkie. But his cousin Steve Arkin was a formidable banjp picker who played with Bill Monroe for a season or two.

The Holy Modal Rounders are still around and working the college circuit along with their alter egos, the Fugs (of whom I played with for one season a jillion years ago.) Some of the Rounders are also part time Fugs, depending on who gets the gig.

An truely beautiful group from Canada who opened for Ian and Sylvia (after they got too big to open for Phil Ochs) was Jim and Jean. Their version of Grand Hotel still haunts me. Anyone know all the words?

Subject: Addendum and apology
From: Philj200
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 04:15 PM

Addendum: Erik Darling (after the Weavers and during his solo and sideman career) was in a one-thick pony called the Rooftop Singers. Their one major song was a cover of Gus Cannon's 1920ish "Walk Right In."

Apology: For my wretched spelling.

Subject: RE: Correction
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 05:21 PM

Sorry Philj200, but your "correction" is incorrect.

Erik Darling was indeed a member of the Tarriers. So was Alan Arkin.

Jim & Jean were not Canadian. Jim Glover (the "Jim" of Jim & Jean) was a college friend of Phil Ochs'.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: John Hindsill
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 11:25 PM

I find this to be a most interesting thread. From here it looks like who was a 'lesser known group' depends on where you were when they were active. For instance, here in SoCal I would not have considered the Dillards, Tarriers, Gateway Singers, Bud & Travis or Chad Mitchell Trio, among others, as lesser.

In various incarnations the Gateway Singers had Lou Gottlieb and Travis Edmunson, who went on to other groups. And Travis' partner Bud formed Bud Dashiell and the Kinsmen after B & T split up. The Whiskeyhill Singers (mentioned early on) was formed by Dave Guard after he left the Kingstons, and had as the obligatory girl member, Judy Henske.

The New Christy Minstrels was originally made of of lesser known acts -Art Podell, mentioned above somewhere, and BARRY McGuire & BARRY Kane come to mind.

Of all the groups previously cited, my personal favorite was (were?) the Travelers 3. My favorite of all (and not previously mentioned)was Terrea Lea, who operated the Garret Coffee House in West Hollywood, just her voice, an acoustic guitar and the expresso machine; that was folk music!

John Hindsill

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Mini Me
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 12:50 PM

Dear Guest, Don Williams, the great country singer/songwriter ( Amanda ) and other great hits was an original member of the Poso Seco Singers.

Mike Strobel

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 Jul 00 - 01:12 PM

Sandy,

Yes, The New Crusty Nostrils were fair to middlin' group. Virtuoso nose flute players----er, pickers.

Nose flute wa snot what it seemed to be.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Bill Warren
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:21 PM

Alan Arkin was definitely a folkie; in addition to The Tarriers, he did indeed perform with the Babysitters. (And he was also writing for science fiction magazines at the time.)

There was a notably lousy group called The Coachmen who did a fairly funny parody combining "Tom Dooley" and "MTA." And there were, and are, the 3Ds; their first album, now available on CD, was well-known poems (The Bells, Annabelle Lee, Richard Cory) set to folk melodies.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: curmudgeon
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 05:16 PM

And Arkin did provide recorder accompaniment to Ed McCurdy on some of the "Dalliance" numbers.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:26 PM

I don't know about Mike Settle, but The Homesteaders definitely included Judy Collins, Ronnie Gilbert and Frank Hamilton. The Riverside session engineer has posted his recollections on the web, which I read years ago.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: jaze
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 07:40 PM

Cathy and Carol.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Bud
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:02 PM

The Cumberland Trio (not to be confused with The Cumberland Three) was a fine folk group formed at the University of Tennessee. I think they released a CD recently that was recorded 40 years ago, but had never been released before.
The Cumberland Three was mentioned earlier, but only named John Stewart(who quit the CT to join the Kingston Trio and went on to have a solo career), also had John (Monty) Montgomery, and Gil Robbins as members. Gil Robbins joined the Highwaymen after leaving the Cumberland Three. Gil is also father of Tim Robbins the movie star. Mike Settle also was a member of the Cumberland Three for a very short time. I think Mike Settle recorded one song with The Cumberland Three.
Bud

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Bob N.
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:36 PM

What years was Judy Collins with The Homesteaders? When I read her biography, I don't remember reading about this group. I thought her focus was on her solo career only. Great thread btw....

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Mark Ross
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 12:45 PM

Does anyone remember THE UPPER KNOBLICK 10,000?

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 01:01 PM

The Modern Folk Quartet out of Hollywood.

The Men became the Association after surgery.

On Homesteaders album, I think there was a cut with Judy Collins and Ronnie Gilbert singing together.

Hedge and Donna out of Hollywood.

Off subject but I love the Foremen.

The Villagers were short lived in New York. Erik Darling and Ethel Raim were in a group with that name. Pre-dated folk boom.

Songswappers appeared on a Folkways album. Pete Seeger and Mary Travis in that group did African rounds. Pre-dated folk boom.

Almanacs and the Priority Ramblers pre-dated the folk boom.

Did anyone mention New Lost City Ramblers?

Loved a short lived group in Massachussetts called County Down. (Three talented women).

Joyce James:   Womenfolk.

Mebbe think of more.

Frank

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 10:39 PM

Mentioned only once above, and perhaps lost in shuffle: Joe and Eddie.

I saw these two guys a year or so ago on the old-movie channel (TCM) in an exploitation B-movie caled "Hootenanny Hoot," along with the Brothers Four (not "lesser-known," they were headliners of this film, and not mentioned in this thread), Judy Henske, Johnny Cash, Shep Wooley (who wrote and sang the title song) and a few others.

Joe and Eddie were by far the highlight of the film, for me her and now in the 21st century. Maybe they were ahead of their time ~ very energetic rocking gospel singing with soaring harmonies and minimal accompaniment (just handclaps, and maybe an offscreen intrument or two; J&E didn't play instruments at all.)

Their big number in the film was "There's a Meeting Here Tonight," which I remember from "back in the day," but probably from someone else's rendition. (It was a hit for The Limelighters, who have been mentioned in this thread.)

I did a little internet reasearch and learned that Joe and Eddie recorded a fair number of albums, maybe about a half dozen. A "Best Of" 2-CD set is currently available on CD. Their career was cut short when one of them died young. Couldn't find a cause of death, just a few posted messages wondering how it happened.

Definitely worth a listen for anyone inclined to look 'em up.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 11:33 PM

PoppaGator. Car crash.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 11:20 PM

Pennywhistlers (Ethel Raim & others).

[Joe & Eddie made 8 LPs, not counting 2 compilations]

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 11:32 PM

Pozo Seco Singers, with Don Williams... How'd this group get missed?

Bobert

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Cool Beans
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 12:11 PM

I remember the Knob Lick Upper 10,000. They did nice versions of "Two Little Boys," "Rocky Mountain Water" and "Jimmie Brown the Newsboy."

There was a Joe and Eddie thread on Mudcat a few months ago, for anyone interested.

Roger Sprung was one of the Shantyboys.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 02:54 PM

The "Knoblick Upper-10 Thousand" were Eric Jacobson (once a force behind/manager of? the Lovin' Spoonfull), Pete Childs (dobro) and Dwayne Storey---sometimes Stu Ramsay (now Darsono Ramsay).

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 03:24 PM

THE FRETS were the house band at the Gate Of Horn folk club in Chicago for their Hootenannys on Sunday afternoons in 1959. That group consisted of John Carbo (banjo), Louis McDonald (conga drum) and Jim Roger McGuinn (guitar). They never made a record. We tossed a concert at the University Of Illinois-Chicago (Navy Pier campus)in Dec. of 59 or early 1960 with Frank Hamilton doing a solo show---and he brought THE FRETS with him as an opening act. Frank and Pete Seeger had just recorded their duo album called NONESUCH on Folkways Records and Frank did an instrumental solo guitar version of the Russian song "MEADOWLANDS" that night for which superlative would be a much too mild word with which to describe it. Always thought Frank's solo version was way better than the duet record. I taped that concert that night after hauling my 50 pound Webcor reel-to-reel tape recorder all the way out into Lake Michigan at the end of Navy Pier. And it was more than worth it! I've still got parts of Frank Hamilton's show that he did 46 years ago. His "Railroad Blues" ("I'm gonna sit right here and look a million miles away...") -- done with harmonica the way Woody Guthrie taught him to play it---was also a highpoint of that concert. Right away I learned "MEADOWLANDS" from that tape. Then I worked out "Stars And Stripes Forever" and just one or two instrumentsl verses of the Christmas song, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". I played that as a protest instrumental medley all through the Cold War and the Viet Nam era.

Frank, thank you!!!

Art

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: PoppaGator
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 05:27 PM

Seamus ~ thanks for the car-crash info. I think I *did* read that somewhere. I forgot which one was killed, Joe or Eddie; in any event, the surviving member of the duo did not, apparently, continue with a solo career.

By the way ~ I drove past O'Flaherty's Pub on Toulouse Street last night, and they have just put up a HUGE poster advertising a coming event featuring . . . The Kingston Trio!

Tickets are $50 bucks a pop, so I won't be in attendance. I'd be mildly curious to see who's still part of the Trio and to hear how they sound these days, but not at a C-note for two seats. In any event, I had no idea this old group was back at work; maybe they're on tour, and maybe those of you who love 'em more than I do (i.e., those who have a hundred bucks worth of love for them) will have a chance to see them in your respective home towns.

A much smaller flyer posted on the same wall touts an upcoming appearance at the same venue by Mudcatter Jed Marum. I'm pretty sure I will go see Jed; his admission price is much more within my reach. (On his last visit to town, Jed's gig at O'F's was no-cover ~ great for me, not so wonderful for Jed. I do promise to make an appropriate donation to the tip jar.)

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: sixtieschick
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 04:46 AM

The Gateway Singers also included Barbara Dane. They were associated with the Communist Party in the USA, according to Lou Gottlieb's daughter.

Jim and Jean's cover of Phil Ochs's "Crucifixion" was a staple on KMPX, the early San Francisco free-form radio station.

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 06:19 AM

I find it fascinating that nearly all the 'lesser known ' groups are American ! I cant decide wether this is because EVERY club in UK in the good old days had its resident group , who did local bookings and had home produced albums and cassettes or because we think our groups were NOT 'lesser knowns' !!
I have been involved in a number of assorted groups myself , which are all seriously lesser known despite working all over UK !

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 10:26 AM

Sixtieschick,

"The Gateway Singers also included Barbara Dane. They were associated with the Communist Party in the USA, according to Lou Gottlieb's daughter.
,
Almost every folksinger in the forties, fifties and early sixties were somehow associated with the CPUSA either as members or someone who knew members. That's why folk music was reviled by McCarthy and the HUAC. Some were barely tolerant and didn't become virulent anti until later.

Art, thank you for the nice comments about me. I really enjoy your recordings and contribution to folk music.

Frank

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,renoquest
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 11:13 PM

If anyone can help me find music by Art & Paul (Podell & Potash, not Simon & Garfunkle) I would greatly appreciate it.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 02:25 AM

RE Stan Hugill
Sadly missed maritime singer. He made a couple of great albums for the Dingles label.

LL

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Chris Kelly
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 05:30 AM

I checked out the Gateway Singers official website at www.starbeams.com, and in addition to learning that their albums are now available on CD, saw that Barbara Dane only was a potential member of the group. Their female singer was the contralto Elmerlee Thomas who was part of the original ensemble including Lou Gottlieb, Jerry Walter and Jim Wood (who was succeeded by Travis Edmonson when they started to record).

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 09:05 PM

I remember a group called the Briarwood Singers in the Miami area in the early 60's. They played at the lounge at the Crossways Airport Inn near the Miami airport. They were absolutely great. The lead singer was a really nice girl named Dorinda Duncan and I think there were 5 of them. They made one album for sure and maybe two. I had the first album and wore it out. What a great group. Good harmony, original lyrics and fabulous musicians. I went to see them almost every nite they were there. I understand their album can still be purchased as a used record on the net.

By the way 10 years later I named my daughter Dorinda.

This bought back some nice memories!

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: rich-joy
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 04:29 AM

Does anyone have ANY info on :

Chris Couveau (possibly of Williamsport, Pa.)

PLEASE?! (I don't even know if this Chris is male or female!!)

Listed in "The Coffee House Songbook" (Oak Pubs, 1966) as singing Oscar Wilde's "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" ...


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 02:12 PM

See What I Mean ? Still only American Groups - ( Stan Hugill for all hie greatness was NOT a group!)

Subject: RE: Help: Lesser known folk groups
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 02:12 PM

And By the way - 100 !!