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Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen

29 Jul 10 - 02:48 PM (#2954635)
Subject: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: john~k

I thought there might be a few "folkies" here on Mudcat who would enjoy hearing this clip.

On Saturday nights in 1964 humorist, writer, and story teller Jean Shepherd would host a live show at the Limelight in Greenwich Village. My brother, Andy, who was a fan, recorded and archived many of these shows. Andy passed away several years ago and I've been working to transcribe and restore his archived material.

In early 1964 Shepherd introduced a folk trio known as "The Tarriers." They were Eric Weissberg, Marshall Brickman, and Clarence Cooper.

Eric Weissberg would go on to fame writing and performing "Duelling Banjos" for the movie "Deliverance." Today he's considered one of the best 5-string banjo players around and is still performing.

Marshall Brickman left to join "The New Journeymen" with John and Michelle Phillips. He went on to write comedy for Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett. He would later meet Woody Allen and collaborate on Sleeper, Manhattan, and Annie Hall, winning a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for Annie Hall.

Clarence Cooper was an African-American who replaced Alan Arkin who left to pursue a stage and screen acting career. Cooper sings lead on this Tom Paxton composition of "Ramblin' Boy." This trio disbanded just 2 months later, so this may be the only known recording. Cooper died in 1974.

There's a Mudcat thread from a couple years back asking about Clarence Cooper.
View Thread

Shep mistakingly introduces the group as "Erik Darling and The Tarriers." Darling was a founding member but had left to form the "Rooftop Singers." If you listen carefully you can hear Weissberg correcting Shep about the name.

Shepherd_Limelight_Tarriers.mp3 - 7.5 MB
Download Clip

John


29 Jul 10 - 03:35 PM (#2954664)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Deckman

John ... I very much appreciate all the efforts that went into preserving and archiving and presenting this recording. As an archivist, I am very interested to see if anyone involved raised any complaints, or objections, about your releasing this recording. Thanks ... Bob(deckman)Nelson


29 Jul 10 - 03:45 PM (#2954671)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Cool Beans

Thanks for posting that, John. I used to listen to Jean Shepherd's show back then. I never knew the Tarriers were still going in the '60s. The original group had a radio hit with "The Banana Boat Song" in the '50s. Jean Shepherd is probably best known as the writer and narrator of the movie "A Christmas Story," about little Ralphie and his desire for a BB gun.


30 Jul 10 - 04:02 PM (#2955339)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Deckman

refresh please.


05 Aug 10 - 10:29 AM (#2958772)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: john~k

Thanks guys. Looks like there's not much Tarriers interest.

Deckman,
Recordings of Shepherd's WOR radio shows have been around for many years. In fact there are hundreds on archive.org available for free download. Sound quality is not so good but they are free. Neither Shepherd nor WOR ever asserted any copyright over these shows. They're considered to be in the public domain.

Cool Beans:
Yes, Shep's movie "A Christmas Story" has become a holiday favorite. Did you spot his cameo in the scene where little Ralphie cuts in front of the store Santa line? The guy who tells Ralphie he must wait in the back is Shep. The woman standing next to him is actually his wife, Leigh Brown, who helped write the screenplay.


05 Aug 10 - 10:41 AM (#2958779)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Bill D

I had almost forgotten the name... in the late 1960s, I knew a guy who ran a pipe & cigar store in Wichita, Kansas. His name was Steve Gold, and he and his father were originally from New York. The conversation somehow turned to 'folk' music and Steve told me he was invited to join the Tarriers, but was drafted just as plans were being made, and never got back with them after his military service.

Haven't heard of him in over 35 years.....


05 Aug 10 - 10:47 AM (#2958784)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Bill D

(they sound pretty good!) It's a really clear clip.


05 Aug 10 - 10:52 AM (#2958789)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: katlaughing

Wow, thanks a bunch, John. I, too, appreciate your archiving and sharing of such treasures. I'd missed this thread when it was first posted. The recording sounds great and your background info makes it even more meaningful. This is one of the best things about Mudcat...such knowledgeable and sharing folks with such incredible resources.

Thanks, again,

kat


09 Aug 10 - 10:06 PM (#2961620)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: john~k

I wasn't sure if this particular Tarriers lineup had ever released an album together. Especially since they disbanded in early 1964. However, it appears they did. And it includes versions of "Rambling Boy" and "San Francisco Bay Blues."

Gather 'Round
Decca DL-74538
(1964)

1. San Francisco Bay Blues
2. Crawdad Song
3. Rambling Boy
4. Rawhide
5. Pick a Bale of Cotton
6. My Name Is Morgan But It Ain't J.P.
7. Little Boxes
8. Guantanamera
9. Manha de Carnaval
10. One Note Samba
11. Long Time Man
12. Come on in This House

There's a photo of the album cover art here:
Album Cover


15 Aug 10 - 10:54 AM (#2965663)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: john~k

Bill D:

These Tarriers disbanded in April of 1964. Weissberg had a National Guard obligation and Cooper required surgery for a heart problem. Brickman went on to "The New Journeymen."

They did re-form later that year but without Brickman. A fellow by the name of Al Dana was added in his place. That may be the opening your friend missed out on due to the draft.

These 3 Tarriers were the last. They continued to perform, but finally ended their run in late 1965 after touring Eastern Europe.

I was never able to find out anything more about Al Dana (the last Tarrier). What was his history before or after joining the group? If anyone has additional information, please post it.

John


15 Aug 10 - 04:47 PM (#2965898)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Thomas Stern

There is an MGM album by BROWN & DANA [Gerrett Brown, Al Dana] IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR c.1963
see this website:
Brown and Dana

The liner notes are reproduced and additional information is
given about Al Dana.

Best wishes, Thomas.


16 Aug 10 - 12:38 AM (#2966132)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: john~k

Wow, nice work Thomas!

So his full name is Alfred Dana Arioli and prior to joining The Tarriers he was one half of a folk duo named "Brown & Dana." Their only album is also posted there for free download-- and it sounds great. Produced by Creed Taylor and engineered by Phil Ramone with liner notes by Joe Goldberg. Surprising they never found more success.


16 Aug 10 - 11:39 AM (#2966393)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: GUEST,Eugene B. Bergmann

To find Jean Shepherd audios of his radio broadcasts, see www.flicklives.com (the great Shepherd website), which will lead you to other sources including Schmidco which sells tapes and CDs, plus there are always hundreds of mp3 files of Shep broadcast for sale on ebay.com for very little. My book, EXCELSIOR, YOU FATHEAD! describes his career and is an appreciation of it.
Excelsior!


20 Jan 11 - 11:43 AM (#3078687)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: john~k

Looks like the original link to this clip just expired. Re-upped a copy in case anyone missed it
the first time around. This version is also more recent and contains additional restoration work.

Shepherd_Limelight_Tarriers.mp3
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-e9b8c9b4.html


29 Nov 11 - 11:25 AM (#3265483)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: GUEST,banjopicker

Looks like that link has expired as well. I think it was clarence cooper who replaced Bob Carey . From what I hear Bob Carey had some drug problems and was later found dead on a bench in the 70s


30 Nov 11 - 08:52 AM (#3265990)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: SINSULL

If I ever get the courage to unearth my vinyls I am sure I have at least one Tarriers album. When I get home (can't access your link at work) I will listen. I loved Jean Shepherd. Anyone remember the second movie with his Polish girlfriend and the Fourth of July disaster complete with used dishrag chain letter? Hilarious.


30 Nov 11 - 09:09 AM (#3265999)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Chris in Portland

I went to one Tarriers' show at the Gate of Horn, probably in '61. the Gate had a back section of the club for us underage folk. Great music for sure. And now get to hear Dick Weismann in Portland! The "old" music just keeps going.
Chris

ps - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Shepherd for films.


01 Dec 11 - 05:03 AM (#3266553)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Gda Music

The Tarriers original line up with their *Banana Boat Song* & *Cindy, Oh Cindy* was Alan Arkin, Erik Darling & Bob Carey.
(That is according to an article in "Calypso Stars No.1" - a pop magazine printed in 1957)

GJ


22 Feb 14 - 12:33 AM (#3603697)
Subject: RE: Rare Tarriers Recording - Take A Listen
From: Taconicus

Jean Shepherd also appeared with the Tarriers in late December 1960 at One Sheridan Square.