The Tarriers
| Company type | Vocal ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Folk and folk-inspired popular music |
Number of employees | 3–4 (members) |
The Tarriers were a vocal ensemble from the United States known for their focus on folk and folk-inspired popular tunes. Their name was derived from the traditional folk song "Drill, Ye Tarriers, Drill." Between 1956 and 1957, they achieved two Top Ten hits in the US charts: "Cindy, Oh Cindy" (in collaboration with Vince Martin) and "The Banana Boat Song." These tracks also attained positions No. 26 and No. 15 respectively on the UK Singles Chart.
Career
Originating in the mid-1950s, The Tarriers were formed by folk musicians who performed around Washington Square in New York City. The initial members were Erik Darling, Bob Carey, Karl Karlton, and Alan Arkin. Karlton departed early on, leaving a trio that signed with Glory Records in 1956, where they produced their two most successful singles.
In 1957, The Tarriers featured in the musical film Calypso Heat Wave, performing mime to "The Banana Boat Song" and "Choucoune." Following a European tour in 1958, Alan Arkin exited the group to pursue an acting career and was succeeded by Clarence Cooper, whose style incorporated blues and gospel elements. In March 1958, Darling joined The Weavers but maintained his involvement with The Tarriers until November 1959 when conflicting schedules forced him to leave. Eric Weissberg then took his place.
Due to Bob Carey's inconsistent attendance, Weissberg invited his college acquaintance Marshall Brickman to join, temporarily expanding the group to four members until Carey's removal in late 1963 because of missed performances. Early in 1964, Carey appeared on the Folk Music Worldwide radio program.
The Tarriers went on hiatus in 1964 as Cooper recuperated from heart surgery and Weissberg fulfilled National Guard commitments. During this break, Brickman became part of The New Journeymen. When the group reassembled, Al Dana replaced Brickman. In 1965, they toured Poland and Russia alongside Judy Collins. The waning popularity of folk music following the British Invasion contributed to their eventual dissolution.
Throughout their active years, The Tarriers released six albums under various labels such as Glory Records, United Artists Records, Atlantic Records, and Decca Records. Among their notable works are The Tarriers at the Bitter End (Decca) and a joint project with folksinger Oscar Brand titled Folk Songs for Fun (Decca, 1962).
External links
- The Tarriers at Discogs
- The Tarriers at Allmusic
- The Tarriers at IMDb