The Tarriers

The Tarriers recorded "Tom Dooley" on their debut album in 1957, a year before the song became a massive hit for the Kingston Trio. They also released and had a minor hit with "The Banana Boat Song," before Harry Belafonte recorded the same song and started the calypso craze. Despite the talent of Erik Darling, Alan Arkin, and Bob Carey, the Tarriers never received credit for their originality, nor did they find a niche in the burgeoning folk boom of the late '50 and early '60s. The Tarriers left behind a handful of worthy folk recordings, but in a number of ways, they were ahead of their time. In 2001, Folk Era reissued the band's debut along with a number of live tracks.