Clarence Cooper

Virginia-born gospel and blues singer Clarence Cooper is among the oft-overlooked figures in the past due-’50s/early-’60s folk music boom. He started his recording profession in the ’50s, having a 10″ recording within the Elektra label entitled Goin’ Later on, documented in 1954, and later on appeared within the label’s New Folk Sampler along with his rendition of “The Erie Canal.” In 1957, Cooper was recruited in to the ranks from the folk trio the Tarriers as the successor to Alan Arkin, who got remaining to pursue his performing career carrying out a Western tour. Cooper’s baritone tone of voice — he regularly sang lead using the group — and effective guitar style significantly improved the Tarriers’ audio. He made an appearance on many of their albums, and in addition offered as an arranger on the information. He and co-founder Bob Carey in fact finished up as the primary from the Tarriers by the end from the ’50s, as co-founder Erik Darling shifted towards the Weavers. Cooper was there for the tenures of Eric Weissberg and Marshall Brickman, finding yourself outlasting Carey and getting the longest-serving person in the group. In 1964, Cooper was sidelined using a congenital center problem, which he previously surgery to improve. He was acknowledged by George Wein, the organizer from the Newport Folk Celebration, with playing an integral role in choosing the blues and gospel offerings on the celebration across many years. And one of is own songs, “Therefore Glad I’m Right here,” was documented by Carly Simon and Lucy Simon, functioning as the Simon Sisters, on the record Winkin’, Blinkin’ and Nod.