the "Day-O" controversy (?)

Music Lane

It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes.

It all started innocently enough. Since today is a holiday (even for me!), Mrs. H and I sort of slept in. She turned on "Good Morning America" after I got up. Joel Siegel had a segment on the early 'celebrity' history of some of this year's Oscar nominees.
One nominee, apparently is Alan Arkin. Now, when I think of Alan Arkin, I think of "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!" ("Egermancy! Everybody to be getting from street!"). Apparently,though, his first taste of fame was with a proto-folk group called the Tarriers. According to Allmusic, their 1957 debut included a version of "Tom Dooley", a year before the Kingston Trio recorded it and were launched towards greater fame. The Tarriers sort of faded into oblivion after a couple of albums.
The interesting part: Siegel stated that Alan Arkin had (co)written the "Banana Boat Song", known as "Day-O" ("Daylight come and me wan' go home") when recorded by Belafonte. The Tarriers' version may (or may not) have preceded Belafonte's. Allmusic's dates are a bit muddled.
The plot thickens when Allmusic is consulted further. Belafonte's version was credited to Attaway, Belafonte, and "Lord Burgess" (Irving Burgie, a 'West Indian songwriter' and/or collector of traditional island music). The Tarriers' version was credited to "Arkin, Carey, Darling" (the three Tarriers).
Any of you armchair (or pro) musicologists able to shed any light on this?
Thanks.

all the best,
mrh

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gcfexqt0ld6e (Open in New Window)

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Topic - the "Day-O" controversy (?) - mhardy6647 07:09:39 02/19/07 (2)

Is that a young Jay Leno on the left? (nt) - mkuller 13:24:41 02/19/07 (0)

I seem to remember... - theguelpher 12:14:02 02/19/07 (0)

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