1957

RECORDING SESSION: Fast Freight (Composer: Terry Gilkyson) 5:12
Taken from acetate mono demo recorded approximately February 10, 1957
Previously unreleased
Dave borrowed the arrangement for Fast Freight" from the song-bag of "The Easy Riders," a group much admired by he and his cohorts.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

1958

RECORDING SESSION: Tom Dooley
Master #18490 (mono) recorded February 5, 1958
(Adopted by Frank Warner, John A. Lomax and Alan Lomax) , 3:01
Album: THE KINGSTON TRIO / Single 4049
The Trio first heard the song on the afternoon of August 20, 1957, at a talent audition at the Purple Onion. Their final arrangement featured Nick Reynolds' now famous spoken intro ("Throughout history . . . ") and Bob Shane's memorable lead vocal and it was one of the few songs the group did with Bob on banjo.
It was recorded for their first album, THE KINGSTON TRIO, and it might have remained there if a Salt Lake record store owner hadn't seen the group perform in San Francisco and been impressed enough to cart a few copies home to sell. One was picked up by a local disk jockey who was taken enough with "Tom Dooley" to plat it on the air. Listener requests were overwhelming and more stations throughout the United States began programming the track.
It was actually the Trio's second 45 (check out the first - "Scarlet Ribbons" - on the groups excellent CAPITOL COLLECTORS SERIES compact disc release), and it would remain charted for five months, hitting the #1 spot during one week, earning the group its only gold single (selling over six million copies worldwide) and its first two Grammy nominations. (It lost in the "Vocal Group" category but won for "Best Country and Western Vocal.")
What "Tom Dooley" did cannot be minimized. Only "Heartbreak Hotel" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" can legitimately claim to have a greater impact on the direction of American Popular Music since World War II. Just about every person who ever made a living with an acoustic guitar owes a debt to the Kingston Trio's recording of "Tom Dooley."
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Sloop John B
Master #18439 (mono) recorded February 5, 1958
(Lee Hays and Carl Sandburg) 3:30
Album: THE KINGSTON TRIO
Few lines of musical influence are as easily traced as those provided by "Sloop John B." The Kingston Trio's haunting low key version from their first album was handed down to them by their mentors, The Weavers; and the Trio then handed it down (along with their emblematic striped shirts) to the Beach Boys, who took a rocking rendition to #3 in 1966. Note Nick's subdued percussion on this Kingston classic.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION : Album number one - "The Kingston trio" - was recorded at Capitol's Studio B in Los Angeles, CA. (February 6 & 7, 1958)
SOURCE: Liner notes "The Kingston Trio / . . . From the Hungry "I"" (Capitol-CDP 7 96748 2) and Liner notes "The Kingston Trio Collectors Edition" (Capitol-CDP 7 927102)

RECORDING SESSION :Capitol Studio, Capitol Tower, 1750 N. Vine Dt., Hollywood, CA: Little Maggie and Dodi Lii and Medley: Tanga Tika/Toereau.
SOURCE: The Kingston Trio: The Guard Years, page 84, Bear Family Records & Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: They Call The Wind Maria (Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner) 4:32
Master #30207 (mono) recorded August 16, 1958
Album: FROM THE HUNGRY I
"They Call The Wind Maria", from the Broadway musical "Paint Your Wagon," was a show stopper in the Trio's repertoire from almost the beginning, and if remains an all-time favorite with the group's many fans. Bob's lead vocal is one of his most electrifying, and Nick's tempo changing work on bon ~os is fIrst rafe on this prime FROM THE HUNGRY I cut
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Shady Grove / Lonesome Traveler (adapted by Jean Ritchie / Lee Hays) 3:14
Master #30209 (mono) recorded August 16, 1958
Album: FROM THE HUNGRY I
A tempo change is also one of he highlights of another FROM THE HUNGRY I selection, "Shady Grovel Lonesome Traveler." One of the few medleys ever recorded by the Trio, it features a humorous introduction by Bob and a fine performance by Dave on lead vocal "Lonesome Traveler" is especially exhilarating.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Across The Wide Missouri (Jimmy Shirl and Ervin M. Drake) 3:54
Master #31705A added to the Capitol archives December 14, 1958
Previously unreleased
Perhaps the most unusual item that didn't appear or STEREO CONCERT is this Dave Guard solo rendition of "Across The Wide Missouri." If you are familiar with the great harmonies of the studio version that later appeared on HERE WE GO AGAIN this one will provide a change of pace. The Trio was still calling the tune "Shenandoah" at this point.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Scotch And Soda (Dave Guard) 2:15
Master #18389A added to the Capitol archives December 14, 1958
Previously unreleased
Now considered the ultimate saloon song, "Scotch And Soda" was already an oldie when Dave and Bob first heard it In 1953. They were on a pre-Trio double date and Dave's dates parents {whose most famous offspring became baseball great Tom Seaver) played them a memorable song they'd heard at a hotel piano lounge on their honeymoon. When the time came to record the Trio's first album, Dave worked up an
arrangement for Bob's solo. After nearly five years of pleas from DJs, Capitol released "Scotch and Soda" as a single In 1962. The version Included here is the earliest known live recording of the song, another previously unreleased selection from the STEREO CONCERT tapes. Today "Scotch And Soda" is still Bob's favorite Trio tune and the identity of the original composer still remains a mystery.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Pay Me My Money Down (adapted by Dave Guard) 2:26
Master #unknown added to the Capitol archives December 14, 1958
Previously unreleased by Capitol
It's not known at what point the Trio stopped performing "Pay Me My Money Down," but there is no known studio version of the song and Capitol has waited until now to release this infectious live treatment. You may recognize this interchangeable Folk melody, as it was used to Top Ten effect by both Eddie Fisher and Vince Martin (with the Tarriers) on "Cindy, Oh Cindy" In 1 956.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

PERSONAL APPEARANCE / RECORDING SESSION: Liberty Hall, El Paso, TX (Selections from this performance are later released on their third album, "Stereo Concert." - ST 1183) Little Maggie, Across The Wide Missouri, Scotch and Soda, Bay of Mexico, Pay Me Money Down, et al
SOURCE: The Kingston Trio: The Guard Years, page 88, Bear Family Records

1959

RECORDING SESSION: M.T.A. (Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Hawes) 3:13
Master #22563 recorded February 16, 1959
Album: THE KINGSTON TRIO AT LARGE
"M.T.A. is undoubtedly Nick Reynolds' most famous lead vocal, and it ranks second only to "Tom Dooley" as the Trio's hallmark. The group first heard the song from Will Holt (writer of modern Folk classics like "Lemon Tree") and It earned them eleven weeks on the singles charts. Considering how popular the record was (and still is). It is more than a little surprising that it only aspired to the #15 position. This novelty song was originally created to protest a Boston Subway fare increase that happened to coincide with a mayoral election. The writers put their words to the tune of the Folk standard "The Wreck Of Old 97," which goes to show how the same melody can be used to conjure up drastically different moods.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Remember The Alamo (Jane Bowers) 2:59
Master #22609 recorded February 16, 1959
Album: THE KINGSTON TRIO AT LARGE
Few Trio songs reach the dramatic heights of "Remember The Alamo" the powerhouse closing cut from AT LARGE Disney's "Davy Crockett" mania was still sweeping the land in 1959, and with it a keen resurgence of inter-est in the 120-year-old battle of the Alamo. Texan Jane Bowers debuted as a songwriter for the Trio with this gem, which would be covered twenty-five years later by Johnny Cash
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: All My Sorrows (Guard / Reynolds / Shane) 2:45
Master #22601 recorded February 17, 1959
Album: THE KINGSTON TRIO AT LARGE
Just about everybody's favorite B side from the Dave/Nick/Bob era is "All My Sorrows" which has the dual distinction of being one of the best cuts from a great album (AT LARGE) and the flip side of a great single ("MTA.) The Trio borrowed this song from the pre Limeliters repertoire of Glenn Yarborough and turned it into one of the most movingly understated moments that the band ever put on tape. Not long after Dave Guard was claimed by cancer, Lindsey Buckingham did a cover version of "All My Sorrows" for his 1992 album OUT OF THE CRADLE. Acknowledged as one of the geniuses of modern Rock, the former Fleetwood Mac member learned many a guitar lick from Kingston Trio records, and he considered Dave a good friend, as well as a mentor. Said Lindsey "I thought that would just be something nice for him."
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Tijuana Jail (Denny Thompson) 2:48
Master #33597 recorded February 18, 1959
Album: THE BEST OF THE KINGSTON TRIO
The first released stereo studio recording by the Kingston Trio was "Tijuana Jail". One of Voyle Gilmore's finds, this novelty tune was recorded In New York City and rushed out as a single apparently because of a rumor that Harry Belafonte was about to do the same. The song (which would probably be banned today because of its no-longer in vogue "Frito Bandito" humor) re-established the group as hit-makers, as it reached #12 and charted for three months "Tijuana Jail" was recorded at the I same session that produced the Trio's second studio album, THE KINGSTON TRIO AT LARGE
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Good News (Louis Gottlieb) 1:58
Master #22598 recorded February 18, 1959
Album: THE KINGSTON TRIO AT LARGE
Besides being a great group performance, "Good News" is especially significant in that it is the Trio's first real attempt at recording a spiritual. The boys got this one from Lou Gottlieb, who at the time was between leaving the Gateway Singers and forming the Limeliters. It's from AT LARGE, an album which won the Trio its second Grammy and spent fifteen weeks at #1.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORD RELEASE (single): The Tijuana Jail / Oh, Cindy (Capitol 4167.) This recording eventually reached the #12 position on the charts.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

Caption: The Kingston Trio will appear in "Night On The Town" at 7:30 pm today in the Men's Gymnasium. They are, left to right, Bob Shane, Dave Guard and Nick Reynolds. The Capitol recording stars rose to prominence in San Francisco night clubs. Also appearing will be the Vince Guaraldi Trio and Dick McKibben's Quartet.

RECORDING SESSION: Sail Away Ladies (Guard / Reynolds / Shane) 2:28
Master #31747 recorded May 26, 1959
Extended play single: M.T.A. (EAP1-1119)
Oddly enough, the first track recorded at the sessions for HERE WE GO AGAIN never found a home on that album. "Sail Away, Ladies" was released on EP and then pretty much forgotten Dave recalled it was "about 75 percent completed when we put It aside, hoping to do it full justice at some future session" Dave also indicated this arrangement was heavily influenced by an earlier version by Odetta
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: The Unfortunate Miss Bailey (Louis Gottlieb) 3:58
Master #31756 recorded May 27, 1959
Previously unreleased
Here's a fascinating, previously unreleased alternate tale of HERE WE GO AGAIN's "The Unfortunate Miss Bailey," preceded by some wonderful pre-take chatter. As you will hear, the slower pace gives a slightly different slant to the song's flavor.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: A Worried Man (Dave Guard and Tom Glazer) 2:51
Master #31764 recorded June 1, 1959
Single 4371
Both Dave and Bob played banjo on "A Worried Man," the Trio's follow-up to M.T.A. It was derived by Dave Guard and Tom Glazer from the traditional "Worried Man Blues" (if Glazer's name sounds familiar it's probably because he's to blame for the 1963 Top Twenty Hit "On Top of Spaghetti," also derived from a traditional song ["On Top of Old Smokey"] and now considered a children's classic). "A Worried Man" is HERE WE GO AGAIN's Closing track.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Molly Dee (John Stewart) 1:43
Master #31771 recorded June 2, 1959
Album: HERE WE GO AGAIN
The initial cut from the Trio's fifth album, HERE WE GO AGAIN's "Molly Dee," a line from which gave rise to the album's title. The song marked the first writing success for California college stu-dent John Stewart. When the first royalty check from "Molly Dee" arrived, and It was larger than what his father made in a year as a horse trainer, John made up his mind as to how he Intended to spend the rest of his life.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA; Friday, 8:30 pm.
SOURCE: post by Jean Ward to the Kingston Trio Place Forum, July 1, 1999 / Program offered on ebay on-line auction: "STEREO AT THE BOWL - SEPTEMBER 18, 1959 - KINGSTON TRIO, RAY CONNIFF, ANDRE PREVIN . . . This 53 page program is from the 1st annual "stereo at the (hollywood) bowl" series... Lots of cool ads for stereo equipment too... Program for the evening was Andre Previn Trio, Kingston Trio and Ray Conniff . . . "

RECORDING SESSION: The Worlds Last Authentic Playboys (David Wheat and Bill Loughborough) 2:39
Master #22993 recorded December 7, 1959
Previously unreleased by Capitol
This clever "biographical" sketch of his employers by multi-talented accompanist David "Buck" Wheat was recorded at the SOLD OUT sessions but was never deemed polished enough for release by any of the principles involved. Dave Guard (and the composer) would re-record the song in 1962 for The Whiskeyhill Singers' debut album.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Raspberries, Strawberries (Will Holt) 2:11
Master #22997 recorded December 8, 1959
Album: SOLD OUT / single 4338
This SOLD OUT version of "Raspberries, Strawberries" is actually a remake of the Trio's follow-up single (available on the CAPITOL COLLECTORS SERIES disc) to "Tom Dooley." The original had been obviously rushed out, and this tighter, smoother arrangement shows how much the group had grown in a year's time. This has become the definitive version, later featured on THE BEST OF THE KINGSTON TRIO.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Bimini (Bill Olofson and Mark McIntyre) 2:53
Master #22994 recorded December 7, 1959
Album: SOLD OUT
The Trio hadn't been "jailed" since the Top Twenty Tijuana incident, so the story line of "Bimini" seemed a natural for the group. The fact that it also fit into the Calypsonions' seafaring and drinking song genres didn't hurt the cause either! Another standout track from SOLD OUT, aided by some nice percussion from Nick.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECORDING SESSION: Green Grasses (John Stewart) 2:21
Master #32416 recorded September 28, 1959
Album: A TRIBUTE TO THE KINGSTON TRIO / single 4303
John Stewart must have been disappointed by the meager returns (in comparison to "Molly Dee") from the Trio's recording of "Green Grasses." Capitol never included it on any domestic Kingston album release (until now), and it saw light of day only as the B side of one of the group's least successful singles, "Coo Coo-U" (available on the CAPITOL COLLECTORS SERIES disc). A banjo was to be added to the mix eventually, so consider "Green Grasses" a work in progress.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

SECORDING SESSION: Raspberries, Strawberries (Will Holt) 2:11
Master #22997 recorded December 8, 1959
Album: SOLD OUT / single 4338
This SOLD OUT version of "Raspberries, Strawberries" is actually a remake of the Trio's follow-up single (available on the CAPITOL COLLECTORS SERIES disc) to "Tom Dooley." The original had been obviously rushed out, and this tighter, smoother arrangement shows how much the group had grown in a year's time. This has become the definitive version, later featured on THE BEST OF THE KINGSTON TRIO.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

1960

RECORDING SESSION: The Escape Of Old John Webb (Tom Drake) 2:29
Master #33625 recorded April 19, 1960
Album: STRING ALONG / single 4379
Atmospheric is perhaps the best adjective for this song from STRING ALONG, which was also the B side for "Bad Man's Blunder." It's an old English folk tale that was deliberately recorded in hopes of bolstering the Trio's popularity in Great Britain. Note the effective group vocals and Dave's outstanding banjo picking.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

DATE OF BIRTH: A son, Thomas, was born to Dave and Gretchen Guard.
SOURCE: Liner notes; The Kingston Trio: The Capital Years (Capitol Records CD7243 8 28498 2 7)

RECOGNITION / AWARD: "Here We Go Again" (Album) certified GOLD by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America)
SOURCE: http://www.riaa.com

1961

PERSONAL APPEARANCE: The Kingston Trio continues at the Royal Hawiian Hotel, Honolulu, HA (Jan. 5-Jan. 25)
SOURCE: The Kingston Trio: The Guard Years, page 80, Bear Family Records

PERSONAL APPEARANCE: San Francisco, California, Dave Guard announces his resignation from the Trio.
SOURCE: Jean Ward's personal archive.

* * * * *

The first thing that stood out in my mind was the absolute height of the Kingston Trio in the public culture, something that has all but vanished except amongst the faithful. The second thing that stood out, was Nick's conciliatory view of the Stewart membership as a change of people, but not of talent or genre. Then I was hit solidly in the face by Bob's obvious dislike and disregard for Dave Guard, which had to be a reaction to the deep rift between the two friends at that time. I have read comments by Dave, disregarding the Trio after he left it, and I had also ascertained that Bob was furious, resentful, and outraged by Dave's demands on the group. In the interview, I think we get a revealing glimpse of the rift between the men, a rift which took almost 30 years to close and heal.

When I met Nick at the New Hampshire concert with "Julie and Brownie (MacIntosh)", he told me that he and Bobby told Dave he was out of the group. This is quite contrary to the story that was issued at the time, covering Dave's moving out for artistic reasons. A great deal was done to cover Dave's tracks at the time, but Bob never went to great lengths to cover his feelings. Nick always seemed less rigid and more "easy" to get along with. In fact, wasn't it Nick who along with John, re-kindled the friendship?
SOURCE: Al Cook on the Kingston Trio Place Forum - July 8, 1999