Thank God for RUclips! This generation knows Harley for his songwriting, the rest of us remember this stuff. Harley first with his brothers Neal, Greg and Ronnie then with Mike (and Greg added later) picked when you had to play the dive bars to make a dime...if that. They played because it was in their soul, and it shines! Simply the best!
Harley Allen passed away at his home in Nashville on March 30, 2011, after a struggle with lung cancer. Nashville remembers the great country songwriter, but here he's doing what he loved best, just nailing a classic bluegrass song. Bluegrass never had a better singer.
Harley is a great entertainer, and FUNNY, He is a genuine riot between songs. If you have never seen him in person, you have missed something.Mike is also superb. One of the best banjo players/singers out there.
I don't know the reason they don't play around much anymore, but I know I'd love to see them. Mike Lilly is an extremely underrated banjo player, and Harley could make Red proud!!
No, that was his dad, the late Harley "Red" Allen, who cut "Teardrops" with the Osborne Brothers for MGM 50 years ago. A record worth seeking out. Red was one of the all-time greats, and so was Harley, who passed away on Wednesday morning.
Harley "Red" Allen (born February 12, 1930 Pigeon Roost Hollow, near Hazard, Kentucky - died April 15, 1993) was a bluegrass singer and guitarist known for his powerful tenor voice. He was living in Dayton, Ohio at the time of his death. I had the privledge and honor of playing music with Red many times. He is dearly missed.
First heard Harley Allen with the "Big Dogs" been a huge fan ever since. It must be him that wrote Teardrops in my eyes which I first heard the New Riders cover back in the 70's
If I remember correctly there were at least two other songs that recorded during this taping. Suzanne, and Tupelo county jail... If you have those and could post them it would be greatly appreciated. Harley's interpretation of Tupelo count jail was in my opinion timeless and typical of he and Mike Lilly and their seamless blend of smooth harmonies with solid picking. Thank you!
Hi TruegrassBoy, Sorry to be so long in answering. The Harley Allen material, his solo album and Allen Lilly Album, were both on Folkways. Allen Brothers have two on Rounder, but neither has been reissued. There's a track from the Allen Lilly Band, Suzanne, that's on the first volume of Folkways' Classic Bluegrass series. You can find some of the digitized vinyl floating around the internet. And you can find the music in some very unexpected places. Last fall I was traveling in China with an American delegation of musicians/foklorists/and whatever the heck I am, led by Bill Ivey. We were in Shanghai to speak to a group of Chinese American Studies grad students about the folk revival in the States. We were at an informal get together when our translator was talking to me about the upright bass that I was using (it belonged to America Studies House). "You play bass? That's cool," he said in very good English. "Yes, thanks.... And that's me playing right now." I had heard bluegrass coming from the other room and had just noticed, in a VERY bizarre coincidence, that the song that had just started playing was "Suzanne," from the Folkways collection. So I went into the other room and, surrounded by Chinese students in Shanghai, listened to the Allen Lilly Band's 30 year old record. THAT was a moment I will always remember. And lest we forget, three weeks from today marks the fourth anniversary of Harley's death, March 30, 2011.
Thank you for sharing that. I'm a childhood friend of Mike and his family. Mike's banjo playing is "his" style. I do not think it would be easily imitated. He and Harley had a great singing sound. They were/are SO underrated.
Sorry for the delay in responding. You can get it from Amazon, I think. Or directly from the Smithsonian. They keep all that great Folkways stuff in print. Think about that next time anybody feels like complaining about the federal government. The free market won't keep those Red or Harley bluegrass records in print. For that, we need some good old American socialism.... ; )
Mike Lilly Passed today..we have lost two greats..Harley Allen And Mike Lilly..Rest in Peace my Brother-in-law Mike.XX
Thank God for RUclips! This generation knows Harley for his songwriting, the rest of us remember this stuff.
Harley first with his brothers Neal, Greg and Ronnie then with Mike (and Greg added later) picked when you had to play the dive bars to make a dime...if that. They played because it was in their soul, and it shines!
Simply the best!
Harley Allen passed away at his home in Nashville on March 30, 2011, after a struggle with lung cancer. Nashville remembers the great country songwriter, but here he's doing what he loved best, just nailing a classic bluegrass song. Bluegrass never had a better singer.
Harley is a great entertainer, and FUNNY, He is a genuine riot between songs. If you have never seen him in person, you have missed something.Mike is also superb. One of the best banjo players/singers out there.
We miss you Harley!
I don't know the reason they don't play around much anymore, but I know I'd love to see them. Mike Lilly is an extremely underrated banjo player, and Harley could make Red proud!!
Ya great banjo playing
rest in peace. had the plessure to play banjo with you harley.
brian blaylock
No, that was his dad, the late Harley "Red" Allen, who cut "Teardrops" with the Osborne Brothers for MGM 50 years ago. A record worth seeking out. Red was one of the all-time greats, and so was Harley, who passed away on Wednesday morning.
Barry, I couldn't have said it better myself! I got to jam with him a few times and he still blows me away!
Harley "Red" Allen (born February 12, 1930 Pigeon Roost Hollow, near Hazard, Kentucky - died April 15, 1993) was a bluegrass singer and guitarist known for his powerful tenor voice. He was living in Dayton, Ohio at the time of his death. I had the privledge and honor of playing music with Red many times. He is dearly missed.
First heard Harley Allen with the "Big Dogs" been a huge fan ever since. It must be him that wrote Teardrops in my eyes which I first heard the New Riders cover back in the 70's
I've heard of him...LOL! Agree with you, though, he doesn't get enough credit for his wonderful playing.
Agreed! Great Reno-style solo there!
If I remember correctly there were at least two other songs that recorded during this taping. Suzanne, and Tupelo county jail... If you have those and could post them it would be greatly appreciated. Harley's interpretation of Tupelo count jail was in my opinion timeless and typical of he and Mike Lilly and their seamless blend of smooth harmonies with solid picking. Thank you!
Hi TruegrassBoy,
Sorry to be so long in answering.
The Harley Allen material, his solo album and Allen Lilly Album, were both on Folkways. Allen Brothers have two on Rounder, but neither has been reissued.
There's a track from the Allen Lilly Band, Suzanne, that's on the first volume of Folkways' Classic Bluegrass series. You can find some of the digitized vinyl floating around the internet.
And you can find the music in some very unexpected places. Last fall I was traveling in China with an American delegation of musicians/foklorists/and whatever the heck I am, led by Bill Ivey. We were in Shanghai to speak to a group of Chinese American Studies grad students about the folk revival in the States. We were at an informal get together when our translator was talking to me about the upright bass that I was using (it belonged to America Studies House).
"You play bass? That's cool," he said in very good English. "Yes, thanks.... And that's me playing right now." I had heard bluegrass coming from the other room and had just noticed, in a VERY bizarre coincidence, that the song that had just started playing was "Suzanne," from the Folkways collection. So I went into the other room and, surrounded by Chinese students in Shanghai, listened to the Allen Lilly Band's 30 year old record. THAT was a moment I will always remember. And lest we forget, three weeks from today marks the fourth anniversary of Harley's death, March 30, 2011.
Thank you for sharing that. I'm a childhood friend of Mike and his family. Mike's banjo playing is "his" style. I do not think it would be easily imitated. He and Harley had a great singing sound. They were/are SO underrated.
Dang - sounds so much like Red. I guess the bluegrass apple don't fall far from the tree!
I wish there was...but I never heard of any
Harley Allen is my uncle dead serious
Sorry for the delay in responding. You can get it from Amazon, I think. Or directly from the Smithsonian. They keep all that great Folkways stuff in print. Think about that next time anybody feels like complaining about the federal government. The free market won't keep those Red or Harley bluegrass records in print. For that, we need some good old American socialism.... ; )
@Larrynager - Nice job and glad you weighed in on this video. Where can one get your CD? Does Folkways still sell it?
Where can I hear Harley Allens Dad ?
Is that Ray Deaton on bass?