Eddie Parker & Billy Sha-Rae

[Soulsider]

Just having a browse through ebay and came across Billy Sha-Rae - "Crying Clown" (Spectrum) which got me thinking.

Both have recorded "I'm Gone" and "Crying Clown".

Is there any connection between Eddie and Billy or is it purely coincidence?

All four are great records but Eddies "I'm Gone" is untouchable IMHO and is my number one of all time.

Thanks for any info

Mick

[Harry Crosby]

Eddie parker also my number 1 sound brilliant, spooky this was just talking to an old mate about the other record that was played off the awake label, SHANE HUNTER, havn`t heard that for many years

[kevinsoulman]

MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

https://fleamarketfunk.com/2008/01/30/billy-sha-rae-do-it/

KEV

[Soulsider]

MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

https://fleamarketfunk.com/2008/01/30/billy-sha-rae-do-it/

KEV

D'oh - I should have looked at the label more closely - Jack Ashford

[Jerry Hipkiss]

Recorded versions of the same song for different market areas in the US - IIRC Ady C mentions this in his sleeve noted for one of the Kent LP's.

[Reg Scott]

Recorded versions of the same song for different market areas in the US - IIRC Ady C mentions this in his sleeve noted for one of the Kent LP's.

The two artists were closely connected so there is no coincidence in the areas of cross over between the two. It was Jack Ashford who brought the two together to the extent that Billy Sha-Rae and the Soul Congress even backed Eddie Parker on 'Love You Baby.

There is a good review of the available info at https://funky16corners.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/billy-sha-rae-lets-do-it-again/

Regards..

[Sebastian]

There is possibly some TV footage in existence of Billy Sha-Rae. He appeared on a US TV show called "The Lively Spot" together with the MC5 and a couple of other artists and at about 2:18 in the following (absolutely incredible!) MC5 clip the host of the show says something along the lines of "...stay tuned for more performances by Little Milton Campbell, Billy Sha-Rae, Anne Murray and more to come!":

Has anyone ever seen the Billy Sha-Rae TV clip? I wouldn't mind seeing it!

Edited November 6, 2009 by Sebastian

[Ged Parker]

Just having a browse through ebay and came across Billy Sha-Rae - "Crying Clown" (Spectrum) which got me thinking.

Both have recorded "I'm Gone" and "Crying Clown".

Is there any connection between Eddie and Billy or is it purely coincidence?

All four are great records but Eddies "I'm Gone" is untouchable IMHO and is my number one of all time.

Thanks for any info

Mick

The only connection as far as I'm aware is the Jack Ashford / Lorraine Chandler one. Eddie was born in Saginaw, Michigan and Billy Sha Rae came from Jamaica. I love both versions of 'I'm Gone' Eddie's being better but not 100 times better which is about the price difference. The Billy Sha-Rae showstopper though is Pitfall on Rapid wish I had the energy to dance to it now lol.