Baby Ray - Imperial / Capcity ?

[Dave Rimmer]

Is the Baby Ray who recorded on Capcity the same artist as the Baby Ray who recorded on Imperial around the same time ?

I'm inclined to think not, because the Imperial tracks were recorded in LA, and the Capcity single in Washington. However, it is possible that The Imperial Baby Ray recorded in LA between 1966 and 1967, then made her way across the States to record in Washington also in 1967.

Any help appreciated.

[Gene-r]

Hi Dave,

Not sure if this helps, but Baby Ray who recorded 'The House on Soul Hill' for Imperial at the end of 1966 was male (real name Ray Eddlemon), and passed away in 2000 while serving time in Nevada State Prison.

This link shines some more light on him:

https://jp1000.livejournal.com/9908.html

 

Edited March 31, 2016 by Gene-R

[Dave Rimmer]

Hi Gene,

Thanks, it would probably answer the question if I knew what gender the Capcity Baby Ray was Unfortunately I know nothing about him / her at all.

[Gene-r]

6 minutes ago, Dave Rimmer said:

Hi Gene,

Thanks, it would probably answer the question if I knew what gender the Capcity Baby Ray was Unfortunately I know nothing about him / her at all.

No probs Dave!  I tried looking for info on the Baby Ray who recorded for Capcity, but sadly also drew a blank.  

[John A]

"Dance my tears away" on Capcity is definitely a man surely.

Edited March 31, 2016 by John A

[Roburt]

All I know is that the CapCity 45 from Baby Ray was an in-house production; DC thru & thu ...so that would make Baby Ray a local resident at that time (spring / summer 1970 ?).

[Dave Rimmer]

24 minutes ago, John A said:

"Dance my tears away" on Capcity is definitely a man surely.

I don't know the record unfortunately. I don't even know what is on the flip, but can't find it on YouTube anyway. 

Just found a clip. It's definitely a man, and the flip side is the instrumental, so that's a bit more info.

thanks John A

Edited March 31, 2016 by Dave Rimmer

[Markw]

10 minutes ago, Dave Rimmer said:

I don't know the record unfortunately. I don't even know what is on the flip, but can't find it on YouTube anyway. 

Just found a clip. It's definitely a man, and the flip side is the instrumental, so that's a bit more info.

thanks John A

For others reference, soundfile from my copy here - Dance My Tears Away (Capcity).mp3

And here's a scan as well................

[Robbk]

I always thought he was the same guy.  He sounded pretty much the same to me.  I never heard of 2 Baby Rays.  He was pretty well known on The Chittlin' Circuit.  It doesn't make any sense that someone else would use the same name.  Surely they'd have heard of the famous one and NOT used it for fear of lawsuits.  He went to prison late in his career, and did some recording while being incarcerated.  He died in 2000, at the young age of 62.  He was one of VERY Few "White" artists played on Soul stations.

Here's a link to a bio and a photo:

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=105753877

 

 

Edited April 1, 2016 by RobbK

[Kris Holmes]

The Imperial LP doesn't give much info either

[Guest Blueimage]

Baby Ray was a DC cab driver who recorded the Cap City single with local band "The Delusions". Label owner Foster Johnson is deceased, as are the arranger (Joe Tate who formed Dontee' Records) and the writer (Willie Lester of Mainline Productions). This was one of Willie's earliest writings.

Edited April 1, 2016 by Blueimage

[Robbk]

So, the Imperial Baby Ray was from Tennessee, and The Cap City Baby Ray was from D.C.  So, they WERE 2 different blokes, after all.  Hard to believe that neither The Capitol City people, nor the D.C. Baby Ray and his manager, had never heard of the Imperial singer, given that the former was making the Soul charts in late 1966, well before 1970's Cap City release..

[Roburt]

There was also a famous (American) football player & wrestler in the 40's / 50's who used the name (nickname) Baby Ray ...

[Dave Rimmer]

15 hours ago, John A said:

 

Wow Blueimage, that's the perfect answer to my question. 

Thanks very much.