Shreveport, Louisiana’s Eddy Giles was the star of Dee Marais’ Murco label, on which he released a handful of singles between 1967 and 1969, scoring with the regional hit ‘Losin’ Boy’. “Southern Soul Brother” gathers together all his recordings for the label, for the first time ever, including the single that was licensed out to Silver Fox. It highlights a talented artist who was adept at covering all the bases required of soul singers of the time, from ballads such as ‘Happy Man’ and ‘While I’m Away (Baby, Keep The Faith)’ to the up-tempo dance style of ‘Eddy’s Go Go Train’.
Access to the Murco master tapes allows us to include three previously unreleased recordings: a bluesy alternative version of his final Murco single ‘Ain’t Gonna Worry No More’, the wistful ‘It Takes More’, and ‘Pins And Needles’, a country song given an exemplary soul treatment. ‘Love With A Feeling’ also verges on the blues, while ‘Soul Feeling’ is revered by fans of southern funk.
To hear Eddy's voice at its best, we have decided, in the main, against adding the echo and reverb that featured on the majority of his singles, clouding some splendid soul singing. The notable exception is ‘Losin’ Boy’, where the studio techniques added to the dynamics of the performance.
The booklet notes document Eddy’s life, in particular his time at Murco, and the photo of a smiling Reverend Giles outside his Shreveport church indicates the story has a more than happy ending.
By Ady Croasdell
