Shreveport-based pastor, disc jockey and singer Eddie Giles is the subject of a fantastic new CD compiling Giles’ recordings from 1967 to 1969. The CD, entitled Eddy Giles: Southern Soul Brother, was recently released by Ace Records in London and may be purchased online via Amazon.com. The music itself is loads of fun, especially Giles’ standout hit “Losin’ Boy,” and the package – including great historic photos of Giles and extensive liner notes addressing the 60’s music scene in Shreveport – will delight anyone with an interest in regional music history.
The disc’s extensive packaging includes photographs and text that were gathered, in part, by Shreveport music historian (and Centenary College of Louisiana archivist) Chris Brown. Brown is one-half of the duo behind the wonderful Shreveport Songs blog and he also hosts the “Romp and Stomp” radio show on KSCL 91.3 FM. “Romp and Stomp” will present its annual showcase of “Shreveport songs” for 2015 at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13. According to the blog: “You’ll hear songs by Shreveporters, songs about Shreveport, songs recorded in Shreveport, and songs released on Shreveport record labels.”
Though Giles (I’ve always seen his name spelled E-d-d-i-e, though his performance name in the 1960’s was spelled E-d-d-y) is a pastor now and no longer performs secular music, it is not uncommon to witness this larger-than-life fellow strap on a guitar and belt out a few bars of “Losin’ Boy” at gatherings. He is an individual who embodies so much of Shreveport’s regional identity, in my opinion.
Here’s a video from Ace Records with a closer look at the CD’s packaging:
My daddy played in his band in the 60s-70s80s the band was called Eddy Giles in the jive 5 my daddy name was Willie Ray James SR I am his long lost son terry Wayne Mr Giles can you please contact me at your earliest convenience please if you are the same Eddy Giles amen