(By Hans-Joachim) (Photos courtesy of Marv Goldberg)
Personnel:
Scott King (Lead)
Raymond Reid (Tenor)
Sam McClure (Baritone)
Jasper Edwards (Bass)
Bobby Buster (Arranger & Pianist)
Discography:
1949 - I’ve Been A Fool / Nobody Knows (Lee 200)
1950 - I’d Rather Be Wrong Than Blue / You Are Closer To My Heart (Lee 202)
1950 - Don’t Blame My Dreams / I’m Crying Cause You’re Laughing At Me (Lee 207)
1950 - Jitterbug Special / I’ll Never, Never Let You Go (Sittin’ In With 583)
1951 - Don’t Be Late / Beans (Sittin’ In With 590)
1952 - Coon Can Annie / It's Too Bad (Sittin’ In With 627)
1953 - No Use / Stay (Decca 28765)
1953 - Don’t Be Bashful / Tell Her (Decca 48307)
1954 - Better Than Gold / Big Mouth Mama (Decca 48322)
Biography:
Scott King, Jasper Edwards, Sam McClure, and Raymond Reid had been
performing in the New York City and Philadelphia club circuit without
much success when, in late 1949, a former officer in the U.S. Army named
Ed Levy was impressed with their sound and offered to become their
manager. Levy shortly secured a recording contract for the group with
Lee Records, one of the many small New York independents that were
starting up in the late ‘40s.
The Shadows’ first single, “I've Been a Fool,” failed to break out,
however, and the follow-up, “You Are Closer to My Heart Than My Shadow,”
failed to ignite any interest in the group, though it was later covered
by the Delta Rhythm Boys. After Levy was called back to military
service with the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, the Shadows moved
over to the Sittin’ in With label, who were based in Los Angeles.
In October 1950, the SIW label issued a new single, but after
fulfilling their contractual commitments, the group decided to call it
quits. Two-and-a-half-years later - in June of 1953 - Decca Records
signed Scott King & the Shadows, who had not recorded in three
years. The label had seen the growing interest in R&B music and
watched New York-based Atlantic (and others) move into R&B
successfully, so it followed suit. Unfortunately, both singles failed to
sell and by the end of the year, the Shadows decided to call it a day.
Bryan Thomas, All Music Guide
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Shadows/shadows.html
Songs:
I’ve Been A Fool / Nobody Knows I’d Rather Be Wrong Than Blue / You Are Closer To My Heart
I’m Crying Cause .... / Don’t Blame My Dreams Jitterbug Special / I’ll Never, Never Let You Go
Don’t Be Late / Beans
It's Too Bad Coon Can Annie /
Don’t Be Bashful / Tell Her Better Than Gold / Big Mouth Mama
