JAY & THE AMERICANS - 'TONIGHT'

JAY TRAYNOR WITH LEAD VOCALS FOR JAY & AMERICANS FIRST SINGLE RELEASE IN '61. FROM 'WESTSIDE STORY', IT FAILED TO CHART NATIONALLY BUT DID RECEIVE CONSIDERABLE NEW YORK AIRPLAY AND CHARTED TOP TEN IN NEW YORK . LACK OF PROMOTION AND AIRPLAY WERE THE ONLY REASONS THIS WASN'T A HUGE HIT. WRITTEN BY LEONARD BERNSTEIN - STEPHEN SOUNDHEIM AND PRODUCED BY LEIBER-STOLLER AND ARR AND COND BY GARRY SHERMAN FOR UA RECORDS

Category:

Music

Tags:

• OLDIES
• DOO-WOP
• GROUP
• ROCK
• POP
• SOUL
• CLASSIC
• WESTSIDE STORY

[bojowilliam]

This was the very first 45 release by Jay and the Americans which sold 45,000 copies and was very popular in New York.I am proud to be both friend and fan of Jay Traynor's.

[dunepaul9999]

Right on bojo. thanks for commenting

[bufb]

Just about the best musical music of all time. So many great songs from this show. Even my daughter loves this music.

It makes me want to dance around like Maria...

[dunepaul9999]

I agree. thanks for commenting

[Uburosco]

Awesome. It doesn't get any better !!!

[howard264]

I remember this so well. You have no idea of the pleasure it gave me when I often heard it on a radio " Oldies Show"in 2002-2003. I remember the play as well, I saw the original in the 50's

[bojowilliam]

This was the first release for Jay and the Americans and was popular in New York,selling about 45,000 copies.After that in the fall of '61 She Cried was released and the rest is history.

[frostyspop]

Thankyou for the upload, Whenever someone mentions Jay and the Americans , I ask if they ever heard the original Jay, that recorded this song, and She Cried, all thought it was Jay Black, and although he had a nice voice, it doesn't compare to the original Jay Traynor. I have always wanted someone to finally acknowledge the original lead..Wonderful story also, you are indeed a good friend..I have both originals on 45's. Thanks again.

[peraspira]

This is a terrific recording. Very rare. Thank you for uploading it.

[posaico]

yes you´re right, is another style and doo woop version has a value in their own right

[jasperklks]

@posaico

why would i want to compare a GHreaT doo wop version of a GHreaT song to a bunch of pop recordings? love this song. love west side story. love jay traynor. love doo wop. of course this works.

[waydecolt]

Tonight and She Cried, still classics!!!

[posaico]

Well, yes its the style of de americans, but this vocal arrangement didn't capture the spirit of the song and the chords came to late to help, compare this versions with the ones from johnny mathis, george chakiris and eddie fisher's, they are dramatic and beautiful.