JAY BLACK "BE MY LOVE"

Jay Black, former lead singer of Jay & Americans.

In 1976, only 7 years had passed since Jay Black's 1969 hit cover of the popular title "This Magic Moment". Jay kept an 11 piece band working regularly, rehearsing twice a week and working weekends in clubs, civic centers, festivals and concert venues. His musical director at the time, session trumpet player Michael McGovern, and drummer Ron Turso were discussing a "new concept" for Jay, on the tails of Frankie Valli's "Swearin' To God" disco resurgence, Ron suggested a "big Voice" type tune, and mentioned Mario Lanza's "Be My Love", Mike McGovern jumped on the idea immediately, and drove home that evening with the arrangement written, aurally. Within days, the entire arrangement was completed and run through, and in weeks, two more songs, one by Mike and another by Jay were composed and orchestrated by Mike..Studio time was then purchased at The Hit Factory, and in April of 1976, the recording project began. Among the notables in addition to trumpeter Mike McGovern heard on the date: Pianist and "Composer Walter Murphy (Fifth of Beethoven #1 Worldwide, currently Hollywood TV Composer), Vocalist Angie Bofill ( "This Time I'll Be Sweeter" and her signature tune, "I Try" ), John Mosca ( Leader, Vanguard Jass Orchestra ) and string contractors Irving Spice and David Nadian.


Michael McGovern

Category:

Music

Tags:

• swearin' to god
• disco
• jay and americans
• doo-wop
• rhythm and blues
• rock
• group
• folk
• classic
• pop
• oldies
• contemporary
• mcgovern
• turso
• walter murphy
• john mosca
• angie bofill

[thewrestlingvoice]

This one's just plain Jay Black doing his thing as only he can - he should have done more of this operatic disco lounge stuff - he always knew how to take a great some and make it a masterpiece

[dunepaul9999]

@thewrestlingvoice

Thanks for the comments Josh. You're right on as usual.

[zRosemarie]

I love this Paul xx

[dunepaul9999]

@zRosemarie  thank you rosemarie......

[angelofbebop]

FABULOUS! Thank you!

[dunepaul9999]

@angelofbebop thank you for  your comment.

[DFbighair]

I LOVE Jay Black..in fact pretty obsessed with him ....but this is weird..too rushed...doesn't fit with disco...

[joshaustin1]

Holy cow - never knew about this song or the whole 70's disco thing. Really a shame it wasn't taken further. Great recording.