Jay Black of Jay and the Americans has no tricks, he just has a lot of talent and a great voice. As for the rest of the singers they also have great voices and harmonies and that is why Jay and the Americans were one of the great groups of the 60's.
This was a great band from the 60's-70's. The lead singer had a powerful voice. Some of their hits were "She Cried" & "Come a Little Bit Closer". In 1969, they recorded an album of their favorite oldies called Sands of Time, which included the hit "This Magic Moment" originally sung by The Drifters.
Best version is Cara Mia by Jay & The Americans video ( Now & Then) in which Jay sings Cara Mia in 1965 & then again 50 years later sounding just as good at age 72 .
What a voice he had. From the look of the dancers, I'd say this is a performance from the tv show Shindig. Lot of famous singers and groups were on that show, including the Beatles, the Who, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, the Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, The Everly Brothers, Glen Campbell, Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones, and, are you ready? ELVIS. What a time that was to be alive.
Jay Black was trained as a Cantor, similar to that of an opera singer. I had seen him live in upstate New York, aka The Catskills, and he still sounded the same. I had just found out that he passed away today. RIP Jay Black. Thank you for all the great memories.
So happy to see you sharing this video. Jay Black had one of the best voices of my era, I'm 68 yrs young so that speaks volumes. There is a video of him singing this song as an older man. I think he may have even sounded better then.
His falsetto reminded me of Roy Orbison! I’ve heard other songs by this band but had not heard this one. I really enjoyed this. Your patrons have exquisite taste Harri! 😂 They are also noted for their humility 😂. This continues to be my favorite channel. 🌺✌️
Jay ....and a new group of Americans ....performed along with many of the OLDIES ....on PBS productions .......in the early 2000 s .....Jay Black STILL had that voice !!!!!
Jay Black was a tremendous singer. He used to give me chills just listening to him saying he has passed away now and he will be greatly missed. Thank you for showing this Karen.
We saw Jay and the Americans perform at sort of a R&R show at the NY Coliseum at Columbus Circle. It was 1968 or 1969. When he sang “This Magic Moment”, 😅it was just magical 😮. I was in heaven 😮. The world still stops when I hear Jay sing This Magic Moment and Cara Mia with that amazing voice. I love Jay and will till I die. I’m sad I didn’t get to see his shows at Westbury Music Fair. RIP Jay. You will always be in my heart, dear fellow Queensite.
He had such a beautiful voice, even at the end of his life, in his 70's he was hitting all the notes perfectly, You should listen to This Magic Moment, Come A Little bit Closer, he had so many great songs
66 yr.old Rock and Metal head, just saw this and had to dive in. Jay's voice was captivating. Having just learned that music just lost a long surviving member of the Arts! It was said that Elvis thought Roy Orbison was the only man that was a threat to his vocal career...I think Jay posed a double threat! Come A Little Bit Closer...
I recognized the band name, not the title; then the chorus came in and, "Oh yeah!" It's been 55-56 years!! Great voice, performance, thanks, Harri. ;>D
Very enjoyable, cogent and insightful, thank you. Kudos for correcting your earlier (and understandable) criticism of The Americans as "only being there for the oohs and aaahs". I made the same mistake about the (very) pretty female singer with The Platters, I though she was merely there just for her beauty anda couple of "ooooohs". I've since learned that sometimes, for some songs, certain members of a singing group have to sing a part well below there actual capabilities, but Jay's voice is so outstanding it almost dwarfs others.
Harri, just like you finally reacted to Procol Harum's performance of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" 39 years after the initial 1967 release....you need to react to Jay & the Americans performance of "Cara Mia" 50 years later. Jay's vocals are even more amazing. Check out tht 2011 PBS. RIP Jay.
I LOVE your comment that if we keep listening to this fantastic music of the past, it will continue! LOVE Jay Black!!!! Listen to his "Come a Little Bit Closer."
One of the greatest singers in music history. He did this song at a PBS concert I believe in 2011. Sounds the same, many said besides me. Did a great cover of THIS MAGIC MOMENT, and WALKING IN THE RAIN.
I saw Jay and the Americans at the Camelot Inn on Quentin road in Brooklyn N.Y. i was 16 then..that was 52 years ago, loved him then and still do !! What a voice! Rip
Jay had such a wide range with his instrument. One of the most underrated vocalists of all time. When I was a kid they released "This Magic Moment" and my older sis had the single and we listened to it on her little RCA record player that looked like a suitcase kinda. Little red and white box. Bet that thing is worth some money now.
Got to see them at an oldies show with Fate Domino, Leslie Gore and Johnny Maestro. He really was that good. Give a listen to Only In America. Jay Black is the second lead singer for the group. They had a hit with the original Jay called She Cried.
I love this group and their songs but, when watching their performances, you have to keep in mind the time period. It can throw you a little because it's SO different and that's not, necessarily, a bad thing.
I grew up in Kew Garden Hills, Queens. I was in Tico and the Triumphs with Paul Simon. Kenny of the group lived there, we sang with him and another American forgot who in the schoolyard and at parties. I met Kenny in LA in the 80s he was still in a group doing shows.
Jay was a friend and earner for the Gotti mob. He was the singer at Gotti's daughter's wedding. Puts "This Magic Moment" in a different light. Jay Black attended every court date when Gotti was tried. The FBI noted all in attendance daily with Jay in the back who had grown a beard for the trial. He was more than just a singer on Shindig.
I would recommend Brook Benton. A duet with Dinah Washington "Baby, you've got what it takes", "My true confession", It's just a matter of time" "Ties that bind". You will hear the great range that he has and what makes his such a pleasure to listen to.
Oh lordy! That is super strange! Ive just gone to check this.I didnt even know.Meant to post the video yesterday.Which was on the day he died.But i had a phone call and was a few minutes late. So sad..RIP Shining star.
My best friend from the time we were 13 years old (in 1966) was cousins with Jay Black. I met Jay at a family function at my friends home around 1970. I really didn't get to be around him more than a minute or two but it was still kind of cool just meeting him. (Sadly, that dear and very close friend passed away a few years ago)
This reminds me of Donald Peers. When I was a kid he used to come on( an old guy) and sing In a Shady Nook by a Babbling Brook and all these matronly women used to swoon. I thought ir was faintly ridiculous at the time! You would have to be very old to be reminded of Somald Peers but this was a hit around his eta. But by David Whitfield another singer
Good morning Harri, Another terrific review reaction! If / when you ever get the chance check out this same tune (originally released in 1955!) as done by a great British pop(?) vocalist David Whitfield. I am currently 73 years young and became musically aware in the 1960's when the Four Lads from Liverpool first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show (February 9, 1964) and also became an absolute fan (addict?) of all things emanating from the UK and playing in several rock / pop bands with an actual recording session resulting in one single being released regionally (upper midwest {Minnesota} USA). About ten years prior to this my Father (quite musically talented with the Harmonica being his instrument of choice and playing in several Big Band style groups) purchased the David Whitfield LP that featured "Cara Mia" and although I was only 5 years at that time the tune just struck me as something great and it has remained in my consciousness ever since. I honestly feel you would be just as impressed as I was (and remain so) all those years ago. Please give it a listen. All the very best to you and yours, Terry
Harri It was not Donald Preers but David Whirfield who sang the UK hit version of this. He was in the TV all the time much to our chagrin at the time. I wanted the Beatles or the Stones ha ha. This is a blast from the past
Hi Harri, you should listen to their "Cara Mia" original recording as it really sounds much better than the live version. I see below in the comment section that people have listed a number of their songs. I'd like to pass along their complete list of great songs so that I don't miss anything. I think you'll find a number of new fave's listed below that you've never heard before. * 1) Cara Mia 2) Let's Lock The Door 3) Come A Little Bit Closer 4) Walking In The Rain 5) This Magic Moment 6) Only In America 7) Sunday And Me 8) Living Above Your Head 9) Some Enchanted Evening 10) She Cried 11) Hang Around 12) Run To My Loving Arms 13) When It's All Over 14) Something In My Eye. * Enjoy!
Now u gotta do "This Magic Moment." Used it as the wedding dance song. We took professional dance lessons too. Divorced now. But it was a great wedding.
Jay Black was certainly one of the most gifted singers in the history of popular music ...
Live, 2011....th-cam.com/video/ffGjbaAFVpw/w-d-xo.html
He could still nail that song 50 years later!
Jay passed away this week. He and his music will be missed. Another good reaction is Jay and the Americans then and now
Jay Black had a stunning voice and range; the command he had was truly something to behold.❤️
Not the first of the bel canto '60s pop singers, but certainly one of the best.
He has talents, not tricks. One of yesteryear greatest singer.
Jay Black also known as "The Voice." And what a voice!
"This Magic Moment" is one of my favorite they do !!
Jay Black of Jay and the Americans has no tricks, he just has a lot of talent and a great voice. As for the rest of the singers they also have great voices and harmonies and that is why Jay and the Americans were one of the great groups of the 60's.
RIP Mr. Black ,
An incredible voice and talent.❤️😢🙏
RIP. A GREAT SINGER.
Not too many performers can do what Jay Black could do he was truly one of a kind.😞😞😞😞😞
This was a great band from the 60's-70's. The lead singer had a powerful voice. Some of their hits were "She Cried" & "Come a Little Bit Closer". In 1969, they recorded an album of their favorite oldies called Sands of Time, which included the hit "This Magic Moment" originally sung by The Drifters.
Best version is Cara Mia by Jay & The Americans video ( Now & Then) in which Jay sings Cara Mia in 1965 & then again 50 years later sounding just as good at age 72 .
Saw him a few years ago at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Still has it.
They were my very first concert that I attended. I liked Only In America and Come A Little Closer.
yes, Debi - Come a little bit closer was also great!
Sunday & Me written by Neil Diamond back in 1965 went to #18 on charts.
This magic moment and Come a little closer are my two favorites of theirs
What a voice he had. From the look of the dancers, I'd say this is a performance from the tv show Shindig. Lot of famous singers and groups were on that show, including the Beatles, the Who, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, the Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, The Everly Brothers, Glen Campbell, Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones, and, are you ready? ELVIS. What a time that was to be alive.
RIP Jay Black, outstanding talent and under rated group.
One of my first 45's, "This Magic Moment". So sad to hear another piece of my childhood is gone.
He was trained to be a Cantor which is the equivalent of an Opera singer would get. RIP Jay Black long live The Voice
You are gone but your music is Forever. R.IP. Jay Black!
Jay Black was trained as a Cantor, similar to that of an opera singer. I had seen him live in upstate New York, aka The Catskills, and he still sounded the same.
I had just found out that he passed away today.
RIP Jay Black. Thank you for all the great memories.
Oh, no - sorry to hear.. Jay was amazing...
Amazing he just passed. He was referred to as "The Voice". RIP.
RIP Mr. Black 😢❤️🙏An amazing voice & talent.
So sorry to see Jay Black has passed. I just watched a oldies special and he sure could sing still.
So happy to see you sharing this video. Jay Black had one of the best voices of my era, I'm 68 yrs young so that speaks volumes. There is a video of him singing this song as an older man. I think he may have even sounded better then.
His falsetto reminded me of Roy Orbison! I’ve heard other songs by this band but had not heard this one. I really enjoyed this. Your patrons have exquisite taste Harri! 😂 They are also noted for their humility 😂. This continues to be my favorite channel. 🌺✌️
They did a cover of Orbison's song Crying
I thought this was Roy Orbison at first
it does
Jay ....and a new group of Americans ....performed along with many of the OLDIES ....on PBS productions .......in the early 2000 s .....Jay Black STILL had that voice !!!!!
Came from Brooklyn gravesend, my husband played baseball with him in McDonald ave park, what a voice, amazing, angel hugs💜💜💜
Jay Black was a tremendous singer. He used to give me chills just listening to him saying he has passed away now and he will be greatly missed. Thank you for showing this Karen.
Grew up with Jay & the Americans!! GREAT VOICE, GREAT SINGER. R.I.P. Jay always!!
I love this song!
We saw Jay and the Americans perform at sort of a R&R show at the NY Coliseum at Columbus Circle. It was 1968 or 1969. When he sang “This Magic Moment”, 😅it was just magical 😮. I was in heaven 😮. The world still stops when I hear Jay sing This Magic Moment and Cara Mia with that amazing voice. I love Jay and will till I die. I’m sad I didn’t get to see his shows at Westbury Music Fair. RIP Jay. You will always be in my heart, dear fellow Queensite.
Rip in peace jay black the lead singer of this band age 82
He had such a beautiful voice, even at the end of his life, in his 70's he was hitting all the notes perfectly, You should listen to This Magic Moment, Come A Little bit Closer, he had so many great songs
Love this group and Cara Mia is my favorite song of theirs
Their version of Some Enchanted Evening is also really good, with Jay sounding amazing.
They did COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, a great fun story song that was very high on the charts.
66 yr.old Rock and Metal head, just saw this and had to dive in. Jay's voice was captivating. Having just learned that music just lost a long surviving member of the Arts! It was said that Elvis thought Roy Orbison was the only man that was a threat to his vocal career...I think Jay posed a double threat! Come A Little Bit Closer...
I recognized the band name, not the title; then the chorus came in and, "Oh yeah!" It's been 55-56 years!! Great voice, performance, thanks, Harri. ;>D
Very enjoyable, cogent and insightful, thank you.
Kudos for correcting your earlier (and understandable) criticism of The Americans as "only being there for the oohs and aaahs".
I made the same mistake about the (very) pretty female singer with The Platters, I though she was merely there just for her beauty anda couple of "ooooohs".
I've since learned that sometimes, for some songs, certain members of a singing group have to sing a part well below there actual capabilities, but Jay's voice is so outstanding it almost dwarfs others.
Harri, just like you finally reacted to Procol Harum's performance of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" 39 years after the initial 1967 release....you need to react to Jay & the Americans performance of "Cara Mia" 50 years later. Jay's vocals are even more amazing. Check out tht 2011 PBS. RIP Jay.
I LOVE your comment that if we keep listening to this fantastic music of the past, it will continue! LOVE Jay Black!!!! Listen to his "Come a Little Bit Closer."
Jay Black was the best lead male vocalist of the entire rock and roll a tremendous voice.He was known as"The VOICE"
Love this group. His voice was amazing!!!❤❤❤
Jay Black is one of the best singer's I ever heard.
I love the tremble in his voice. I have never heard this song. Great pick and analysis Harri!
One of the greatest singers in music history. He did this song at a PBS concert I believe in 2011. Sounds the same, many said besides me. Did a great cover of THIS MAGIC MOMENT, and WALKING IN THE RAIN.
Harri,. Jay is my age around. 70. Something &. He can still hold that long. N. Ote. Beautiful 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
He sadly died yesterday
Oh my, I didn't know. Thank you harri💕. R.i.p. Jay. 😢💔
He was 82. He died from pneumonia & suffered from dementia. I was lucky to see him in concert in the late 90's.
I saw Jay and the Americans at the Camelot Inn on Quentin road in Brooklyn N.Y. i was 16 then..that was 52 years ago, loved him then and still do !! What a voice! Rip
Jay had such a wide range with his instrument. One of the most underrated vocalists of all time. When I was a kid they released "This Magic Moment" and my older sis had the single and we listened to it on her little RCA record player that looked like a suitcase kinda. Little red and white box. Bet that thing is worth some money now.
Got to see them at an oldies show with Fate Domino, Leslie Gore and Johnny Maestro. He really was that good. Give a listen to Only In America.
Jay Black is the second lead singer for the group. They had a hit with the original Jay called She Cried.
Quite a hit, for the period, as one can imagine.
Listen to "This Magic Moment" - another very good song by Jay and the Americans
Good stuff. So, now you should listen to the Vogues, and their biggest hit--"Five o'clock World."
I love this group and their songs but, when watching their performances, you have to keep in mind the time period. It can throw you a little because it's SO different and that's not, necessarily, a bad thing.
The song's title is in Italian. "Cara Mia" translates to "My Dear."
I grew up in Kew Garden Hills, Queens. I was in Tico and the Triumphs with Paul Simon. Kenny of the group lived there, we sang with him and another American forgot who in the schoolyard and at parties. I met Kenny in LA in the 80s he was still in a group doing shows.
Jay was a friend and earner for the Gotti mob. He was the singer at Gotti's daughter's wedding. Puts "This Magic Moment" in a different light. Jay Black attended every court date when Gotti was tried. The FBI noted all in attendance daily with Jay in the back who had grown a beard for the trial. He was more than just a singer on Shindig.
I would recommend Brook Benton. A duet with Dinah Washington "Baby, you've got what it takes", "My true confession", It's just a matter of time" "Ties that bind". You will hear the great range that he has and what makes his such a pleasure to listen to.
Think you would enjoy "come a little bit closer." One of those songs with a story.
I liked Come A Little Closer, he had several hits.
Aww, just saw the news that Jay has died. RIP.
Oh lordy! That is super strange! Ive just gone to check this.I didnt even know.Meant to post the video yesterday.Which was on the day he died.But i had a phone call and was a few minutes late.
So sad..RIP Shining star.
@@HarriBestReactions Oh wow. That is kind of eerie. I JUST saw it within the last half hour.
Rip .Great singer
@@HarriBestReactions , you should definitely react to Jay & The American's song "This Magic Moment." Very beautiful and tender!
@@johnbattles1002 , the Drifters version is good, too.
Other great songs by JB AND A are Walking in the Rain and Come a Little bit Closer. RIP Jay Black !
I love your enlightened reviews Harri. You bring a unique and insightful perspective on these amazing artists. Thank you.
You need to go to wings of Pegasus and he does a voice analysis of Jay performing this song on a PBS concert
Jay died this morning…..the Voice is stilled…..RIP
Find someone in pop today with a voice like that. Jay was still belting it out in his 70s.
The worst that could happen- Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge
Fabulous singer and that song one of my favorites. His son is also a singer.
My best friend from the time we were 13 years old (in 1966) was cousins with Jay Black. I met Jay at a family function at my friends home around 1970. I really didn't get to be around him more than a minute or two but it was still kind of cool just meeting him. (Sadly, that dear and very close friend passed away a few years ago)
For some classic opera, I would love to see you react to Maria Callas 'Oh Mio Babbino Caro"... It's one of my favorites and I think you will love it!
He had some really great songs during their time I think was to short
I suppose you have heard the news by now, but Jay passed away last night at the age of 82. RIP!
This reminds me of Donald Peers. When I was a kid he used to come on( an old guy) and sing In a Shady Nook by a Babbling Brook and all these matronly women used to swoon. I thought ir was faintly ridiculous at the time! You would have to be very old to be reminded of Somald Peers but this was a hit around his eta. But by David Whitfield another singer
RIP MR. JAY 😢
That's from a time, before Auto tune. Nothing short of pure talent back in the day
thanks, Harri! Jay Black was awesome! He could have sung opera - but they put him into "pop" which was not a perfect fit -- yet, it works for me!
Good morning Harri,
Another terrific review reaction! If / when you ever get the chance check out this same tune (originally released in 1955!) as done by a great British pop(?) vocalist David Whitfield. I am currently 73 years young and became musically aware in the 1960's when the Four Lads from Liverpool first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show (February 9, 1964) and also became an absolute fan (addict?) of all things emanating from the UK and playing in several rock / pop bands with an actual recording session resulting in one single being released regionally (upper midwest {Minnesota} USA). About ten years prior to this my Father (quite musically talented with the Harmonica being his instrument of choice and playing in several Big Band style groups) purchased the David Whitfield LP that featured "Cara Mia" and although I was only 5 years at that time the tune just struck me as something great and it has remained in my consciousness ever since.
I honestly feel you would be just as impressed as I was (and remain so) all those years ago.
Please give it a listen.
All the very best to you and yours,
Terry
Jay trained as an opera singer, sadly he passed away in 2023. Rip
A late 1950s Mantovani song. Terri Gar was an original dancer on the tv song.
Harri It was not Donald Preers but David Whirfield who sang the UK hit version of this. He was in the TV all the time much to our chagrin at the time. I wanted the Beatles or the Stones ha ha. This is a blast from the past
Try to find the video where he's singing this in his 70s. If anything his voice is better. Richer, more expressive. And still great support.
You should listen to the recording, the sound quality would be a lot better.
Jay and the Americans are very underated.
So good!
Hi Harri, you should listen to their "Cara Mia" original recording as it really sounds much better than the live version. I see below in the comment
section that people have listed a number of their songs. I'd like to pass along their complete list of great songs so that I don't miss anything. I think
you'll find a number of new fave's listed below that you've never heard before. * 1) Cara Mia 2) Let's Lock The Door 3) Come A Little Bit Closer
4) Walking In The Rain 5) This Magic Moment 6) Only In America 7) Sunday And Me 8) Living Above Your Head 9) Some Enchanted Evening
10) She Cried 11) Hang Around 12) Run To My Loving Arms 13) When It's All Over 14) Something In My Eye. * Enjoy!
Now u gotta do "This Magic Moment." Used it as the wedding dance song. We took professional dance lessons too. Divorced now. But it was a great wedding.
The Brooklyn Bridge Johnny Maestro, The worst that could happen. Great voice. Also sang with the Crest, biracial group Step by Step. Do wop.
He flew me to the moon for sure.😉❤
Jay had voice training so his voice is operatic. He has range, his breathing, his projection and range and you can hear the vibrato in his voice.
"Elvis, opera and falsetto" . . . interesting observation. I would also suggest there's a bit of Roy Orbison in there a couple times.
Lou Christie us another great singer with a few tricks.
I'm so lucky to have been a teen for this era of music. It was the best !
The falsetto voice reminds me a little of Roy Orbison, strangely enough.
That's why Jay Black was referred to as "The Voice". RIP David Blatt (Jay Black) - the one and the only
I think is strange that you never heard about Jay &The Americans,Cara Mia!!
Harri.
I’m cracking up at how snapping one’s fingers while singing was a big thing in the 60’s (at least), lol. I’m old…
You should listen to him when hes older.....hes voice only gets much better
thanks for jay and the americans. try "mitch ryder and the detroit wheels" singing "devil with a blue dress/good golly miss molly".
good song but he has better versions as far as sound quality goes
I think that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (Steely Dan) were in the band Jay and the Americans.
RIP Jay "The Voice" Black. :'(
RIP David Blatt, AKA Jay Black, from Brooklyn, a member of my particular tribe.