FIRST TIME REACTING TO | Jay & The Americans - Cara Mia

[@timcarr6401]

Jay Black (real name David Blatt) still had that stellar voice into his 70s. There is PBS Special in which his voice lost none of its luster. He hit and held notes like you wouldn't believe at age 73. He can be favorably compared with Roy Orbison.

[@BelleDede01]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGGVlpqse6eWgck

[@dirkvanbesien]

Fully agree timczrr!

[@markappel3071]

100% one of the great singers of the Pop Rock Era. Deserves much more recognition. (Also a hilarious guy)

[@marknewton6984]

He and Orbison were the best! 😮

[@markmeenaghan934]

Annoying interruptions

[@chetstevensq]

Finally some love for The Voice Jay Black. We lost Jay in October of 2021 and he was still hitting the notes 'til the end.

[@NameOptional-p9u]

Jay and the Americans have some good songs. You would probably know "come a little bit closer" or "this magic moment"

[@kestrelle5345]

Two greats!

[@jimklyman9602]

I'll triple that! Even if you don't do a reaction, do a quick check out - I know you like story line songs and this is one of them (Kind of like Marty Robinsons "El Paso" cowboy song).

[@mpsarge2]

Sunday. A good one

[@marknewton6984]

Only in America...

[@DrTramp-uu1hh]

Jay and Roy Orbison both had magnificent operatic voices. No tech enhancement, just pure talent. I was born in 51 and have been fortunate to have heard rock and roll from it's beginnings to now. Throw in rhythm and blues, folk and country, and other musical genres I've gotten into along the way and it makes quite a soundtrack to my life.

[@rickpetersen1745]

As an acquaintance of Jay from my days of growing up in Brooklyn and Queens NY. I can tell you Jay was a student of opera. His parents were not to thrilled with his path in music.

[@GinMae]

Wow, Rick! so awesome!

[@geraldgonzalez4430]

Lady do you ever shut -up

[@iowaboy5326]

Julliard trained, wasn't he??

[@docsavage8640]

What about his path into the mafia?

[@jeffclark7888]

David Blatt!

[@REMEMBER1776]

"Sunday and Me", "Walking in the Rain", "This Magic Moment", "Crying", ""She Cried", "Tonight", "Some Enchanted Evening", "Hushabye"...are all gems.

[@jeaniejoseph940]

Sunday and Me was written by Neil Diamond.

[@craigplatel813]

Don't forget, come a little bit closer

[@robinfra52]

She Cried was actually the guy David replaced. They had a couple of hits with him and he left.??

[@francesdellaquila8570]

Didn't our generation have such beautiful music!!

[@billforrester2512]

Jay as a much older man could still sing this song perfectly. Amazing!!!

[@saxmusicmail]

And into his 70's still sang it in the same key.

[@JGoolsby]

This man could sing like this , until he was into his 70's !!!!!! in other words from the late 50's to 2015 !!!!!! SIMPLY AMAZING !!!!!!!

[@hookalakah]

The semi-operatic Jay Black was one of the greatest voices in 1960s pop, Britt. You need to hear Jay and the Americans on "Come a Little Bit Closer" and "Only in America," as well.

[@dagmar.6954]

This was a great band from the 60's-70's. The lead singer had a very powerful voice. Some of their hits were "She Cried", "Come A Little Bit Closer", "Only In America" etc. In 1969, they recorded an album of their favorite oldies called "Sands Of Time", which included the hit "This Magic Moment" (The Drifters). They also had a hit with "Walkin' In The Rain" (The Ronettes).

[@davidmola849]

I saw Jay and the Americans at Madison Square Garden, he sang this song and the Audience made him do an Encore of this Song. 1973 performed with Frankie Valle and the 4 Seasons, the Four Tops, and Tommy James and the Shondells. Greatest Concert of all time for me.

[@stevenyurik2924]

WOW...

[@cathysorge8433]

I went to a similar concert with most of the groups you listed in 1977. There was a Blizzard and only 3 Tops made it. Jay Black and the Americans had to perform longer than planned because of the snow storm, and performers were late. They did an amazing job. I agree....best concert ever!

[@davidmola849]

No Cell Phones, you had to Flick your Bic!

[@odiebryer2144]

OMG!!!! Four of my MOST FAVORITEST groups ever! Wish I could have been there! Too bad I live about 1,500 miles away from NYC. I was in my early 20s then a😢nd would have been one of those screaming girls in the audience! So jealous! ❤❤❤❤ 😂😅😮😂😅❤

[@RobertSmith-iw2kb]

You should really let songs play,instead of making it all about you.sorry you sound like our VP.unwatchable.😢

[@jeffwhyte5867]

They were absolutory great it the 60's. You need to checkout 'This Magic Moment", also "Only in America". Also can't forget "Come A Little Bit Closer"

[@queenbeedat8726]

I had the privilege of deeing this man live when he was in his 70's. I was left speechless. He sounded anazing and what a nice man he seemed to be speaking to the audiance.

[@michaelwelsh7362]

Jay Black was an opera singer who brought that to rock and roll🎶🎶 This song has the distinction of having the longest held vocal note in rock history🎶🎶🎶

[@Jordy1.]

You need to watch Jay sing this song when he was much older and he held a note for a minute and a half, and he kept looking at his watch, as to show off. 😂

[@JGoolsby]

Yes, this man still had an AMAZING VOICE FOREVER!!!!!!

[@AngelasJoys]

They were very famous. Jay was amazing. Cara Mia literally means "my heart" (my dear) in Italian. I don't thing he was Italian. One of your other comments mentions their other songs. Check them out. All of our romantic songs in the 60s were dramatic, when men said romantic stuff to their girlfriends. Was nice.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

He was a Jew that wanted to be Italian.

[@budcunningham6732]

He has one of the " golden voices " that can't be matched . Jay and the Americans are legendary

[@marksilverman4537]

Jay Black had one of the best voices in popular music in the sixties. My favorites are Walking In The Rain, and Only In America. The man oozed confidence and charisma....and then that voice!

[@douglassellers7528]

You know in 1965 we expected the prefromers to be able to sing. Such talent we had and variety. No eletronics to make them perfect.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

"performers"

[@jeffdetmer4681]

Britt, for another feel of Jay and the Americans try "Come a Little Bit Closer". Such a talented vocalist well into his 70s.

[@richardmccann8215]

Found your channel flipping through shorts. Stayed for hours. You are born to entertain. Love you ❤

[@rosea1970]

I saw Jay and the Americans live in Palmetto Florida and sat on the floor right at their feet. This was about 1965 and they were fabulous.

[@stevefoulston]

The title means "my dear" in Italian. "Cara Mia" This phrase carry a sense of affection and are versatile in expressing endearment or closeness across various contexts. In Italian, cara means "dear" or "darling" and is used in different ways depending on the region. In Tuscany, it's used among friends and family. In Sicily, it's used to address someone dear. In Veneto, it expresses fondness or closeness. In Lombardy, it's an endearing term among those close. Peace out.

[@isaacdavenport8624]

Thank you for that info my friend! Had no idea.

[@ripmod1]

Jay Black kept his voice into his 60s. The group was brilliant. Kenny Vance was the tall guy on the end. Kenny formed a group called the planotones. He wrote a song called "looking for an echo" when he was in his 60s. It was a tribute to the do wop Era. Give it a listen in your spare time. It's great. The girl dancers were on the same stage during Jay and the Americans performance.

[@jonbrooks5246]

One of my favorite groups from the 1960’s! Love This Magic Moment, Walking in the Rain, Come a Little Bit Closer. Unbelievable pipes!

[@dennisflury6942]

This is a classic. Jay Black had Operatic training. and hang on for this! (welcome back t the 60's)

[@pamagnolia]

So happy you got hear this fabulous group. The other commenters recommended some great songs by them so I won’t repeat them but you really need to dive into this group. 😅

[@brittreacts]

Ok I will !

[@bridgetwilliams5981]

Good songs are memorable...GREAT songs you'll never forget. Nice that other generations love it too!

[@patmellen7523]

I thought Jay had some opera training and those thoughts were confirmed in the comments. Another great song bý Jay & The Americans is Come A Little Bit Closer. I think you'll like that one too. Have a good night.

[@stevegans3517]

They had a lot of hits in the 60s, this was always my favorite.

[@robertchambers4065]

Falsettos were more common at that time as evidenced by the many hits by The Four Seasons that featured Frankie Valli on the high vocals. One of my favorite falsetto singers was Lou Christie whose falsetto voice blended in perfectly with the females singing the backing vocals. He had several major hits beginning around 1962 and hit his peak around 1965 with "Lighting Strikes" which was more or less his signature song, and "Rhapsody In The Rain" which was banned by some radio stations because the song is about a sexual encounter in the back seat of a car. He had a few hits afterwards and even tried going country in the early-mid 70s. He continued recording until around 2015 and greatest hits collections like the album "Gypsy Bells" are still being released today.

[@trishdaniel6196]

THEY WERE A GREAT BAND, OTHER HITS ARE: THIS MAGIC MOMENT, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, SHE CRIED, AND SOME MANY OTHERS.....

[@JosephClancy-c3g]

You stop it too much if you let it play you’d get your answers

[@lloydbraun6026]

I HATE reactions like this. Watch Andy and Alex to see how it should be done

[@craigdixon4113]

Exactly!

[@sjmccafferey4437]

Well said

[@aiavecchia]

My tenuous understanding is that copyrighted music (and movies?) can be publicly presented WITHOUT incurring licensing fees only if the presentation is for incremental analysis/discussion (i.e. educational purposes). If presented without interruption, it becomes a 'performance' that will incur fees. Many (most?) Content Providers purposefully interrupt so as to avoid fees (esp. on KZbin; I believe Patreon is a PAY SITE where uninterrupted 'performances' are the norm).. Those who DON"T interrupt (on KZbin) PERHAPS have licensing agreements (or share ad revenue). All of this is predicated on the assumption that Content Providers are monetizing their Reaction Videos, and Publishing Holders want their lawful fees. . . . . Again, just my understanding.

[@rogercartee6264]

This Magic Moment will change your life

[@randynakoneshny6273]

Jay died in 2014. there is a video of him 50 years after this one and he still had the same voice. He still played a lot of small venues, as my sister saw him live in a small bar in Arizona, shortly before he died there are 2 more top hits that he did. 'Come a Little Bit Closer' and 'This magic moment'.

[@raygeraghty6670]

Sorry to correct, but Jay died in 2021

[@dianemaniscalco1466]

Jay Black passed on 10/22/21, not 2014

[@JohnPaul-hm2ys]

I think This Magic Moment is one you may recognize from some commercial use. This group was part of the 45 RPM records of my two oldest sisters music. But I still can sing the lyrics to some of those classic songs.

[@dheller777]

You ought to oi a reaction to one of his last performances doing Cara mia before he passed. His voice never left him.

[@Cornman1959]

Thrre is a video of him singing live and he is in his 70's. It is on KZbin. It is stunning.

[@steverino015]

Mom passed 2 years ago a week before Christmas.. this was one of her favorite songs.... always touches me when I hear it... I love your reaction... He (Jay Black) was 25 when he recorded this, and kept that amazing voice into his 70's..... wonderful, no words.... no words.... thanks for reacting..

[@grandpafischer8317]

Thanks for the memories Brit. I remember hearing this years ago, loved it then love it now.

[@MrMakemyday3]

juust another of the all time greats of the 60s! so glad i grew up then

[@joankisloski6972]

Being 74, I know Jay & the Americans. Gave my 15 year old self goosies.

[@Paladin70]

When I saw this I absolutely could not wait to watch your face upon witnessing Jay’s soaring vocals. You did not disappoint. He was truly amazing and you need now to dig deeper. Check out This Magic Moment, Come A Little Bit Closer, She Cried and Some Enchanted Evening.

[@johnniekight1879]

Before the Stones all band members were expected to dress alike. This was from the ABC rock program "Shindig".

[@productivepenguin8865]

Just wait till you hear their rendition of "This Magic Moment"!

[@ronerickson9536]

I love Jay and the Americans. This song has been my all time, number one favorite! I was 14 when this was released! Amazing still today!!!

[@alannorris8465]

Lots of great music from . . . and the..." groups. Gerry and the pacemakers, Frankie Valli and the four seasons, The Bobby Fuller Four and, of course, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

[@hockemeyer1]

Cara Mia is an Italian phrase that translates as 'My Darling'

[@nwilliams1540]

You are so cute. You brighten my day with your joy for music. You say it the way I feel it. Brilliant!!

[@mrcurtis73]

So, I’m just gonna say this.. If the reaction thing starts to go downhill, you could always be a comedic actress. You’re quickly becoming my favorite reaction person and a big part of that is your personality and sense of humor. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@brittreacts]

Oh thank you!

[@ronblois37]

I saw Jay and The Americans in a concert while in college. The voice was just as powerful in a college auditorium as it is in the studio. One of my all time favorite singers. I wore out several 8 track tapes in my car listening to them.

[@ydqpljn]

You would probably like "come a little bit closer" , "this magic moment" or "She Cried", and every other of their songs!!!

[@philipgotthelf642]

Marty Kupersmith was lead guitarist for Jay and the Americans and still performs at the youthful age of 82. I had the privilege of playing with him in Warwick, NY at a Hank Williams memorial concert. Jay and the Americans were 1960s musical trendsetters. Great talents even if a bit hokey by today’s taste.

[@BlastfromthePastCentury]

This particular reaction is why, when the right song sneaks up on you (Shania's Feels Like a Woman and Randy Travis/Three Wooden Crosses come to mind), you are the greatest reactor (or is it reacter) in all of the KZbin world. Please accept your prize, Britt!....now that you have found Jay Black, and his band Jay & the Americans, your next stop on their hit parade needs to be "Come A Little Bit Closer." It is a really fun song and you are a really fun reactor.

[@ecoranchusa]

I don't often comment on videos. However, watching you hear "The Voice" (the greatest voice ever in rock & roll) first time, took me back to 1965 when it first came out. The generation is different, but the reaction is the same and it was great to watch you react, not knowing what note came next! Jay's voice only improved over the years, actually sounding BETTER in his 70's than it did at 25. He finally missed a note in concert when he was 80. He trained as an opera singer, but stepped in when the original Jay left the band, taking it to super-stardom. "Come a Little Bit Closer" being played during the "kill 'em" scene in Guardians of The Galaxy 2, turned on a lot of young people to Jay & The Americans. I would urge you to listen to all the varied hits that Jay Black vocalized. He truly was "The Voice"! I enjoyed watching you!

[@iowafinn2602]

Their top hit was "Come a Little Bit Closer." It reached number 3 on the Top 40.

[@jimmythetout109]

Jay Black , he of the enormous voice , and the Americans ....had a long resume of hits ...She Cried....Only in America ....Come a Little Bit closer ...Some Enchanted Evening and more .

[@jimsanchez2284]

One of my favorite groups.

[@laurengaudette7497]

"Cara Mia" was a popular song in the UK in the mid-50s and Jay & and Americans did this song in 1965! My favorite Jay and the Americans song is "Some Enchanted Evening" which is a Broadway song! You recently did "My Prayer" by Bobby Hatfield, The Platters did it way better! Tony Williams' voice is sublime!

[@michaelmcgillivray1624]

I loved your reaction when the tempo and pitch changed.😂

[@rogerbrown-ci3ou]

Jay trained as a opera singer until he got the call for jay and the American and it was a perfect fit. There was so many hits in the sixties that if it made the top tens it was very poplar back in the day.. Jay just died in 2023.

[@lisaheadley435]

This magic moment is my favorite song of theirs. Of course, Jay Black could sing the phonebook and make it sound heavenly. 😊

[@peggygreeby5065]

I'm 74 and I remember Jay and the Americans very well. This was some of the quality of music in the 50's and 60's before Disco destroyed music.

[@StevenGreen-t6u]

Great music but so was Bee Gees Disco

[@garybradford8332]

Love your facial expressions when you get surprised. Cara mia isn't a name. It's an Italian term of affection meaning "My dear". "This Magic Moment" was another huge hit of theirs.

[@jamesoconnor8513]

I had seen him many times in concert, he was still killin it - in the 90's and 2000's - always on my juke box!

[@Ken-dh2te]

Shut up and let this great singer sing. I thank God for my mom & dad raising us 4 boyd in the1950s & 60s. America's innocence is gone, unfortunately.

[@pamagnolia]

Another great group from the sixties that I’m sure you haven’t heard is the Dave Clark Five!! I’ll send a song link! 😅

[@dennisquinn8558]

And if you're looking for a romantic Dave Clark Five song, you can't go wrong listening to "Because".

[@pamagnolia]

@@dennisquinn8558 exactly!! I sent her a link to it

[@eawe]

It's a true classic. You won't find a bad song from this group. Please keep digging into their library.

[@blippacg]

You're not alone Britt. I was born in 1965 so been around a while and can't say I've heard of Jay & The Americans.

[@wendyryder2708]

That’s because you’re still a bit on the young side! lol! Born in 1957! LOVE Jay and the Americans!

[@blippacg]

@@wendyryder2708 Ha! Haven’t heard someone say that in 30 years.

[@dennisquinn8558]

Born in '53, this is one of the first songs I had that really impressed me. Ending up wearing out the 45.

[@jackpearson1110]

This is a unexpected treat. The perfect song for his voice. I've listened to this 5 times this morning....so far.

[@robertscherer963]

In the 60's, many groups dressed the same: Beatles, Beach Boys, Animals, everyone dressed alike! This was the first album I purchased with my first check from the neighborhood grocery store.

[@markdemos75]

Fun fact: Steely Dan founders Donald Fagan and Walter Becker were hired to tour with Jay and the Americans. Also help write songs. Took the job to be exposed to music business and land their own contract. Exactly what happened..

[@joelanderos23]

this performance was on a national tv music show during the 60's. there were a few of them; where the action is, shindig and malibu u just to name a few.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

The HaterAde, lol lol lol. And that's one thing that I really liked about your reactions being a musician is that when it comes to singing and dance and other things, you really know what you're talking about and you're easily able to articulate it and I love it when you do the little vocal additions. I really do.

[@paulr.3220]

Wow, amazing, both are accurate words for Jay and the Americans. Keep it going with more of their fantastic hits like Come a Little Bit Closer.

[@brittreacts]

Thank you! Will do!

[@waynejackson3162]

First of all, we should start with the songwriter:Mantovi(real name:David Whitfield), who wrote the song , who only wrote this one hit song. Remember that he wrote this song in the style of other songwriters , at the time, known as the Brill building songwriters (Carole King, Roy Orbison, Phil Spector,) etc.

[@billysmith8784]

I've listened to music all my life,d hated an oldies show.In my opinion,he was the BEST LEAD MALE VOCALIST of the ENTIRE ROCK AND ROLL ERA!He was SIMPLY known as "THE VOICE" by his peers and the music industry.If you want to see this song analyzed just look up Wings of Pegasus JAY BLACK. You won't have to react to it You can listen to this guy's analysis of it and that will tell you how good he was

[@robertfritchey-zq1wn]

The 1960 era was Paradise, I am Honored to say I lived through this awesome period of time. Unfortunately those days will never cum back. I feel honored to have lived through those days.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

"come" - you quarter wit! They taught us how to read and write too! Were you absent that day?

[@robertfritchey-zq1wn]

@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 Look who's talking pea brain.

[@edge1289]

Jay and the Americans started as a NYC Doo Wop group in the early 60’s. Kenny Vance, one of the members is still performing as Kent Vance and the Planetones. I saw Jay & the Americans back in the 70’s, I forget the venue, possibly the old Academy of Music on 14th St in lower Manhattan. Live his voice was incredible, tape doesn’t do him justice. Jay could blow the roof off the theatre with his voice.

[@AKR8810]

As you figured out they are not brothers. At the time this song came out it was common for bands to wear the same outfits. That changed later in the 1960's when band members wore what they liked. Almost any teenager or young adult growing up at that time would have been familiar with Jay and The Americans. There was a lot going on in music at that time and there were many great new bands with great music. I was never a fan of Jay and the Americans, but I liked one of their songs called Come a Little Bit Closer. I hope you react more bands from that period.

[@TrthfulinNC]

Growing up in the 70s Jay and the Americans were a great reunion show of the 60s. Saw him and others in one show. Also, an Elvis fan I saw Elvis 9 different concerts and met him in person. I love your shows and your ability to watch and give your thoughts and opinions. Very classy and well done. Keep on rocking it!

[@robertmarion6454]

"Cara Mia" is Italian for "My Beloved" he could still hit the same notes into his seventies, sadly he is no longer with us. RIP Jay.

[@richardmeo2503]

Huge band in early-mid 60s. Keep checking out those years and dig it.

[@HJacobs-z7v]

Jay and the Americans were huge in the 60s. They had a large number of big hits at that time if you want to delve further. I think this clip is from the TV show Shindig, which along with Hullabloo were the 2 prime time TV shows for pop music in the 60s.

[@barnowl.]

The music from the 1950s through to the end of the 1990s was a golden era. I grew up listening to Jay and the Americans on the radio. They are wonderful ! If you want to see and hear another incredible singer with a gymnastic 'box of tricks' then react to John Farnham from Australis, LIVE in concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He has marvellous stage presence and charisma.

[@dougstrong1750]

Jay had a voice like few others. His ability to adapt it to pop music was incredible. There were many male vocalists in pop music in the '60's who had amazing voices. May I suggest that you listen to Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, The Brooklyn Bridge featuring Johnny Maestro, and Blood, Sweat and Tears.

[@jbear3562]

Cara Mia is Italian for My Beloved. The song was first recorded by the English singer David Whitfield in 1954.

[@rubroken]

Some young women from that era would say he belongs in the PDC 🙃

[@CaesarConsuloProVita]

Cara Mia is Italian and Spanish for “my dear or my darling”….idiomatically

[@rickgardner3417]

Your reactions always surprise me, you are not orchestrated, you react with real feelings. Another thing that I have noticed is that your choice of music is original, a lot of other reactors seem to follow each other, but you go your own way. Really enjoy that. Thank you.

[@rickgardner3417]

Sorry deleted your message by accident.

[@buckymaxwell3801]

I remember this song when it first came out and had the same reaction you did. They had several big hits, but like most groups, they broke up and Jay Black went off on his own. What a voice.

[@timgasper8748]

I was 13 when I first heard this song, when it first came out. I am very happy to know that you and so many other young people are finally and lovingly listening to the wonderful new music we grew up with. They FAR outperform the swill we hear today. Autotune, editing, etc. None of that here. Listen to the Righteous Brothers....Unchained Melody. Thee most beautiful love song ever. Period. And thank you

[@gigeastman]

Saw him perform a few years before he died and was still nailing those notes.

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

I enjoyed watching you react even more than the song. I had my spirits lifted by watching this.

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

By the way, Cara Mia means My Beloved.

[@DerekDominoes]

This song became a hit again in the Netherlands in the late 70s.

[@miastory247]

his performance always said to me italian heart. like he is throwing everything he has into it. totally vulnerable. i did hear him much later and all that heart was still with him, even moreso.

[@davidgingery8927]

When it came to excellent voices, Jay Black and Gary Puckett of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap had two fo the best. I also think you could add Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues in with them.

[@danielc.8875]

recognized by many as greatest male voice in rock history.

[@qkahunaq]

I have always said Jay Black had the strongest voice of Rock & Roll in the 1960s. Nice to see your appreciation of this great tune from my youth.