Billy Ford, "My Girl" c/w "This Is Worth Fighting For," Reprise 0265 (rel. 3/1964)
Jack meets Jackie on this impressive one-shot single by a performer so obscure no photographs seem to exist. Billy Ford made his lone single with arranger Nitzsche, who co-penned its A-side with songwriter Jackie DeShannon. They'd worked together on some of DeShannon's solo singles for Liberty Records and wrote other songs together.
"My Girl" is no kin to the Motown hit of the same name. It's one of Nitzsche's best arrangements, with his own wall-of-sound atmosphere summoned to add majesty to a strong song that could've been recorded by The Righteous Brothers. Billy Ford appears to be the male half of r&b duet Billy and Lillie; he sings with more drama than normal on this rare solo side. Though his laid-back role in the B&L duets sounds different, this seems to be the same guy. Solo, Ford is a disciple of Ben E. King, and his handsome voice gets an exquisite frame on this moody celebration of a woman admired by all but true to one: our lucky narrator.
This is among Nitzsche's finest arrangements, but the spring of 1964 was an unlucky time to drop this on the world. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You" were at the #1 and 2 position on the pop charts, with another dozen British records in the Hot 100 and "Can't Buy Me Love" by The Beatles about to drop on an expectant world. Thus, this elegant, atmospheric side, which speaks for itself of its charms, went unheard. No reviews--nary a mention in the music magazines. Dead in the water; it must have disappointed all parties involved, including producer Jimmy Bowen, who evokes Phil's spectre without the collateral baggage.
"My Girl" is no kin to the Motown hit of the same name. It's one of Nitzsche's best arrangements, with his own wall-of-sound atmosphere summoned to add majesty to a strong song that could've been recorded by The Righteous Brothers. Billy Ford appears to be the male half of r&b duet Billy and Lillie; he sings with more drama than normal on this rare solo side. Though his laid-back role in the B&L duets sounds different, this seems to be the same guy. Solo, Ford is a disciple of Ben E. King, and his handsome voice gets an exquisite frame on this moody celebration of a woman admired by all but true to one: our lucky narrator.
This is among Nitzsche's finest arrangements, but the spring of 1964 was an unlucky time to drop this on the world. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You" were at the #1 and 2 position on the pop charts, with another dozen British records in the Hot 100 and "Can't Buy Me Love" by The Beatles about to drop on an expectant world. Thus, this elegant, atmospheric side, which speaks for itself of its charms, went unheard. No reviews--nary a mention in the music magazines. Dead in the water; it must have disappointed all parties involved, including producer Jimmy Bowen, who evokes Phil's spectre without the collateral baggage.
"This is Worth Fighting For" is a quaint reminder of a little thing called democracy. Penned right after the end of the second World War by bandleader Eddie deLange and veteran cleffer Sam Stept, this celebration of a just and equitable nation, as sung by a Black man, speaks of the new hope felt in the early 1960s--soon squelched by the one-two KO of Vietman and Richard Nixon's regime.
Nitzsche gives this song a measured arrangement (by his standards) and includes a Black vocal group as backup. Jack's signature strings hover over most of the song, as Ford wails the touching words of a lost era in America. The sound grows to a big, spacious-yet-crisp spread. Hal Blaine's ubiquitous drumming holds it all together. And because it's a Jack Nitzsche arrangement, girl group The Blossoms are on both sides, a bit buried in all the musical drama.
I cannot imagine a Black man of 2026 wanting to sing this song. And let's just get over the whole 'fighting' thing, shall we? Magnificent-sounding recording, though!
Nitzsche gives this song a measured arrangement (by his standards) and includes a Black vocal group as backup. Jack's signature strings hover over most of the song, as Ford wails the touching words of a lost era in America. The sound grows to a big, spacious-yet-crisp spread. Hal Blaine's ubiquitous drumming holds it all together. And because it's a Jack Nitzsche arrangement, girl group The Blossoms are on both sides, a bit buried in all the musical drama.
I cannot imagine a Black man of 2026 wanting to sing this song. And let's just get over the whole 'fighting' thing, shall we? Magnificent-sounding recording, though!
Thanks heaps to our regular reader Dean Rohrer, who uncovered the Billy Ford identity issue after this post went live. Dean, I'm grateful for your reportage. This was Ford's only solo record, and it's a pity he didn't do more. In his Billy and Lillie role, he's a secondary voice, often drowned out by his co-star. He had much more to offer than 99.9% of his recordings let him achieve.
Tomorrow: Chuck Berry, with a song that gave The Rolling Stones their debut single in 1963. Two great sides from 1961 as issued on a UK platter released to cash in on The Stones' mild success.
These are great--thanks, Frank! What a great singer. Yes, reminds me of Ben E. King, but also Roy Hamilton. I read online that Billy Ford was the Billy Ford of The Thunderbirds, and of Billy & Lillie. This link has the recording session info shown during the playing of the "This is Worth Fighting For" session, which is fun if you haven't seen it. And gotta love Nitzsche's use of the French horn on these tracks a la "The Lonely Surfer."
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE1RgEJXDuA&list=RDQE1RgEJXDuA&start_radio=1
Thank you, Dean! I've updated today's post and given you credit and thanks for your sleuthing. Glad you liked this one!
DeleteTwo well-written, well-sung songs. Oddly, this "My Girl' was released months earlier than the Temptations song "My Girl" and Ford uses the phrase 'talking about my girl' that Ruffin uses in the Temp's version. "This Is Worth..." is a moving and majestic song. Ford's voice absolutely soars off that recording.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Frank! No need for credit but thanks much for kindness. I only posted the info because I saw a decent photo Ford in the search results. I did also enjoy those session specs in the video, though. The man could sing--wow.
ReplyDeletehttps://i.discogs.com/pokUrBCQhDU156piiO0QUveINYZF-TaMw-1CBgyzjqU/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9BLTIxMzgx/NDgtMTM4NDExODg0/Ni0zMzI0LmpwZWc.jpeg