DiscoMusic.com » Disco Records A-Z » B » Bear Essense

Bear Essense

The Big Hurt (12")

Moby Dick Records (US) / 1983 / BTG-1732
12" single 45 rpm vinyl record

Producer: Richi Ray, Bob Giudice, Chris Njirich and Michael Lewis for White Light Productions
Written by Wayne Shanklin, Published by Gladys Music/Chappell Music (ASCAP)

Synthesizer: Barry Beam
Strings: Dick Bright
Percussion: David Frazier
Vocoder and Guitar: Richi Ray
Vocal: Marianna LoCourto

Engineer: Mark Ellinger
Recorded at Truth and Beauty, San Francisco, CA
String arrangements: Richi Ray
Original concept: Jerry Jordan
Cover concept and design: Randy West
Cover photo: Ken Towle (shoes: Frederick of Hollywood)
Back cover photo: Michael Jang
Disco consultant: Rob Kimbel
Side A mixed by Michael Lewis, Mark Ellinger and Bob Giudice
Side B Dub mixed by Michael Lewis
Special thanks: John Beachdale, Jim Feldman, Scott Anderson, Larry Silvio, Ron Roth, Paul Parker, Ken Crivello, Gary Roverana, Ralph Zepeda, Craig Morey, "Trip" Ringwald, Stan J. Morris, Steve Hasemeier, Larry Lustig, Gini Spiersch and the entire Moby Dick Records family.

Side A
The Big Hurt (Starring Marianna) 7:00 / 136 BPM

Side B
Dub Big Hurt [Instrumental] 8:20 / 136 BPM

How to describe The Big Hurt by Bear Essense? Let's assume Giorgio Moroder was born in San Francisco instead of Europe and he combined some elements of his sound with dramatic vocals! That's what this is. Although it is in the 136 beats per minute range, it sounds much slower than that and at times has a haunting quality to it. This cut is kind of a throwback to the earlier Disco of the late 1970s, but with a slight '80s twist. Definitely not like Costandinos as this cut is not lush and instead is almost sparse with timpani drums bringing up the bottom.

Notice the (intentional-?) misspelling on the group name: it is Bear Essense as opposed to Bear Essence.

Submitted by DiscoMusic.com (3698)