Personal Loan Dispute

What is the name of your state? New York

I lent someone $6200 last year (with the intent of them paying me back my the end of the summer, 2007) and have not yet received a dime! I keep hearing "I promise I'll pay you back, I'm not the scumbag you think I am", etc, all of which I now have recorded (about 15 conversations promising to pay me back over the last 4 months). Someone told me that in NY it IS legal to tape record conversations for CONTEXT of loan. I am going to take him to small claims court (and unfortunately lose $1200, but I don't have a choice). I do not have a lawyer to help me. Can someone please tell me if this will hold up as evidence in NY?

Thank you,
Lost

Personal Loan Dispute (cont'd)

I was reading through some other posts and see different comments about statute of limitations... what is the statute of limitations in NY? I do not have anything signed by him, I do however have a few emails of him basically pleading to help out and lend him money and a few responses to emails I have sent him requesting him to pay me back Although, he only simply stated "Just read, enough said", not actually "admitting" to the loan but admitting he read my email. I do however, as noted earlier, have numerous taped conversations stating he promises to pay me back $6200 and how appreciative he was that I helped him and and blah, blah, blah... always another excuse from him. I have a list of every dollar amount given and what it was given for (it was not all given at once, it was over a 4-6 week period), I have a few receipts of items paid for and a few cash advances on my credit card (I did that to have some sort of proof). And again, since small claims in NY is only $5000, I know I will lose $1200, but will be ok if I get back $5000!! I really appreciate any possible help/suggestions as I feel I am 100% in the right to request a judgement against him.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this.
Lost