Carpet Man - The 5th Dimension, Webb, Jimmy [Writer
Requiem: 820 Latham
The Girls' Song
The Worst That Could Happen
Orange Air
Paper Cup
Epilogue
Ticket to Ride - The 5th Dimension, Lennon, John
2008 digitally mastered reissue of this true undisputed classic of orchestrated, Psych-tinged Soft Pop. The 5th Dimension are one of the most successful American bands of the late '60s. In 1968, they were teamed up with p... more »roducer Bones Howe and wunderkind composer/arranger/all-round bona fide musical genius beyond redoubt, Jimmy Webb, who presented them with a complex song cycle based on his own tumultuous relationship with his partner. Nestling between such dyed-in-the-wool classics as 'Carpet Man', 'The Girls' Song', 'The Worst That Could Happen' (which all became hit singles for other artists) and the life-affirming title track (as covered by Dusty Springfield no less) are such lesser-spotted Webb gems as 'Summer's Daughter' and 'Paper Cup'. The whole cycle is linked with beautifully ornate pieces of orchestration, sitar flourishes and ethereal vocals. Rev-Ola.« less
2008 digitally mastered reissue of this true undisputed classic of orchestrated, Psych-tinged Soft Pop. The 5th Dimension are one of the most successful American bands of the late '60s. In 1968, they were teamed up with producer Bones Howe and wunderkind composer/arranger/all-round bona fide musical genius beyond redoubt, Jimmy Webb, who presented them with a complex song cycle based on his own tumultuous relationship with his partner. Nestling between such dyed-in-the-wool classics as 'Carpet Man', 'The Girls' Song', 'The Worst That Could Happen' (which all became hit singles for other artists) and the life-affirming title track (as covered by Dusty Springfield no less) are such lesser-spotted Webb gems as 'Summer's Daughter' and 'Paper Cup'. The whole cycle is linked with beautifully ornate pieces of orchestration, sitar flourishes and ethereal vocals. Rev-Ola.
CD Reviews
This is their best!
R. Gawlitta | Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA | 10/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""The Magic Garden" has been out of print for so long, I was delighted to see it available again (but NOT happy with the high price). Very original pieces like "Orange Air" and "Paper Cup" are great, and I think their cover of "The Worst that could Happen" is better than the original. Truly heartfelt. I have the vinyl LP; maybe someday I'll be able to afford the CD. UPDATE: I broke down and paid a bunch, but having this music again was worth it. Absolutely wonderful!"
GORGEOUS MELODIC POP
R. Penola | NYC, NY United States | 05/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the best pop albums ever. From the opening optimistic title kick, this album is full of gorgeous melodic Jimmy Webb pop songs, including the wonderful Girls' Song and the Worst That Could Happen. A theme album, it has that wonderful arch of emotion and melody, and was one of the best of its kind, though not the Dimension's most commercial effort. It's better now than ever."
My Favorite 5th Dimension Album Ever
Gracie | Englewood, CO USA | 07/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have the vinyl 33 1/3 LP record and decided if I wanted to listen to this fabulous album for many more years, I needed the CD. I never tire of the songs or skip to favorites. It's one of my favorite albums ever."
Phenomenal compositions and harmony!
Robert B. Moore | Santa Rosa, CA USA | 05/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The album is superb. Really an enormously psychedelic treat of late 60's idealism and perspective. Highly recommended over the quintet's more commercial offerings (Up, Up and Away, The Age of Aquarius, and Portrait). Please BMG, release the group's other fantastic musical feat: Stoned Soul Picnic."
A Legendary Performance
David B. Schaub | Rockville, MD | 08/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Seeing this again, I was transported back in time to the early months of '68, when I first saw the LP in a record store. Already a fan of the 5th D, I never hesitated in buying it. What a totally glorious tapestry of sound; Jimmy Webb's gorgeous music (and lyrics), the fabulous vocal interplay of all members of the 5th Dimension, woven together seamlessly and beautifully by Bones Howe. And nobody else bought the record; baffling & puzzling to me at the time, but that just made it all the more of a personal treasure -- it was their loss.
And now you can have it, restored at last to its rightful place as a classic; many thanks to Rev-Ola for wisely moving "Ticket To Ride" out of the middle of this exquisite song cycle and dumping it at the end of the disc (it's okay, but doesn't compare to the brilliance around it). Forty-one years have passed me by, and I still have not heard any song more deeply romantic, personal and powerful as "Requiem: 820 Latham." Believe me when I tell you that the songs you DON'T recognize are the ones that you just have to hear, which is why you just have to have this for your own."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1