From the category archives:

The 5th Dimension

“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” Performed by The 5th Dimension (1969)

February 1, 2010 · 0 comments

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Last August 2008  OSML spotlighted the Best R&B Grammy Winners from 1958 to 1968. This month, February 2010, OSML is moving on to present all of the wonderful 1969 Grammy winners, in a variety of categories, that I grew up with and loved.

This music was oh so special and should never be forgotten.  I, for one, will never ever take it for granted and still continue to enjoy it daily.

I shall start off the month with the winner of both the Grammy for 1969 Record of the Year and 1969 Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By a Group -- “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures),” sung by The 5th Dimension.

This one really brings back special memories of blossoming into a full fledged teenager in the Sixties era of “Flower Power” and “Grooviness!” This award winning song, composed by James Rado, Gerome Ragni and Galt MacDermot, was from the smash  “Hair: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical”. ” Producer Bones Howe constructed the mini-suite presentation for The 5th Dimension.

The song appeared on the  5th Dimension’s fourth LP released in the prime of their music career. This LP topped the charts at #2. The song topped the Adult Contemporary and Billboard Hot 100 charts at #1 and R&*B at #6.

Check out this performance and sing along with the lyrics provided below.

Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind’s true liberation
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

[instrumental and tempo shift]

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

[continue to end with concurrent scat]

Oh, let it shine, c’mon
Now everybody just sing along
Let the sun shine in
Open up your heart and let it shine on in
When you are lonely, let it shine on
Got to open up your heart and let it shine on in
And when you feel like you’ve been mistreated
And your friends turn away
Just open your heart, and shine it on in

And here is the cast of the recent “Hair” revival” performing on the David Letterman Show in 2009. Enjoy.

Musically Yours,

{ 0 comments }

Filed under: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures), Buddah, Co-ed Vocal Groups, Grammy Gold, James Rado/ Gerome Ragni / Galt MacDermot, Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Sixties, The 5th Dimension

"California Soul" (1968 & 1969)

November 20, 2008 · 2 comments

250-px-the-5th-dimension

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The 5th Dimension – California Soul (1969 Charted #49 R&B & #25 Pop)

Recorded in 1968 for their “Stone Soul Picnic” album on Buddah records, “California Soul” was the third hit single released from the LP after “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Sweet Blindness”. This classic set charted #10 R&B and #21 Pop and showcased the fabulous harmonies of the group.

250-px-marlena-shaw

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Marlena Shaw – California Soul (1969)

Jazz vocalist Marlena Shaw covered this Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson song for her 1969 “Spice of Life” LP on the Cadet label. I could find no record of the song or the album charting but BOTH the song and the LP are classic IMHO. Don’t you think so too?

250-px-tammi-and-marvin

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – California Soul (1969)

This Motown cover is from the duo’s third and final LP “Easy.”  It’s highest rating was only #184 on Billboard’s pop album chart but I still love this set and the “CS” cover.

It wasn’t until very recently that I learned that, since this LP was completed during Miss Terrell’s illness, some of the vocals on some of the songs were sung by Valerie Simpson. Upon closer listening I can hear the difference, but nevertheless I like the entire album and this song is definitely blessed with the Motown sound.

Please enjoy the music and then vote on which you prefer below.

sondanyr2

{ 2 comments }

Filed under: Buddah, Cadet, California Soul, Marlena Shaw, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Motown Covers Pop, Motown/Tamla, Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, Pop/Jazz, Pop/R&B, Sixties, The 5th Dimension

“Wedding Bell Blues” Performed by The 5th Dimension (1969)

March 7, 2008 · 6 comments

age-of-aquarius.jpg

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Wedding Bell Blues -The 5th Dimension

This is the third and final great Laura Nyro song in my 5th Dimension presentation for now. This song is so catchy, that once you get it stuck in your craw you can’t get rid of it. I have been singing it, unconsciously, ever since I decided to blog it. This song was an inside joke for the group since Marilyn and Billy Davis Jr. were a romantic couple at the time of it’s release -- so Marilyn made the opening lyric “Bill, I love you so I always will!” About a year later they actually were married and have remained so ever since.

This song charted #1 Pop and #23 R&B (again, why so low? hmm). It originally appeared on The5thD fourth LP entitled “Age of Aquarius” pictured above.

For additional reading do check out:

the5thdimension_.jpgIn closing check out two live performances of this great song. The second video/audio is far from pristine, but it is great to see these performances (and costumes!) of the era. If you want to just enjoy the song in pristine condition please play the music link provided at the top of the post.

Glad you came by. Hope to see you again very soon.

black-signature.png

{ 6 comments }

Filed under: Buddah, Co-ed Vocal Groups, Laura Nyro, Pop/R&B, Sixties, The 5th Dimension, Wedding Bell Blues

“Stoned Soul Picnic” Performed by The 5th Dimension (1968)

March 5, 2008 · 0 comments

the-5th-dimension.jpg

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Stoned Soul Picnic -- The 5th Dimension (1968)

This is another one of my favorite Laura Nyro (born Laura Nigro) songs recorded by T5th. The song, appearing on the “Stoned Soul Picnic” lp, peaked the Pop charts at #2 and the R&B Charts at #3 and the Canadian music charts at #5.

Every summer this song can be heard on radio station across American as cities across the nation advertise the “Stoned Soul Picnic” in their respective locations.

The five original members of the group are pictured above from top to bottom, right to left: , Ron Tyson, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue and Lamonte McLemore.

Here is a YouTube video of a television performance of the song for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks for stopping by.

black-signature.png

{ 0 comments }

Filed under: Buddah, Co-ed Vocal Groups, Laura Nyro, Pop/R&B, Sixties, Stoned Soul Picnic, The 5th Dimension

“Sweet Blindness” Performed by The 5th Dimension (1968)

March 3, 2008 · 0 comments

5th-dimension-stoned-soul-picnic.jpg

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sweet Blindness -- The 5th Dimension (1968)

Welcome March! A new month and new musical theme for me to post about. This month I will be sharing with you some of my favorite songs by vocal groups containing both male and females. I’m calling the theme “Co-ed Vocal Groups”. ? :-)

These groups have their own sound, which is nothing like a girl group or a guy group or a family group. The blending of voices is different, with it’s own unique choir-like beauty. I will start of with the fabulous 5th Dimension.

The genesis of the group was when Lamonte McLemore, Marilyn McCoo, Harry Elston and Floyd Butler formed a group in 1963 called the Hi-Fis and sang at their local clubs while taking vocal lessons. Ray Charles then took them on tour with him the following year (1964) and even produced a single on the group. But internal conflicts in the group caused Butler and Elston to go their own way — forming the fabulously soulful group “The Friends of Distinction”. McLemore and McCoo formed “The 5th Dimension” and the rest, as they say, is musical history for both of those great groups.

The 5th had many pop hits during their hey day, which includes their most famous version of “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” from the musical “Hair” and “Up Up and Away”.

But those chart toppers are not my favorites by the group. My favorites included the tunes penned by Laura Nyro among a handful of others. The first of which I’d like to share here is “Sweet Blindness” from the group’s 3rd LP of the same name. This opening song on the Lp went on to peak the Pop charts at #13, the R&B Charts a 49 (wonder why so low?) and the Canadian charts at #15. Check out this Ed Sullivan performance of the tune. The sound isn’t great but I just had to let you see those groovy outfits!

Thanks for listening and reading.

black-signature.png

{ 0 comments }

Filed under: Buddah, Co-ed Vocal Groups, Laura Nyro, Pop/R&B, Sixties, Sweet Blindness, The 5th Dimension

Super Blog Directory