Up, Up and Away (The Definitive Collection - Remastered 1997)

charming.

These were the songs that my mother used to play, when it was time to clean the house. Everytime I hear Stoned Soul Picnic, Paper Cup, Save The Country, and One Less Bell To Answer, I think of her. She was a wonderful Mom and I still miss her terribly!

While all of these songs are a bit much for me, I do have to say that Up-Up and Away, Stoned Soul Picnic, Go Where You Wanna Go, and a few others, are FANTASTIC. The sound that, I'm going to check my lp's for producer info, Johnny Rivers and Marc Gordon got on the early cuts are astonishing. Engineer Bones Howe too. Up-Up And Away sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Of course they don't make records like this anymore. And that's too bad.

The original (and first) album should be made available. The review used here to cover the definitive collective was written originally for the 1967 album. I had an entirely different view of that recording and would love to download Rosecrans Blvd, It's a Great Life, Pattern People, Misty Roses, etc. when they become available.

The iTunes reviewer mentions some negatives in this collection, but I have to say that the renditions of "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Wedding Bell Blues" on this collection are worth the download. Marilyn McCoo had a knack for understanding Laura Nyro's melodies lines better than the songwriter herself. The arrangements, when experienced via headphones are superb and timeless.

This is a 2 CD "Best Of" that was released in 1997 and was basically the only 5th Dimension material available until their individual LP catalog was re-issued on CD a couple of years ago. This specific offering takes songs from a variety of the 5th Dimensions albums. The iTunes reviewer has this mixed up with the groups first LP from the mid-1960's "Up, Up and Away".... totally different. And, he reviews several songs that aren't even on the groups 1st LP. This is a nice compilation for the casual fan of the group as it covers all the hits + additional filler material from the catalog. The serious fan can now get their entire catalog on CD which is a nicer option for those who want the individual LPs on CD. The group was indeed looked upon as an Africian-American version of the Momas and Papas.. as the sound was so similar. And obviously the 5th Dimension covered several John Phillips songs over the years. That said, they had a kickier and brighter sound overall and some great producers, such as Johnny Rivers and Jim Webb to help in the effort. All-in-all, for the casual fan that may not have gotten any of their re-issued LPs in the past couple of years, this collection is about as good as it will ever get and worth the investment.