The 5th Dimension - Up Up And Away: The Definitive Collection (1997)
Mp3
CBR 320
Front 600x600 Hi-Res Cover


Biography by Steve Huey allmusic.com

The Fifth Dimension's unique sound lay somewhere between smooth, elegant soul and straightforward, adult-oriented pop, often with a distinct flower-power vibe. Although they appealed more to mainstream listeners than to a hip, hardcore R&B audience, they had a definite ear for contemporary trends; their selection of material helped kickstart the notable songwriting careers of Jimmy Webb and Laura Nyro, and their biggest hit was a medley from the hippie musical Hair,"Aquarius/
Let the Sunshine In." The group's soaring, seamless harmonies were given appropriately sweeping, orchestrated period production by Bones Howe, which often placed their records closer to California-style sunshine pop. That's actually part of the reason why the best singles from the Fifth Dimension's heyday of the late '60s and early '70s still evoke their era with uncanny precision. 




Review by Jim Newsom allmusic.com

The subtitle on this anthology is correct: this is truly the definitive collection of the 5th Dimension's music, including all the hits and most of the album cuts that anyone could want. The 20-bit digital mastering provides a crisp, bright audio experience, and the joyous harmonies bring back the positive side of the late-'60s/early-'70s era in which the songs were recorded. The megahits are all here: Jimmy Webb's "Up, Up and Away," Laura Nyro's "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Wedding Bell Blues," the Bacharach/David opus "One Less Bell to Answer," the beautiful "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All," and the Grammy-winning number one smash from the spring of 1969, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" from Hair. There are "not quite Top Ten" hits like "Sweet Blindness," "Go Where You Wanna Go," "California Soul," "Workin' on a Groovy Thing," "Blowing Away," "Save the Country," and "Love's Lines, Angles, and Rhymes." What a run this quintet had on the pop charts from 1967 to 1972. This two-disc set successfully makes the case for the 5th Dimension to be remembered among the finest purveyors of pop song vocal harmony in the rock era. Baby boomers will delight at the memories this collection conjures up, and will find surprises they may have forgotten or never known: "Paper Cup," "Carpet Man," "Puppet Man," "Light Sings," and the group's medley of "The Declaration/A Change Is Gonna Come/People Gotta Be Free." Listening to Up Up and Away: The Definitive Collection is a great antidote for the blues, lifting the listener up with a smile and reminding those who may have forgotten that there once was a time when it seemed that music really could bring everyone together.

Track Listing:

Disc 1

1. Up Up And Away 2:39	
2. Go Where You Wanna Go 2:24	
3. Learn How To Fly 2:52	
4. Another Day Another Heartache 2:33	
5. Paper Cup 2:43	
6. Carpet Man 3:05	
7. Stoned Soul Picnic 3:28	
8. Sweet Blindness 3:24	
9. California Soul 3:13	
10.Wedding Bell Blues 2:43	
11.Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In 4:49	
12.Workin' On A Groovy Thing 3:10	
13.Blowing Away 2:31	
14.The Girl's Song 3:43	
15.The Worst That Could Happen 2:37	
16.Orange Air 2:27	
17.I'll Be Lovin' You Forever 3:25	

Disc 2

1. One Less Bell To Answer 3:29	
2. Puppet Man 2:58	
3. Save The Country 2:40	
4. Medley: The Declaration/A Change Is Gonna Come/People Gotta Be Free 10:09	
5. Dimension 5ive 4:14	
6. On The Beach 3:30	
7. Love's Lines Angles And Rhymes 4:10	
8. Light Sings 3:29	
9. Time And Love 3:31	
10.Never My Love 3:57	
11.Together Let's Find Love 3:37	
12.(Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All 3:11	
13.If I Could Reach You 3:08	
14.Black Patch 4:27	
15.Living Together Growing Together 3:50	
16.Everything's Been Changed 3:47	
17.Ashes To Ashes 3:30	
18.Flashback 3:41	
19.No Love In The Room 3:05


Enjoy!