The 5th Dimension - Greatest Hits on Earth

The 5th Dimension | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000002VDS
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,521 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #64 in Music > Pop > Oldies > General
  • #84 in Music > R&B > Soul > General AAS

Track Listings

1. (Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All

2. Stoned Soul Picnic

3. One Less Bell to Answer

4. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In

5. Wedding Bell Blues

6. Save the Country

7. Love's Lines, Angles, and Rhymes

8. Puppet Man

9. Up, Up and Away

10. Never My Love

11. Together Let's Find Love

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just the essentials, maam, July 21, 2000

By 

J. Collins "Paradise Bar & Grill" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The 5th Dimension - Greatest Hits on Earth (Audio CD)

For 5D fans who were introduced to the group after it's golden era (roughly 1967-75), this disc was the only album to remain in print and the only readily-available recording. After the CD revolution began, it was also the only album to be reissued until a few years ago. Now that there are five original albums back in print and a handful of "best ofs" (of varying originality), "Greatest Hits On Earth" seems skimpy and unsatisfactory in comparison.

Still, there are some pretty classic hits here: the indomitable "Aquarius," the ragtime-flavored "Wedding Bell Blues," the sublime "Stoned Soul Picnic," and the buoyant "Up Up And Away." Complementing this core of golden oldies is a set of catchy, melodic near-greats, including two tracks from 5D's "LIVE! " album. (Factoid: Neither "Together Let's Find Love" or "Never My Love" are actually live tracks; they were studio recordings that had audience noise mixed in for release on the live album.)

Of course, with a catalog as rich in vocal talent as that of 5D, this single disc has some glaring omissions: "Go Where You Wanna Go," "Learn How To Fly," "Carpet Man," "Paper Cup," "The Girls Song," "Sweet Blindness," "Blowin' Away," "Workin' On A Groovy Thing," "This Is Your Life," and "Light Sings" were all released during the period this compilation covers, and none appear on this CD.

"Greatest Hits On Earth" is a wonderful collection, and is probably the album by 5D that the general public is most familiar with. In terms of vocal Pop music, it's nigh on flawless, but with better compilations to choose from, it is no longer an essential purchase for fans or interested listeners.

-Mic

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential., September 19, 2001

By 

WILLIE A YOUNG II "willow" (Houston, TX.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 5th Dimension - Greatest Hits on Earth (Audio CD)

With the sad, recent and untimely passing of founding member Ron Townson, I've had cause to listen to my entire Fifth Dimension collection and in my estimation, this group presented something to the listening public that has yet to be duplicated. In this current age of vulgar, over the top posing and buffoonery in black pop, this group would most likely stick out like a sore thumb, and for great reason! These people produced some of the most heavenly, otherwordly harmonies ever heard on record. "Greatest Hits On Earth" is a fine sampling of thier sound and the perfect place to start for anyone unfamiliar with the group. "Last Night (I Didn't Get To Sleep At All)" starts the collection off in fine form and features a lovely acoustic guitar arrangement highlighted by tight drums and beautiful strings backing the piece. "Stoned Soul Picnic" follows and is an instant uplifter! The real crown jewel here is Marilyn McCoo's gorgeous reading of the classic "One Less Bell To Answer" (to me this is the DEFINITIVE version) heard in all it's orchestral beauty and splendor. The remainder of "....On Earth" is just as terrific. The languid, twisting "Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes" is another tour de force with impassioned singing and a great horn arrangement. For lovers of the classic and classy sound of producer Hal David and lyricist Burt Bacharach, this compilation will be like candy to a baby. All pop music should be this great. R.I.P. RON TOWNSON.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Greatest Hits On Earth" Covers Little Ground, But Solidly, April 3, 2000

By 

Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The 5th Dimension - Greatest Hits on Earth (Audio CD)

It took seven days for God to create the earth. It took 25 years (and a label name change, from Bell to Arista) for the Fifth Dimension's label to create a solid collection of its 60s into 70s hits."Greatest Hits On Earth" made do for 25 years until "Ultimate Collection" was released.

Several fine singles ("Go Where You Wanna Go," "Sweet Blindness," "Paper Cup" the aching "If I Could Reach You") are missing, but what's here plays sweet and airy as winds taking Jimmy Webb's legendary beautiful balloon up, up, and away. You get superb Marilyn McCoo vocals on "One Less Bell To Answer," and "Last Night I Didn't Get To Sleep At All." You get two seminal Laura Nyro songs, 1968's "Stoned Soul Picnic" and 1969's buoyant #1 "Wedding Bell Blues." You get the Sixties anthem "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" (which should sound more dated than it does) and a nice live version of "Together Let's Find Love," which blueprints the duets Ms. McCoo and her husband, Billy Davis, Jr., would make after leaving (and returning to) the group.

"Greatest Hits on Earth" is for those casually interested in the Fifth Dimension or their era's pop songs. Otherwise, catch the "Ultimate Collection," or wait until after the Apocolypse for the box set.