Customer Reviews

Absolutely Right

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is good, but when I looked for my favorite tracks, most weren't there. 'Sweet Paradise,' 'Whole Lotta Heavy,' 'Friends and Family' and 'Maple Lane' were nowhere to be found. But the CD still has some of the classics: 'Signs', 'Coming of Age', and 'Country Girl Suite'. Personally I would find the records, if you can still play them, but if its digital you want, this is the one to buy.

Very few bands can successfully combine folk, rock, blues, and psycadelic pop into one unified sound, but Five Man Electrical Band pulled it off with flying colors. Every song here is of high calibre, and for those who have only heard "Signs," that is actually weaker than many of the cuts on this disc. True, the sound quality isn't sterling, but the quality of the playing and complex harmony vocals cuts through any technical imperfections. A must buy, even if it is hard to find.

Looks to be the only CD available at the current time of this short-lived, two hit maker (not a one hit wonder, as most might assume) Canadian radio-friendly AM rock 'n roll five piece. Fifteen track anthology of Five Man's repertoire. Couldn't help but to notice the band had a slight country music direction. No matter,this CD is still worth a listen by you older fans (like myself). Most memorable cuts here are both the lp and single versions of "Signs", "Dance Of The Swamp Woman", the catchy "Absolutely Right" (the B-side to the "Signs" 45 single + their second actual hit), the well played "Julianna", "We Play Rock 'N Roll" and "Money Back Guarantee". Line-up : Les Emmerson - guitar & vocals, Brian Rading - bass, Ted Gerow - keyboards, Bobby Bruce - violin and Rick Belanger - drums. Another classic rock act from up north.

A great collection by a great band. Originally known as "The Staccatos" in their hometown of Ottawa Ontario they recorded an album for Capitol and used one of the cuts from the album to rename themselves. From the rock anthem "Signs" and its "B" side "Hello Melinda Goodbye" to the underplayed "Julianna" and other great tunes such as "Absolutely Right, Werewolf" and "I'm a Stranger Here" this is a definitive cross section of the band. The group's leader Les Emmerson even had a decent solo career afterwards with some hits of his own.

A solid album, including perhaps their most famous single, "Signs". But if you want their best, buy their self-titled album.

The Five Man Electrical Band...what musical memories they stir.Their songs were a staple of Canadian radio in the early seventies with their catchy song hooks and smooth vocal accompaniments.They were as good as any group then extant and Canadian talent was seemingly overflowing at this point.With the subsiding of the British Invasion's immense shadow and a push by the Canadian Government for more Canadian content(remember the slogan"Keep it Canadian"?) groups in Canada seemed to spring up by the bushel.One of them was the FMEB but like so many of the others they were no overnight successes.
This group was originally the Staccatos from Ottawa who had had success with the song "Half Past Midnight" and had been a hard working club and bar band.Eventually the reformed group became the FMEB in the late 60s,now led by the prolific tune smith/guitarist Les Emmerson,who was to write most of the bands best material."Signs" became the groups real break through hit in Canada and the States followed by "Absolutely Right".Even if these were the only hits the group ever had they would always have a prominent place in Canadian musical history.But between and after these hits were songs(now unfortunately long forgotten)like "Hello Melinda,Goodbye","Moonshine","Juliana" and(one of my faves and a great toe tapper)"Money Back Guarantee".The last songs to really chart were "I'm a Stranger Here" and "Werewolf".The groups unfortunate luck with management,labels and their own self interests led to the groups break up in the mid 70s.
So unfortunate for us that they left the scene but it is not an uncommon thing in the musical biz in any country.However this CD showcases the FMEB at their very best and it contains some nice liner notes which will give you a better perspective on their clouded history.On top of this it contains both the single and LP versions of "Signs" and "I'm a Stranger Here";a very nice touch if I do say so.If you were listening to the radio at all during the early 70s(especially in Canada) you are bound to recognize many of these songs,many succeeding in Canada but sadly not elsewhere.Songs like "Money Back Guarantee" and "Julianna" are going to have you saying either "Darn,I haven't heard THAT in a long time" or"Gee,I didn't know THEY played that!".Don't let these great songs by a greatly under appreciated Canadian band slip through your fingers.All the hits are here and more and I guarantee this is one CD you will be playing(to quote the DC5)over and over again.

It's difficult to be objective about this. Five Man Electrical Band played in my little town in the fall of 1971. They were terrific! This is the first time since that concert that I have heard some of these tunes. Too bad talent doesn't always lead to success.

This band is remembered basically for the one hit "Signs". On this CD there are quite a few "gems" that never got any air play on the radio. Anyone who grew up in the 70's will be amazed that this band was not more popular than they were. So if you liked "Signs,Werewolf and Money Back Guarantee" you want to purchase this CD. You will be glad you did !!

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT-THE BEST OF FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND: Canada's smartly named Five Man Electrical Band, a near pop-perfect assemblage, will always be best remembered for the mega-watt chart-bruiser SIGNS, one of protest music's cheeriest efforts, and the subject of a worthy late 80s acoustic revival by Tesla (who even christened their live album FIVE MAN ACOUSTICAL JAM). FMEB follow-up singles didn't fare as well, but were never less than interesting, fun-filled attempts at striking lightning twice. ABSOLUTELY RIGHT (their other Top 40 hit) bops along at a frantic, ear-resistable pace, WEREWOLF is an eerie "hair-raising" epic, and MONEY BACK GUARANTEE combines elements of country, rock, and dixieland for a rollicking singalong. Lead vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Les Emmerson certainly knew how to put a charismatic spin on the proceedings; this platter belongs in any fan's collection of above average "good timey" 70s music.

RATING: FIVE, MAN!

These guys were visionaries! They finally showed us what we should have realized long ago: Signs are just tools of oppression the establishment uses to keep us down! They also touched upon another little noticed everyday item that sorely needs some protesting done about it: fences.