Customer Reviews

Age of Aquarius

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had forgotten just how excellent this recording is. The old vinyl fell by the wayside a long time ago so I was pleased to see this tremendous Fifth Dimension album finally available on CD. While there are so many truly wonderful Fifth Dimension recordings, this one is by far the best. There is not one bad song on this album. Of special merit are the songs "Hideaway" (a Jimmy Webb tune given a jazzy, infectious treatment) and "Sunshine Of Your Love" (a masterful remake of the Eric Clapton/Cream classic.) This CD went from my home stereo to my car stereo because I just couldn't get enough of it. I seem to love it more today than I did years ago when it was first released; and it still seems so fresh today. They just don't make songs or albums like this anymore. And, there are certainly no groups like the Fifth Dimension anymore. If you are looking for just one Fifth Dimension compact disc for your collection, this is the one to get. However, I'm sure it will wet your appetite for more. Your next Fifth Dimension purchase suggestion would be The Definitive Collection - an excellent overview of their career which also contains some rare material previously difficult to find on CD such as "Flashback" and "Light Sings." However, this is the CD to buy. Song for song, this is the best overall Fifth Dimension album recorded. I do wish, however, Buddah would release the LP "Individually & Collectively" on CD also. Buy this one and "Let The Sunshine In." This is a must for any true Fifth Dimension fan.

A tour de force of excellent singing and vibrant musicianship, The Age of Aquarius finds the Fifth Dimenion soaring vocally through some standout material, including songs by Laura Nyro (a powerhouse cover of "Blowin' Away"), Jimmy Webb, and Niel Sedaka. Although the 5th's version of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" has always reminded me of Up with People on acid, Billy Davis's gospel delivery of "Let It Be Me" is a revelation (forget the reviewer here who calls this a cover of "white" music--what myopic pigeonholing is that???); the choral singing on "Skinny Man" and "Wings of Heaven" is unbeatable at this time. Webb's jazzy "The Hideaway" rivals later work by the Manhattan Transfer (who should cover this--what an excellent song, passing into obscurity!). More importantly, the entire album reminds us that while much great musicianship surfaced in the late 1960s (e.g., Hendrix), great _singing_ was also emerging. This CD belongs in anyone's collection if s/he is serious about excellent pop music before it all became merely disposable.

I was in sixth grade when I first bought this album and it captivated me then; it captivates me now. Clearly, the Fifth Dimension were one of the better, if not the best, vocal groups of their day and their sound is as fresh and uplifting today as it was back in '69.

From the fairly decent rock rendition of "Sunshine of Your Love" to the jazz cabaret sounds of "Hideaway", the Fifth Dimension handle a wide variety of musical styles with aplomb and distinction. Although the bonus track is a bit out of place and probably should've been relegated to a rarities album, it's an interesting piece that shows another side of the group's musical talents.

All in all, this is a very enjoyable album and I'd recommend it for all casual and serious fans of the Fifth Dimension.

Well established as a group by the time this album debuted, it's notable that this final all-new release on Soul City was 5D's last true "ensemble" record. Though there were vocal solos from Billy and Marilyn, the focus was on the group itself. Within a year of the group's move to Bell Records (with the next lp, "Portrait") there was label pressure to feature Marilyn, which set the stage for a lot of group unrest.

"Aquarius", however, blends all five voices into an effective and engaging recording. With four solid singles, this album could easily have skimped with the rest of the material. Thankfully, the "album cuts" are always a notch above average, and often compelling. 5D got their start as a "cover band," and in fairness to the concept, the group seldom picked a loser to cover. This album, like the later "LIVE! " sampled from the hits of the day, as interpreted by 5D's soulful harmonies. Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love" is invigorating in this version, which features solid rock backup. "Those Were The Days", a melancholy piece of theatrical drama, is treated to a dance-able arrangement that doesn't waste time with self-pity.

"Dontcha Hear Me..." is a stunner that features layers of vocal overdubs and a call and response verse that has a mesmeric quality. Jimmy Webb's "The Hideaway" is another gem, with a snappy sax part and great unison vocals. "The Winds Of Heaven" is another mood piece, as fast and ephemeral as a breeze with the sound of chimes and echoes.

Track for track this may not be the "best written" album in 5D's canon, but it certainly features some of their best ensemble performances ever recorded. And with a spiffy rare bonus track tacked on, this one is a must-buy for 5D diehards, as well as casual fans of oldies and vocal groups alike.

-Mic

I get frustrated talking to a lot of serious and smart music people I know about the Fifth Dimension. I was born in 1969, but if you grew up in the era of hippie and straight, AM and FM, their is a visceral reflex to say the 5th were a singles band and move onto something else.

Are the Fifth's albums Zappa's Uncle Meat. No. But during the era when albums for a lot of bands projecting at AM radio were more a single and nine pieces of filler, The 5D could actually make one hell of a pop soul album.

There are even gradations. Up, Up and Away is soft folk rock. The Magic Garden is a pop suite, and Stoned Soul Picnic in more clean and spirited pop. The Fifth Dimension did run threads through each of their LPs.


Age Of Aquarius finds my beloved five getting rocky, downright funky. You could argue that the band picking a song from the musical Hair was a wink-"we are not the 5D, not the MC5, but maybe some of this counterculture stuff is not so bad." Whatever, listen to the second half of the track. If you mixed out the vocals and just had Hal Blaine's drums and Joe Osborn's bass, you would have one rocked out jam.

"Working On A Groovy Thing"--this was 1969, wasn't it--has the same kind of stomp, and "Can't You Hear Me Calling," has a related drive. When "Sunshine Of Your Love" arrived, you wonder if the band was going to join the Weather Underground

Yes,. the vocals are sweet. Yes, this band has a pretty pink dress on for AM radio. Yes, the guys had suits and ties at the wrong time--there was a riot going on

But that was all a long, long time ago, and before I die, one day I want to sit with my older buddies, listen to King Crimson, smoke a Winston, and hear them give it to me-those 5D guys could be pretty darn cool

Liberty Records and it's affiliates always pressed incredibly well crafted vinyl. This Soul City Recording was no exception. The selection of material, musicians, engineers, artist and producer rarely, if ever, gets better than this. The Age Of Aquarius is one of the 5th Dimension's finest efforts and includes a couple of their classics. But, the reason to purchase this CD is because it IS the best studio work (as a whole) that 5th Dimension did. This is a great collection of songs that fit well together and showcase the groups best assets. It is on of the best pieces of pop to ever hit the airways, a turntable and now a CD player. This masterpiece should be a have to have for any audiophile. ToTal EaR CaNdY!
ENJOY!!

Since I was a kid, "Age of Aquarius" has been one of my favorites. It stands the test of time while remaining in its original context.

The Age Of Aquarius is a strong CD by The 5th Dimension. They sound great on this album and every track showcases their remarkable talent. The first track, which is a medley of "Aquarius" and "Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)" is worth the price of admission alone--this is excellent music. The quality of the sound is excellent and I really like that artwork, too.

The CD begins with that awesome track, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)." The 5th Dimension never sounded better; it all comes together so perfectly on this number. They sing this with panache and I'm very impressed; and wisely the musicians never steal the show away from this quintet. Overall, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)" is quite a strong beginning tune for this CD. "Blowing Away" has a catchy melody and they sure do this one right! "Blowing Away" has that distinctive 5th Dimension sound and that's fantastic.

"Wedding Bell Blues" was certainly a major hit for The 5th Dimension; you may well recognize this tune the moment you hear the first few notes. This hit the airwaves big time when it was originally released and it still gets lots of airplay on my local "oldies" radio station--great! In addition, "Don'tcha Hear Me Callin' To Ya" keeps The 5th Dimension squarely front and center--right where they belonged and still belong! They sing this with heart and soul and just one listen proves it. "Don'tcha Hear Me Callin' To Ya" is terrific 5th Dimension music.

"Workin' On A Groovy Thing" strikes me with its beauty; that percussion really enhances this ballad very well! The drums also work well. The 5th Dimension also does a wonderful rendition of "Let It Be Me" by Gilbert Bécaud, Mann Curtis, and Pierre Delanoë. This cover lacks nothing--it's all THAT good. This vocal group was born to sing songs like "Let It Be Me." "Sunshine Of Your Love" is another tune that The 5th Dimension infuses with lots of positive energy. "Sunshine Of Your Love" is a major highlight of this album; they never let go of a superfluous note! "Sunshine Of Your Love" has awesome guitar work as well. In addition, another great cover of Mary Hopkin's "Those Were The Days" shines bright and ranks high in my book; The 5th Dimension really delivers this passionately.

We get a fine ending for this album, "Chissa Se Tornera (Who Knows If He Will Return)." The 5th Dimension performs this faultlessly and it leaves me wanting more. I like that they could sing so well in a foreign language.

Overall, The Age Of Aquarius gives us wonderful numbers by The 5th Dimension that could never be forgotten. This is an excellent album for their fans; and it makes a superb starter CD for people just discovering the artistry of The 5th Dimension. I highly recommend this album.

I had given up hope that the Fifth Dimension's discography would be released on CD, and was happy to see that the group's first several albums have just been reissued by Buddah! "The Age of Aquarius" and the preceding release, "Stoned Soul Picnic," may be two of the most consistently strong records the group ever had. The strength of these two releases is that the album cuts are every bit as good as the cuts that became hit singles. The Fifth Dimension was originally intended to be a black version of the Mamas and Papas, but as these albums indicate, the group had a special, more joyous sound of its own. It's great to be able to hear well-engineered CD versions of such tracks as "Skinny Man," "The Hideaway," and "Don'tcha Hear Me Callin' To Ya," which I was surprised was never released as a single. In college I played this record over and over, and now I can give the CD the same treatment.

Those who grew up in the 1960s and 70s may have special memories of the Fifth Dimension as a group which encapsulated some of the messages of the era, with its songs evoking peace and racial brotherhood. "The Age of Aquarius" reminds us of this time. Many thanks, Buddah!

Long before CDs there was a beautiful thing called vinyl, and this was one of my sixth-grade favorites. (At least sixth graders back then were getting some quality pop music!) While the record on whole is fine, and its CD release is certainly welcome and more than a little overdue, I realize now that I basically stuck with side one. And side one stuck with me. The tremendous vocals, beautiful harmonies, and tasty arrangements will get inside you and stay there. Even if some of the side two selections are curious, this remains a great album.