Customer Reviews

It's Five O'clock

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If you enjoyed 666, the final album from Aphrodite's Child, you will be put in a big shock when you hear their previous effort, It's Five O'Clock, which was released in 1969. This was their second album (debut was End of the World/Rain and Tears from 1968, which Vangelis was reported with using Mellotron, despite his dislike for them). What you won't find is dark, gloomy prog rock here, but more like psychedelic pop, not unlike the debut album from Genesis, From Genesis to Revelation (released the same year). No concepts here, this is pretty much a straightforward, song-oriented album. Aphrodite's Child at this point was still a trio with Evangelos Papthanassiou (who we all know better as Vangelis, later one of the big name figures in electronic music), Demis Roussos, who I alway felt had one of the more peculiar voices in rock, and drummer Lucas Sideras. Guitarist Silver Koulouris was meant to be in the band from the beginning, but had to take military service, so he couldn't join them until around 1970. This early version of the band did able to scrape up some European hits, most specifically "End of the World", which isn't on this album, of course. The title track is a melodramatic song dominated by Demis' voice, reminding me a bit of From Genesis to Revelation or the Moody Blues. "Wake Up" is a pretty cute little singalong, where they even mention the name of their own band. "Take Your Time" features piano from Vangelis, being a rather upbeat number. "Annabella" is the one song on this album that most resembles their following album, 666, sounding like a precursor to "The Four Horsemen". You can even hear some evidence of the style Vangelis would explore on his own with the likes of Earth and L'Apocalypse des Animaux. "Let Me Love, Let Me Live" is a catchy number, especially with that constant beat. Somewhere you get to hear Vangelis use his clavinet, before the music starts gaining speed. "Funky Mary", I don't know what to think of this piece, other than they were trying to have a sense of humor. "Marie Jolie" is yet another one of those ballads like "Annabella", but doesn't quite work as well. The final song, "Such a Funny Night" is really difficult for me to get in to with the squeely vocals. Most of the album had really aged poorly. The songs have their appeal which to me, wears off aften a few listens. It's little wonder why the band got much more serious when they recorded 666. It's no doubt I far prefer that album, but if you don't mind not the most mature-sounding psychedelia and pop from the late '60s, then It's Five O'Clock is worth getting.

"It's five o'clock" was the second album (1969) by famous Greek trio, a sequel of a kind to the first - End of the World and a step to forthcoming eponymous 666: Apocalypse of St John. It's not an even album (the debut was more consistent, I would say deeply influenced by the events of 68' in France), the musicians drifted from psychedelia towards experimenting with other genres as well. But it's still a showcase of their creativity and skills, featuring sad and melancholic "Marie Jolie" and almost symphonic "Spring, summer, winter and falls", "I want to live" and bestselling title song "It's five o'clock".
The legacy of "Aphrodite's Child" is better understood in a context: the musicians merely escaped the dictature (in any case, the domestic audience - or, to be more precise, record industry - was still under a spell of the first wave British invasion*) and settled down in France (as emigrants).
After the first singles they were propelled to stardom, but the demand and pressure of touring was almost unbearable.
It is necessary to mention that Aphrodite's Child was (and still is) the best known Greek band, but not the only one: Vangelis himself later produced and played keyboards with the cult act "Socrates" - Phos. One shouldn't forget also Four Levels of Existence, Akritas...
Apart from above, it is not so known, but still there is "Troy" (or "Trojan War") - Troikos Polemos- first Greek rock-opera, featuring Elpida and Marina - in the same league with Yvonne Elliman of "Jesus Christ Superstar" fame.
Most regretfully, "Aphrodite's Child" was a short-lived institution - they split after highly controversial (for Orthodox Christians) album "666", which was the top of their career (featuring rising star of Irene Papas, who years later returned to work with Vangelis - Odes, Rapsodies - believe it or not, but the masterpieces of Vangelis are not limited to "Chariots of Fire" and his collaboration with Anderson).
There is no need to write about Demis Roussos - his voice is unique. Loucas Sideras released a very decent solo album (to my humble knowledge).
This CD is an excellent re-issue by "Esoteric" - with bonus tracks from previously unavailable singles and solid notes. Really worth every penny
* Future "Aphrodite's Child" , or Vangelis at least - in his first incarnation as "Forminx" - were quite successful in early beat (if you won't find "Forminx", you are not missing anything)

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

Evangelos Papathanassiou may not be a household name but what about Vangelis? To most, his claim to fame is the amazing success of the 1981 song "Chariots Of Fire" from the film of the same name. To fans of psychedelic and progressive music, his resume is much longer and substantial.

Vangelis was part of a psychedelic band whose metamorphosis into progressive rock territory in 1971 gave the world a stunning accomplishment with the "666" album.

"It's Five O' Clock" although a year removed from "666" could be centuries. The nine tracks are the recording are short and all based around a psychedelic sound. While it is interesting to hear a different phase of the band the lyrical and musical direction had not arrived at their pinnacle. This isn't to say there aren't catchy tunes. The title and opening track has a tasty keyboard presentation from Vangelis. "Let Me Love, Let Me Live" sounds similar to Traffic's "Hole In My Shoe."

The music contained on "It's Five O' Clock" is pleasant but may not satisfy your craving for adventure. Vangelis will more then quench your appetite on "666" and the numerous solo keyboard based albums over the years. In fact, if you are interested his long time friend Jon Anderson from Yes does a vocal appearance on the brilliant song "So Long Ago So Clear" found on Vangelis's 1974 album "Cosmos" and a myriad of compilations.


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

Evangelos Papathanassiou may not be a household name but what about Vangelis? To most, his claim to fame is the amazing success of the 1981 song "Chariots Of Fire" from the film of the same name. To fans of psychedelic and progressive music, his resume is much longer and substantial.

Vangelis was part of a psychedelic band whose metamorphosis into progressive rock territory in 1971 gave the world a stunning accomplishment with the "666" album.

"It's Five O' Clock" although a year removed from "666" could be centuries. The nine tracks are the recording are short and all based around a psychedelic sound. While it is interesting to hear a different phase of the band the lyrical and musical direction had not arrived at their pinnacle. This isn't to say there aren't catchy tunes. The title and opening track has a tasty keyboard presentation from Vangelis. "Let Me Love, Let Me Live" sounds similar to Traffic's "Hole In My Shoe."

The music contained on "It's Five O' Clock" is pleasant but may not satisfy your craving for adventure. Vangelis will more then quench your appetite on "666" and the numerous solo keyboard based albums over the years. In fact, if you are interested his long time friend Jon Anderson from Yes does a vocal appearance on the brilliant song "So Long Ago So Clear" found on Vangelis's 1974 album "Cosmos" and a myriad of compilations.


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"