Stoned Soul Picnic [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

The 5th Dimension | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Buddha
• Run Time: 36 minutes
• ASIN: B00004SBSS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,640 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "California Soul" of 5D, April 20, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Stoned Soul Picnic (Audio CD)

Of the five original 5D albums that Buddha/Arista are re-releasing, this is the one I've been anticipating with the most eagerness. The album marks the departure of the group from their All-Pop format, toward more soulful and searching material.

Of course, the songs by Laura Nyro are the best example of this adventurous material...the title hit and "Sweet Blindness" sound glorious in this all-digital recording. But that's just the beginning...there are great songs contributed by Jeff Comanor ("The Sailboat Song" features Ron Townson in a graceful solo), Ashford & Simpson ("California Soul"), and even Jimmy Webb pops in for the decidedly groovy "The Eleventh Song."

There are still some wonderful Pop songs here..."Broken Wing Bird" features Billy in an ode to recovery, and on "Bobbies Blues" Billy and Marilyn join voices for a haunting and melancholy performance. The bonus track, "East of Java", is a terrific bonus: the song has a vague tropical lilt that demonstrates the vocal precision of the group, without overpowering the somewhat fragile structure of the song.

This digital recording sounds a bit better than those for "Up Up..." and "Magic Garden," with fewer dropouts and uniform highs. Given that the master tapes have sat in a vault, largely untouched for over thirty years, the overall sound of these reissues is exceptional. And since it's unlikely that they will stay in print for long, I'd suggest you get your copy ASAP.

-Mic

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Arguably, the 5th's best album, October 5, 2003

By 

Monday Monday "Chris" (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stoned Soul Picnic (Audio CD)

Of the 11 songs on this album, 9 could be either A-side or B-side singles: 8 were, including the entire first side of the album! Only 'it's a great life' and 'the eleventh song' are 'skip-over-them' album tracks. In fact, if you were to replace those two songs with the similar-sounding-to-the-rest-of-the-album 'On the Beach in the Summertime' (which appears on the CD version of 'Portrait', and did not appear on any album originally), you'd have a PERFECT 5th Dimension album.

The singles 'Stoned Soul Picnic', 'Sweet Blindness' and 'California Soul' all made the Top 40, and 'Picnic' became the 5th's biggest soul single chart success, eclipsing even the juggernaut single 'Aquarius' from the next album. But the other songs are also stellar examples of the 5th's California Soul sound; 'It'll Never Be The Same Again' was so good, it became a b-side TWICE; Billy Davis' plaintive, sincere delivery of both this and 'Broken Wing Bird' is stirring. 'Good News', an Addrisi-brothers composition, is a pop celebration. 'The Sailboat Song' and 'Bobbie's Blues' are smooth Sunday Brunch jazz entries. 'Lovin' Stew' is a driving pop recording, with Florence Larue sharing lead.
As commented on by another reviewer, this album really is a turning point for the 5th, and defines their five-part harmony talent. They are one of pop music's most underappreciated bands, without an E! true hollywood story of VH-1's Behind the Music to their credit. Buy this album, and enjoy the California Soul that is the 5th Dimension.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, October 10, 2009

By 

Bill Your 'Free Form FM Handi Cyber Print DJ ... (Mahwah, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Stoned Soul Picnic (MP3 Download)

The quintessential AM 60s singles band, Fifth Dimension could also make one hell of an album. In 1968 they made this: Stoned Soul Picnic is a great start if seeking to understand this band beyond the hits.

The title track is Laura Nyro pop. "It Will Never Be The Same" is orchestral soul, production almost as big as any Spector work of the era. There is jaunty pop; "It's a Great Life," and gorgous soft rock like "Sailboat Song." All the tracks have a lightly orchestrated flavor that tie the album together well.

With the MC5 and Doors, campus uprisings and assainations, it is easy to see why serious music people tossed the Fifth aside. But maybe the critics missed the point: lets all take a minute and JUST RELAX! God knows it was the time in 1968. (It might not be a bad idea now, either.)

The cultural divide and AM vs. FM are long gone. But we have the music loud and clear. Hal Blaine, Joe Osborn and friends are all here: if you assembled a band from scratch, you could not do better.

Forget 1968. Forget AM/FM. Forget the Stooges Vs the 5D. Its all gone. Put this on between Captian Beefheart and Steve Reich, like I do. It may be a surprise. It may do you some good.