Customer Reviews

Stoned Soul Picnic

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

 

 

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

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.

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.

I bought this CD 4 years ago as a single title.The disc is only a little over a half hour long. I see now that this & all the other original 5th Dimension albums are now being sold as 2 on one disc. The record companies should have done it this way in the first place. This is a good album,a real example of Sunshine pop. I bought it mainly because I love the song "It'll Never Be The Same Again" which was B side of "California Soul". I think "It'll Never Be The Same Again" should have been an A side hit & included on Greatest Hits albums. I also like the bonus track "East Of Java",I seem to remember having a single of this done by the Impressions when I was a kid,though I can't find it anywhere.

Another great album from 5-D. Though more commercially oriented than its predecessor "The Magic Garden", it has great tunes nonetheless. The fifth opted for a more soulful approach to its recordings and succeeded. Standout tunes are the title track, "Sweet Blindness" both Laura Nyro compositions. Others are "California Soul", which supposedly defines the Fifth's sound, "Sailboat Song", "It'll Never Be the Same Again". The latter features Billy Davis Jr. and is superb. You would swear it was Mowtown. All in all a great listen

For their third album, The Fifth Dimension made a bit of a departure from their previous two "conceptional pop" albums, having more of a commercial feel to it. The album spawned the hit singles "Sweet Blindness", "California Soul" and "Stoned Soul Picnic" and also features many other fine moments.

Most notable of the album tracks is "The Sailboat Song" which is beautiful in it's simplicity. The flow of the chord changes and vocal harmony add for a definite "take you away" feel. This song is probably one of my favorites right up there with "Never Gonna Be The Same" from 'Up Up And Away' and "The Magic Garden" from 'The Magic Garden'. Other notable mentions are the ballads "Broken Wing Bird", and "Bobbie's Blues"; the funky "Lovin' Stew", and Billy's triumphant "It'll Never Be The Same Again".

Wow!! Now, this album displays just how talented the quintet actually was. The vocal interpretations and harmonic blending is a seminal example of the group's musical styling and arranging. I mean, it's sheer lilting and one can just visualize flower children dancing in the wind throughout San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on a sunny autumn day, listening to the tracks of this album. Believe me, for the 5th, it just doesn't get any better than "The Eleventh Song," "It's a Great Life," and the inimitable "Sweet Blindness." This is simply the best testament to the group's ability to weave their voices together and create a late '60's psychedelic vocal kaleidoscope! "Surry on sweet trains of thought..."

(from the CD package) "STONED SOUL PICNIC began the second phase of the 5th Dimension's career. The title track, written by Laura Nyro, reached the Top 10 and introduced a more R&B-infused sound.

For the album the 5th Dimension expanded their 4-part voicings into 5-part harmonies, effectively reinventing their approach to music for the rest of their recordings. Including 3 Top 40 hits, STONED SOUL PICNIC is one of the 5th Dimension's finest albums and an urban pop essential."

Memories of 1968's fine, hot, lazy summer. Spin this disc and put on your shades...