The 5th Dimension - Greatest Hits on Earth

The 5th Dimension

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: September 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000002VDS
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,760 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In their late '60s/early '70s heyday, the Fifth Dimension's lush, airy sound embodied a glossy showbiz vibe that couldn't have been more at odds with the values of the hip, rock underground. But the best of the sexually integrated vocal quintet's hits still sound swell on the radio. This 11-song collection doesn't quite do justice to the group's catalogue, omitting some key hits, but it does include such fluffy confections as "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," "Up, Up and Away," Wedding Bell Blues," "Stoned Soul Picnic," and "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep At All." As such, it provides a good introduction to the group's smoothly soaring sound. --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just the essentials, maam, July 21, 2000

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

For 5D fans who were introduced to the group after it's golden era (roughly 1967-75), this disc was the only album to remain in print and the only readily-available recording. After the CD revolution began, it was also the only album to be reissued until a few years ago. Now that there are five original albums back in print and a handful of "best ofs" (of varying originality), "Greatest Hits On Earth" seems skimpy and unsatisfactory in comparison.

Still, there are some pretty classic hits here: the indomitable "Aquarius," the ragtime-flavored "Wedding Bell Blues," the sublime "Stoned Soul Picnic," and the buoyant "Up Up And Away." Complementing this core of golden oldies is a set of catchy, melodic near-greats, including two tracks from 5D's "LIVE! " album. (Factoid: Neither "Together Let's Find Love" or "Never My Love" are actually live tracks; they were studio recordings that had audience noise mixed in for release on the live album.)

Of course, with a catalog as rich in vocal talent as that of 5D, this single disc has some glaring omissions: "Go Where You Wanna Go," "Learn How To Fly," "Carpet Man," "Paper Cup," "The Girls Song," "Sweet Blindness," "Blowin' Away," "Workin' On A Groovy Thing," "This Is Your Life," and "Light Sings" were all released during the period this compilation covers, and none appear on this CD.

"Greatest Hits On Earth" is a wonderful collection, and is probably the album by 5D that the general public is most familiar with. In terms of vocal Pop music, it's nigh on flawless, but with better compilations to choose from, it is no longer an essential purchase for fans or interested listeners.

-Mic

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Hits and a few misses, December 4, 2004

By	A. Russo (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This 11 song compilation has no flops. All genuine 5th Dimension classics. I would have given this a 5 star because it's worth all. From their most popular tune Aquarious/ Let The Sunshine In to their more AC later day classic Last Night, I Didn't Get To Sleep At All. Laura Nyro wrote her biggest hits here, Stone Soul Picnic, Wedding Bell Blues & Save The Country.
Another timeless AC song written by Bacarach/David called One Less Bell to Answer which was originally supposed to be recorded by Dionne Warwick.
But since the version of Never My Love is the edit version and not the version that was released on the LP in 1972. The lp version also segues into Together Let's Find Love (featuring Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.)I know minor things, but they did forget If I Could Reach You (another top 10 classic).

I was fortunate to find the 1994 German version which does have that song as well as 5 other bonus tracks including Light Sings, Ode To Billy Joe (which I would have rather had Living Together...), Working On A Groovy Thing, Sweet Blindness & their fist big hit Go Where You Wanna Go.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Greatest Hits On Earth" Covers Little Ground, But Solidly, April 3, 2000

By	Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It took seven days for God to create the earth. It took 25 years (and a label name change, from Bell to Arista) for the Fifth Dimension's label to create a solid collection of its 60s into 70s hits."Greatest Hits On Earth" made do for 25 years until "Ultimate Collection" was released.

Several fine singles ("Go Where You Wanna Go," "Sweet Blindness," "Paper Cup" the aching "If I Could Reach You") are missing, but what's here plays sweet and airy as winds taking Jimmy Webb's legendary beautiful balloon up, up, and away. You get superb Marilyn McCoo vocals on "One Less Bell To Answer," and "Last Night I Didn't Get To Sleep At All." You get two seminal Laura Nyro songs, 1968's "Stoned Soul Picnic" and 1969's buoyant #1 "Wedding Bell Blues." You get the Sixties anthem "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" (which should sound more dated than it does) and a nice live version of "Together Let's Find Love," which blueprints the duets Ms. McCoo and her husband, Billy Davis, Jr., would make after leaving (and returning to) the group.

"Greatest Hits on Earth" is for those casually interested in the Fifth Dimension or their era's pop songs. Otherwise, catch the "Ultimate Collection," or wait until after the Apocolypse for the box set.