Sparkles with the Innocence of Joy and Youth
Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 07/01/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I remember this well. I had just fninished first grade and was spending the summer of 1972 in Harlem with relatives when this and "Ben" came out at roughly the same time. All of my older cousins had this one in particular, but I didn't get the Cd until very recently.
With all of that said, this is an excellent set sparkling with the innocence and joy of youth.
"Looking Through the Windows" was very popular at that time. Very upbeat and the part where Mike sings "Right Byyyyy your side" gives me chills to this day and the brothers harmonies soar to the heavens.
The other songs are just as great. Their version of another Jackson (Brown, that is) "Doctor My Eyes" actually made the charts in England and its easy to see why (the J5 usually excelled at covers and their version of Marvin Gaye's "Aint Nothing Like the Real Thing Baby" seconds that emotion). "Don't Let Your Baby Catch You Fooling Around" may have been a bit "suggestive" (a forgotten concept) for such a young group in 1972, but the song is fun and funky. I DEFY you to sit still while listening to this.
"Children of the Light" is where the J5 meet the Partridge Family, stylistically speaking. This is typical of the shiny happy people early 70s poppy upbeat peace and love songs that those who remember the era would have heard on AM radio before going to school or in the background music of a teenage Saturday morning cartoon where the characters are driving in a dune buggy against a sunshine and rainbow draped background (Those who were around then know exactly what I'm talking about)! More pop than their usual soulful output, but depending on your taste you'll find this song either sickeningly sweet or delightfully upbeat. For me, its the latter.
All in all, this is a worthwhile purchuse of a lesser known, but NOT lesser product. Enjoy.
"
Open Up The Windows
Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 05/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lookin' Through The Windows was the last top ten album by the band for Motown peaking at numver seven and it showed a maturation in the band's sound. Michael's voice was changing, so the teenybopper angle that some previous songs took no longer fit. The album opens with a great version of "Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing" and then moves into the stirring title track which has a real original sound. "Don't Let Your Baby Catch You Crying" has a tight pace and "To Know" is yet another beautifully sung song. They follow with two covers, a soulful version of Jackson Browne's "Doctor My Eyes" (which was top ten hit in England) and a hyperactive version of "Little Bitty Pretty One" which made its way to number 13. "E-Ne-Me-Ne-Mi-Ne-Moe" is a fast paced song while "If I Have To Move A Mountain" is a breath takingly beautiful song where the harmonies just soar on. "Children Of The Light" is an inspirational song that has a peace and love sentiment to it and "I Can Only Give You Love" has on point trading vocals between Michael & Jermaine."
