The 5th Dimension - Stoned Soul Picnic/The Age of Aquarius

Title: Stoned Soul Picnic/The Age of Aquarius Artist: The 5th Dimension Release Date: 8/7/2007 Label: Collectors' Choice Music Album Type(s): Greatest Hits UPC: 617742077926 Genre: Rock Styles: Soul, Pop-Soul, Sunshine Pop, AM Pop Moods: Amiable/Good-Natured, Carefree, Soothing, Cheerful, Innocent, Naive, Smooth, Sweet, Fun, Happy, Playful, Poignant, Springlike, Romantic, Earnest, Summery, Gentle, Laid-Back/Mellow Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 4 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Sweet Blindness
2. It'll Never Be the Same Again
3. The Sailboat Song
4. It's a Great Life
5. Stoned Soul Picnic
6. California Soul
7. Lovin' Stew
8. Broken Wing Bird
9. Good News
10. Bobbie's Blues (Who Do You Think Of?)
11. The Eleventh Song (What a Groovy Day!)
12. East of Java [*]
13. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)
14. Blowing Away
15. Skinny Man
16. Wedding Bell Blues
17. Don'tcha Hear Me Callin' to Ya
18. The Hideaway
19. Workin' on a Groovy Thing
20. Let It Be Me
21. Sunshine of Your Love
22. The Winds of Heaven
23. Those Were the Days
24. Let the Sunshine In (Reprise)
25. Chissa Se Tornera (Who Knows If He Will Return) [*]

Year Type Label Catalog # 2007 CD Collectors' Choice Music 7792

No other editions were found for this album.

This two-fer combines Stoned Soul Picnic (1968) and Age of Aquarius -- the 5th Dimension's (5D) third and fourth long players -- and a pair of extra tracks -- onto one CD. By mid-1968, the quintet of Lamonte McLemore, Ron Townson, Billy Davis, Jr., Marilyn McCoo, and Florence LaRue had already established themselves during an impressive run of Top 40 entries marked by a remake of the Mamas & Papas' "Go Where You Wanna Go" and a handful of Jimmy Webb penned classics, such as "Up, Up and Away," "Another Day, Another Heartache," "Paper Cup," and "Carpet Man." These long players represent the transition from Webb's input and influence to that of Laura Nyro. Producer/arranger Bones Howe and the 5D's musical director Rene DeKnight were once again calling the shots behind the scenes. Nyro's "Stoned Soul Picnic" provides a perfect pop sensibility that effortlessly supports the combos' complex harmonies. Likewise, the lyrics could not have fit better into the countercultural mindset of the era. She also supplied the happy-go-lucky hit "Sweet Blindness." Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson's "California Soul" made an impression on listeners with its straightforward groove that sounds closer to Motown than most earlier 5D outings. The Age of Aquarius (1969) finds the 5D continuing to conquer the cash registers and airwaves. This success was no doubt thanks in great part to the international number one hits "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures,") as well as Nyro's "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Blowing Away" which made a significant showing on the adult contemporary and pop charts. Undoubtedly, the icing on the cake for the band was the Grammy Awards they received for "Record of the Year" and "Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Group." The two bonuses -- which were originally included on the respective Buddha Records reissues of Stoned Soul Picnic and The Age of Aquarius in 2000 -- are "East of Java" and "Chissa Se Tornera," the latter having been recorded and released specifically for the Italian market. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alex Kasanegras Assistant Engineer Ann McClelland Production Assistant Bill Holman Arranger Bob Alcivar Vocal Coach, Vocal Arrangement, Rehearsal Director, Arranger Bones Howe Producer, Overdubs, Arranger, Engineer Dennis Budimir Guitar Ed Caraeff Photography Gene Sculatti Liner Notes Hal Blaine Percussion, Orchestra Manager, Drums Jimmy Rowles Piano, Organ, Keyboards Joe Osborne Bass Joe Sidore Assistant Engineer Larry Bunker Temple Blocks, Conga, Bells, Vibraphone, Percussion, Marimba, Mallets Larry Knechtal Keyboards, Piano, Organ Marc Gordon Coordination Mary Wood Assistant Engineer Mike Deasy Sr. Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar Pete Jolly Keyboards Phil Ramone Assistant Engineer Ray Pohlman Guitar, Rhythm Arrangements, Arranger Rene Deknight Musical Director Sol Weiss Assistant Engineer Tommy Tedesco Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar Vic Anesini Mastering Wayne Kimbell Cover Graphics Winston Wong Assistant Engineer Woody Woodward Art Direction