Search - Jackson 5 :: Looking Through Windows / Goin Back Indiana

J5 Live!

Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 07/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a pretty good combination here! GBTI is an interesting history lesson with a beat that you can dance to. Some of it is off of a 1971 TV special of the same name (which I vaguely recall watching when I was around 6 years old). The skit stuff might work better as a DVD of this special (are you listening Berry Gordy?), but to hear the J5 Live with "Cousin" Johnny Jackson on drums and Ronnie Rancifer on the organ (whatever happened to those guys?) as well as Jermanine and Tito actually playing guitar and bass is amazing. Makes you wonder why Motown didn't let these guys really play their own instruments on their records all along. They really cook it up!



LTTW is a favorite of mine in part for personal reasons. I was visiting relatives in Harlem when I was 7 during the summer of 1972 and this and MJ's solo "Ben" were all over the radio. Back in Charleston, all the kids were digging this LP and I've always felt that "Dont Let Your Baby Catch You Fooling Around" was sadly underrated (originally considered too suggestive when recorded in 1969-go figure)! But childhood memories aside, this is a great CD and will easily explain why the J5 ruled the youth culture of the era. Listen and enjoy."

Finally on CD

Kyle | Minnesota | 07/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thirty years after their release, these two albums finally make their first CD appearance. However, they are very different records and listening to them for unity's sake is not advised. The first, the soundtrack to the group's 1971 TV concert special, is hit-and-miss. The new, pseudo-live versions of "I Want You Back" and "Maybe Tomorrow" are good, though abbreviated. The narration and banter that filled the skits are not meant for audio alone; without the visuals (especially on "The day Basketball was Saved"), the tracks are severely lacking. From the live concert portion of the album, their takes on "Stand!" and "Who's Lovin' You" work well, as does "Feelin' Alright," one of the best cuts here. "Walk On/The Love You Save" is great, and "Walk On" is the only J5-penned song that Motown released. The bonus cut "Who's Lovin' You" is awesome live, though the mix is not as good as it appears on the soundtrack to "The Jacksons: An American Dream" soundtrack. The other live songs are not as interesting. The second half of this disc, 1972's "Lookin' Through the Windows" album, was one of the J5's most successful. It contained two hits, the "Shaft"-influenced title track and the energetic cover of "Little Bitty Pretty One." This album is the last standard bubblegum pop from the group, but do not overlook it based on that. For instance, the vocal trading on this album is prevalent, and the group sounds better than ever as their voices have matured; particularly Jermaine, whose earlier raspy voice had now evolved into a silky smooth croon compared at the time to a young Marvin Gaye. The title track is notable in that it is the first time Michael argued with the producers to let him sing HIS way. "E-Ne-Me-Ne-Mi-Ne-Moe" is a standout track, full of energy and soul, musically in the vein of "I Want You Back." The most eye-opening song here is "To Know," with lush horn and string arrangements and beautiful harmonies. The album's low point, "Don't Want to see Tomorrow," (in which Michael recites the title in Spanish, albeit painfully) is filler, but all told "Windows" has some surprisingly impressive music."

Long time coming for re-issue

DEAN M. Dent | SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA USA | 08/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally,Motown re-releases The Jackson 5's original albums,and none I've been waiting for to be on CD more than LTTW.The first J5 LP I've ever owned,I've played it until it was so scratched,that hearing it in crisp clean digital makes it sound as fresh as when I got it 20 years ago(a cutout item I picked for my 10th birthday) The album itself may have the production line feel of most Motown recordings,but the performances are fantastic.The fantastic title track(written by actor Clifton Davis who also wrote Never Can Say Goodbye) emulates Issac Hayes production ala Shaft in its accents and cresendos.Jackson Browne'sDoctor My Eyes is a surprisingly strong performance from Michael.The buried treasure on the album is If I Had To Move A Mountain,a go for broke love song with a strong arrangement,and an emotional delivery from MJ Going Back..is an interesting album featuring live recordings of the group sans the studio polish,showing the J5 as a tight little combo.I Want You Back sounds very energetic and even makes the amazing studio version sound anemic My only complaint with the whole reissue series is the lack of details in the linar notes,as well as not replicating the original artwork,besides that,the return of these classic albums in remastered sound is all the more welcome"