You simply cannot go wrong with this marvelous new "twofer"
Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 10/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I became interested in my lifelong hobby of collecting records way back in 1965. Now for the first 10 or 15 years I concentrated almost exclusively on 45's. The only albums I was likely to buy were "Greatest Hits" collections. However, I was a huge fan of the 5th Dimension and I purchased "The Magic Garden" shortly after its release in 1967. I was stunned by just how good this album was. I played it all the time. This was one of the very first "concept" albums and although I might have been in a distinct minority I felt that it was every bit as enjoyable as the Beatles groundbreaking LP "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"!! Yet this LP received very little promotion from the record company and because it did not fit any particular radio format it received precious little airplay. In fact, despite spending a total of 31 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, this album would stall at #105! Go figure.
The legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb and producer Bones Howe collaborated on this record which produced some of the most marvelous vocal performances you will ever hear. All but one of the selections on the album were penned by Webb and the music flows from one tune to another without interruption, a very unique thing for its day. I enjoyed the whole album from start to finish. I was particularly fond of the title song "The Magic Garden", the lovely "Summer's Daughter" and of Billy Davis' magnificent performance on "The Worst That Could Happen". The fact of the matter is that I literally wore out my copy of this album and because it had been cut out I was unable to find another copy for years and years. Then, much to my surprise I discovered that the album had been reissued on CD back in 2000. And when I surveyed the reviews for this album on Amazon I was absolutely delighted to learn that so many other people felt the same way that I did about this record. I just didn't think that all that many people had heard it. But alas, within a few short years "The Magic Garden" was out of print once again. I wondered whether this album would ever see the light of day again.
Happily, Collectors Choice has reissued "The Magic Garden" coupled with the 5th Dimension's first LP "Up Up and Away" as the latest offering in their "twofer" series. What a great disc this is! "Up Up and Away" features some mighty fine tunes as well including the title track that everyone is familiar with along with "Go Where You Wanna Go" and "Another Day, Another Heartbreak" all of which were early singles for the group. I would also recommend to you "Which Way To Nowhere" which is one of my all-time favorite 5th Dimension tunes. Billy Davis Jr.'s incredible vocal performance on this one will send chills up your spine.
Now if you are thinking about ordering "The Magic Garden/Up Up and Away" then I suggest you do so right away. It has been my experience that offerings of this type often have a relatively short shelf life. If you have never heard "The Magic Garden" album before then you are in for a real treat. As I indicated earlier it was the only vinyl album that I ever wore out! Highly recommended!"
When music was real.
Drum Blast | USA | 12/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Incredible albums. Incredible songs. These first two albums are gems. If you want some new music, and have never heard the 5th Dimension, these two albums will start you on your collection. Then, you get the rest.
The Magic Garden is one of the greatest albums of the 20th Century."
Track Listings (26) - Disc #1