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Post by Dawn on Feb 15, 2009 20:43:29 GMT -5
A few underplayed goodies from this group.
The first is Carpet Man, from 1968. This is a great, snappy little tune with wonderful harmonies and a cool sitar at the end. Why this doesn't get more oldies play is a mystery.
Next is Sweet Blindness, also from 1968. This I have heard on oldies radio, but only on a few occasions, and not recently. This was written by Laura Nyro, and has a very unusual song structure and style for its time.
Last is California Soul, which was released in '68 but didn't peak until the following year. This is my favorite of the three, a wonderful midtempo jazzy number with their trademark layered harmonies and some punchy brass riffs.
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Post by m c dornan on Feb 15, 2009 22:50:57 GMT -5
Well I don't like "Carpet Man" too much, but "Sweet Blindness" is good and "California Soul" is wonderful- what lovely harmonies as they sing the title words. Good instrumental opening too.
I wonder if any carpet store ever used the first song.
"I'm the Carpet Man!"
Do they really sing "you're a good-looking riverboat" in Sweet Blindness and what does it mean. I can't imagine as a term of affection...
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Post by edehl on Feb 16, 2009 12:19:19 GMT -5
Great songs! Yeah, I don't understand why "Carpet Man" wasn't a bigger hit. Even though the title was a bit weird, it definitely had the sound for that era. I've heard both "Sweet Blindness" and "California Soul" from time to time on our....well, now defunct oldies station and thought they were enjoyable. I'll always enjoy listening to the Fifth Dimension. My dad used to have a cassette of the album, "Up Up and Away" that I completely wore out when I was a young teen.  |
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Post by Dawn on Feb 16, 2009 13:30:30 GMT -5
Well I don't like "Carpet Man" too much, but "Sweet Blindness" is good and "California Soul" is wonderful- what lovely harmonies as they sing the title words. Good instrumental opening too. I wonder if any carpet store ever used the first song. "I'm the Carpet Man!" Do they really sing "you're a good-looking riverboat" in Sweet Blindness and what does it mean. I can't imagine as a term of affection... LOL - I've always wondered that too! Yep, those are indeed the lyrics. Although I really like what I've heard of Laura Nyro's music, some of her lyrics are a little unusual. |
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Post by Dawn on Feb 16, 2009 13:36:02 GMT -5
Great songs! Yeah, I don't understand why "Carpet Man" wasn't a bigger hit. Even though the title was a bit weird, it definitely had the sound for that era. I've heard both "Sweet Blindness" and "California Soul" from time to time on our....well, now defunct oldies station and thought they were enjoyable. I'll always enjoy listening to the Fifth Dimension. My dad used to have a cassette of the album, "Up Up and Away" that I completely wore out when I was a young teen. I agree, it's strange why some songs seem to "catch on" better than others. As you said, it fits right in stylewise with the era and should have been bigger. The Up, Up and Away album has some really great songs on it. I've always loved the title track, and California My Way is wonderful, too. |
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Post by daniel on Feb 16, 2009 22:05:03 GMT -5
I always liked their song "Paper Cup". Probably the melody more than the words, though.
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Post by Dawn on Feb 17, 2009 12:39:37 GMT -5
I always liked their song "Paper Cup". Probably the melody more than the words, though. I agree, Paper Cup is another good from them that you don't hear very often. Here's some cool footage of it from a TV appearance: |
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Post by daniel on Feb 17, 2009 14:34:26 GMT -5
Cool footage! I still can't get over how cheesy sets and things were back then! |
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