Tag Archives: Soul City

5th Dimensions: Stoned Soul Picnic

In August 1968, “Soul City” label released “Stoned Soul Picnic”, the third  5th Dimension album. It was recorded March – June 1968, at “United/Western Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bones Howe.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr. – vocals
  • Florence LaRue – vocals
  • Marilyn McCoo – vocals
  • Lamonte McLemore – vocals
  • Ron Townson – vocals
  • Mike Deasy- acoustic and electric guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco- acoustic and electric guitar
  • Larry Bunker- marimba, bells, vibraphone, temple blocks, percussion
  • Larry Knechtel, Jimmy Rowles- piano, organ, keyboard
  • Ray Pohlman- guitar, “super-twang” bass
  • Joe Osborn- bass
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • The Sid Sharp Strings – string Section
  • The Bill Holman Brass – horn Section
  • Bill Hilman – horns and strings arrangements
  • Bob Alcivar – vocal arrangements
  • Bones Howe – music arrangements
  • Ray Pohlman – music arrangements
  • Captain Nemo (Michael Shields), Bones Howe, Alex Kazanegras, Phil Ramone, Joe Sidore, Sol Weiss, Winston Wong, Mary Wood – engineer
  • Elliot Federman – mastering
  • Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Robin Diamond, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Marc Gordon, Laura Gregory, Jeremy Holiday, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Steve Strauss – project coordinator
  • Mandana Eidgah – product manager
  • Bones Howe, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
  • Hal Blaine – orchestra manager
  • René DeKnight – music director
  • Ray Pohlman – vocals coach
  • Johnny Rivers – realization
  • Woody Woodward – art direction
  • Wayne Kimbell – design
  • Rob Santos – photography
  • Mike Ragogna – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Sweet Blindness – Laura Nyro
  2. It’ll Never Be the Same Again – Jeff Comanor
  3. The Sailboat Song – Jeff Comanor
  4. It’s a Great Life – Denny McReynolds, Karen O’Hara
  5. Stoned Soul Picnic – Laura Nyro
  6. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  7. Lovin’ Stew – Jules Alexander, Jeff Comanor
  8. Broken Wing Bird – Bob Alcivar, Kellie McKinney
  9. Good News – Dick Addrisi, Don Addrisi
  10. Bobbie’s Blues (Who Do You Think of?) – Jeff Comanor
  11. The Eleventh Song (What a Groovy Day!) – Jimmy Webb

The 5th Dimension: Up, Up and Away

In May 1967, “Soul City” label released “Up, Up and Away” the debut 5th Dimension album. It w was produced byas recorded April 1966-March 1967, and was produced by Marc Gordon, Willie Hutch, Johnny Rivers and Rob Santos. In 1967, “Up, Up and Away” won four “Grammy Award” including “Record of the Year”.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr. – lead and backing vocals
  • Marilyn McCoo- lead and backing vocals
  • Lamonte McLemore- backing vocals
  • Ron Townson- backing vocals
  • Florence LaRue- backing vocals
  • Al Casey- guitar
  • Johnny Rivers– guitar
  • F. Sloan– guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco– guitar
  • Larry Knechtel- piano, keyboards
  • Jimmy Webb -keyboards,  musical conductor, arrangements
  • Joe Osborn- bass, guitar
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • Marty Paich – horns and strings arrangements
  • Elliot Federman – mastering
  • Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Robin Diamond, Mandana Eidgah, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Laura Gregory, Jeremy Holiday, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Bill Stafford, Steve Strauss – project coordinator
  • Bones Howe, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
  • Joanna Feltman – archivist
  • Mike Hartry – transfer
  • Mathieu Bitton – art direction, design
  • Wardy Woodward – art direction
  • Wayne Kimbell – design
  • Bernard Yeszin – cover photography
  • Rob Santers – photography
  • Mike Ragehoa – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Up, Up and Away – Jimmy Webb
  2. Another Day, Another Heartache – Steve Barri, F. Sloan
  3. Which Way to Nowhere- Jimmy Webb
  4. California My Way – Willie Hutch
  5. Misty Roses – Tim Hardin
  6. Go Where You Wanna Go – John Phillips
  7. Never Gonna Be the Same – Jimmy Webb
  8. Pattern People – Jimmy Webb
  9. Rosecrans Blvd. – Jimmy Webb
  10. Learn How to Fly – Willie Hutch
  11. Poor Side of Town – Lou Adler, Johnny Rivers