Tag Archives: Steve Strauss

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

5th Dimension: Portrait

In April 1970, “Bell Records” label released “Portrait”, the fifth 5th Dimension album.  It was recorded August 1969-March 1970, at Wally Heider Studios in Hollywood, and was produced by Bones Howe. The album  cover features an impressionistic portrait by the artist LeRoy Neiman.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr.- lead and backing vocals
  • Florence LaRue- lead and backing vocals
  • Marilyn McCoo- lead and backing vocals
  • Ron Townson- lead and backing vocals
  • Michael Anthony- electric guitar
  • Mike Deasy- electric guitar
  • Dennis Budimir – rhythm guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco- rhythm guitar
  • Fred Tackett- finger pickin’ guitar
  • Larry Knechtel- piano, organ, tack piano
  • Jimmy Rowles– piano
  • Gary Illingworth – electric piano
  • Joe Osborn- bass
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • Larry Bunker- congas, mallets, percussion, drums
  • Gary Coleman – mallets, percussion
  • Bob Alcivar, Bill Hollman – arrangements
  • Bones Howe – arrangements, engineer
  • Elliot Federman – mastering
  • Joanne Feltman, Glenn Korman – archivist
  • Joel Whitburn – research
  • Larry Cox, Johnny Golden, Rik Pekkonen – assistants
  • Beverly Weinstein – art direction
  • Mathieu Bitton – design
  • Mike Ragogna – liner notes
  • Jeremy Holiday – production coordinator
  • Bones Howe, Ann McClelland, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
  • Mandana Eidgah – production manager
  • Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Laura Gregory, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Bill Stafford, Steve Strauss – project coordinator

Track listing:

  1. Puppet Man – Howard Greenfield, Neil Sedaka
  2. One Less Bell to Answer – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  3. Feelin’ Alright – Dave Mason
  4. This Is Your Life – Jimmy Webb
  5. A Love Like Ours – Bob Alcivar, Lamonte McLemore
  6. Save the Country – Laura Nyro
  7. Medley
  • The Declaration – Julianne Johnson, René DeKnight
  • A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
  • People Gotta Be Free – Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
  1. Dimension 5ive – Bob Alcivar

On the Beach (In the Summertime) – McNeil