FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is proud to honor Black History Month with a tour-de-force medley that's forever in our hearts, "A Change Is Gonna Come"/"People Gotta Be Free." It comes from the seminal PORTRAIT project of 1970 where, as Marilyn McCoo recounted, "The 5th Dimension wanted to make our version of a protest album." With one of our greatest Soul singers, Mr. Billy Davis, Jr. at the hub, Sam Cooke's anthem of pathos and "defiant uplift" takes on a life of even greater magnitude. Coupled with "Free," there is resolution in a way so specific to The 5th Dimension--that of unbridled joy and vibrant finesse--that the medley heralds the unique legacy of "The 5th," itself during this special month.
"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In"..."Stoned Soul Picnic"..."One Less Bell to Answer"...Harmony... Unity...Excellence. Hi, I'm Robert-Allan Arno, biographer of The original 5th Dimension. It's hard to believe this hiply elegant quintet first entered our collective consciousness over 4 decades ago, bringing a diverse audience together during turbulent times in our nation's history with a "Champagne Soul" standard that is timeless. And with former original members, the incomparable Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. always enthralling us with new adventures on their kaleidoscopic musical journey, and the vivacious Florence LaRue continuing to lead The current 5th Dimension to sold-out concerts globally, the magic never ends! And then there's retired founding member LaMonte McLemore, a visionary who keeps winning acclaim across the country at gallery exhibits featuring his professional photos that have regaled our top magazines for decades. Our multi gold, platinum & Grammy-winning "5th" heroes certainly make the soaring spirit of "Up-Up & Away" relevant to this day. And we'll never forget the "sweet memory" of Ron Townson whose touching dignity embodies the essence of The 5th.
Background on the Medley--
Fans know that "A Change Is Gonna Come"/"People Gotta Be Free" is actually part of a broader concept, The Independence Medley that begins with the musical version of The Declaration of Independence (aka "The Declaration"). Mega producer Bones Howe told me, " I don't think you should hit your audience in the face with a song like 'The Declaration." I kept hearing 'I was born by the river' in my head and thought Sam Cooke's 'A Change is Gonna Come' would be perfect for Billy...but that was a ballad and I was left needing an up-tempo conclusion. At the time (popular radio DJ) Robert W. Morgan's wife was working for me and she brought in his suggestion of ending with The Rascal's 'People Gotta Be Free'...why didn't I think of that!" Marilyn recently shared, "I was off the road due to minor surgery and I'll never forget Bones calling me over to his office to take a listen to the medley...I was astounded!" She continued, "Billy is performing 'A Change' in our current concerts and it gets a tremendous response--standing O's every time! The people really get it." Billy reflectively added about his interpretations, whether tender or fiery, "I've always believed in the motto 'What Comes From the Heart, Goes to the Heart.'" That's why Billy Davis, Jr., the consummate artist whose vocal stylings have inspired a generation, has had such renowned musicians as Maurice White (Earth, Wind and Fire) and Eddie Levert (The O'Jays) standing in testimony to his soul-stirring genius.
Personally, I've never been happier to present a FOREVER 5th/Soul of the Voice, Ltd. production. To portray a watershed moment in The 5th Dimension's recorded history during Black History Month, a medley that is the hallmark of graceful yet passionate transcendence, is a dream come true on many levels.
Robert-Allan Arno
Biographer, The original 5th Dimension
(Copyright 2011)
"What a BEAUTIFUL tribute, Robert! The 5th Dimension is very proud to have you in our lives. Love you, LaMonte & Mieko"
Love & Appreciation to Marilyn & Billy, Florence, LaMonte & Mieko, The Townsons, Bones, David Brokaw, Randall Jeffries.
Dedicated to the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please join us for the Feb. Newsletter Edition of the globally popular Blog-zine, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION at http://www.forever5thdimension.com
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. at:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marilyn-McCoo-Billy-Davis-Jr/148213765221767
PORTRAIT is available (w/ the LOVE'S LINES album) in the store at: http://www.mccoodavis.com
Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension at: http://www.thefifthdimension.org and http://www.florencelarue.com
LaMonte McLemore at: http://www.lamontephotography.com
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is a copyrighted production of The Soul of the Voice, Ltd., 2011. Photos contained in the Blog-Magazine and in YouTube videos are from the Arno-5th Dimension-McCoo-Davis Legacy Collection, and courtesy of UPI, The John Wood Collection and Robert DeBlanc. All Rights Reserved, not to be re-printed.
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