Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.'s "Soul & Inspiration" Un-vaulted Surprise by The 5th Dimension

"Forever 5th Dimension" presents...
I truly believe Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. are angels on our collective shoulders!
Hi, I'm Robert-Allan Arno, biographer of The 5th Dimension and I make that statement with conviction not only on behalf of myself but as I hear from a plethora of worldwide fans each and every day, many gifted musical artists in their own right, sharing with me how much the "dynamic duo" means to them on so many levels.

As we pay tribute to Marilyn & Billy's 40th Wedding Anniversary (July 26, 2009), it should be noted that this delightfully blessed pair, who are ever quick to point out that their friendship and mutual respect for one another is paramount to their enduring love, made music (and still do!) that is not only beautiful but enigmatic in its artistry, thought-provoking in its mystique. And let me not make un-equal the stellar contributions of Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore and Ron "Sweets" Townson, who with Marilyn & Billy made albums like THE MAGIC GARDEN and EARTHBOUND that are underground fascinations to this day, while STONED SOUL PICNIC is pure "surrey-down" fun with THE AGE OF AQUARIUS shining all the more brightly 4 decades after its "Summer of Love" debut. And while PORTRAIT makes an eloquent protest statement, SOUL & INSPIRATION seems to be the one that keeps generating "hidden gems," making a different type of statement as it marked the end of the quintet's winning association with mega-producer Bones Howe.

Indeed as I wrote in the liners to the recent SOUL & INSPIRATION re-issue, "There were two 'Soul & Inspiration' albums...the one the familiar Bones fully produced and the one that hit the shelves. In essence, due to changes at Bell Records circa '74, many of the Howe-produced cuts for the project got shelved." And while we finally got to present six of those cuts on the re-issue (including "As Long As There's An Apple Tree," as spotlighted on our premier YouTube), there are still a bunch in the vaults including the "original" version of the Marilyn & Billy duet of the project's title cut--one which is extended, complete with stunning horns, and as Bones so charmingly puts it, features "Marilyn's recitation" (rather than Billy's tender patter that appeared on the album).

ABOUT THIS VIDEO--
So as a special treat for you, the fans, and with much love & appreciation to Marilyn & Billy and Bones, I bring you a melding of the "S & I" you heard on the album/CD...and the one from the vaults. That's how I'm celebrating Marilyn & Billy's 40th...from the heart and soul, with a l'il bit of amusing inspiration! And PS...I'll tell you one day in some upcoming liners should we have the chance to "officially" release the complete original "S & I," the reasoning behind that "back in the day, recitation switch"...for now, ENJOY!

You are truly part of a full-circle "Up-Up & Away" blessing,
Robert-Allan Arno
(copyright 2009)

Robert-Allan Arno wrote the acclaimed liners to ULTIMATE 5th DIMENSION plus writes the popular "Forever 5th Dimension" Blog-Magazine at:
http://www.myspace.com/thesoulofvoice
It's a monthly salute to one of the most popular multi-Gold, Platinum & Grammy-winning groups of The Rock n' Soul era...all things Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Ronald "Sweets" Townson & Lamonte McLemore yesterday, today...forever!

And please visit Marilyn & Billy's "store" to check out the SOUL & INSPIRATION CD plus their all-new love song celebration, THE MANY FACES OF LOVE at http://www.McCooDavis.com.

Special thanks to Marilyn & Billy, Florence, Lamonte, Bones, Mr. David Brokaw at The Brokaw Company, Randall Jeffries, Kenneth Green and the visionary Rob Santos.

(Forever 5th Dimension, copyright '09 is a production of The Soul of the Voice, Ltd.
Photos are from The Robert-Allan Arno 5th Dimension-McCoo-Davis Legacy Collection, All Rights Reserved. Marilyn & Billy Anniversary painting by Kenneth Green, used by permission.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The 5th Dimension
• McCoo and Davis Jr.
• Righteous Brothers
• Soul and Inspiration

[Branner]

Thanks, Robert.

[robbybobbyoh]

Thank you, friend...always so nice to hear from you...blessings.

[BonnieBowden]

Robert... a wonderful tribute... beautifully done....

[robbybobbyoh]

Bonnie...you are one of those rare angels of song...thanks for your gracious input!!

[getdusty1]

You may be each other "soul" and "inspiration", but let it be known before all gathered, that you are an inspiration to all of us as well. Your faith in the Lord and yout trust in Him to get you through means a lot to all of us!!

Vern and Marg Hibbard,

Iron Bridge, Ontario, CANADA!!

(going on 37 happy years)

[robbybobbyoh]

Best and blessings to you and Marg...such a nice story to share, Vern!

[TJCATLOVER]

Really good!!!!!  Thumbs up from me

[robbybobbyoh]

Thanks Julie Anne...as I always say, "Marilyn & Billy are angels on our collective shoulders!" Love ya...and our dynamic duo!

[robbybobbyoh]

What a touching and exciting story, Stephanie...thanks for sharing your own "Soul & Inspiration!"

[Stablenut]

Robert, this was wonderful - they have inspired me for nearly all my life; and to think - I got to perform on the same stage with them one wonderful summer...

Thank you for this sharing this beautiful tribute to Marilyn & Billy.  My husband and I have 31 happy years so far!

Stephanie (Plute) Harris

Independence, KS

[julieramos1128]

What a Beautiful tribute for 2 amazing people. :-)