Bobby Shad had only one original composition for his Bad Men to perform. The rest were arrangements of some of the more eclectic hits of the sixties. "I Want You Back" was the highlight of Bobby Shad's 65-piece rock orchestra album just as it was the highlight four years earlier on Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, the 1969 debut album by The Jackson 5 released on Motown Records.
Berry Gordy knew he had a sure hit if he could get The Jackson 5 off on the right foot. A dynamite 11 year old lead singer amidst a family of talented young boys might not have the longest shelf life in the music business, and their 1969 sessions consisting of backwards-facing soul covers wouldn't cut the lacquer for popular audiences—no matter how many string arrangements adorned their harmonies. Motown's West Coast studio crew The Corporation took over the recording of the boy band's debut and gave the 5 what would become their first single and a No. 1, at that.
"I Want You Back" lays down a great funk arrangement, groundwork for a star-making performance from a young Michael Jackson pushed to the edge of his vocal powers to spectacular results . But it proves hard to match as Michael does his best to elevate the rest of the album's cover songs. His maximal effort occasionally turns to strain in handling dubious material choices and dealing with inconsistent production quality. When other Jacksons get their shot at leading, the songs pale even more. But the talent is evident and exciting even if it is inexperienced and tilted too far onto the youngest Jackson's shoulders.
Here is the discography surrounding The Jackson 5's debut album:
Big Boy (1968 single)
I Want You Back (1969 single)
Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5
We Don't Have to Be Over 21 (To Fall in Love) (1970 single)
"I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5
"Who's Loving You" by The Jackson 5
Pass the Headphones!!
No comments:
Post a Comment