Jackson 5: Happy 40th Anniversary!
http://www.jackson5abc.com/news/suite.php?newsid=56
On December 18th, 1969 Motown released the first ever album of the Jackson 5 : "Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5", including the smash hit "I Want You Back", and the greatest B-side ever, "Who's Loving You".
The Jackson 5 were more than a huge hit recording act. They were an international multi-media phenomenon who ushered Motown into its second decade with a stunningly fresh sound that has often been imitated but never duplicated. The boys grew up before the eyes of the world and their musical legacy remains a remarkable testament, not only to Michael's greatness, but to their collective talent.
On december 18, 1969, Motown releases the first album of the Jackson 5, which tops #5 in the pop charts, in february 1970, and #1 in the R&B chart. It sells more 600000 copies in the United States, an exceptionnal number for a first LP.
The majority of the album was produced by Bobby Taylor, true discoverer of the group in 1968 in Chicago. During spring and summer 1969, the latter chose to make them sing soul music standards, in order to coach them, but also to prove to the Motown big boss, Berry Gordy, their capacities.
So, besides the anthem I Want You Back, produced by The Corporation (Gordy, Perren, Mizell, Richards), the album contains several covers from the Detroit's compagny : The Four Top's Standing in the Shadows of Love, Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour, The Temptations' (I Know) I'm Losing You, a wonderful treatment of Smokey Robinson's Who's Lovin' You , but also a Walt Disney Them, in album's opening,Zip A Dee Doo Dah, and Sly & the Family Stone's Stand!. The album also includes one of their debut Steeltown songs, You've Changed.
All instrumentation was made before the 5 brothers stepped in the studio, to the great displeasure of Tito and Jermaine, who didn't play guitar and bass. When, in 1976, Michael was asked why this LP was called "Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5", he responds : "That's it, Diana didn't discovered us, but it was made to believe it. As she presented us to the public, it's not really a lie".
In order to promote the album, the Jackson 5 made their second important tv appearance, in the famous Ed Sullivan Show, with the well advised eye of Diana Ross, from that time, a name forever associated with the Jackson 5.
19th December 2009, 01:21 PM
Linear Mode
