Fifth Dimension Hits All the Right Notes

by Bernie Decker, The Knickerbocker News, August 25, 1970

The Fifth Dimension reached a new dimension last night at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center — an attendance of 16,000. That is 1,000 more than the group drew last year, but still shy of the 17,300 who listened to Simon and Garfunkel a few years back.

WHAT DOES the Fifth Dimension offer to attract so large an audience? Several things: Five fine voices, songs tailored to their inimitable style, and slickly choreographed arrangements that bring a strong visual element to the program.

Add to the visual element splendiferous, eye-catching costumes. Chief of the eye-catchers is the attractive Marilyn McCoo, who at times threatens to throw her lithe, lovely self out of joint. Not that her colleague, Florence LaRue, is unattractive.

The male members are the pudgy Ron Townson, Billy Davis, and Lamonte McLemore.

They touched all bases during their show, reprising the many hits they have scored (“Up, Up and Away,” “Wedding Bell Blues”—which Miss McCoo sings to her husband, Billy Davis—”Stoned Soul Picnic” … the list is endless.)

Also along the way, the group sings some of their newer songs, and one Miss McCoo says disc jockeys hesitated playing “because it was too controversial” — The Declaration of Independence.”

By the by, backing the Fifth Dimension is the Fifth Dimension Quintet, a very able band of musicians. Rene DeKnight, music director, is on piano; Rudy Stevenson, flute and guitar; Bobby Morin, drums; Montego Joe, congo and bongo drums; and Jeff Castleman, Fender bass. They provide excellent sound to complement the Fifth Dimension’s singing.

THE SHOW CLOSED with, naturally, “Aquarius” — “Let the Sunshine In.” The Fifth Dimension danced into the audience, and some of the audience attempted to dance back onstage with them. They were quickly and quietly dissuaded.

It was the perfect end to a perfect day for the singing group. The five attended the races at Saratoga and hit the Exacta for $83, according to E. Craig Hankenson, general manager for SPAC.

He did, too, he said. A few more of those — and of groups like the Fifth Dimension pulling them in at SPAC and Mr. Hankenson will be singing as happy a tune as they do.

Tonight, Three Dog Night and the James Gang are scheduled. Thursday night it will be Blood, Sweat and Tears; Friday night, Jose Feliciano; and Saturday, Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie.

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