2008 digitally mastered reissue of this true undisputed classic of orchestrated, Psych-tinged Soft Pop. The 5th Dimension are one of the most successful American bands of the late '60s. In 1968, they were teamed up with producer Bones Howe and wunderkind composer/arranger/all-round bona fide musical genius beyond redoubt, Jimmy Webb, who presented them with a complex song cycle based on his own tumultuous relationship with his partner. Nestling between such dyed-in-the-wool classics as 'Carpet Man', 'The Girls' Song', 'The Worst That Could Happen' (which all became hit singles for other artists) and the life-affirming title track (as covered by Dusty Springfield no less) are such lesser-spotted Webb gems as 'Summer's Daughter' and 'Paper Cup'. The whole cycle is linked with beautifully ornate pieces of orchestration, sitar flourishes and ethereal vocals. Rev-Ola.

1. Prologue
2. Magic Garden
3. Summer's Daughter
4. Dreams/Pax/Nepenthe
5. Carpet Man
6. Ticket to Ride
7. Requiem: 820 Latham
8. Girl's Song
9. Worst That Could Happen
10. Orange Air
11. Paper Cup
12. Epilogue

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CC7G20/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CC7G20/?tag=imwan-21

Too bad they're not reissuing Webb's never-on-CD reunion album with the 5th Dimension, EARTHBOUND, instead! With the Buddha and Collectors' Choice reissues previously available, a third release of MAGIC GARDEN on CD (much as I love it!) seems a bit redundant!

IAWTP.

It does seem like those Collectors Choice reissues just came out ... or maybe I'm just getting older and time is passing faster.

The Collectors' Choice version of [lilred]Magic Garden[/lilred] came out a year ago (August 2007) as part of this two-fer:



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O78INK/?tag=imwan-20

The Rev-Ola version will have different remastering but no additional tracks. Rev-Ola's mastering and packaging are usually very good, but I'm not sure that the new release could be SO good as to be worth getting if you already own the Collectors' Choice version.

For what it's worth, one reviewer on Amazon said the 2000 Buddha reissue sounds 'marvelous' while the 2007 CCM reissue sounds 'significantly worse'...

That is a shame, because the Buddha CD is out of print and commands a collectible price now:



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBSR/?tag=imwan-20

(The Buddha version is still in-print as an MP3 album, though.)

Hopefully the Rev-Ola remaster will best both the Buddha and Collectors' Choice versions.

Fixed. (I know I'm being selfish, but I really don't want to have to buy it again!)

This is one of my favorite albums ever (maybe it's because I'm 60 and I was at college when Jimmy Webb hysteria was sweeping the pop world), so I bit on the Rev-Ola re-re-remaster. It arrived from Amazon yesterday and I've been comparing it at length with my Buddah version. I've got to tell you in a decidedly unscientific, non-Steve Hoffman way (not that I don't appreciate all the work he's done although he had nothing to do with this or any other version of this album as far as I know) that I prefer the Buddah version.

For those who are not making comparisons and will just buy the Rev-Ola version, I believe you will be happy with it. However, in comparison I find:
1. The Rev-Ola version is definitely louder overall and bass, both drum and guitar, has been boosted.
2. The Rev-Ola version walks right up to (but does not cross) the line of what I would consider distortion.

Vocal and instrument placement in the stereo field is identical. I would characterize the Rev-Ola version as being more of a 21st century mix as so many people have talked about here, compensating for iPods, converting to mp3, etc.

One more thing. Rev-Ola has decided to change the original running order. They have placed the only non-Jimmy Webb tune, Ticket To Ride, at the end of the CD rather than sixth (end of Side 1 on the original LP) so as not to disrupt the flow of the concept album that Webb was creating here. At the time of the album's original release there was a great deal of talk about no "single" on the album and therefore the insertion of the 5th Dimension's sing of the Lennon/McCartney hit. In the CD notes it also mentions a "contractual obligation" that caused the inclusion of Ticket To Ride. In any event who's to say why the record bizz does what it does. Rev-Ola's logic of moving the track certainly makes musical sense.