Happy Birthday, Marilyn McCoo: A Star-Studded Tribute!

“As soon as we met, I knew she’d be a star. Today, Marilyn never ceases to surpass herself.”–Jimmy Webb

“Who does not like if not revere Marilyn? She is the personification of beauty and class.”–LaMonte McLemore  

“Marilyn is ‘the singer’s singer.’ I am a true fan.”–Neil Sedaka

In celebration of Marilyn McCoo’s birthday, September 30—that magical date for a mellifluous soul and for her millions of fans worldwide—FOREVER 5^th DIMENSION reviews her greatest solos with quotes from the songwriters & composers, a Grammy-winning producer, and fellow stars about each treasure. Marilyn’s stellar 7-time Grammy winning artistry, which comes from “the soul of the voice” is interpreted through the eyes & ears of these luminaries who honor Ms. McCoo’s Top 10 (in no necessary order!)

Before we dig in, I will share that personally, like many of you, the eternal grace of Marilyn McCoo has made my life all the brighter. Each shining “Marilyn recording”…every TV appearance…all the “live” concerts with The Original 5th Dimension, as solo headliner, or with husband & duet partner, Billy Davis, Jr.…from Carnegie Hall to Atlantic City to Las Vegas…remain indelible. And to have her friendship along with Billy’s, their mentorship and guidance is a blessed gift. ~~Robert-Allan Arno

~1~Marilyn’s interpretation of “Blackbird,” the title song of her and husband, Billy Davis, Jr.’s latest critically-acclaimed CD, “BLACKBIRD: Lennon/McCartney Icons.” As I reviewed on Amazon:  The title tune, soloed by Marilyn is ingenious, Ms. McCoo translates “Blackbird” into a cousin of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit.” She takes a gut-wrenching, contemporary Broadway showstopper style and combines it with her recording finesse…it boils down to a fine simmer, in the pantheon of one of Marilyn McCoo’s greatest vocal solos. Listen here: https://youtu.be/Yg5FZJ3AZww

~2~”Love’s Lines, Angles & Rhymes”: Marilyn’s personal favorite…from the album of the same title. Composer Dorothea Joyce says, “Marilyn was the perfect artist for this tune, her interpretive abilities as well as impeccable vocal chops, took my song to a new level…she is in a class by herself.” Listen here: https://youtu.be/f8YHTxftS0w

~3~“One Less Bell to Answer”: “It’s really a jazz ballad,” says Grammy-winning producer Bones Howe. Marilyn herself calls it a “torch song.” And it’s been “informally” voted as the fans’ favorite all-time Pop/Soul superhit by The Original 5th Dimension. With words & music by Bacharach/David, from the seminal PORTRAIT album, multi-Tony Award winner, Audra McDonald hummed a few bars of it during a recent TV interview and sited Marilyn’s “beautiful voice” as an early influence. Listen here: https://youtu.be/lBrbu7PvMU0

~4~“Wedding Bell Blues”: “It’s a Laura Nyro tune I always loved…and saved! When I found out Marilyn and Billy were dating, I knew it was the right time for Marilyn to record the lead…we surprised Billy and the group with it when they added their back-ups.” That’s producer Bones Howe talking about the Number 1 classic hit for The Original 5th Dimension, “Wedding Bell Blues.” Composer Nyro shared, “The 5^th Dimension’s interpretations of my tunes were like a delicious ice cream soda!”  Listen here: https://youtu.be/7q21Bky7r2A

~5~“Never My Love”:  Evoking this striking sentiment from Richard Addrisi of song composers, the Addrisi Brothers: “If I could capture any voice in a bottle, it would surely be Marilyn’s…it’s pure love.” Listen to the classic version from THE 5^th DIMENSION: LIVE here: https://youtu.be/RgAP_FvQrD0   And the re-visited version from the MANY FACES OF LOVE project here: https://youtu.be/hP5RLu1fjFo

~6~“If I Could Reach You”: Composer Randy McNeil weighs in with this compelling quote: “An unmatchable vocal performance, with a voice so mellow it could melt our hearts, yet possessing an electrifying energy, God’s gift to her has been her gift to us.” Listen here: https://youtu.be/QFTZrB-7d3I

~7~The delightful “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep At All”: Producer Howe’s secret? Mixing melancholy with a 50’s back-beat and orchestra bells! Listen to Marilyn’s addictively lilting lament here: https://youtu.be/3OY77yy7V00

~8~“Open Your Window”: An album “mood-setter” that happens to be one of Grammy-winning producer Bones Howe’s personal faves. He shares, “When I heard Harry Nilsson’s ‘Open Your Window’ I had a hunch it would be perfect for Marilyn…and I was right. Marilyn has that quality…it’s very feminine, and it’s all her own. I think she (and Billy, too) should be singing forever…even with just a piano!” Take “a deep sigh,” with “Open Your Window;” here: https://youtu.be/T_fqDjs24VA

~9~The original version of “Saving All My Love for You, ” pre-Whitney Houston‘s smash hit: From the “Marilyn & Billy” album, the style was envisioned in the genres of hits of the day, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” Did you know it was a hit in the Philippines? Enjoy Marilyn’s sincere, bluesy interpretation here: https://youtu.be/EJtgtaRZm5M

~10~”When Did I Lose Your Love”: By Jimmy Webb from The 5th Dimension’s EARTHBOUND album defines “ethereal plaintiveness” and is enhanced by the guitar stylings of Larry Coryell. Listen here: https://youtu.be/ebpEUH8ECMo

10/2: And finally, my own “bonus” addendum, if I may share. What a pleasure to have just spent Marilyn’s birthday weekend with “The 1st Couple of Pop n’ Soul” in New Hope as their guest at a scenic outdoor gala and concert benefiting the prestigious Bucks County Playhouse, in support of their exciting star-studded shows and educational endeavors. Delicious food, an invigorating auction, and a standing-O garnering concert by Marilyn & Billy with all the legendary hits floating upon the crisp night air, “under a twilight canopy”–literally! Including newest selections from “Blackbird: Lennon/McCartney Icons.” Here we are backstage, fellowshipping post-concert!

With great thanks to all the renowned contributors to our special salute.

Remember to visit Marilyn & Billy’s official website at http://www.mccoodavis.com for latest concert news, to order their CD’s, more!

(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., Intellectual Property, all rights reserved, copyright 2008-2021)