We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago….
Do you remember the term “bubblegum music” . a Google search comes up with this definition….
The Jackson Five would certainly qualify for the category, although at times they transcended it. Having a force of nature like Michael in front helped the group elevate their music past the usual dreck described by the term.
Their 1972 LP “Lookin Through The Windows”, which cracked the Top 10 album chart is filled with the usual Jackson formula but with some surprises as well.
Most of the songs were recorded in 1971 and were supposed to surround their hit single of the time “Sugar Daddy”. Motown released a Greatest Hits package for Christmas 1971 instead.
Covers include a peppy version of Jackson Browne’s “Doctor My Eyes” (everybody was covering Browne’s stuff that year) which includes an excellent guitar solo, “Little Bitty Pretty One” and a solid version of “Aint Nothing Like The Real Thing” which was a hit for label-mates Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell four years earlier.
Other standouts for me include the title track with its buzzy, 70’s style guitar, “Don’t Want to See Tomorrow” and “To Know” which shows the guys could slow jam with the best of them.
Most Jackson Five fans were really only interested in the radio hits…but the brothers could deliver more than that which lifted them above your average “bubblegum” group.
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