Dave Clark Five – 5 by 5 [UK Version] (1968)
This killer album from the DC5 is quite the odd duck.
Does anyone know the story behind this particular release? Was it ever released in stereo? It seems odd to have a 1968 mono-only release with no reprints and only four editions, especially when you consider that both of the DC5’s 1967 US albums (“5 by 5” and “You Got What It Takes”) were in true stereo, as were the two albums titled “Everybody Knows” (US 1967 and UK 1968).
This strange mono-only offering sits right in the middle of the band’s true stereo period and feels like a deliberate throwback. Aside from a wonderful stereo version of “The Red Balloon” that appeared on the EMI/Starline “Best of Dave Clark Five” LP in 1970 (SRS 5037), were any of these songs released in stereo anywhere … or anywhere else at all?
“Red Balloon” is paired with “Maze of Love” on a 7″ EP, and it shows up on a few hits packages, but other standout tracks (“Just a Little Bit Now,” “Devoted to Me,” “3406,” “I Still Need You,” “Best Day’s Work,” and “Got Love If You Want It”) seem to be unique to this LP. And just to add to the confusion: yes, the cover art was used for the US release “Everybody Knows”, but all the songs are different. Yes, the album title was used for the US release “5 by 5” … but again, there’s no track overlap whatsoever. What’s the deal?
Whatever the story, this album is totally worth getting.
It’s odd that there don’t seem to be any pressings beyond the first press and a handful of international editions, but don’t let that put you off tracking one down. All of Side 1 is pretty damn good, with some nicely fuzzed-out guitar on a few tracks, plus the bizarrely smile-inducing “Red Balloon.”
Side 2 is mostly strong, with the exception of a couple of very old-fashioned-sounding slow tracks (“Please Stay” and “No-One Can Break a Heart Like You”) and one bland instrumental (B5, “When I Am Alone”). The Righteous Brothers-inspired “Away from the Noise” is a fun listen, though.
If I could have given the album five stars, I would have, but that instrumental and those two ’50s-sounding tracks dropped it a notch. Nevertheless, this is one of the DC5’s strongest original albums, and I really loved discovering it.
As with most of the Dave Clark Five’s UK releases, the A-Side features up tempo tracks and is titled “Go!!”, the B-side features mostly ballads, and is titled “Slow!!” haha! Here is the track list:
Five By Five….Go!!
A1. Just A Little Bit Now
A2. Maze Of Love
A3. Return My Love
A4. Best Day’s Work
A5. Who Do You Think You’re Talking To
A6. Got Love If You Want It
A7. The Red Balloon
Five By Five….Slow!!
B1. Please Stay
B2. Devoted To You
B3. 3406
B4. Away From The Noises
B5. When I Am Alone (Instrumental)
B6. I Still Need You
B7. No-One Can Break A Heart Like You
Oddly, most of the tracks from this album are not on Spotify, and the three that are are from older LPs, and seem to have been previously unreleased in the UK when 5×5 came out… Maybe this album is a mixed bag of leftovers? Who knows. If you know, drop me a line!
In the meantime, here is a DC5 playlist for you… this is an overview of some of their killer tracks. The last three tracks are from the UK version of the 5×5 album that I reviewed here.
For your viewing pleasure, I’ve also linked a video for “The Red Balloon” below. Enjoy!
