The Jackson 5 Album: “Lookin' Through the Windows”

Lookin' Through The Windows was the last top ten album by the band for Motown peaking at numver seven and it showed a maturation in the band's sound. Michael's voice was changing, so the teenybopper angle that some previous songs took no longer fit. The album opens with a great version of "Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing" and then moves into the stirring title track which has a real original sound. "Don't Let Your Baby Catch You Crying" has a tight pace and "To Know" is yet another beautifully sung song. They follow with two covers, a soulful version of Jackson Browne's "Doctor My Eyes" (which was top ten hit in England) and a hyperactive version of "Little Bitty Pretty One" which made its way to number 13. "E-Ne-Me-Ne-Mi-Ne-Moe" is a fast paced song while "If I Have To Move A Mountain" is a breath takingly beautiful song where the harmonies just soar on. "Children Of The Light" is an inspirational song that has a peace and love sentiment to it and "I Can Only Give You Love" has on point trading vocals between Michael & Jermaine.

I never purchased the previous 2 on 1 CD that featured BOTH 'Lookin Through The Windows' & 'Goin Back To Indiana', so this 2010 remaster was right on time, and for less than $5.00, a NO BRAINER. The music sounded great as it did back in the day, BUT I really give props to Motown/Universal for the AWESOME packaging. They paid attention to details and everything from the original 1972 vinyl album is reproduced for this CD (including the album's inner sleeve's authentic advertisements from 1972 for Jackson 5 posters, cards, autographs, etc.). I am truly happy to add this CD to my collection. Don't miss out on these Jackson 5 remasters!!!

brings back teenage memories,timeless Motown Magic! The sound is much more clearer than the vinyl.I'm living my youth all over again.

This 1972 release marked the begining of the Jackson brothers evolving disappointment with Motown records not allowing them to write and produce their own songs, especially with more than half of the brothers almost aging out of their teens (including the second lead singer Jermaine). Though the songs on Lookin' Through The Windows were a bit more serious then the songs that made them stars 2-3 years prior, The Jacksons were still frustrated with the soon to dated songs that were being fed to them. Despite of that, it was still a decent album and many of the songs accomodated well for Michael's slightly changing voice (of which would be more noticable on their next lp, Skywriter). The title track is one of my favorite Jackson 5 songs (music arrangements sounds closer to what the Four Tops were recording during their last years on Motown) and is one of the first Jackson 5 songs that matured alot from their previous songs and it was written by Clifton Davis. "To Know" sounds like Al Green's big hit "Let's Stay Together" and is another song that marked the maturing sound of the Jackson 5, yet it wasn't release as a single. "Little Bitty Pretty One" (the Thurston Harris remake) was the Jackson 5's second single release that was also a top 10 R&B hit (along with the title track) and it was much energetic than the original version as well as when Frankie Lymon remade it in the late 50's. "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" is another remake (originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, for those who don't know) sung well by Michael and Jermaine. "Don't Let Your Baby Catch You" was an outake from the ABC album, yet Motown randomly decided to add the song on this album. It wasn't a good match since it was recorded in late 1969 while the new songs were recorded between mid 1971 and early 1972 and you can tell that dated "bubble gum soul" was composed by the Corporation. I think Lookin' Though The Windows was a decent album that shaped the Jackson 5's maturing sound as well as their rising dissappointment with Motown for not allowing them to grow within the change of the music industry. Though it seems like it was a more mature album copmared to their last 4 outputs, it wasn't enough for The Jackson brothers and they would continue to fight for their freedom, until 1975.

How many times do I have to say they are simply the greatest. I love Michael & his brothers together.