David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

The Partridge Family, David Cassidy

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00003TFNR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,785 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The story once circulated that session keyboardist Larry Knechtel could barely keep a straight face while recording the harpsichord solo on the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You." Given that Knechtel later joined Bread, another totem of '70s (supposed) disposability, the tale seems to reflect little more than music-biz snobbery. The studio-created pop fronted by series stars David Cassidy and Shirley Jones stands up well for ears sympathetic to the era's have-a-nice-day Top 40 standards. Singles such as "I Think I Love You," "I Woke Up in Love This Morning," and "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted" remain high points of mainstream manufacture, with Cassidy's soft-sell emoting meshing with crafty arrangements and surefire hooks. These tracks have aged well. The Definitive Collection also offers a healthy selection of Cassidy's TV-era solo work, including his hit covers of the Association's "Cherish" and the Rascals' "How Can I Be Sure." Save for the exclusion of the Partridge's theme song, this CD lives up to its name. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars now THIS is anything but elevator music !!!, June 18, 2008

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection has incredibly fine hits by both David Cassidy as a soloist and The Partridge Family as a whole including David Cassidy. This music brings back many fond memories for me of watching the television show with my mother and sister back in the day; and the quality of the sound here is perfect. The artwork is very nicely done as well. Sure, maybe a song or two could have been added or replaced, but it's a very strong CD nonetheless.

"I Think I Love You" has a terrific arrangement including that awesome harpsichord work. "I Think I Love You" is a very strong, pretty pop ballad with that distinctly `70s flavor to it. David Cassidy sings this passionately and his excellent diction really helps to enhance his performance. In addition, the other singers here do a great job on backup vocals; they harmonize beautifully. "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" is another catchy pop tune from the `70s that so many people loved from the very first time they ever heard it--it's all THAT good. The percussion helps to mark the best on "I Woke Up In Love This Morning," too. "I'll Meet You Halfway" is a very, very beautiful and moving song that always stayed in my mind no matter how many years pass; I really like this tune and the key modulations are very sophisticated.

David Cassidy does a solo job on "Cherish;" his cover of this song gets a very sensitive rendition and his rendition is easily one of the best I've heard out there. David has some voice and I enjoy hearing him sing. "I Am A Clown" is another solo effort by David Cassidy; and he aces this seemingly effortlessly. The female backup singers make the ballad very pretty and the music that goes with David's vocals makes the perfect fit for this number.

"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is another number that features David with The Partridge Family; they play and sing this to perfection. I love their rendition because, somehow, they managed to put into the melody just a dash of optimism that I rarely hear or enjoy when I hear other artists perform this song. Great! "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque" again features the entire Partridge Family and it's quite a moving song. "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque" has a strong chorus and that impresses me a lot. David and The Partridge Family also make good on "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love;" "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love" really shines and the ballad is strong yet beautiful at once.

"Daydreamer" is another solo effort by David Cassidy; this tender torch song has a great melody and the piano arrangement works so well for this ballad. "Walking In The Rain" gets a fine treatment from David with The Partridge Family; this is some great cover! The album also ends strong with David Cassidy performing a rockin' cover of The Beatles' "Please Please Me." Excellent!

This CD lays to rest any concerns that these artists were ever anything even close to second class--they rule! This is a great CD for their fans and this is also full of contemporary pop vocals mixed in with that `70s beat to make these tunes sound great--forever!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars long awaited "breaking up" on cd at last, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

Growing up in the UK in the early 70's as a male in my early teens, it wasn't exactly cool to like David Cassidy. All the girls loved him of course. I was never a fan and preferred UK glam rock like Bowie, T.Rex and Slade. But I did enjoy watching The Partridge Family on tv. It all seemed good clean fun. And then there was the gorgeous Susan Dey!

A few years ago and then in my early thirties, hearing some of the old Partridge Family songs on the radio brought back to me just how good their records really were. So I bought the "Greatest Hits" cd but was disappointed that "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" but wasn't on it. This was their biggest hit in the UK! But I still enjoyed listening to the cd though.

Which brings me to this new "Definitive Collection". At long last "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is included. Written by Neil Sedaka, this has to be one of the best songs ever written. Many of the tracks here feature David Cassidy's trademark "breathy" vocals but not on this pop classic. Here David belts out a lead vocal for all it's worth while the other "Family" members (probably session vocalists!) add some nice backing vocals. And I defy anyone familiar with this song not to join in the "I beg of you" line near the end.

As for the rest of the cd, most die-hard PF fans won't be happy that it features many of the tracks from the earlier "Greatest Hits" cd as well as some solo Cassidy stuff. However, if you're like me, nostalgic for early 70's pop with lush harmonies and corny lyrics you'll love this. "I'll Meet You Halfway", "I Think I Love You", "It's One Of Those Nights (Yes Love)", all well crafted songs about teenage crushes from a more innocent era, finely sung by the underrated Cassidy. Go on then - buy it!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hardly Definitive - But Not to Be Without - More Please !, February 4, 2000

By	Dan Campbell (Pacific Northwest - USA) - See all my reviews

Music by David Cassidy and "The Partridge Family"; namely the vocal talents of John Bahler, Tom Bahler, Jackie Ward and Ron Hicklin had a very positive and lasting effect on people which is why they sold so well. Light - Fun - Optimistic and of course, who can forget the Tony Romeo Love Songs. Call it what you will, but this was the Music that did extremely well in spite of the critics. As Paul Williams said of The Carpenters, "they were called Vanilla, but what an exquisite flavor of Vanilla". Well said ! These tunes also hold up well and there are some real gems here. My favorite is "If I Didn't Care" which really shows what a wide vocal range the multi talented David Cassidy has. He could go from the early Partridge Family" sound toward a more - deep - throaty voice (especially during much of his "mid" solo career) to a Smokey Robinson sound (listen to "It's Over" on the CD "Didn't you Use to Be....") to really making you believe what sounds like a 1930's or 40's standard. This release should have - and easily could have been - a 2 CD set. It's mostly an early skim that just leaves you wanting more. Much is centered on his earlier career, but even there, complete Albums were left out and several with only 1 cut. Just shows the depth of material available. Lastly, this CD certainly won't bring you "Up to Date" as it cuts off after the RCA years completely. Dan Campbell [e-mail]