Customer Reviews

David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection

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3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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 giveawaysplus@msn.com

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!

As a 37 year old male, should I be embarrassed to say that David Cassidy and the Partridge Family still captivate me ? The music lasts and continues to remain strong.... also, I've rediscovered several great songs with this collection that I had completely forgotten over the years. "YES LOVE" and "WALKING IN THE RAIN" are two in particular that have rekindled my teen-70's spirit. "I'LL MEET YOU HALFWAY" is still their most under-rated hit. I wonder what people think at the stop light while this 37 year old man is singing away in the car next to them.... my only question is that how can this be a DEFINITIVE collection without "C'MON GET HAPPY" or "I CAN FEEL YOUR HEARTBEAT". I might be wrong, but I thought the latter was one of their biggest hits in the U.S. ? ? Or maybe I just remember that it was the favorite of the kids on my block.... whatever, the only other disappointment is that Cassidy is now stuck in a "theatrical" stage of his life and rarely puts on a concert series of all of this classic 70's genre music.... at least we still have great collections like this ! !

Though there are many, many album cuts and songs from the television show that I would have included in a "definitive collection" -- LET THE GOOD TIMES IN (first episode); the theme songs, both versions; more songs by Tony Romeo -- it is hard not to appreciate this collection of Wes Farrell's manufactured pop, which absolutely holds up. Those tight arrangements remain marvels of commercial music, and the melodies are infectiously optimistic and fun. The liner notes are also fun, though there are mistakes -- POINT ME came from the first album, not NOTEBOOK. And if you think the theme song is on the CD, as listed above, you would be wrong -- it is not there. And what about the inclusion of one or two of those spiffy Christmas recordings from CHRISTMAS CARD? Definitive, no, but fun, yes yes definitely yes.

Arista's pulling a fast one, here, in the tried and true tradition of issuing one "Hits" package, then following up with another containing many of the same tracks, with a few new ones thrown in the mix. 10 of this disc's cuts can be found on the truly SUPERB, five star "Partridge Family's Greatest Hits" (and the 10 best ones, at that), which I would recommend for first time Partridge purchasers (see my review of "Greatest Hits," on which all 16 tracks are winners.) For diehard Partridge or Cassidy fans, there are some high points on this latest so-called *Definitive* collection; but then, us diehards are REALLY waiting for Arista to issue the entire catalog properly (and to please dispense with the condescending and sometimes inaccurate liner notes, as well as develop a better packaging concept!) So, if you're surfing out of curiosity, due to the recent surge of Partridge and Cassidy coverage, leave this "Definitive" collection alone and go for "Greatest Hits," instead. Then, when you're through remembering... and smiling... and feeling good... and being pretty darn impressed with what you hear, start exploring the rest of the Partridge catalog currently available. One note: yes, some of the tracks on "Definitive" and "Greatest Hits" actually are Cassidy solo efforts, and this talented vocalist should be receiving his due, in the form of his own separate releases. Maybe someday.

The new collection replaces the previous "Greatest Hits" piece for all intents and purposes. To distinguish this CD from its predecessor, the term "definitive" was used, a choice that has ired many fans who expect that their favorite Partridge Family track should be on any so-called "definitive" collection. The understanding here is that we are presented the definitive greatest hits for this musical extension of the TV show. In fact, unlike the "Greatest Hits" CD, that is what this piece does as it contains every top-100 hit achieved during their run in the early 70's.

Another complaint often levied against this compilation is the inclusion of David Cassidy's hits to the exclusion of more PF tracks. Disapproval of that decision of the compilers notwithstanding, the title does indicate, albeit in a arguably misleading way, that Cassidy is featured here as well. Truly, one would be hard-pressed to determine that nearly half of the CD is dedicated to Cassidy's solo sides. Even in the track listings, the distinction between David's tunes and those of the "family" is nearly invisible.

After adding to the criticisms inaccuracies in the liner notes and a less-than-stellar improvement in sound quality even with the 20-bit mastering from the original masters, one may wonder why anyone should purchase this. In spite of all the perceived drawbacks though, this still provides a complete greatest hits package along with all of David's solo Partridge Family-era hits. If you love the "family" but hate David, look elsewhere, but for a complete hits package of both, you have struck gold here.

Even though I wasn't born when the Partridge Family aired, and David Cassidy is old enough to be my father, I love the great songs,like "I Think I Love You." Even though it's from the 70's, I love it! Everyone who ever listened to the Partride Family should buy it.

Sure their songs were just retreads of the popular songs of the time, but the Partridge Family had a way of making them work. The TV show made a teen idol out of David Cassidy, who was a bit too busy preening himself. However, he could deliver a good tune when the time came to do so. "I Think I Love You" was perhaps their strongest song, but I also liked "I'll Meet You Halfway," and of course there was their theme song, "Come on Get Happy," which has to be one of the best television theme songs of all time. They don't measure up to the Monkees, but the Partridge Family is great sing-a-long fun.

This CD is far inferior to the previously released "Greatest Hits". The liner notes have eroors (and aren't very informative to the crazed fans), one song was butchered by poor, unnecessary editing and worst of all, their best tracks from "Bulletin Board" and "Crossword Puzzle" were left off! NO album can be definitive without at least one or two tracks from each of those albums....but then again, Arista has always been horrible with reissues. Look at what they did with the Monkees catalog on CD before Rhino got around to it....NO COMPARISON!

Back to PF...the "Greatest Hits" CD has a better selection of songs (including the theme song and one song from "Bulletin Board") and better liner notes to match.