Then & Now

David Cassidy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 30, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca U.S.
• ASIN: B0000640LA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,486 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

OK, fess up: how much '70s memorabilia have you kept stored away since you stopped trotting around that Brady Bunch lunchbox? Can't quite bring yourself to discard those precious mood rings, pet rocks, and--hardest of all!--Tiger Beat posters sporting the image of irresistible teen idol of yore David Cassidy? Well, even if you're immune to the nostalgia bug--or too young to remember--this latest comeback is proof that Cassidy is still an artist to contend with. In fact, he's never really left us.

Then and Now demonstrates an amazing continuity over the three decades of Cassidy's career as a master showman. His staggering early success with The Partridge Family might have condemned Cassidy to a sad, has-been aftermath. Instead, he's gone on to sell 25 million records, won accolades for his acting (even costarring with Sir Laurence Olivier), and done Broadway and Vegas. Even the backward glances on Then and Now have an up-to-date feel, since Cassidy recorded fresh vocals for classic early hits like "I Think I Love You." The wonderful variety of styles and stances he can deliver is also a theme, from the new mix of "No Bridge I Wouldn't Cross" to Cassidy's funky grooving on "Rock Me Baby." Cassidy not only rocks, he can croon a bittersweet farewell, as in his own "Ricky's Tune." Then and Now isn't your formulaic compilation, and it includes some new tracks available for the first time. Together with the golden oldies, these show off Cassidy's charisma and total involvement of personality in a song. Whether you're greeting an old friend or making a new discovery, Then and Now has lots of pleasure in store--so, c'mon, get happy! --Sarah Chin

Product Description

In the first half of the 70's David Cassidy was the biggest teen idol in the world, selling over 25 million records. It all started in the U.S. where he was given the lead in The Partridge Family and the rest is history. All his major hits are included in this package plus new tracks, including the bonus track 'Could It Be Forever' his duet with Hear'say. This is the first time there has been a David Cassidy ultimate collection on CD. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Then, Great Now, January 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Then and Now (Audio CD)

David's new album, Then and Now, is a delight on many fronts. These new recordings of his classic hits are a powerful reminder that it was David Cassidy's voice that made the Partridge Family material so beloved by the millions of young people who sent his albums to the top of the charts. His voice has matured beautifully, yet retains all of the charm and texture that attracted millions of fans to his albums in the 1970s. I was genuinely surprised that I didn't miss the original studio musicians, including Shirley Jones (a wonderful, legendary soloist whom I adore with all my heart, but let's be honest: you would be hard-pressed to pick out her voice on the original recordings). To me, this album is irrefutable proof that David's voice was indeed the engine that drove this music. The arrangements of the Partridge Family songs are astoundingly true to the originals, the production values are very high, and Cassidy seems to honestly enjoy this trip down memory lane.

The album contains a good selection of Partridge Family and David Cassidy solo hits. He chose to include many fan favorites and succeeds in breathing new life into classic Partridge Family songs like I Can Feel Your Heartbeat, It's One Of Those Nights, Looking Through The Eyes Of Love and I'll Meet You Halfway. He wisely chose to exclude material from the later Partridge Family albums (Crossword Puzzle and Bulletin Board), the content of which was weak and wasn't destined to be embraced by the public then or now. There is a wealth of solo material that would have made fabulous additions to this CD, but one can't have everything. His new recordings of Rock Me Baby, I Write The Songs, Could It Be Forever (I especially like the version with Hear'Say) and Lyin' To Myself are very good, and I am delighted to have the original version of Last Kiss on CD at long last. (Many fans may be unaware that George Michael provides some background vocals on this song, but is uncredited because George Michael never allows his name on a project in which he sings backup.) David also included two new recordings-Cry and Ain't No Sunshine-which are wonderful.

David Cassidy's feelings about the Partridge Family material have evolved over time. He has been forthright in saying that the music of the Partridge Family was not his personal taste when he was 19. He wanted to rock, and was a big fan of Jimi Hendrix in those years. A very small number of Partridge Family fans will never forgive him for saying this. To them this confession is heresy, silly as that seems to most well-adjusted people. After all, how many 19-year-old men loved the Partridge Family music in 1970? Let's see a show of hands. Yep. That's what I thought. This kind of music simply doesn't appeal broadly to men/boys of that age group. The fact that David didn't adore Partridge Family songs at age 19 doesn't make David Cassidy evil. It makes him normal. And honest for saying that he didn't like it at the time. People's tastes evolve as they make life's journey, and David is now proud of the work he did in his youth and chose to celebrate it by recording this album. Yes it is possible to come to terms with, explore and enjoy music at age 51 that you didn't like at age 19. It's even okay for a recording artist to profit by doing so. Kudos to David.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars David still has it after all these years, February 20, 2004

By 

Ronda (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Then & Now (Audio CD)

What a good cd. I was surprised but found that all but one of the songs was a hit in my book. If you are a David Cassidy fan or just in to some good love songs then this CD is for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars David still pleases!, September 24, 2003

By 

Anne Marie Izzi "Reborn Doll Enthusiast" (North Providence, Rhode Island United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Then & Now (Audio CD)

I bought this CD mostly for curiosity sake. As we all know, many "teen idols" are just that and upon listening to them again, (when you are past the "heart-throb" stage), you wonder what you thought was so wonderful. I was pleased to know that David still sings (and looks) great and uses his vocals for such a wide range of music/songs. My husband, who was never a fan, per se, enjoys the CD as much as I do. If you liked David then, you love him now. If you had no opinion before, give it a try...

It's nice to know a "teen idol" can surpass the test of time!