The Partridge Family Album

The Partridge Family

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1993)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 1970
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B000002Z7L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,302 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detractors Beware - Your Ignorance Is Showing!, November 26, 1999

By A Customer

Those who discount the impact of this record on the music scene of the day weren't there. Like most landmark events this album was controversial and divisive. But little of that (like the Monkees before) had very little to do with the music!

What is often lost in the scuffle is the fact that this album was the cornerstone for a sound and production team that was to go on and sell over 25 million records!

While cynics might us at this point of Frank Zappa's famous quote that Americans love entertainment and hate art, I would simply say - you're right - with the Partridge Family records you had both.

Wes Farrell and team produced an album that was technically superior to most of the muddy sounding albums of the day. Listen to the clarity of the legendary Joe Osbournes' bass lines. Listen to the drum strikes. Great stuff!

In addition, the instrument choices are intriguing (a HARPSICHORD on a pop album?) as are the arrangements 'happy' sounding songs written in minor keys?). How about those tight harmonies from the choir?

Granted, the lyrics are trite and silly. And the word that can be used to describe the decision to rise the pitch of David Cassidy's voice (to make the 19 year old kid sound younger) by speeding up the tapes is 'odd'.

But like cracks in the marble of a fine sculpture, these flaws merely enhance the beauty of the overall piece.

I am sure that for many this album was their first foray into music. This was the very first album that I purchased with my own money and though my taste has deepened and grown into virtually every genre from hard rock to opera I still find this album remarkably pleasing on a number of levels.

I am very happy that it has been digitally remastered and reissued on CD.

However, I have to say, some bonus tracks and appended liner notes sure would have been nice....

/fwa

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best LP of 1970, September 22, 1999

By A Customer

Some may call it disposable pop, but those people are fixated on the Partridge Family image and not the music. As a person dedicated to the music industry for 30 years, this is, in my qualified opinion, one of the best pop records ever made. Every song is a melodic masterpiece, perfectly arranged and produced.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COMMERCIAL POP HEAVEN, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

Before the marketing honchos behind the Partridge Family TV show-concept "found" their sound with David Cassidy in front, this album was recorded as a sort of mish-mash of sounds -- and actually features in a few rare, audible moments, Shirley Jones' voice. But the overall effect is more than pleasant -- it is downright blissful. The songs are ALL melodic, and have the commercial appeal their creators were after. What is more, the singers -- mostly from a 60s group called LOVE GENERATION, are highly skilled backup singers, and create a much-copied style of "echo backups". A few of the many treats on this record are ON THE ROAD, a sweetly melancholy song that underscored a few bus trips on the TV show, and SINGING MY SONG, which is a short little snap of a number. Bubblegum at its absolute best.