David Cassidy & the Partridge Family - David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection

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 Amazon.com

now THIS is anything but elevator music !!!

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!
June 18, 2008

Please Please Me

David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection Great collection of classic hits. It was the only compilation that had that great live version of Please Please Me as well as all the other hits like Cherish, I think I love you, Rock Me Baby, I'll meet you halfway etc. etc. More than highly recommended. November 14, 2007

Great disc

As a fan of 70's pop I am extremely happy with the content and crystal-clean remastering this disc.... I also like that this cd combines "most" of the best of the Partridge Family with David Cassidy solo output.

I don't understand why discs producers didn't include "Come On, Get Happy", "I Can Feel Your heartbeat, and "Echo Valley 26809", so in a sense the collection is not really "definitive". Still, it's the best overall PT, DC compilation, (and superior to the latest uk collection). This one's out of print, so get it while they're still available! Great songs, musicians, and production abound here September 30, 2007

Purchase for a friend

I purchased this cd, along with another, for a gf of mine... She loves them! Thank you! :) June 8, 2007

Difinitive Hits!

This 20 song compilation includes all of the biggest hits of The Partridge Family and David Cassidy from 1970-1974. There is an expanded version of this CD that contains 4 bonus tracks from 1973-1975. Even though there is a war between Cassidy and Partridge fans, some of us appreciate the efforts on great collections like these.

It includes the worldwide #1 hits I Think I Love You, Cherish, How Can I Be Sure and Daydreamer. It also includes their top 10 AC hits Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted, I'll Meet You Halfway, It's One Of Those Nights, Walking In The Rain and If I Didn't Care. Most of the rest were top 40 hits.

What's missing is Come On Get Happy, but that is no disappointment. It is on many other CD's.
So jump on the bus and get up to date with this awesome collection! May 8, 2005

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