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!


Hardly Definitive - But Not to Be Without - More Please !   February 5, 2000
Dan Campbell (Pacific Northwest - USA)
22 out of 24 found this review helpful

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


Collection Great, But Not Definitive   March 4, 2000
S. Hogey Hodgson (Watertown, WI United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

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 ! !


FUN   January 16, 2000
R. Penola (NYC, NY United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

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.