For most, this 18-song disc can easily be considered a
Definitive Collection. It exceeds the only other notable
Partridge Family Greatest Hits CD (1989) by over half-a-dozen tracks, and also contains a few of
David Cassidy's top solo sides as well. Copping pages from both the
Monkees' manufactured-for-TV songs, and the real-life
pop/rock family,
the Cowsills,
the Partridge Family was a weekly prime time sitcom that ran on
ABC-TV from September 25, 1970 through August 31, 1974. Further mimicking the
Monkees phenomenon, primary cast members -- in this case,
Shirley Jones (vocals) and
David Cassidy (vocals) -- also served double duty as the
Partridge Family's lead vocalists. In all, between the years 1970 and 1974, eight long-players were issued by the "Family," while
Cassidy himself released an additional four solo efforts. The multimedia campaign ultimately yielded a consistently high-rated television program, as well as no less than nine Top 40 albums, and 11 Top 40 singles. Accompanying
Cassidy and
Jones were a veritable who's who of studio heavyweights such as
Hal Blaine (drums),
Larry Carlton (guitar),
Joe Osborne (bass), and
Larry Knechtel (keyboards). They were joined by the painfully sweet backing vocals of the six-member
Love Generation, who participated to some degree on every one of the
Partridge Family's LPs. All the chart hits are here:
"I Think I Love You," "I Woke Up in Love This Morning," "I'll Meet You Halfway," "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted," "It's One of Those Nights (Yes Love)," "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," and
"Looking Through the Eyes of Love." Also included are
Cassidy's key solo sides
"Cherish," "Could It Be Forever," "How Can I Be Sure," and
"Rock Me Baby." A glance at the remaining tune stack reveals a healthy sampling of other key cuts -- including a few
Cassidy solo sides that mark their digital debut. While earnest enthusiasts will probably choose to locate the individual reissues, for all non-completists and otherwise average fans, this
Definitive Collection lives up to its name. ~ Lindsay Planer
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