Partridge Family - The Partridge Family Greatest Hits (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

We Can Do Better Than This

A. Russo | 11/27/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The Partridge Family albums contain some of the finest performances, compositions, and production the music industry has ever seen. Unfortunately, this compilation - like most compilations of Partridge Family music - do not do the material justice. It is a paradox that the songs from this band - which was basically a top 40 singles band - sound better on their respective albums than cut and pasted onto "best of" albums like this one.* Personally, I find the most puzzling aspect of this album is the inclusion of songs that David Cassidy did as a solo artist NOT under the Partridge Family banner. While the sound is similar, it is definitely NOT the same - and by golly David Cassidy was NOT the Partridge Family! Sorry girls! Further, the choice of songs is odd. These songs were not necessisarly the BEST songs from the PF albums, neither are they the best sellers. On an "up" note, the liner notes written by Danny Bonaduce are great fun. Do they make up for the rest of this disappointing album? In my opinion, no. Personally, I would encourage you to skip this album and simply purchase each of the PF albums. Start with "Sound Magazine" then to "Up To Date" then to "The Partridge Family Album". After that you can purchase the other albums in whatever order suits you. Just buy them all - you won't want to miss a one!This way you will end up a better PF music collection and, overall, with better music. Best regards - and have a nice day!/fwa* note this is actually the THIRD Partridge Family compilation ever done - the first two are out of print and were only released on vinyl."

A Revelation

01/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tired, as he may have been, of being typecast as a teen idol, David Cassidy certainly has nothing to be ashamed of within this collection. Partridge Family devotees now pushing 40 will find revisiting these memories, on CD, not only entertaining, but also a true revelation in just how meticulously these songs were crafted and orchestrated; plus, you'll kick yourself for having been too young, back then, to really appreciate a 20-year-old David Cassidy's maturity of vocal phrasing. For the yet uninitiated, know that the elements that make pop music fun, exciting, or tender, are all here -- the bubbling enthusiasm of "I Think I Love You," the thrilling momentum of "I Woke Up in Love This Morning," the driving rhythm of "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat," the sensitivity of "Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque" and "I'll Meet You Halfway" -- each song in the collection reveals some gem of an idea. Not to be left uncredited are the stellar studio musicians and backup singers who helped to create the Partridge sound, as well as producer, Wes Farrell's, expert guidance. But, ultimately, it's Cassidy's star that shines here, and you need only listen to the few tracks that were developed without him (on the premier Partridge album, not on this disc) to recognize that he's the reason for the continued and growing interest in the Partridge catalog. Now, if only the label could develop a packaging concept that better represents the quality of the music!"

Knock off the sarcasm, it's nostalgia, okay?

A. Russo | 01/09/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I don't own any CDs of the Partridge Family yet, but am seriously considering getting one. I'm another of those who was a kid (six in 1970) when the PF became popular, and I remember a lot of these tunes as well as the album covers (I also had the same crush on Susan Dey that all boys were required to). My two favorites (like a few other people here, I see, LOL) were "Summer Days" and "I'll Meet You Halfway," both of which strongly remind me of a girl I liked at the time (her name was Dotti Jo if she's out there!).I guess I'm just writing to say the following to those people who are spewing the sarcastic remarks about this stuff: Knock it off! It's nostalgia, for pete's sake! We were little kids growing up in different times, we sang these songs in our heads walking to school when thinking about the little girl across the room we had a crush on. So stop with the modern day "weren't the 70s awful" retro-criticism stuff, alright? I'm a fan of artists like Van Halen, Springsteen, Styx, etc., but yes, I love a few of those PF songs even now. Not because I think their music quality rivaled, say, the Beatles (although "I Think I Love You" outsold "Let It Be" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" in 1970), but because it brings back happy childhood memories long forgotten. So grow up, ya little punks (I'm sure most of the spewers are under 30), and let people enjoy what they like. Incidentally, I think much of TODAY's music is nothing but disharmonious garbage passing for talent. More so than in the 70s, it is TODAY's music that requires no real talent -- if you can bang two trash can lids together, you can get on MTV. This editorial was brought to you by..."

For Its Genre, It Doesn't Get Better Than This

12/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sure, it's been panned by those who call themselves "rock experts" and, yes, only David Cassidy and Shirley Jones ever performed on any of the Partridges' recordings. But who cares if the music was performed by studio musicians? Sure, it isn't comparable to a Jimi Hendrix for instance (who by the way toured with the Monkees before hitting it big). But, it was still standout music for its genre! Very pleasant and singable songs, the Partridge Family was music any generation could enjoy. So enough already from those who are too snobby to admit they love these songs. Have the courage to buy what you like and pick up a copy of this CD. I'll bet you'll be hooked."

Greatest But Not The Latest!

A. Russo | Cambridge, MA United States | 05/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation came out on Arista in 1989 and is the first PF CD to be released. The artwork for the cover is a PF lunchbox on a collage of colors similar to the bus. The first Greatest Hits was a picture of them in a house...At Home With Their Greatest Hits(1972) and folowed by The World Of The Partridge Family(1974), a blow up of the same photo.

PF fans are a little different from David Cassidy fans, oddly enough and when they compile the 2 together, everyone gets upset! David Cassidy included 3 PF hits on his Greatest Hits(1974) to make the LP have more buying power. They would have been better off adding his own 3 much sought after hits Daydream, the non lp B-sides All I Wanna Do Is Touch You (b/w Cherish) and Frozen Noses (b/w If I Didn't Care)

This collection includes David Cassidy's first 2 hits Cherish and Could It Be Forever and 14 PF favorites. The openning theme Come On Get Happy arks the first time release on a PF collection. It also includes How Long Is Too Long from Bulletin Board (STILL not available on CD!) The rest are their hits and most noteable album tracks like Summer Days, One Night Stand and Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque.

Missing in this collection are the hits Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Friend And A Lover, Walking In The Rain and their last single released in 1973-4 Looking For A Good Time. Also, there is no inclusion of any material from Crossword Puzzle.

So the only reason to have this in your collection is for How Long Is Too Long. Otherwise choose the Definitive Collection or the New Very Best for hard to get stuff.

"

Search - Partridge Family :: The Partridge Family - Greatest Hits

CD Details

Synopsis

Similar CDs

Similarly Requested CDs

Member CD Reviews

CD Reviews