The Partridge Family Notebook

Track listing:

Friend and a Lover
Walking in the Rain
Take Good Care of Her
Together We're Better
Looking Through the Eyes of Love
Maybe Someday
We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Storybook Love
Love Must Be the Answer
Something's Wrong
As Long as You're There

The Partridge Family Notebook was just recently released by Buddha Records. The CD is decorated to look like the old Bell records singles; blue on grey with the signature bell and record. Bell is replaced with Buddha. The CD has an 8 page booklet, with pictures, that gives background into the recording of the album. It also lists the writers of the songs and the musicians who played backup.

Taken from the CD notes: "Sometimes referred to as the Partridge Family's "White Album," Notebook was released in November of 1972. ... Notebook was the first Partridge Family record not to be certified gold." This is typical for me; I always seem to like what the majority does not.

This has always been my favourite Partridge Family record. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that many of my favourite songs from the 60's are on the album; "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", "Walking in the Rain", and "Looking Through the Eyes of Love," to name 3. Obviously, they do not come close to the quality of the originals. However, the covers of the songs are entertaining and most are well suited to the Partridge Family sound. "Walking in the Rain", which was written by Barry Mann, Phil Spector, and Cynthia Weil, is the perfect song for David Cassidy's voice. "Looking Through The Eyes of Love" was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It was released as a single and debuted on the charts at #39. Cassidy aces this song as well. Gene Pitney originally recorded it; this version is less falsetto than Pitney's. "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" was written by (wait for it...) Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Obviously, I am a fan of their music. It was originally recorded by Eric Burdon and the Animals. It may not be the best choice as a song for David Cassidy to sing but he does carry it off adequately. Nowhere close to Eric Burdon, but adequate.

In my opinion, this is the best quality Partridge Family there was. You can hear the maturity in Cassidy's voice. Maybe the album was less successful because there was real growth and many fans just wanted the same old thing. Also, the show was waning in popularity even though Cassidy was huge in Europe at the time.

Why should you buy this CD and not the originals? Well, if you want to hear how the premier teen idol of the early 70's covered those songs, it's well worth the small price of this CD.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving