Seeing as the phrase is on my mind (our minds?) these days, I might as well share my thoughts on David Cassidy's early millennium CD "Then and Now". I recently bought the 2001 UK release with 22 tracks including a duet with Hear'Say. I'm not totally clear on this album. Is this the album for which he re-recorded the old hits in the same studio with the same background vocalists and musicians as the originals? I don't see the Bahler name anywhere in the credits and I thought they'd been enlisted for this album. I digress.
Now, about those songs. What was the point of re-recording "ITILY"? He got it perfectly on the first take. In fact, that pretty much sums up my thoughts on all six Partridge Family hits re-recorded here. Most of the songs are about first love and the originals featured his young voice, so sexy and tempting. These remakes show just how much his singing has changed in thirty years - not for the better - and lack the innocence so prevalent the first time around. The songs might be timeless but they're not ageless, if you catch my drift. Honestly, I think "ITILY" and "I Woke up in Love This Morning" are songs best left to younger vocalists. The lyrics lack maturity, if you will. Playing them live is one thing, but recording them years later kind of ruins the magic.
"Then and Now" also includes thirteen songs from his solo albums - pretty much all re-recorded for this release (I know "The Last Kiss" wasn't, not sure about "Sheltered in Your Arms"). For the most part, his singing is overwrought on every song and that ruins them for me. Palatable ones are: "Could it be Forever"; "Cherish" with a stripped-down arrangement befitting the song - too bad about his overemphasized vocals; "Lyin' to Myself", an up to date version without the trademark nineties drum machines and the very catchy "No Bridge I Wouldn't Cross". The duet with Hear'Say on "Could it be Forever" is great in that it proves just how lovely David Cassidy's voice really is when heard next to other male vocalists'. There is a warmth and sweetness to it that I find unique and addictive.
"Rock Me Baby" is a great song but again, he should have left well enough alone. I think he recorded this version a bit tongue-in-cheek and his vocals lack the bad boy yearnings so sexy in the original. One tune I fervently wish he had left alone is "I Write the Songs" from "The Higher They Climb, The Harder They Fall". When he warbles that first line "I've been alive forever", we believe him. He sounds 100 years old. His initial bluesy version was perfect, with phrasing so evocative that every time I hear Barry Manilow's emotionally-bereft hit, I want to scream.
All that being said, there is a gem here: "Ain't No Sunshine". He nails this Bill Withers classic and to anyone who says "David Cassidy, Seriously?", I'll get them to click below and listen.
Yes, David Cassidy. Seriously.
Monday, November 2, 2009
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18 comments:
I remember when this CD came out in UK circa 2001/2. I thought, wow DC still looks cute. However, at that time I was knee deep in kids/life so had no time/inclination to re-discover him. I was only interested in buying the originals, not remakes. Recently I purchased all his original recordings so thought I'd give this a go as I'd heard 'ain't no sunshine' and thought wow. I sort of like his mature voice but your're right DD, some tracks best left as they were. You can't get away with singing about innocent love when you're past middle age. Do you think he may have re-recorded them so he could get some of the royalties he's owed?
I don't know if he still has a recording contract but he should consider putting more original songs out and learn what best suits his voice. I haven't bought A Touch of Blue because it has a CD of Then and Now with it. Can you believe that? More repetition!
David said it was a reinterpretation of old songs.
My take on pushing the old songs again may have to do with his venues.
A lot of David's shows are in much small venues.
In interviews, DC talks likes he is playing big venues when he is not.
There are free shows, shows you get for admission to an amusement park and such.
These types of venues want performers to play their standards, they are not meant for experimentation.
An album that he has out now with these songs might be an easy cross-sell to some young people who never heard them before.
It may also be correct, on the CMONGETHAPPY board, that it is a gamble to record older artists with experimental stuff.
Thanks Daydreaming David for the enjoyable and informative post about his music releases. I have yet to start exploring his releases so I will be referring back to this post. :-)
And Hi, British Fan. :-)
This album got a lot of rave reviews on the UK Amazon site when it came out. I think fans were so thirsty for new material, they would have been happy with a bucket of unfiltered water from the Thames ;-)
A reinterpretation of old songs, cao? Really? The arrangements are extremely similar. Where did you read that comment? And I don't get how this record would appeal to a young crowd. It gets no airplay. If you're not a DC fan, what are the odds you'll hear about it? I know there was a TV advert for it in the UK, but what type of advertising was done in North America? And yes, it is a gamble to record older artists with experimental stuff. He managed to do it with his dance remixes though. I'm sure it's a gamble to record any artist these days. The cost to "create" a successful album is prohibitive. In any case, I'm sure David Cassidy fans are not looking for experimental stuff from him as much as new stuff that suits his voice. Anything new you'd like to hear from him?
British fan, I think you are right. These are new recordings so he can get royalties from old stuff. Mind you, I was under the impression that his manager, Ruth Aarons, had negotiated record royalties in his second contract. Then again, all those albums had not yet been re-released as CDs in 2001, had they? Not many vinyl sales a decade ago, huh? So there you go.
Don't get me wrong, I'm as nostalgic as the next person for the old songs but there's so much more he can give. Having done musical theatre and live shows for years he really does have strong voice with good tone when he gets it right. Ain't No Sunshine gets it right.There was a Top of the Pops (Britain) performance of this on YT from 2002 but it's been wiped. He was so into it, lovely to watch, cool and mellow. Suits his age and everything.
I'm hoping he can start slipping a few more songs into the concert routine. Some more of his solo stuff, any soft rock suits him, blues or r & b sits well in his tone/range. If David gets it right he could get do a few crowd pleasers then throw some new things in to see what works/is received best. All he needs is to inject some enthusiam/creativity to re-juvenate(sp) himself and the performances may have the 'wow' factor.
I'd love to hear him do more musical theatre as I go to so many shows, but it probably wouldn't be popular or financially viable.
Daybreaming,
That reinterpretation is something that David actually said in an interview.
About three years ago when he put out some record of his old hits, he said that he wanted to sing them a different way.
David does shows at amusement parks and such that attracts people wanting to take a break from the rides.
This is how a record like that would be a cross sell.
As far as different songs for his voice, he does take requests from fans for this.
Like some people say, DC doesn't take the time to learn the song properly at some concerts.
Shirley Jones knows her audience and sometimes she does records with Christian music and classics.
If DC took time to know his audience, he could know what type of risk he could take.
British Fan, I think you're right about him doing new material that suits his voice to rejuvenate himself. I would love that!!!
Daydreaming, sometimes I think you are reading my mind, because your thoughts are so much like my own.
Cao, last year before the tour in the UK David asked his fans to request songs they wanted him to sing. On British TV he said that his fans had asked for some odd old songs that he hadn't sung for 30 years, but that they probably did that because they knew he would sing his hits anyway.
It seems impossible to get through with the message that we want to hear other songs than the old PF-hits.
MaeB,
I was stated on the CMONGETHAPPY board that David is not that accessible to his fans.
Maybe he doesn't communicate enough with them the fact that he wants to sing something different.
Maybe he has somebody put out the need for requests and this is the feedback.
I think this is a guy who, except for concerts, doesn't want to be in communion with his fans that much.
Just like feedback with any business, you need to listen and learn how to apply it.
Cao, are you suggesting he sell the re-recorded old hits CD on site during those free concerts?
You didn't answer my question though. If he did listen to you, what would YOU suggest he record or sing in concert? You haven't told us much about what you like about David.
Daydreamer,
I know that he mentions whatever his new record is at his concerts.
I know that a lot of artists in his age group seems rely on their standards.
DC always seems to also do some retrospective, like songs that were important to him in his life.
It is kind of interesting, but I wouldn't say to him, "Do it again" next time.
I think he need a focus group
And I think you need to find another blog, cao. Honestly, you don't seem to be much of a David Cassidy fan. I understand you wanting to post to give a "balanced" view about the man but we are not in dire need of a wake-up call here. We see him pretty objectively and the reason for my blog is to discuss his talent. If you can't even contribute one song title to a thread about his performances, what are you doing here?
Daydreaming,
DC doesn't have that big of a that big of a tour schedule.
I looked at his dates for tour and he only has 7 booked up.
I think DC did try different tunes.
It is up to an artist if they what to take a different route and take chances.
I think an artist has to grow as their life changes.
Its not what is in my heart that makes a song special, it is what in the artist heart.
they have to find out what makes them happpy and in turn it may make other people happy
From David saying on that UK show that the fans requested odd old songs he hadn't done for 30 years but they probably know he will do his hits, it seems to me that it was an empty poll that he had no intention of listening to. I think David is lazy and does not want to put the work into rehearsing these odd old songs with his band. For him it's easy to just show up at a concert venue close to showtime, not do a soundcheck because he will do the same songs list he's done at all previous concerts. Less work but still get paid. Good for him but not for fans wanting to see and hear something different. In interviews he says he changes the show every night. Does he actually believe this?? Because the set is always the same except MAYBE he throws in one different song but then he plays that one to death. Aint No Sunshine he did for years, then he finally changed it and did Hollywood Nights for few more years, and then he changed and did Crossroads and that's the current one he's done for almost two years already. One changed song every few years does not a whole different show make.
Midwest Fan
Daydreaming David, I nearly choked on my tea when I read your quip about David sounding 100 years old. lol! I think on some of these songs he overacts it (is that right?) and it comes across a bit cheesy. I do like most of the CD, the voice etc but some of the songs work better than others. I must confess that even though I truly want to support his NOW, I am more drawn to THEN in terms of his music. I just adore the three RCA cds as this music is what I believe is the real David Cassidy, just wish there was more like it.
Keep up the good work. Don't know how you keep finding new angles on everything but it's not a bad pastime is it?
xxx
Midwest fan, you are so right. The show comes across as lazy prep, doesn't it. And I'll never understand why he doesn't do "Some Old Woman" if he wants to throw in some blues in there. He's never recorded "Crossroads" has he?
British Fan, I think the term we're looking for is "over-emote". Saw it in an Amazon review of "Could it be Forever?" and I was like, yes, that's IT! Looked it up and it seems to be the correct term to express what we're trying to express. Could it come from the theater and Vegas he's done? Seems to be an exaggerated singing style, no? I'm with you, totally drawn to his THEN music.
The views expressed by Midwest fan have touched a nerve with me because they're something that has been niggling the back of my mind lately. I thought David still got a buzz about performing but I know his playlist hasn't varied much and that bothers me. You know, everything we've been hearing/finding out about this wonderful but very complex performer has left me with one fear. I'm not worried about seeing him have a hissy, I can deal with that, but my fear is seeing him live at last and being disappointed by a lacklustre or tired performance. Don't mind if he doesn't hit all the notes as long as he puts his all into it, you know? I have my memories of him at his peak and I don't want to spoil that.
I looked the word over-emote up and I totally agree with you, Daydreaming. I also think that the background vocals often are too strong and the arrangements too pompous. The focus should be on David's voice, which I wish he could "cut back" a little. I think he has got it right on some songs on A Touch of Blue, which I believe is the best of his albums after Then.
MaeB
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