Daydreaming David

I Think I Like You Too

2011-10-04T23:34:00.006-04:00

What's happened to good old-fashioned romance in popular culture? Wooing is dead and buried, isn't it? When's the last time you saw a proper turn-your-heart-into-a-helium-balloon romantic movie, comedy or otherwise? Been over ten years, hasn't it? What about songs that describe falling head over heels?

“I Think I Love You” is the classic falling-in-love anthem that catapulted our David Cassidy to stardom. I was listening to it on YT recently (one video of it has gotten over 1.6 millions hits, btw) and as usual, YT helpfully recommended videos based on my selection. One of them was “I Think I Like You” by The Black Box Revelation. At first glance, I thought it was a cover of our beloved ITILY but since it had gotten close to a million views, I figured it had to be a different song. Well, would you look at that, it’s a different TITLE, so yeah, DeeDee, I guess it’s a different song (reading glasses? who, me?).

What a lovely surprise. Thank you Black Box Revelation. I loooove the song’s beat and energy but had to admit that there, in all its glory, was today’s cynicism. As sentimental declarations go, “I Think I Like You” hardly packs the same knee-weakening wallop as “I Think I Love You”, does it? Whatever. I think I like the song. Nah, I’ll go on an emotional limb and declare that I know I like the song.

I liked it so much I had to listen to more of their stuff. Second listen was “Never Alone/Always Together”. The vocals reminded me of Jagger and the rhythm of Smoother’s East Side (I thought everyone knew this song but the video's views say otherwise - do not fear, I've embedded it here). Third up was “High on a Wire”. I like this one too. Looking forward to discovering more of Black Box Revelation.

Anyway, all this fearful sentiment sharing made me wonder about current love songs. What odes to amour would I discover in Billboard’s Top 100? (I’m so very not au courant). I went on Billboard’s site and scanned the titles in search of romantic declarations. Selena Gomez’s “Love You Like a Love Song” had a very promising title and I was intrigued by Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Into You”. Unfortunately, the songs couldn’t float my rubber ducky in the middle of the Dead Sea but William Levy could. Never mind the Dead Sea, he'd do it in the desert. Who’s Mr. Levy, you ask? In the words of one blogger, he’s a “Cuban actor/model/panty creamer and walking orgasm”. Like dessert, I've saved him for last.

Mind this pic, he’s more than a pretty face. You can see his physique in Ms Lopez’s video. Oh and more pics on You Know You Care, site of the apt description. Go. Now.

Did Tony Romeo write kick-ass songs, or what?!

2011-09-25T21:47:00.005-04:00

And no one sang them better than David Cassidy.

Don't know how I managed to miss this version but here are The Lettermen covering "It's One of Those Nights (Yes, Love)". It's an amazing song full of evocative imagery and they render it beautifully...but it all sounds fake next to The Partridge Family's version, doesn't it? Hard to beat the warmth and sincerity in young David Cassidy's delivery.

I specify "young David Cassidy" because he redid the song almost thirty years later for his "Then & Now" album and...well, he shouldn't have. It sucks. Wish I had the terminology to express how awful it is but whoever has the album could probably chime in. If I could find it on YT, I'd share it with you. What happened to his singing during all those years? Can't say it's his voice that sounds different (that's normal with age), it's his phrasing. There's no vulnerability in his delivery. Sorry, I know I've bitched about it before but I was just listening to that "Now" track and the difference between the two never fails to hit me.

Breaking Up Is Slow To Do

2011-09-17T22:34:00.006-04:00

"Breaking Up is Hard to Do" was my favorite Partridge Family song when I was a kid. I played it over and over. Neil Sedaka's composition was just so peppy - how could I not like it? But wait a minute. Breaking up isn't only hard to do, it's often sad! Why am I smiling when I'm listening to a song about breaking up?!

Perhaps this is what David Cassidy was wondering when he went on his world tour in 1974. He played the song but in a much slower tempo. (Bye-bye peppiness. Hello bluesyness. I'm think I'm going cry.) It became a bluesy, achy number that seduced many fans who heard it live and many more who heard it captured on his Cassidy Live! album. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find that live version on YT (call to action, people!). However, he's recently played the slow version live. Trust me though, it gives you but an inkling of that first slow interpretation. In the live 1974 version, I swear you can hear his heart breaking.

Back to Mr. Sedaka, the song's composer. From what I understand, he liked Cassidy's slow version so much that he re-recorded the song in that tempo in 1975 and got another hit out of it.

First up is The Partridge Family's uptempo version. Second, Cassidy's recent live slow version and finally, Mr. Sedaka's slow version.

What say you? Uptempo or sloooow?

Also, does anyone know if it's really Cassidy who changed the arrangement of the song or if he discovered the slow one from Sedaka and decided to play it live that way? If Cassidy did change the arrangement (and that's how he expressed it in his bio, IIRC), he should get the credit for it on those YT Sedaka uploads. The one I embedded here mentions Cassidy but none of the others do.

The Business of Show Business

2011-09-12T22:11:00.000-04:00

Well, this is a new David Cassidy clip for me. We certainly get a good glimpse of how tiresome self-promotion can be. Imagine trying to answer questions while someone is whispering directives in your ear. And could they have found a longer name for those freakin' Billboard awards?! Holy crap on a stick, let's make tongues somersault every time people announce them.

Got to love how Cassidy mentions not wanting to mess with perfection by making a Partridge Family reunion TV movie. Hmm, kind of my thought when I heard his 2000 remakes of those PF classics. But dang, every time he laughs, I wish I could buy a David Cassidy laugh track. Could his laugh be any more charming?

Double yay on the B-52s love. That's where it's at, indeed. I loved Areosmith back then too but Don Henley, um, no. Here are the B-52s to remind everyone of good pure pop. Confession: I have not watched the video the whole way through. There's just no way I can resist getting up and dancing when this song plays.

So Cool! I'm a Believer Again

2011-09-08T20:49:00.003-04:00

Doesn't our Mr. Cassidy look and sound great here? I love how easily I can pick out his voice. And yes, a non-white shirt! bless his heart.

How cool is this?

2011-08-21T23:33:00.003-04:00

Worth it to watch the whole thing but Mr. Cassidy's solo starts around the 5:54 mark. Don't you just love how the term "teen idol" was never mentioned in the intros? And there were two bona fide teen idols on that stage. Respect.

iSlinky!!!

2011-07-21T00:01:00.003-04:00

Back in December 2009 (I know, almost 2 years ago!), I shared news that our Mr. Cassidy was slated to record a new jingle for the iSlinky phone app. Well, the clip of him recording it in studio was posted on YT yesterday and over a hundred of you fans (or two fans who've viewed it over fifty times) have seen it.

I love his voice when he sings "a spring, a spring, it's a marvelous thing".

Surprising Cover

2011-07-20T22:51:00.004-04:00

Don't know if anyone out there is keeping tabs on covers of Partridge Family songs but Weezer ("Buddy Holly") covered "I Woke Up in Love This Morning". Can't imagine how their grunge manifesto escaped my notice all this time. FWIW, I discovered Weezer's version after stumbling on Mark Chevalier's version. More rock, less grunge for Mr. Chevalier.

Which cover version do you prefer?

Hiatus

2010-05-17T10:30:00.001-04:00

A whole year of blogging about David Cassidy. Whodda thunk?!

When I started "Daydreaming David", I was a few months into my David Cassidy re-discovery journey. Was there enough to his story to provide material for a blog? I really wasn't sure but the urge to express my thoughts about him was too strong and I just plunged - into a public platform, no less. It was supposed to be a private blog but Blogger's permissions did not cooperate and it ended up a case of "The heck with it! Here it is, world, my little contribution to the blogosphere". Live dangerously, that's my motto. Ha!

Would anyone read it? I didn't think too much about that. My thoughts on David were practically overwhelming and I was about to burst if I didn't put them into words. I suppose I could have limited myself to email exchanges with other fans but a blog forced me to write on a fairly regular basis in a semi-structured manner. The wannabe writer in me reveled in that.

So, here I am today, dizzy from the realization that a year has passed since my first post. My obsession has abated. My thirst for all things DC has been quenched. As good a time as any to say, in the words of Keith Partridge via David Cassidy, on Canadian TV, circa 1977, "Adios, kids. It's been lots of fun."* I'll call this a hiatus - a break of undetermined length. Should the urge to share my musings or news about David Cassidy resurface, this blog will still be up and ready. Thank you to my faithful readers and contributors: Singme David, British Fan, Clodyne, SLK, UK Fan, CAO aka Racehorses, MaeB, etc. A special thank you to all those YouTubers who shared his work with us... Cherish David, SumerKis, Catgil, etc, etc.

*Wish this Peter Gzowski CBC interview was still on YouTube. I could embed it here for you all. Instead, here's "Could It Be Forever" because it expresses only too well his fans' sentiments. Once again, thank you SumerKis for another great video.

Mine, All Mine!

2010-05-08T01:42:00.006-04:00

"It was through a chance conversation with her Norwegian publishers following her first book that Pearson realised her vague idea of writing about a teenager in love with David Cassidy might be something to pursue. As she recalls, all the women around the table immediately started to talk about their own teenage crushes—apart from one who remained completely silent: "I remember thinking, ‘oh gosh, she thinks this is stupid, girly prattle about some teen idol'—then there was a silence in the conversation and she said, ‘But he was mine'. And I heard that and I thought, okay, you have to write this now.""

From the article by Alice O'Keefe on Alison Pearson's upcoming (and eagerly awaited?) novel I Think I Love You about a 13-year old girl "riddled with teenage angst and nursing a full-on obsession with 1970s heart-throb David Cassidy."

Please raise your hand if you are no longer thirteen but still nursing a full-on obsession with David Cassidy. Ok, so you'd call it a mild obsession? ;-

Pearson's first novel, I Don't Know How She Does It, resonated with a lot of women (almost half a million, if I understand the sales figure correctly). I suspect this one will too. David Cassidy was young baby boomers' most popular idol and they form the largest segment of the population. While most soon-to-be middle-aged women don't want to be thirteen again, I suspect many would enjoy revisiting those heady feelings of a first crush through a novel. I know I certainly did via the internet. If Pearson has fleshed out her young protagonist properly, readers should also recognize their idealism and dreams in her.

Who's pre-ordered the book? (Clever title by the way. Surefire reference for anyone in her target audience.)

Can anyone think of a post-David Cassidy teen idol that would spawn a novel like this?

Here's "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" because he made our hearts beat quicker (and I recently posted ITILY). The twenty year old version, just as high energy as the first, follows.

I Got Misty-Eyed.

2010-05-04T20:00:00.004-04:00

Really. Gotta love this former teen idol's attitude.

"Jones unabashedly embraces his career as a Monkee. "John Lennon once said he didn't want to end up singing his old hits in Las Vegas. Well, I do," says Jones"

The article is hardly recent (1992!), but if Mr. Jones has kept the same frame of mind since: Chapeau, monsieur! Chapeau! Photo from his official website.

Nice and New to Me

2010-04-28T23:33:00.004-04:00

Thank you Mr. Allan Warren for this 1974 portrait. New York Plaza Hotel.

Let's Hope it's not a La Perla

2010-04-25T17:43:00.008-04:00

I wonder what he does with them? Displays them at home in a custom-built curio cabinet?

Credit to John Schultz for photograph found here.

It WAS Extraordinary for That Time

2010-04-23T12:53:00.009-04:00

"In 1970, the top pop-radio station in Cedar Rapids was the first in the nation to play "I Think I Love You" -- a song from "The Partridge Family" -- and it became the biggest-selling record of the year, Mr. Cassidy recalled in a recent interview.

"It had never happened before -- went nowhere to No. 1 in one week. It created such a buzz," he said. "I haven't been to Iowa in forever. I want to pay respects and homage to those people who have been such fans of mine.""

Mr. Cassidy is getting good press these days. No excessive boasting, just true statements expressed with lots of enthusiasm. I like this guy. Oh, and did you notice? The Partridge Family Rock Band is mentioned. Sorry, but I'll need the actual product in hand to convince me that it's not an April's Fool joke. Yeah, I'm that cynical.

Had to Hear It to Believe It

2010-04-23T12:14:00.009-04:00

Andy Williams singing "I Think I Love You". Here. Is it me or does he look ready to burst out laughing at the beginning? "Can you believe I'm about to sing this teeny-bopper ditty?"

It really is a great song and while the sentiment is universal, I think it's one of those pop tunes that sounds better left to the young and/or innocent ;-) It expresses those "first love" sentiments only too well and is a lot more convincing sung by a "teen idol" than by an established crooner. In my humble opinion, of course.

If you need to rinse your ears out and replace this only-too-respectable attempt with the "definitive" version, here it is.

Of Bygones and Icons.

2010-04-17T20:45:00.002-04:00

"On distancing himself from “The Partridge Family”: “Absolutely never. Peoples’ interpretations of me saying I want to do other work didn’t mean I never wanted to talk about ‘The Partridge Family.’ I’ve carried the flag, so to speak, and I hold it in such esteem because it’s touched so many lives. Although I had done 10 leads in dramatic shows and had done a Broadway show before “The Partridge Family,” it’s responsible for making me familiar with people and becoming successful and being able to have the rest of my life to make that. I don’t know how to describe it, but it was a very precious experience for me. As an actor, I care about the work, I just didn’t want to talk about it over and over and over ..."

Found here. Um? No. Especially not the "absolutely never" part. But that's okay because this really seems like a sincere effort at smoothing dissed fans' ruffled feathers. Do notice that he says as an actor, he cares about the work. He doesn't comment on the Partridge Family music. Bah, I nitpick, right? Earlier in the interview is the inevitable mention of having been good friends with John Lennon. He holds his icon as dear to his heart as some of his fans hold him. Too bad these declarations smack so much of reflected glory.

Interesting and candid interview. I like the format.

About that Partridge Family Cruise Episode...

2010-04-14T20:00:00.000-04:00

Keith might just be the cutest Peter Rabbit EVER in that episode (any doubters, please refer to pic in April 6 post) but he's also sexy as all get out in the group's "musical performance". Serious Yowza around the the 0:26 mark and then from 0:38 to 0:44. (And to think girls today squeal over that AutoTuned Bieber baby. For shame.) By the way, who decided to mess with the YouTube format? It looks so wishy-washy now. Gah. Can't stand it.

Vroom, Vroom - The Perfect Vehicle?

2010-04-14T01:00:00.001-04:00

(Resurrected this entry from a draft written in January, so please excuse any anachronisms.)

In this post's comments, an anonymous reader wondered what vehicle could help David Cassidy expand his audience base since "Ruby & The Rockits" wasn't renewed. What would help him reconnect with his audience or reach a new one?

Cultural references to David Cassidy's heyday ("ITILY" in the Lipton Sparkling Tea commercial, his posters in the recent "The Lovely Bones" movie, for example) are always positive because they prompt "whatever happened to him?" Googling from curious former fans and expose a younger generation to his work. I was thinking along these lines when the ultimate pop culture vehicle du jour appeared to me like that sweet ride DC got during his Partridge Family contract re-negotiations.

Glee.

If you know to what I'm referring, skip the next couple of paragraphs. If you don't, here goes: "Glee" is a Fox TV series about a Spanish high school teacher who decides to revive the school's Glee Club (singing group) and renew its former competition glory. Think "Fame" ("I'm going to live forever!") but replace the pretense with snark and add a dash of convoluted, satiric, plots. It's an hour long cartwheel of drama, comedy and music created by "Nip/Tuck"'s Ryan Murphy.

The show won the Golden Globe for "Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy". It appeals to both kids and adults because the music is varied and story lines revolve around both teachers and students. The cast is brilliant and manages to improve the songs they cover. Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" actually sounds inspirational when sung by a conflicted high school student. "Glee" is enjoying major buzz right now: Madonna granted FREE use of her catalog to the producers for the All-Madonna season-opener episode (which I haven't seen yet, so, please, no spoilers); Olivia Newton-John and Jennifer Lopez are set to guest star; Clint Eastwood watches the show. 'Nuff said.

Anyway, for those who do watch the show, imagine these scenes:

-Mr. Shue introducing The Partridge Family or David Cassidy to the gang with lines like "bubblegum pop that stood the test of time" and "a teen idol who could actually sing"
-Finn singing "Brown Eyes" to Quinn
-Kurt leading the group with "I Woke Up in Love This Morning" after meeting a potential love interest. And he is set to get a boyfriend in the second-half of the season (or is it the second season?).
-Artie playing that rockin' opening bass line in "Love is All That I Ever Needed"

So many good pop songs the cast could cover - "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat", "Summer Days", "Every Little Bit of You"...- they don't even need to touch "ITILY" or "C'mon Get Happy" with a sky-high Cheerios pyramid. It would be amazing if David Cassidy's solo stuff could be featured. These songs still sound current (or am I biased because of the PF/DC bubble I've been living in these past few months?):

-Rock Me Baby
-Mae
-Daydreamer
-I Never Saw You Coming
-Fix of Your Love
-Common Thief
-Damned if this ain't Love
-Run and Hide
-Warm My Soul

What could make David Cassidy fans giddier than seeing his music acknowledged on a cool show?

Here's Bran Van 3000's "Drinking in L.A.". Just because it's from their 1997 debut album, Glee, and I love to plug Canadian talent :-)

And here's DC's "Oh No (No Way)" in the event my idea is loonier than a Canadian dollar coin. (His voice is so very perfectly sexy in this track.)

Who Knew?

2010-04-13T09:16:00.004-04:00

Wayne Newton also recorded "Echo Valley 2-6809". It really is a good song. I much prefer The Partridge Family's version though.

Incidentally, hope no one feels old knowing DC turned 60 yesterday. Sixty is the new fifty, dontcha know? ;-) (Want a secret for staying young? Weight training. Gives you strong bones too.)

I'm back with news...

2010-04-06T15:05:00.005-04:00

for any of my Canadian readers who subscribe to the channel "Vision TV". Tune in tonight at 10 pm for their show "Unscripted". Seems our man of interest is the featured guest. Was this posted on his Facebook page? It's not on his website nor mentioned anywhere else save for that channel's site and in online TV listings. Thank you Google Alerts for this bit of news today. Wish I could have given more advance notice but I suppose we should be thankful I didn't receive the alert tomorrow. (To be fair to Google, I haven't checked all my alerts yet - hey, I really needed the break - it could have been flagged before today.) If anyone does watch the show, please report :) It might be possible to view online - I'll update this entry with a link, if so.

Hope you had a nice Easter.

Taking a Break

2010-03-30T17:36:00.001-04:00

Back after Easter.

Not a Teen Idol, Sorry

2010-03-24T00:24:00.007-04:00

Well, the powers that be at that big ol' American talent show changed their minds. Contestants sang Billboard #1 hits and not teen idol material, as I had reported last week. Guess the threat of dodging "Puppy Love" and "ITILY" became too real for someone.

Anyhoo, if you want to know how young Mr. Urban did, you can watch his performance here. He looks and sounds a lot better than I initially thought but I can't detect a tenth of DC's sex appeal in him. And perhaps if he had been dressed differently, his sliding around stage wouldn't have looked so incongruous? As it was, it baffled, but not so much that I'm tempted to watch his performance again to analyze it. If people are still comparing Urban to Cassidy after last night's performance, well, it's their little delusion to cradle. As the title of another #1 hit said so well, "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing."

A Treat and Damn Google Alerts

2010-03-22T13:59:00.004-04:00

Here's a pic I'm sure will be new to many here. Now, wasn't that a treat?

And direct from the "Google Alerts make me discover crap and everybody has free speech" camp, here's some guy's list of music to be eradicated from your ipod. Poor chap knows very little of DC's music if he thinks he belongs in the same camp as Milli Vanilli. Wish I knew what criteria he used to make this list because while I'm not a fan per se of many of these artists, a few have some very catchy tunes. What's the harm in that? Here are a couple I'd add unabashedly add to my ipod. Didn't appreciate Hanson's first hit when it came out - now I think it's pop gold. Thanks to their perfect soundtrack, Wang Chung is forever inextricably linked to the 1985 movie "To Live and Die in L.A." Before that, they had some catchy dance tunes too. Seriously, who can resist "Dance Hall Days"?

Sounds like....?

2010-03-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

r-r-r-ip??

Clodyne has uploaded the clip that generated this screen capture. Even though I'm not a fan of David Cassidy's blond period, his charismatic energy and voice here keep me glued to my screen. And yes, I'd feel the same way if his jeans were two sizes bigger. ;-)

Incidentally, this show is one instance where he is simply introduced as David Cassidy, actor and singer, with a plug for his current or upcoming projects. No mention is made of The Partridge Family or his teen idol reign. If I had come across this show back then, almost ten years past my crush on Keith Partridge, I'm not sure I would have recognized him. (Apologies if I'm repeating myself - I may have mentioned this at one point but can't find it in my entries. Might have been in comments.)

All I've found so far...

2010-03-20T21:52:00.004-04:00

is a picture of one of David Cassidy's show at Epcot. (I think he's wearing his white shirt again.) Perhaps the social networks are buzzing with reviews? I don't have a clue because I don't frequent them. No worries though, this blogger's getting up to date with technology. When I found this picture with the title "Keith's posterous", I thought it was a typo. Keith Partridge's posterior! I am so there. Thank goodness I thought it was too good to be true. I now know that Posterous is a blogging platform. ;-) Who comes up with these names!? (They do realize that Twitter starts with "twit", don't they?)

Lucky Scots!

2010-03-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

He does play the less obvious songs in concert. Just not this side of the pond, I guess.

They're Going to be Teen Idols!!!

2010-03-19T11:08:00.011-04:00

Who? Those AI contestants mentioned in my previous post. Seems that for every show, there is a theme to help them select a song to perform. This past show's theme was "The Rolling Stones", aka the "butcher-iconic-rock-songs-show", and the next one will be "teen idols" (can't find an official press release, sorry). Hmm. Guess the powers that be WERE inspired by the buzz that Urban looks like a young Cassidy.

How much shall we bet that someone will pick "ITILY" to sing? It's almost a given, isn't it? How much cooler would it be if someone tried their voice at a lesser known Partridge Family song or a David Cassidy solo one? Actually, one of DC's biggest hits isn't that well known in the States and might be an interesting choice for an AI contender: "Daydreamer". Could any of them lend it the right amount of wistfulness without turning it into a saccharine mess? Mr. Urban?

How far back will they go for their teen idol inspiration? The forties, fifties, sixties? Thinking of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, The Beatles... Surely they won't bypass the seventies with The Jacksons, The Osmonds, DC and Shaun Cassidy?!? Someone HAS to pick David Cassidy. He is, as we say in French, incontournable. A teen idol mountain that can't be bypassed. If he is, it would be a damn shame.

I just might tune in next week. Oh, and here's DC giving Terry Dempsey's "Daydreamer" just the perfect forlorn notes. (Wouldn't you just love to know what he's saying around the 0:30 mark?)

Urban Legend

2010-03-18T03:00:00.000-04:00

Through Google Alerts, I've learned that more than a few people see a resemblance between one of the current American Idol contestants and a young David Cassidy. Apparently, this young man looks like DC and sounds like him in the Partridge Family. Now, I don't follow that glitzy talent show but I've seen a couple of pictures of the young man in question and all I can say is "Huh?" Yeah, yeah, I see the feathered hair. But it's not the same cut, people. It's feathered towards his face. Total opposite of Cassidy's style which was feathered AWAY from his face ;-) Subtle difference but oh what a difference. Not to mention his dissimilar features. AI dude has chiseled cheekbones. Cassidy had a baby face. Look at the eyes, the nose, the smile. Not taking anything away from the young man's good looks but come on people, compare objectively. There is no resemblance. If you want to compare his looks to any past teen idol, look at Bobby Sherman. Similar hairstyle and piercing blue eyes.

As for the young contender's voice, here's a clip of him massacring a Rolling Stones classic (starts at 1:27). If that performance has piqued your interest in his vocal talent, well, you're on your own to hunt YT for more. I am so not there. You're welcome to report back if his voice matches our man's. To make amends for exposing you to this sacrilege, I've included Streetheart's cover of the song which, imho, surpasses the original.

(Helpful pic of Bobby Sherman to fill those memory blanks. )

"Put on Your Red Dress Baby..."

2010-03-17T01:33:00.000-04:00

When I heard David Cassidy's eponymous release of 1990, one song stood out: "Hi-Heel Sneakers". I liked the sound of it but thought the lyrics daft. Well, turns out that it's the only song on the album that wasn't co-written by Sue Shifrin. It's actually an old R&B tune by Robert Higginbotham who scored a Billboard Hot 100 hit with it in 1964 as Tommy Tucker. The song has been covered by over 200 artists, so chances are good that I was the only one in the dark about it. Here is the original version by Tucker (Higginbotham), Jerry Lee Lewis' cover and David's, of course. Also found a version by Elvis Presley but can't embed the video. The link is at the bottom of this post - it's worth a listen.

Hearing the song performed in its original R&B style, the butchery it suffered at the beat of those drum machines is even more evident. It would be cool to hear DC perform it today without the electronic trappings that saddle his comeback album and indelibly time stamp it 1990. Someone should remind him of this classic.

Elvis's version.

Light Comedic Acting, You Say?

2010-03-15T21:18:00.003-04:00

Recognize anyone in this John Laroquette Show clip? How about in this one? He did the music for the show's opening theme as well. Crazy thing is I used to watch this show and I remember the bottled water scene. How did it not register who I was seeing? I, assiduous reader of show credits, missed this?! I swear, the nineties must be to me what the sixties are to hippies: a lost decade.

A Forgotten Partridge Family Gem

2010-03-14T11:44:00.008-04:00

Wow! Isn't it nice to hear him play "One Night Stand" during a concert? He should include it in his playlist today - it really stands the test of time and is a refreshing change of pace from "Echo Valley" and "ITILY". Would people be that disappointed not to hear "ITILY" during a concert? It's been done to death and beyond. Nothing tops the initial recorded version and fiddling with it mars its innocence. So many other Partridge Family songs to re-discover.

This clip was REALLY fabulous. Thank you Clodyne for sharing, once again.

By the way, is that THE shrieker we hear? The one who bugs in recent concert clips? Surely not!?!?

Just a Great Little Interview

2010-03-12T09:36:00.008-05:00

Thanks to Clodyne for this 1990 clip. David is promoting his "David Cassidy" album and looking mighty fine doing it (oh, just shoot me for noticing). What's not to love here? He answers the questions concisely, is self-deprecating AND gracious to boot.

What the heck was I doing at the turn of that decade to have missed this?!

(Don't forget: you can double-click the video and get to YouTube if you want to leave a comment on that video.)

Who Is He, Indeed

2010-03-09T12:45:00.009-05:00

Thanks to Catgil for this nice slew of seventies clips set to a lovely Partridge Family song. Bonus Q&A at the end.

And thanks to Clodyne for this second video of a TV show segment promoting his 1990 "David Cassidy" album. Fair to say that this is the first of many installments of the David Cassidy "Then and Now" saga in North America? No mention of his 1985 Romance album or what he's done during the eighties. The press certainly didn't help him shed that "former teenage idol" title. Identity crisis? What crisis?

No, I Mean That Sincerely

2010-03-08T23:58:00.002-05:00

Here's a clip of David Cassidy performing in Queensboro, New York, last November. He lists people's reactions to his admission that he doesn't rehearse. I'm in the "Why?" camp. And no, I mean that sincerely. :) Why, David, why? Maybe if you'd rehearse, you'd have time to tune your guitar and wouldn't need to futz with your equipment or complain about technical issues in front of the audience. Stuff like that doesn't make your performance spontaneous, just careless.

Incidentally, the song he's performing here was initially written by Carl Perkins and reworked by The Beatles to be a lament about groupies. DC has changed the lyrics here. Is it still about groupies? It's a lament, for certain.

A Sliver of Hope...Maybe Someday

2010-03-03T20:11:00.011-05:00

Here's some behind the scene footage from the Partridge Family reunion on the Today show. The four really look at ease around each other. It reminds me of my 10 year (cough, cough) high school reunion not long ago. Hadn't seen these friends in a decade (cough, cough) but once the usual questions were asked and answered, we were all sixteen again. One still looked it. That was freaky. And here's one popular blog entry that views the cast reunion from the whole "everyone is getting older" perspective.

I've read that lots of people are talking about this reunion. True? If so, there's still a sliver of hope that it will trigger another wave of fans "re-discovering" The Partridge Family and subsequently, David Cassidy's solo work (as it happened for me and most regular readers here). It's really only a sliver of hope because so far, everything I've come across on the 'net is pretty superficial. Will people ever get past the cast's looks and ITILY to discover David Cassidy's actual talent? Maybe Someday ;-)

From the Partridge Family Notebook album.

Missed Opportunities?

2010-03-03T03:30:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I've had more time to ponder the Partridge Family reunion's point and impact. As Barbara and I noticed in my previous post, Susan Dey is the one getting the headlines over this reunion. The internets are all abuzz wondering why she was absent.

Well, of course, that's what the 'news' will be. What else was said during those short segments on Today that would interest anyone? A lot more interesting to wonder about what's NOT being said...By the way, it's intriguing to see how 'news' tidbits from a Today show propagate over the Internet - content is just pilfered from one site to the next - I scanned dozens of Google page results to find very little original content.

Just curious as to why no one mentioned that the series was available on DVD or that all the albums had been re-released as CDs (or did I miss this?). Guess none of them are making any dough off the merchandise? I also noticed that David didn't mention that possible movie to start in April.

YouTube will probably give us a better idea of the reunion's impact. Will viewership and comments increase for PF videos? If this "reunion" rekindled fond enough memories for people to reacquaint themselves with the show and music, it's done its job, I guess. IMHO, both the show and the music have held up extremely well over the years (or maybe I'm just deathly allergic to reality TV and today's music) - it would be groovy if others discovered this as well. ;-)

They Came, They Sat, They Conquered

2010-03-02T21:20:00.008-05:00

Did we learn anything new? No. Did everyone play nice? Yes. Me happy. You happy?

Missed the grand Partridge Family reunion? Video here.

Thanks to Barbara-Just David for the podcast link to Danny's radio show if you want to hear him call in his radio show from the Today set. Listen at the beginning of the 5AM for the radio hosts talking about the reunion. Danny's first call begins at 6AM, second call at 7AM and his last call in is at the 30 minute mark of the 8AM section. (I confess: I still haven't finished listening to these.)

I knew the "post-mortems" on the show would be a lot funnier than anything on Today. This article is funny but the comments are even funnier. Might update this entry if I can find something else worthy amongst the robot-generated blog entries Google regurgitates.

Actually, I'm surprised at the number of snarkier than snark comments about the show's lameness. Has the public become so hip and cynical that they have to spit on the stuff they held dear as kids? (just realized I've used regurgitates and spit in the same post - is there a theme here?)

A lot of the "articles" make big news of Susan Dey's absence. Terrible wastes of keystrokes - I won't even link to them as I'm sure you all have better things to read. ;-)

Doomed, I tell you.

2010-02-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Clodyne for spotting this clip on YT and sharing it with me. It's not about DC but you'll forgive me because he looks great here AND he laughs. Serious ear candy, that laugh. Alas, if only his laughs were pig snorts, we'd be spared this "interest" in him, I'm sure. But no, his laugh is as endearing as those dimples of his. Damn. We were so doomed to fall for him.

He's So Vain? Well, yeah, but is the song about him?

2010-02-27T02:00:00.001-05:00

Carly Simon's big hit with the infamous ironic lyric "You're So Vain" is about a David. The latest consensus seems to be David Geffen but I think that David Cassidy should still be in the running for one reason: in an episode of "Ruby & the Rockits", Ruby comments on David Gallagher's less than impressive stage outfit and he protests by saying that Carly Simon went nuts over that outfit back in the day. There were a lot of "in-jokes" on that show and I wouldn't be surprised if that was one of them.

Lyrics to Ms Simon's song here. Read various interview segments with her dribbling hints through the years as to who's so vain on her own website.

Questions you WON'T hear during the Partridge Family reunion

2010-02-26T23:00:00.001-05:00

Long-time fans of The Partridge Family know all the answers to the questions that will be asked during next Tuesday's cast reunion on the Today show. It's the answers to the questions that will NEVER be asked that we want!

Seeing as a few of you got the ball rolling in my previous post's comments, here's the idea spun off into its separate entry. In the spirit of good fun (that might verge on bad taste) and in the tradition of David Letterman's top ten lists, here are the TOP TEN Partridge Family questions that will never get asked:

10.Who is getting compensated for appearing on the Today show?

9. Which cast members are profiting from current Partridge Family CD and DVD sales?

8. How much does David think his autograph on Partridge Family memorabilia is worth on eBay? (thanks, Racehorses)

7. Was David "intimate" with any of the three Charlie's Angels who guest starred on the show?

6. Danny keeps mentioning David's hair plugs on his radio show: could we get a close up and take a moment to mourn Keith Partridge's hair?

5. Does David regret revealing his intimate encounter with Susan Dey in his autobiographies?

4. Is it true that previously unreleased songs from the show aren't available on CD because David is asking too much money?

3. Why do David's recent concert press bios state that "HE ALONE" was responsible for seven chart-topping Partridge Family hits?

2. Did Shirley ever have the hots for her stepson and vice-versa?

1. Does David want to be remembered for The Partridge Family or was that then and this is now?

(Joking aside, is Danny seeing a specialist about that perpetual frog in his throat?! It sounds like real bad news. As in take your vitamins religiously and get a throat and chest X-ray every six months bad news. :( )

Who wants to bet that these are the top five questions we WILL hear:

Did you ever think that people would still care about The Partridge Family forty years after its debut?
Do you mind that you're remembered first and foremost for the show?
When you signed on, did you know it was going to be a hit?
How did it feel to be adulated that way?
What's your fondest memory of the show?

Here's what I will probably email the show:

Longtime fans have seen all the Partridge Family bios so there isn't much mystery left. We want to know the current and upcoming projects of this talented cast. Can we expect any new ORIGINAL recordings from David Cassidy? Also, a lot of his concert-going fans would love to hear him perform material from those three solo RCA albums he did in the mid-seventies.

This year does mark the fortieth anniversary of The Partridge Family's debut on television. Not sure if this cast appearance on the Today show will serve as a proper reunion but it can serve as a memory trigger for those fans who've lost touch with the cast or didn't realize that all four seasons of the show were now available on DVD.

Critics be damned, no other TV show triggers such an immediate feel-good response in me than does The Partridge Family. The show connects me instantly to shiny happy childhood memories and for that, my heart says thank you to the whole cast and crew.

The Partridge Family - What do you want to know?

2010-02-24T03:11:00.004-05:00

Next week, NBC's Today Show will reunite some cast members from television's greatest families, including The Partridge Family. If you think there's something left to be discovered about the PF (really?!), you can email the show your question and it might get featured.

Now, you'll note that the Today site says the PF will appear on Tuesday, March 3 but next Tuesday is March 2. In his most recent post, Scott at C'mon Get Happy says that the show is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2. To be on the safe side, record Tuesday's show. ;-) And yes, DC is scheduled to appear. Imagine that.

Yeesh! And you think I'm harsh?

2010-02-23T21:49:00.004-05:00

I've got nothing on Australian fans. This is what one had to say about an "ageing diva" (oh yeah, she's ancient at 46) who performed recently in Brisbane:

"She couldn't entertain a dead rat, to be honest."

Read about the superstar's dismal comeback attempt in the land Down Under here.

The Donk is Real, People!

2010-02-22T21:42:00.004-05:00

Not that we had any doubts. Still, "David" sets the record straight for "Red", a disgruntled audience member who proposed that his unknown illness that concert evening "consisted of having a large head, small penis and being a huge ass". Hilarious post from "David", aka "I Am a Clown", over at the ChicagoReader music blog today at 6:08 PM. Admit it, you've been following the drama too.

Sorry to disappoint, but I won't post a picture here that irrevocably refutes that small appendage claim. You can find your own. And no, there's no need to share it! :)

P.S. I'm torn between labeling this post "wtf?" and "bad press".

What's Going On?

2010-02-17T01:50:00.000-05:00

David Cassidy's recent concert reviews - from journalists and fans - are hardly congratulatory this week and the exchange between "River of Music" and "Derek" at this blog reminded me of Janice Turner's insightful article about fandom that appeared in Times Online when a certain superstar passed away last summer. She had this to say about David Cassidy:

"The most troubled person I ever met was David Cassidy, the teen idol of Jackson’s era, unhinged long ago by his fans. For five years girls slept outside his house, followed him everywhere, ripped his clothing, forced him into isolation, made his life empty and lonely. And then, abruptly, when he was no longer the pretty boy du jour they deserted him. Now, two divorces later, he loathes meeting old fans, because they will say, with no regard for his feelings, how old he looks — though they are mostly portly matrons themselves — or get drunk and take a grab at him. To them, he isn’t a man, just an odd manifestation of their teenage years: they own him and they let him know it."

Read the rest of "The fans killed their idol. They always do" here.

I don't believe fans who respond to claims of "very off" performances by Cassidy with "we accept him as he is, an imperfect human being." No, they are still adulating him as someone they'll "love" no matter what he does. He has said in the past that he never felt worthy of all that adulation during those teen idol years (and in his own words, "Really, who is? No one is.") yet they persist in seeing him as a god on stage instead of an actual human being who might need actual help.

Love is an abused word in fandom. Fans unabashedly proclaim love for their idol but it's simply lust and greed masquerading as love: "We want more, more, MORE of you!" That "you" is a mythical being in their heart and a stranger in their life. Loving a celebrity is a bit absurd. Love his looks, talents or wares? Oh, yes! But claim to love HIM? You don't know him. You think you know him. It doesn't really matter because it's a one-way street. He'll never love you the same way. To quote Janice Turner again:

"Fandom is so grossly unequal, so self-abasing. Even when you are closest to your Special One you are humiliated by his — at best — polite indifference to your pathetic, onanistic, unreturned love."

David Cassidy fans, if you think you love him, care for his well-being. His performances are declining in quality, upsetting fans and turning off critics. What's going on?

His Sexiest Song?

2010-02-15T10:15:00.005-05:00

In celebration of Valentine's Day, Billboard compiled their list of the Top 50 songs about sex. Notice I did not say "sexiest songs". No. These songs made the list because their lyrics are about sex and they charted highly. That's all. These are not necessarily sexy songs. Billboard explains the list:

"...the 50 most popular songs about sex ever, as based on each song's performance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (from August 4, 1958 -- the inception of the Hot 100 chart -- through the Jan. 16, 2010 issue)."

"Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. To ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits from each era, certain time frames were weighted to account for the difference between turnover rates from those years."

Now, here's one song that made Billboard's list. It also made a VH-1 countdown at some point and guess who introduced it on that show? ;-)

So, to paraphrase Salt-n-Pepa, let's talk about sex in songs. What do you think is David Cassidy's sexiest song? My choice: "Rock Me Baby" - perhaps the most obvious choice, but what can I say, his voice could prompt deals with the devil. Here's a live clip of him singing it on a European music show back then (don't mention the show please - this clip has been removed from YT in the past). Only found one clip of the 1972 recorded version of the song and it's the one of him in his shiny pink suit on "Top of the Pops".

Daydreaming David Loves Comments!

2010-02-14T18:00:00.002-05:00

I've been a very lucky blogger with loyal, articulate and respectful readers whose enthusiastic posting should not be taken for granted. Reader comments enrich this blog and I hope these tips and guidelines make it easier for everyone to participate:

Have content suggestions?
I welcome ideas for blog entries though I can't guarantee that I will use them all. Email me any suggestions, rather than introducing a new topic in an unrelated post, and I will reply.

Please stay on topic
It's a bit of a shame when comments veer off topic because not everyone subscribes to comments and others might miss your information if it's buried in comments. As much as blog comments allow us to converse, they don't replace fan forums where everyone can start and steer a new topic of discussion.

English isn't your mother tongue?
Please don't let that stop you from commenting! If you're worried about getting your message across clearly, you could email it to me for "polishing". I'll send it back to you for final approval and posting. You could also write your comment in your native tongue and use a machine translation engine such as www.freetranslation.com to get the "gist" of it in English and send it to me for editing before posting it. It would be my pleasure to assist any reader this way; just keep your comments concise, please. I have no time to edit "War & Peace" ;-)

Don't be Anonymous!
Chatting with various "Anonymous" personalities is annoying, sorry. Please use a name when posting - it's the third option in the list: name/url. There is no need to enter a URL. The form works with only a name. It doesn't have to be your real name, just as long as you use the same one every time. You don't want us to think you were so unloved as a newborn that your parents didn't even bother naming you, do you? ;-)

Respect David Cassidy's talent
You are reading this blog because you admire David Cassidy's talent, THEN and/or NOW. I will not tolerate comments from anyone who seems to have an agenda of disrespecting him as a person. If all your comments point to flaws in his personality and never praise his actual work, your participation will raise red flags and I reserve to right to ban your participation and delete your comments.

Don't post gossip as gospel
Gossip about celebrities will always exist. Know the difference between truth and gossip and post accordingly.

You'd like to insert a hyperlink in your comment?
Learn how here.

Lastly, please know that I am very grateful to have such a great community of David Cassidy fans with whom to share my musings. I don't respond to every comment but I do read every one of them. I aim for a new blog entry every couple of days - sometimes, I'm more prolific, other times, not so much. It's called life. :-) If you're looking for real-time David Cassidy news coverage: Google is your friend. It might happen that I report on his news and keep on top of it for a stretch, but it's not my aim with this blog and I certainly can't guarantee it 24/7 for very long. If and when I do, I'll change my blog's name to "David Cassidy News Central". ;-)

Thank you again for your sincere participation - to paraphrase Fleetwood Mac, you make blogging fun.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

Replace "girl" with boy and that first verse couldn't better describe how most young fans felt when they crushed on David Cassidy:

"I can't start my day, girl, without thinkin' about ya
I wake up in the mornin' and you're there on my mind
I've been dreamin' about ya
You start feelings runnin' through my head that need no explanation
And the sweetness of your smile has captured my heart
It's such a crazy sensation"

-"Girl, You Make My Day", The Partridge Family on "Shopping Bag" album, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

The rest of the song is even lovelier - who wouldn't be wooed by these lyrics?:

"You're the sunshine that I hold deep inside me when I'm cold"
"You're my forever and after"

Complete song lyrics on the David Cassidy Downunder Fansite. And what's not to love about Cassidy's vocals here? He gives "dreaming", "sweetness", "girl" and "day" just the right "punch" to make the song irresistible. He really sang those tunes perfectly, didn't he?

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day, whether you're crushin' or lovin'.

Early Valentine's Day Present: Radio Chat Replay

2010-02-12T19:40:00.006-05:00

Miss that radio interview David Cassidy did on the Afternoons with Casey show this week? Tomorrow's your lucky day. Penn's Peak Radio will replay it on February 13, at 3 pm, EST. Click on the "Listen Live" button at the top of Penn's Peak Radio page to listen to their broadcast. Test your connection now (you might need plug-ins).

(Thanks again Barbara!)

Will the Real David Cassidy Please Stand Up?

2010-02-09T15:49:00.005-05:00

Self-awareness and self-deprecation: killer combo. Could he be any more irresistible? Compare the David Cassidy in this interview to the one on that Dallas morning show last week (video embedded in my February 6 post). What a difference twenty years make.

No One Here Is Surprised.

2010-02-07T11:38:00.006-05:00

Still disappointed though. Every time David Cassidy has a concert date, I hold a glimmer of hope that he'll pull out all the stops and actually deliver something good this time. Because I think he still can. But, nope. Another missed opportunity at the Nokia Theater last night. All the more reason to "cherish" those albums.

If you attended the concert and want to bitch and moan, you can do it here. If you want to praise his performance, you can do that too but you better make it believable. Claiming "spontaneity" ain't going to cut it.

UPDATE: First uploaded video. A bit bizarre, no? Sounds more like a performance you'd catch in a bar-type venue than in a seated one. Double-click on the video to access the YT page. I'm sure the user will post additional footage of the concert.

Sure Looks Sincere, Doesn't He?

2010-02-06T01:30:00.016-05:00

Guess they underestimated his acting talent.

Can anyone tell me what the frig John Lennon had to do with the question? Aside from the random "John Lennon was my BFF, now do you believe I'm cool?!" factor.

Who else is hoping the über-fan dinner guest regales the DC fandom with her meeting come Sunday morning? Who doesn't give a flying fig?

And here's my open letter to David Cassidy, because, well, you saw the video too:

David, I'm so, so, sorry I lost track of you all these years. You hate me because I dropped you like a hot potato, but what did I know? I was twelve. Your show had already been off the air for over four years - I discovered you through reruns, for pete's sake! There were no Partridge Family albums left in the stores when my mother did her Christmas shopping - all she could find for me was "The World of the Partridge Family". But you could have tried harder to reach us, no? You had these great RCA albums you could have hawked. (I was still too young to watch "Police Story".) I'm so sorry I was a fair weather fan. I'm back now. I have seen the light: your voice was unparalleled (no offense but I have trouble saying "is" - you have to admit, it has declined in some respects) and I hate - not as much as you do, of course - that people don't credit your talent beyond being a heart throb. And we know that's not talent, that's genetics. So I'm doing what I can to right my wrongs: I'm blogging my little heart out to get the word out that you are talented and all that mania was deserved. It wasn't just hype. It was your talent and your charisma that shone through and touched us. I've been re-discovering your career for the past ten months now and have yet to tire of your albums (well, not all of them - a couple were crap on a disc, sorry).

But please, you have to do your part. You have to respect your fans enough to realize that we know how conflicted you are about that teen idol business. Don't pander to this overblown fake nostalgia bit and go on about how you love your fans for what they've given you (you went this route to promote "Ruby" and we all know how that turned out...wince.) The majority of us abandoned you! We gave you heartache. We made it so that casting agents didn't give you the time of day. We thought we were too cool for you. I'll even admit to some eye rolling when a friend reminded my teenage self of my young crush on you. "The Harder They Fall" indeed.

But now, I've seen the errors of my ways and I won't stand for anyone disrespecting you or The Partridge Family. Today, I am unapologetic in my stance: "the guy has his issues but he had one of the most beautiful male voices in popular music and he's recorded a sublime version of "Ain't No Sunshine"". I can rattle off your accomplishments almost as well as your hundreds of loyal fans who never abandoned you throughout the decades. I am a born again believer. I'm not alone either. Please. Trust us. No more of these uncomfortable interviews with fake fawning from "on-air personalities". We are above that.

While I'm at it, might as well ask you: can you make your records easier to obtain? I'm trying my darnedest to buy some of your albums but they are OUT OF PRINT. The online store showed stock, I clicked "buy" and waited and waited and waited and finally, I received an email advising me it was OUT OF PRINT and I was out of luck. And how about all those unreleased Partridge Family songs tucked away in vaults? Wouldn't it just be the bees' knees to release those gems for the 40th anniversary of the PF? One last thing: that movie coming up? Once it's wrapped and you're actively promoting it, can you NOT say it's the best work you've ever done? Cause that line is getting, like all of us, kind of old.

"Come on baby, let's start anew..."

Suite tickets available for Grande Prairie Nokia concert

2010-02-05T00:37:00.001-05:00

Seller's info here.

Never. Sure, buddy, whatever you say....

2010-02-04T09:25:00.014-05:00

"He's starred on Broadway and London's West End – with Laurence Olivier, no less. He co-starred, with both his brothers, on Ruby & the Rockits , the most expensive television show ever produced by ABC Family. He received an Emmy nomination for "A Chance to Live," the highest-rated episode of Police Story that ever aired. He revamped and starred in the Las Vegas extravaganza EFX.

But with all that, David Cassidy understands – and appreciates – that when people hear his name, the first thing that still comes to mind is The Partridge Family, a television show that appeared in 1970, ran for four seasons and garnered not one Emmy nomination. It was seen as fluff, but its fans were, and remain, fervently loyal.

"It'll never bother me that I'm best-known for that," Cassidy says with a laugh during a phone interview from Los Angeles.""

Bolding mine, of course. From the article here.

What a bloody hypocrite. Guess it wouldn't do to verbally admit it STILL bothers him. At least not outright, in an interview publicizing an upcoming show, where fans can expect to hear "a lot of songs from the Partridge Family catalog" no less. Wonder how soon we can expect another "that was then, this is now" outburst?

Gotta love the intro to the article. A list of his accomplishments phrased in a way to make us realize that they are vastly superior to the fluff show that was "The Partridge Family". By gosh, ""Ruby & the Rockits" was the most expensive television show ever produced by ABC Family"! Can you imagine how good it must have been?!

By the way, that spring project he'll discuss during next week's radio chat is a movie.

Pretty sure I've already featured "Lyin' to Myself" in one of my posts, so here's "Living a Lie" from his third RCA album from the mid-seventies, "Gettin' it in the Street". That other voice you hear is Gerry Buckley's. "Doesn't really matter" indeed as I doubt he'll play anything from those RCA albums.

Counterfactuals

2010-02-03T02:13:00.001-05:00

"Counterfactuals are the woulda-coulda-shouldas of life, all the things that might happen in the future, but haven't yet, or that could have happened in the past, but didn't quite. Human beings care deeply about those possible worlds - as deeply as they care about the real actual world."

Alison Gopnick, "The Philosophical Baby - What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love, and The Meaning of Life"

(Not everything I read has to do with David Cassidy, you know. I just have a gift for relating it to him. :-))

So, if anyone asks why you're reading a blog about David Cassidy: you are pondering the counterfactuals of his career.

New Song from David Cassidy...

2010-02-02T10:10:00.003-05:00

Well, for me at least. Perhaps if I had been actively following him in the late eighties and early nineties, I might have heard this at one point? Thanks to CherishDavid for sharing it via that great fandom meeting place in cyberspace. His phrasing sounds "lazy" here, for lack of a better word, but his voice is still bloody sexy. The song ain't half bad either. Could still be a hit...

Favorite Keith Scene in The Partridge Family

2010-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Well, seeing as David Cassidy considers himself "first and foremost an actor", I would be remiss not to muse about his acting roles once in a while. Honestly, when I rediscovered him via YT, his talent as a vocalist wowed me so much that it overshadowed his acting for me and fueled pretty much half of my blog posts.

Let's turn to his acting now. Most of us discovered him through "The Partridge Family", so tell me about your favorite scene of his in that show. Now that the whole series is available on DVD, it will be easy for us to identify the scenes correctly.

First, let's get some obvious assumptions out of the way:

-Keith Partridge was NOT a complex role and no one is proposing that David Cassidy's performance was Emmy-worthy
-"The Partridge Family" was a lighthearted sitcom built around selling records - its creators and producers had no aspirations to create a show worthy of critical acclaim or a spot in a time capsule (if they had, perhaps they would have paid more attention to story continuity!)
-We are commenting on DC's acting here (did he elicit the correct emotions from you and was he believable in the scene?), not the script quality nor the story plausibility

When I can actually stop my eyes from ping-ponging all over David Cassidy's gorgeous face during close-ups and concentrate on his expressive eyes and his delivery, one scene does stand out. It's from the first episode in Season 3, "This Male Chauvinist Piggy Went To Market". You remember the episode? Keith loses a "battle of the sexes" challenge to his sister Laurie and Goose, the school bully, makes fun of Keith for losing to a girl. Their verbal exchange escalates and Laurie intervenes and physically prevents Goose from hitting Keith. To be disabled by a girl further humiliates Goose who vows revenge on Keith.

The confrontation between Keith and Goose happens after a concert (from the 19 minute mark) and Keith plainly tells Goose he has no intention of fighting him. Cassidy plays this scene subtly and convincingly. His stance, his voice and his eyes especially, convey the natural fear, defiance and resignation one would expect to feel when standing up to a bigger opponent. Look at his eyes when Goose asks him "You mean you're going to stand there and let me take a poke at you?". He even gulps at the right time. That might be my favorite scene of DC's in the show.

Your turn.

"Raindrops"

2010-01-31T22:03:00.006-05:00

R&B singer Dee Clark scored a huge hit with his song "Raindrops" in 1961. David Cassidy, not so much. You can hear DC's version of "Raindrops" on his 1992 album "Didn't You Used to Be...". Anyone know what could have prompted Cassidy to cover this particular song? Anyone care to guess? Anyone even care?

Ok, so, just how big was it?!

2010-01-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

(Settle down, people. Note the verb tense in the title: "was" not "is". ;-))

You're all familiar with David Cassidy's bio, aren't you? Among his long list of accomplishments, this rarely-skipped boast about the height of his fame always makes me smile: "membership in his fan club exceeded those of Elvis Presley and The Beatles". Honest to goodness, first time I read that, I thought: by how many? One? One hundred?

Seriously, it's a vacuous claim. Sounds impressive but no context is given. Are the three fan clubs compared in the early seventies? If so, well, Elvis was no longer at HIS peak and The Beatles had broken up. If the three clubs are compared at everyone's peak of fame, is the marketing factor taken into account? The David Cassidy fan club - with Laufer publications at the helm - was probably better publicized than either one of the other two (sort of like taking into account inflation when comparing movie box office revenues).

I have a vague recollection of seeing the statement quantified once - with 200,000 fans - but I've never been able to find that number again. Was it online or in a TV bio? Don't recall. Speaking of source, the boast would have come to light when David Cassidy's wife overheard it on the TV game show "Hollywood Squares". Apparently the audience was surprised at the answer to "Who had the biggest fan club? Elvis Presley, The Beatles or David Cassidy?". Unfortunately, I don't recall where that tidbit of info comes from either (his books?).

Anyone out there have hard numbers for us? (Is that giggling I hear? Sheesh. You're just a bunch of twelve year olds, aren't you?)

How Did I Not Know This?

2010-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Betty & The Werewolves is a London-based band that wrote a song about David Cassidy cleverly called "David Cassidy". Listen to it here. Read lyrics on this page.

"David Cassidy
Your magic's worked its trick on me
And I can't seem
To not believe"

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. The single is available from "Damaged Goods Records". Hmm. Maybe that sums it up better. Never mind.

Whodda Thunk Senior Citizens Could Be Rock Stars?

2010-01-29T01:00:00.000-05:00

Care to feel your age? Care to guess their age?

The one that amazes me the most is Tina Turner. I envied her legs when I was 18 and I still envy her legs, now, a *cough, cough* decade or so later. A few days ago, she was attending a Georgio Armani fashion show in Paris looking like this:

Above photo found on the International Tina Turner Fanclub website.

"Strengthen My Love"

2010-01-28T18:29:00.003-05:00

Catgil does it again ;-)

You know, this song's grown on me. I totally take back my comment about it having a low-budget naughty movie soundtrack vibe. I still think his singing is different in this song though - prefer his earlier stuff for sure - but love how he gives it his all in this performance. And dang, that hair.

The Partridge Family on TVLand?

2010-01-28T13:43:00.005-05:00

TVLand has a current thread on their viewer forum for programming suggestions. Some viewers want them to add The Partridge Family to their programming. Do you? Go tell 'em. Here's a pic of Keith Partridge to remind you why.

Want to see DC live in Elgin, IL, February 13?

2010-01-28T01:11:00.004-05:00

Craigslist ad for 1 third row ticket

The venue's website

A Song for You?

2010-01-28T00:01:00.003-05:00

Read some comments on YT that likened David Cassidy's voice to Karen Carpenter's. Here's "A Song for You" which both The Carpenters and David Cassidy recorded. Leon Russell wrote this song and it's one of the loveliest and most timeless songs EVER. Karen Carpenter's voice is a heavenly match for it and I'll forever hear it in her voice. I found a video of Mr. Russell singing his composition and I wonder if DC took cues from him for his version on his 2003 "A Touch of Blue" CD.

So, embedded here for your listening pleasure (or displeasure) are three versions of "A Song for You": DC's, The Carpenters' and Leon Russell's. I've linked to three other versions as well: Helen Reddy's rendition - a new discovery for me - because it's simple and her tone lovely. Simply Red's because it's the second cover I found that they have in common with DC (see "Go Now" for the first). Again, Simply Red put their personal stamp on the song but I'm not moved by singer Hucknall here.

The third version is from Michael Bublé, crooner du jour. What is special about Bublé? He looks good, sings some of the most beautiful songs of the last century and backs himself with a top notch band. But please, I beg you MB fans, enough with the "greatest singer" accolades. He garbles and lisps. Not begrudging him his success - after all he's making these beautiful songs mainstream again (what pop music radio station today would have played "Sway" before his version came out?) - I just want young people to realize he's not the crème de la crème of singers. I'll be honest, I have not listened to his performance here past the 1:40 mark. If you manage, tell me if it gets better.

Bottom line for me: the song belongs to Karen Carpenter. She delivered a slice of music heaven. And yes, I've heard Donny Hathaway, American Idol's Elliott Yamin (seriously distracting poor breath control there), Ray Charles and Whitney Houston sing it. No, I haven't heard Christina Aguilera, Cher, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin or anyone else sing it. Hardly see the point of it.

Helen Reddy
Simply Red
Michael Bublé

Yummy Bubblebum Pop Singer

2010-01-27T14:26:00.004-05:00

You know who could have given David Cassidy a run for his money on those Partridge Family hits? Ron Dante. Look and listen.

What can I say? That "He alone was responsible for 7 chart topping Partridge Family singles." comment really riled me.

ITILY Michael Weatherly

2010-01-27T12:36:00.009-05:00

"Suddenly the sound of the hotel pianist is overtaken by the tinny strains of…“I Think I Love You.” Weatherly hovers behind us, impishly brandishing an iPhone on which he has cued up an apparently revelatory oldie by the Partridge Family. “He’s been doing that lately,” she laughs, “pulling up that song every time we have scenes of ‘ambiguous sexual tension.’”"

"Weatherly" is Michael Weatherly who plays Tony DiNozzo on the CBS TV crime-drama "NCIS" and "she" is his co-star, Cote de Pablo, who plays Ziva David, his colleague. TV Guide interview here.

Fans being fans, one of them, most probably rooting for a romantic liaison between the two characters, created a video of Tony and Ziva clips from the show with ITILY. Here it is on YouTube, the great fandom meeting place:

The point of this post? Other people besides we DC-obsessed are listening to The Partridge Family music. ;-)

What The Hell?!

2010-01-27T00:41:00.009-05:00

"He alone was responsible for 7 chart topping Partridge Family singles." Seriously. That's what it says. Here. In the left window, scroll down.

Cuz, you know, David Cassidy wrote all the songs, sang lead AND background vocals, played all the instruments, produced all the albums and marketed them worldwide. Yup. He alone. Guess he really didn't play well with others. Crap. Who writes this stuff?!?

Also, notice the verb tenses: "...now he has finally returned to where it all started by starring in the latest ABC Family Show “Ruby & The Rockits.” The show stars..." Well, it did just start airing in New Zealand (insert eye roll here.) I'll allow for a typo - they meant "the late ABC Family Show...". Late as in passed away, no longer with us, DEAD. I know, I know, it's just spin. I worked in marketing. UPDATE: SingmeDavid pointed out that this text was most probably written before the tickets went on sales in August and "Ruby" was canceled in early September.

(You're glancing at that b&w pic at the top of this page, aren't you, British Fan?)

I dare you!

2010-01-26T06:00:00.003-05:00

Try and find a bad candid picture of David Cassidy THEN. I dare ya. Perusing Clodyne's site once again (can you blame me?!) and found this picture. Only David Cassidy could manage to look sexy in an airport lounge (or is it a bowling alley?). It is freakin' unreal how photogenic the man was.

This is about as goofy-looking as he got. Hardly grounds for getting himself kicked out of bed for eating crackers, is it? ;-)

Take a bow, sir.

2010-01-25T19:25:00.003-05:00

Can I be any lazier with this blog? Oh, yeah, I'll just send you directly to Catgil2's YT channel and you can bypass me completely :) Admission: I have not watched this whole clip uninterrupted yet but that bow at the end? One of the most endearing things he does on stage. Perfect mix of pride and gratitude.

Thanks for sharing Catgil!!

Eye Candy

2010-01-25T01:54:00.007-05:00

Quite a few of you appreciated the pictures of David at the beginning of the "Go Now" video posted previously. Clodyne reminded me that they are from the Rock Me Baby songbook. Here are a couple. Thanks Clodyne!

Enjoy!

"Go Now"

2010-01-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

Here's another song that David Cassidy and a myriad of other acts have covered. The most familiar version is The Moody Blues' but Bessie Banks sang it first in the mid-sixties. David's version dates from his second album "Rock Me Baby", released in 1972. Recently, the British group Simply Red put their modern spin on it before bidding each other au revoir. I can't find any fault with David's version and his voice in that first line is irresistible. So often, it's the first line he sings that hooks me. His version is my favorite of the four (very nice pics in this slideshow, btw). I also enjoy Simply Red's version though the emphasis is on the beat. The Moody Blues' voices annoy me and Banks' interpretation sounds forced.

Radio Chat with David - Mark your calendar!

2010-01-23T00:57:00.004-05:00

Casey Parker of Penn's Peak Radio will chat with David Cassidy during her show "Afternoons with Casey" on Wednesday, February 10. You can listen live to the station online. Cassidy is to perform at Penn's Peak February 12.

They "will be talking about his past and present success, how much he enjoys giving back and a special sneek peak into a new venture coming in the spring."(bolding mine)

Ms Parker has a comment form on her blog. Use it wisely ;-)

Inquiring minds want to know.

2010-01-22T05:00:00.003-05:00

How do your family and friends feel about your interest in DC? How much or how little do you share with them? How much or how little do they care?

Is Mr. Cassidy still making some people resentful long past his teen idol days?

Do tell.

Australian fans?

2010-01-21T20:29:00.005-05:00

Seems rage on ABC1 had a retro show on January 16 that featured a 1976 interview with David Cassidy (the one from the Russell Harty show perhaps?). One fan left a thoughtful comment on rage's message board but that's pretty much the extent of my findings. I'd love to hear more about this interview. If anyone out there heard it, please share. Thanks!

Here's a drool-worthy 1976 performance from our person of interest. Thanks again to uploader extraordinaire Catgil. Let's keep specs on clip below quiet, lest it gets yanked once more, ok? ;-)

"I Am a Clown"

2010-01-20T00:01:00.004-05:00

Here's another DC clip from the eighties - the whole decade was a bad dream, à la Dallas, ok? - thanks to Catgil2 for sharing. From his debut solo album "Cherish", "I am a Clown" could veer dangerously close to maudlin territory but Cassidy usually reins it in with his sincere delivery, no doubt accepting how accurately songwriter Tony Romeo described him with those lyrics. Even casual DC fans can recognize the bitter truth in the portrayal. In the 1973 concert performance captured in the "Weekend at Wembley" documentary, the line "Tell me you love me, make me real" gives me goosebumps. Here, his rendition is serviceable, hardly goosebump-inducing and I wonder if the pianist is playing at the right tempo or if it's a YT synchronization issue. The live clip from 1973 is embedded below - thanks to Scarpett for sharing.

I'll just stand, thanks.

2010-01-19T19:16:00.005-05:00

Here's why I'll be standing while surfing and blogging from now on:

"Sitting all day may significantly boost the risk of lifestyle-related disease even if one adds a regular dose of moderate or vigorous exercise, scientists said Tuesday.

The health benefits of pulse-quickening physical activity are beyond dispute -- it helps ward off cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, among other problems.

But recent scientific findings also suggest that prolonged bouts of immobility while resting on one's rear end may be independently linked to these same conditions."

Rest of the info here.

And here's the obligatory pic of David to compensate for post's lack of blog relevance. Pic is relevant to post though ;-)

Music Trivia

2010-01-19T00:01:00.011-05:00

Can you imagine David Cassidy singing this song? Mickie Most, a very successful English record producer, apparently offered "Touch Too Much" (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn), to Cassidy who passed on it, dismissing its chart-topping potential. Miffed and wanting to prove Mr. Cassidy wrong, Mr. Most then offered it to The Arrows, a band fronted by Alan Merrill whose similarity to Cassidy starts and ends with the shag. The Arrows had a British hit with the song in 1974. Check out Merrill's come-hither looks in the clip below. Another bit of trivia: Merrill wrote "I Love Rock & Roll". Yeah, that "I Love Rock & Roll", the earworm made immortal by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Read more about Mr. Merrill here.

Here's another link between David Cassidy and Alan Merrill: both recorded "Walk Away Renée". I hear more vulnerability in Cassidy's version. It can be found on his 2003 "A Touch of Blue" CD.

Seeing as some of you enjoy these comparisons, here's the original version of "Walk Away Renée" by The Left Banke. The voice here is as grating and unforgivable as nails on a chalkboard.

Embarassingly Craptastic

2010-01-18T19:22:00.006-05:00

There is just no way that I can get into this song. And this performance with the ghost of Romance past floating in the background is so embarrassing that I have to look away. The Romance album is dance/pop dreck of the highest order and I shall continue to skip over it as I appreciate David Cassidy's discography.

Any Objections to this Song?

2010-01-18T14:15:00.001-05:00

In this not-so-recent post, I wondered how well David Cassidy would render the timeless "Sunny" and someone brought up that he's never really sung much with a Motown or Rhythm and Blues feel to it. Not an expert on musical genres here but I think "It Should Have Been Me" might qualify. Both Kim Weston and Gladys Knight & the Pips recorded this song in the sixties and then Yvonne Fair made it a hit in the mid-seventies. Besides David Cassidy's version, I haven't found any other versions by male vocalists. Ray Charles' "It Should Have Been Me" is a different song entirely.

Cassidy sings these lyrics with too much resignation and not enough indignation but in the first thirty seconds, his honeyed voice beckons with just enough soul and passion for us to give his rendition a chance. You can listen to DC's "It Should Have Been Me" here - apologies for the abrupt ending. The song can be found on "The Best of David Cassidy", the album released in 1991 by Curb Records in Japan, consisting of songs recorded and rejected for an album back in 1979. Embedded below are versions from Kim Weston, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Yvonne Fair.

A Young Daydreamer

2010-01-17T20:54:00.005-05:00

Here's a treat for you all. Clodyne, yet another eagle-eyed reader, shared this recently uploaded YT clip with me. Paying it forward, as a good fan should.

Is it me or is his disdain for the the song showing here? Brace yourself, for all is forgiven with that killer dimpled smile at 1:00. Yes, the show mucked up the title of the song as "Daydreaming" instead of "Daydreamer" and no, I have no flipping clue where this was filmed. On a ship at night? In a truck yard? As for that white suit, this clip is from 1974, so it is possible that this is the same suit he wore in that Partridge Family/My Three Sons Thanksgiving Special. And from the oohs and aahs at the end, I wouldn't be surprised if he were singing this live.

I Think I Mock You?

2010-01-08T14:10:00.014-05:00

A couple of eagle-eyed readers - flexing more Google muscle than this blogger has, obviously - have spotted a David Cassidy CD entitled "I Think I Love You: Greatest Hits Live" to be released on February 9, 2010. The CD/DVD combo is available for pre-sale on a couple of sites, including Amazon, but information as to content and origin of recordings is scantier than Mariah Carey's latest attire.

Two things give me hope that David Cassidy is not driving this project:
1) the publisher is Cleopatra Records, an independent record label specializing in compilations and reissues of out-of-print releases
2) the lack of mention on DC's own website (means zilch, I know, but I take what I can get).

Otherwise, will I be alone in thinking he's really singing "I Think I Mock You" to his fans with yet another Greatest Hits?!?

Improving David Cassidy's website

2010-01-06T11:51:00.006-05:00

Judging by your recent comments, I'd say you're chomping at the bit to overhaul David Cassidy's official website.

To be fair, it seems he's been busy revamping his MySpace page. You have to log in to MySpace to view most of it and since I've no intention of becoming a member of that type of social network, guess all that amazing content will remain a mystery to me. (Does he really have a blog?) There is a mixpod of eight YouTube videos on his page. Click on it to reach a page listing all the songs with buy and ringtones options for each. Not surprising, the options link to dead ends.

Anyway, websites aren't obsolete yet! (Or perhaps they are and I didn't get the memo?) My suggestions for improving his:

-Eliminate the automatic playing of that heart attack inducing PF song remix when we access the site (I click it off so fast, I can't even identify the song)
-If you're going to keep music on the site, how about alternating the tunes (and identifying them)?
-Provide dates for news articles
-Simplify current home page layout - too busy now

For the store section:
-Newsflash: all four seasons of the Partridge Family are now available on DVD - update with links to all four
-Ringtones: how about offering some audio clips? I'd love to use the first 20 seconds of "Summer Days" as a ringtone but I'm too lazy/technically challenged to make it myself. Not sure what the average market price for ringtones is but I wouldn't pay more than $3 for one.
-Personalized autographed pictures? I'll admit to having no clue how time-consuming this proposal would be.

Ready to add your ideas, dear blog readers?

"It's Time That I Knew Better"

2010-01-05T22:39:00.008-05:00

I just realized yesterday that this song was among those "lost" Partridge Family songs, i.e. songs that were played in an episode but weren't committed to vinyl back then. A criminal shame. It is one of their better ones (another Terry Cashman/Tommy West contribution) and David's vocals here? Holey Moley. I gasped at the second word. One friggin' word and I'm jelly. If that's not power, I don't know what is.

Now, the video embedded below was acting up last night. If it stops before the end, don't panic. The song's been uploaded by others - this upload seems to have the most gasp-eliciting beginning though - so just search for it. It can also be found on "David Cassidy's Partridge Family Favorites" sold as part of a $100 set on his website. Wondering what other songs are on the album? Trusty Jane's Downunder Fansite to the rescue. (Guess providing that info on DC's site would have jacked up the package's price too much.) Note that "Warm My Soul" is not DC's version from "Rock Me Baby"; it's a Partridge Family one, so in effect, this twelve-song album offers us four new PF songs. Well, three real new ones and a finally-available-to-fans! fourth one.

Sweet!

2010-01-04T17:03:00.013-05:00

Here's "Sweetness", the other David Cassidy-penned Partridge Family song that never made it onto the show. It can also be found on DC's Partridge Family Favorites album. You can buy the album as part of the "Old Trick, New Dog" package on DC's website.

I'm not crystal clear on the meaning of the lyrics but the song's beginning reminds me of "Stephanie" in that PF episode with Bobby Sherman. Lots of rare 80s pics as well in this YT video by inthe11thhour. Fashion tip everyone: large prints on jackets are rarely a good idea, in any decade (2:05). Were there ever some fugly clothes back then! I was a teenager in the mid-eighties and I remember being quite excited with my first trendy fashion purchase: a puffy cotton concoction by Naf Naf - in pink no less! It looked like pajamas. My mother, bless her soul, made me return it before I ever wore it out in public.

Be My Ba-bay

2010-01-01T21:02:00.012-05:00

Just discovered the Partridge Family's "Mystical Lady" on YT. Thanks to david41250 for posting it and creating a slideshow with seldom-seen images (it includes that great shot Henry Diltz took of him with Schwarzenegger at 0:33).

The song is no great shakes - don't think it was ever featured in an episode either - but David Cassidy's voice still makes it listenable for me. Actually, the chorus hints at a pretty rockin' tune if the song could be let loose. For anyone interested, it's on "David Cassidy's Partridge Family Favorites", an album released in 1998 on Slamajamma, DC's own record label at the time. If you have a copy of the album, could you share any available songwriting credits?

"January"

2010-01-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

Not predictable. Timely. ;-)

The original version by Pilot, sung by another David.

Love the Scottish accent, Mr. Paton, but I prefer David Cassidy's sultry vocals. What say YOU, dear blog readers? Is there a verse missing in DC's version? The lyrics seem different between the two. Oh and if anyone can explain the lyrics to me, I'd be much obliged.

(How long before Disney gets one of its current teen idols to cover this song? It's just as catchy as "Magic", another Pilot hit, which Selena Gomez covered last year. Don't know who Selena Gomez is? You ARE old ;-))

Passionate resolutions

2009-12-31T06:35:00.010-05:00

It's the end of another year. Feel any older? After reading the text below, you might feel just plain old. Someone forwarded me this un-credited list recently - it's probably appeared in your mailbox too by now - and I modified it slightly.

The people who are starting university this year were born in 1991.
They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
The compact disc was introduced eight years before they were born.
They have always had an answering machine.
They have always had email.
They have always had cell phones.
They have always had the Internet.
They have always had VCRs and video cameras.
They have always had cable.
They never swam in the ocean and thought about Jaws.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.

Now do you feel old? Sorry about that.

Anyway, my point with all this? Time flies. Spend what you can of it on what thrills you. If you don't know what thrills you (besides David, of course), I hope that you find it in the New Year.

Here's David wishing us passion.

Don't let the time fool ya
It's got a way of slippin by
If you let it it's gonna rule ya
And leave you high and dry
It's too easy to get lazy
If you don't use what you got
It might even drive you crazy
So get up and move and get hot

-"On Fire", written by David Cassidy and Bill House

"Hold on Me"

2009-12-30T03:42:00.003-05:00

Whatever made me type "David Cassidy" in Google's search engine box almost a year ago never prepared me for his hold on me since.

From his "Dreams Are Nuthin' More than Wishes" album, here's the haunting "Hold on Me", composed by Michael McDonald. Oh, honey...

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

2009-12-24T15:00:00.001-05:00

Lovely song, lovely sentiment. Thank you Cherish David for the clip. Doesn't feature David, unfortunately, but still, a way for me to reiterate my best wishes to you and yours this holiday season. Not sure if I'll be posting before the New Year. Until then, take good care everyone. You have made my blogging journey very enjoyable so far and all your contributions have been appreciated. Thank you!

"The Christmas Song"

2009-12-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

David NOW. Wish he'd enunciated better but I quibble. He still has a smoooooth voice. And dang, that "you" at the end? Consider yourself warned.

Merry Christmas! I wish you all Happy Holidays with your loved ones.

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"...

2009-12-22T22:27:00.005-05:00

Love the bells at the beginning of this Partridge Family version. LOVE the way David sings "feeling" (0:48). Who wouldn't try to stop under the mistletoe* with him?!

*For those unfamiliar with the tradition: a couple standing under hanging mistletoe must kiss. For those interested in the history of the tradition, some info here.

"Jingle Bells"

2009-12-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

Who knew "snow" could sound so sexy? DC's "dashing through the snow" line is pretty much the only thing that redeems this version.

"Frosty the Snowman"

2009-12-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

If this version of the song had been used in the movie instead of the original on which it was based, would "Frosty the Snowman" be the beloved children's classic it is?
Nope.

The Magic of Christmas

2009-12-19T18:00:00.000-05:00

Not mentioning particulars about this clip because of copyright. Find more info here. Don't you just love how he sings "heart" and "soul"? So sweet and warm.

You can hear the whole song here, courtesy of SumerKis. Don't recall on which album it is.

His brother Shaun had a hit with the song in 1978. Good voice but it lacks David's sweetness, doesn't it?

Written by John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful, it was a hit for them in 1965. A great song.

"Winter Wonderland"

2009-12-18T18:00:00.000-05:00

The man certainly can do justice to a tux. Too bad he lightened his hair though. He looks striking with dark brown hair; borders on ordinary with lighter hair. Hmm. Could that have been the goal?

Jones and Cassidy sounded different in "The Partridge Family" version, didn't they? I do believe it is Shirley Jones on lead here.

"White Christmas"

2009-12-17T22:00:00.003-05:00

Ok, by now, you've probably figured out that I'll be featuring songs from The Partridge Family's Christmas Card album during December. Did you expect anything else? For shame.

And here's David Cassidy solo in 1982. Doesn't Shirley Jones look proud?

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

2009-12-16T22:00:00.002-05:00

Well, he is. And our little one is starting to believe us and getting to bed without a fuss. So there.

Once again, David Cassidy with The Partridge Family:

For the heck of it and some cute pictures, this is Frank Sinatra's version:

Now, I'm not overly fond of either arrangement - each fussy in its own way - but listen to the vocals. Can someone explain to me why Frank Sinatra is considered to be among the top male singers EVER? I don't hear it. I really don't.

The King and Him

2009-12-15T23:11:00.001-05:00

Elvis Presley and David Cassidy. Parallels have been drawn and comparisons have been made. They both recorded "Blue Christmas". Compare if you dare.

Elvis Presley (never mind the visual - it was the only video I could find that had the recorded version of the song.)

David Cassidy (singing lead for The Partridge Family)

Remember when I wondered if perhaps Billy Idol's voice could give David's a run for its money? Well, what sounded sexy in "Sweet Sixteen" sounds scary in "Blue Christmas".

"It's Fun for a Boy and a Girl!"

2009-12-15T20:40:00.000-05:00

"...iSlinky Challenge 2.0 version will bring Slinky further into the digital age with all new and exciting Slinky game-based challenges, added interactivity and a sizzling new version of the classic Slinky jingle performed by ‘70's pop icon David Cassidy."

The word "sizzling" has me worried. Is it shorthand for dance/hip-hop? Either way, it will be cool to hear David's version on the tube.

Click here for the press release touting the iSlinky application. Call me a fuddy-duddy but wasn't tactile play Slinky's main appeal? Oh well, I'll leave it to someone else to ponder the ramifications of transforming simple toys for the digital age.

Here's an original commercial for the toy.

My Christmas Card to You

2009-12-14T12:50:00.016-05:00

I've mailed out my Season's Greetings to friends and family, so this is "My Christmas Card to You", dear blog readers. Can someone's best holiday wishes be expressed any better than this?

"To you and all your family, your neighbors and your friends
May all your days be happy with a joy that never ends
May peace and love surround you
At Christmas time and all the whole year through
May your life be filled with sunshine, may your every wish come true
May you find the sweet fulfillment in everything you do
May your days be blessed with the very very best
Both now and the whole year through"

Thank you Tony Romeo for another classic song.

Here's David, singing it THEN to "yew":

And, NOW, live in 2007. Thanks to SumerKis for posting both videos.