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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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".
"...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.
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.
Now, here's an à propos clip. Thanks to Catgil for the early Christmas present. I daresay I've never seen David sport a more adorable smile than he does after he sings his Pooh bear line.
BTW, this clip is from the 1982 "Frank Mills' Christmas Special". Frank Mills is the Canadian pianist who wrote the catchy instrumental "Music Box Dancer" which became a huge hit for him in 1978. I have very vivid memories of my father turning up the volume when this tinkly piano tune came on the radio - can't believe that was over thirty years ago.
And sounded fabulous doing it too, in my humble opinion.
Apparently, David Cassidy recorded some material in 1979 for an album that never saw the light of day. Some of the songs were compiled on "Best of David Cassidy" and released, against his wishes, in 1991 by Curb Records in Japan. "Classic Songs" is the same album minus four songs plus "ITILY" and was released in the States in 1998.
"Best of David Cassidy" reminds me of my frequent Friday night suppers, aka bunch of leftovers on a plate. Might be the lazy man's meal, but with lean budgets these days, we can't be throwing out food, now can we? Well, David Cassidy's discography is not so voluminous that I can afford to discard any of his releases, so I was thankful to hear this one.
On most songs, he sounds in dire need of a sinus decongestant - hardly his best singing. However, on three of them - "Crazy Love", "All I Want is You" and this one, the disco-flavored "Save Me, Save Me" - he sounds mighty fine and the songs are quite palatable. "Save Me, Save Me" was written by Albhy Galuten and Barry Gibb, so the disco flavor shouldn't come as a big surprise. I wonder how surprised DC was to record it. He's so adamant in "Could It Be Forever?" that he doesn't do disco. It's okay David, disco's cool now. Way cooler than those dance remixes you did.
Dusty Springfield, Britain's favorite blue-eyed soul singer, recorded the same song around the same time. So did Frankie Valli.
You can hear a short sample of Dusty Springfield's version on Amazon. Find a sample of Frankie Valli's version on this page. Is it me or does this legend sound whinier than a three-year old? "Save Me, Save Me" is probably not one of the former BeeGee's most popular songs - I could only find Cassidy's version on YouTube. Thank you CherishDavid!
Does anyone have any information on the song "Crazy Love" that appears on "Classic Songs", "Best Of David Cassidy" and "How Can I Be Sure"? The Downunder fansite credits Rusty Young as songwriter. The only Rusty Young I can find is a member of the band Poco but DC is not singing Poco's "Crazy Love". According to what I read on the Downunder site, David Cassidy does have a connection to Poco: he sang back up on one of Richie Furay's albums. Furay is a founding member of Poco. I Googled the lyrics and the only page that comes up is the lyrics page for the song on the Downunder site.
David Cassidy's "Crazy Love" - catchy enough
Poco's "Crazy Love" - a hit for them but not my style
And of course, "Crazy Love" makes me think of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love". Catchy as all heck, it's my surefire abs workout and NME just named it "Song of the Decade". (The voters have spoken. We are to deal with it and wait for the next decade.)
That crazy catchy hook in "Crazy in Love" that my hips can't resist? Sampled. Here is the original horn hook from "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)" by the Chi-Lites, from 1971. Yup, 1971. Anybody write anything original this decade?
Now that my addiction to David Cassidy's voice is out in the open, I can admit that since my re-discovery journey began seven months ago, not a day has gone by that I have not listened to some of his music. David Cassidy is all that I listen to in the car - even for the shortest car ride, I'll go back in the house to retrieve one of his CDs if I've none with me rather than turn the radio on. Some fans have been fans for YEARS; surely, there must be days when they don't listen to his voice?!?!? This addiction is a first for me. Those of you similarly addicted, have you ever experienced this before with any other singer?
I guess everyone experiences music and voices differently but since I can literally ache for David Cassidy's voice, I am aghast at anyone indifferent to it. I'd love to see a CAT scan of my brain while listening to his voice: all the pleasure points would be lit up like a Christmas tree. There's a study for an aspiring scientist.
Here's "Fix of Your Love" from his 1975 release "The Higher They Climb, The Harder They Fall". Whoa, whoa, whoa, indeed.
Remember my challenge to you all? Well, I may just have found a male voice that tingles my spine, toes and assorted body parts in between as much as Mr. David Cassidy's voice does. The aspiring contender to the crown of "Sexy smooth voice as evocative as it is sweet" is....drum roll please....
Michael Bublé.
I kid, I kid.
Seriously, the contender is the lead singer of a Canadian group, The Philosopher Kings. I came across one of their old-but-feels-like-yesterday-hits from 1997 (was that really TWELVE years ago?!?) as well as their cover of a mid-80s MTV staple of the same vintage and went, "whoa, sexy, sexy...who are you and why did I drop your CD from my playlist?!" Listened to a few of their obscure hits and the evidence of a winner is mounting.
Ladies and gentlemen, feast your ears on Mr. Gerald Eaton, aka Jarvis Church in his second life as a solo artist, post-The Philosopher Kings. So far, I prefer his work with TPK but I'm not familiar with his whole discography. His voice is sexy, smooth, evocative and has that elusive sweetness I find so addictive in a singer's voice.
Comments, as usual, are welcome.
Couldn't limit myself to three songs, sorry. This one is more recent, from a 2006 album:
Finally, a sweet sentiment and video from Jarvis Church, Mr. Eaton's solo alias:
So, I'm back to listening to David Cassidy's recordings ;-) This song is "Spooky", an instrumental written by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (Shapiro) in the sixties. Four versions here for your listening pleasure.
The first version with lyrics by the Classics IV - it charted at #3 in the U.S. in 1968:
Atlanta Rhythm Section re-recorded the song in 1979:
REM's live version (with a weird intro by Mr. Stipe):
David Cassidy from his 2003 "Touch of Blue" CD - his version's a bit schmaltzy, I fear, but his voice is still a pleasure to hear:
This is the first fan review (Sheriffswell at 12:21) that I've come across of David Cassidy's show in New York last night. Sounds like a yawn fest to me. Same old, same old save for a couple of songs on the list that I've never heard him perform but they're not from his stuff. "Brass in Pocket" again? Have pity, we beg you.
First clip up on You Tube below. And to female-fan-who-shrieks-so? Cool your jets, please. This awful remix is hardly worth the voice strain and saliva. Oh, you're screaming to prove your attraction to him and not your appreciation of the music? Silly me. Go right ahead then. I'm sure he'll appreciate the novelty.
You know how some songs, the first time you hear them, grab you with both a visceral, utter familiarity and a freshness that makes your spine tingle? They play out so naturally and effortlessly that you can't imagine them any other way and there's an inherent timelessness to them as if the songwriter strung together just the right notes, in just the right order, to capture an eternal melody or permanent rhythm nestled in our collective subconscious. You listen and the reaction is almost always immediate: "Wow. Of course."
Yesterday, I discovered the classic song in the video below. Or rather, I re-discovered it since I recalled having heard it before - probably the Boney M. cover because I'm a child of the late seventies. I don't think that I'd ever heard this version, the original, sung by its creator, Bobby Hebb. Below it, Marvin Gaye's smooth rendition and finally, The Four Tops'.
How do you think David Cassidy would fare with "Sunny"?
By the way, "Sunny" was #25 in BMI's Top 100 Songs of the Century, which are "the most played songs on American radio and television." Check out the title at #22 ;-)
From what I've read, David Cassidy's fan base is stronger in Europe and in Australia than in North America. Not only that, but he seems to be taken more seriously as a singer by critics overseas than he is at home. If you search for reviews of his recordings, chances are good that the few "real" ones you will find (i.e. not from fans on Amazon) will be on English sites. His album "The Higher they Climb, The Harder they Fall" was voted best LP of the year by readers of Bravo, a German magazine - was it even getting any airplay in North America? It seems he fell out of favor much quicker in North America than in the rest of world.
In North America, the reaction you get when you say "David Cassidy" is more often than not, "Seriously?" Am I mistaken in thinking it would be more favorable elsewhere?
Am I crazy to love this song? Now, really listen to it and don't watch the video. Tell me, is that David singing "All I want is you" at 3:13 and all those "ooh babys" and "honeys" at the end (e.g. 3:38, 3:58, 4:04 and 4:13)?
Doesn't he just look absolutely FABULOUS here? His drop-dead gorgeous smile is the same one he sported more than twenty years prior in the Weekend at Wembley documentary when he's looking up at the cheering crowd: an ageless, confident, sweet and heart-melting open smile. In this 1995 clip below, he talks briefly about putting on a Liverpudlian accent for his role in Blood Brothers. The sound isn't clear enough to make me feel guilty for not really listening ;-)
Let's just file this under wtf, okay? Excuse the crass language. This page popped up in a "non-Google but powered by Google" search and honestly, it looks like one of those dynamic sites that returns its hawked wares with your celebrity search name and corresponding bio "cleverly" inserted in the text. Or maybe David Cassidy's publicist really got him this endorsement deal.
Is our interest in "David's Sunday Disaster", aka "the David Cassidy Debacle", akin to rubber-necking an automobile accident on the highway? Perhaps. For me though, what really comes across in most comments, especially those on my blog, is that David Cassidy fans CARE about him. We are concerned about him and about his career. We want him to succeed, we want him to be remembered as a multi-faceted and talented performer, not "just" a teen idol. (The quotation marks are there because I don't think it's that simple being a teen idol and I resent how the press dismisses a performer with that label.)
As I look back on David Cassidy's career, I can't help but know he never got the career his talent deserved and I think it's a shame. There are a lot of factors that come into play into creating a successful career. It's not just talent. Some factors are beyond a performer's control but others, such as conduct, should be within a performer's control. Stars have publicists to help them when their conduct is less than stellar. I can't understand why David Cassidy's management team effed up the whole thing as it did with the rebuttal in The National Enquirer. It reads more like the work of a sworn enemy than the work of a publicist. Seriously, wtf??? Thank you, CassidyFanNoMore, for directing us to the response from the organizers of The Hollywood Show. Once more, I tip my hat to Ms Moose's class act. And kudos to Scott, at C'mon Get Happy, for managing the discourse in this whole mess with the deftness of a bomb disposal expert.
It's true, this whole debacle won't get much more coverage than the National Enquirer and David Cassidy/PF boards, fan sites, blog(s?) and the like. Who else cares about David Cassidy today?
The National Enquirer - probably the only publication to have reported "David's Sunday Disaster" - printed David Cassidy's "apology" in their latest issue. You can view it on the C'mon Get Happy Site - Scott posted it on November 12 at 11h45 pm. Tried to upload the article image here but it's not as legible.
Note to David Cassidy and his management: this is not an apology; this is an excuse along the lines of "poor me, can't you see it's not my fault if I acted like a jackass?". Shame on David Cassidy's management to enable him to disrespect his fans this way. First, he blamed the fans and now he blames the event's organizers. So many other ways this could have played and turned out well. Copyright issues with pictures? Fine, don't sign those. Sign the other memorabilia that fans from far and wide brought you to sign, thirty-five years after your fame's peak. Can't shake hands or pose with fans because you've got the flu? Not a problem. We understand. You're a trooper for showing up in that condition, thank you for minimizing the contagion risks but most of all, thank you for making our dream of meeting you a reality.
By the way, Mr. Cassidy, explaining the refusal to sign Partridge Family photos with "That was then; this is now" at an autograph and memorabilia show IS diva (sic) behavior.
Hi, my name is Daydreaming David and I'm addicted to David Cassidy's voice.
Faithful reader and commenter British fan mentioned a couple of entries back that she was listening to The Partridge Family's "Crossword Puzzle" - probably the least-loved of all their albums - and was appreciating ALL the songs on it thanks solely to David's voice. I can relate. There's just something about that man's voice. I am totally hooked. On "As Long As There's You", doesn't his voice just comfort, especially during this verse (1:23 - 1:44)?:
You are the sun that shines upon my face And smiles upon my life in everything I do So let the rain come pouring to the ground Cause nothing gets me down As long as there is you
Actually, there are a lot of somethings about that man's voice. It's sweet, seductive, soothing and to my ears, very special. Singmedavid calls it inimitable. Can you find me a male singer whose voice is as lovely and his phrasing as evocative as DC's? C'mon. Help me kick my habit. This is not a rhetorical question :)
From the previously-mentioned "Crossword Puzzle", here is "It's You". Try and resist David Cassidy's sexy "Hello Baby" opening.
This list might not give David Cassidy the warm and fuzzies, but it does keep his name in the public's consciousness and any heyday fan of his who comes across it is only going to have fond memories of those Cassidy-mania days. Not only that, but if that fan hasn't kept up with DC's career, this mention might prompt a quick look-up on the Interwebs or uTube after wondering, "whatever happened to him?"
And that, as we all know, is when the fun REALLY starts.
(Barry Williams at #14 with Donny Osmond at #19? All sorts of wrong there.)
Since learning of this song's existence, I've been dying to hear it. "Frozen Noses?" What kind of song could that be? Thanks to CherishDavid for sharing it and creating the perfect video to accompany David's composition. It was the B-side to the 1974 UK-only single "If I Didn't Care". What was wrong with North America that we couldn't appreciate his stuff back then?
I'll admit that at first listen, I thought the lyrics were hokey. The more I listen to the song though, the more I like it. His voice is sexy and the imagery is as sweet and innocent as the melody.
"In his hand melts the snow that he brushed from her hair"
Is there a country flavor to this song? Could it be revived today?
We all seem to think it would be great if David Cassidy sung some of his overlooked gems (solo and PF) during his concerts. I'll admit I have never seen him in concert and I'd hesitate to go knowing he'd be playing the same old, same old. I thought I'd dedicate an entry to the songs we wish he'd play in concert. What are some of the songs you'd like to hear him perform live? Heck, if you're enterprising, do a whole concert play list. That's what, six songs with all his banter? ;-)
My top choices from the Partridge Family repertoire:
"One Night Stand" One night stand here refers to a musician's life on the road, not to a relationship. Written by Paul Anka ("My Way") and Wes Farrell, it's a bit more adult than the usual Partridge Family fare.
"Every Little Bit O'You" From the songwriters who brought the world "Tie a Yellow Ribbon...", this often forgotten PF gem might be a bit sophomoric lyric-wise, but it's so catchy and upbeat, do we really care? Bonus: it was featured in that "I Can Get it to You for Retail" episode from Season 2 that many fans rank as their favorite. You know, the one where they're performing this song on top of the bus and Keith's hair is blowing so sexily in the wind? What? Keith's hair has nothing to do with the music? Hey, it's my blog. If I want to mention Keith's sexy hair when I discuss music, I'll write about Keith's sexy hair. ;-)
From David Cassidy's solo stuff, how about taking these out for a spin:
"Fix of Your Love" I know he sometimes plays "Common Thief" as a nod to that period in his life. This one would be a change of pace. It's a great funky tune that sounds like disco at first listen.
"Junked Heart Blues" Could he still hit all those notes? There's something breathtaking about this song. And he wrote it.
Finally, here is his version of a Partridge Family favorite. No clue how this person found this lost treasure but I'm forever grateful.
Looking forward to reading and hearing your suggestions!
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.
Posted about a great Halloween song by David a week ago. Go have a listen but come back to wish Happy Birthday to Clodyne! This one's for you, chère amie :-) May the coming year be as generous in its blessings to you as you are to us with your David Cassidy fansite.
You know how the producers said they cast David Cassidy in The Partridge Family because he had a non-threatening sexy and androgynous look about him that they knew would be a big hit with the pre-teens? Maybe they really were on to something:
"Women who are ovulating prefer men who are more masculine and "more... genetically unrelated," ...; women who aren't ovulating prefer guys who are more feminine and genetically more similar...."
Read about the scientific theory behind our crush here. Interesting how some of his young female fans from back then are "re-discovering" him now, perhaps at a, uh, certain time in their life? ;-) Dare to chime in?
Oh, and here's an example of young DC's non-threatening sexuality.
Let's all thank Annie Leibovitz for capturing that image. I've a feeling we're not the only generation that will appreciate it.
So, David Cassidy does not care to be remembered for his role on The Partridge Family. I really don't understand why. Does he not realize how awesome his acting was in that role? Keith Partridge might have been a simple guy but David Cassidy gave him three-dimensional life. Yes, David Cassidy was so good-looking that it still hurts to watch him on DVD but his looks alone don't explain Keith Partridge's appeal or why the character is still remembered so fondly today.
It's David Cassidy's credible performance in the PF musical numbers that inspired countless of young people to pick up a guitar or a hairbrush and sing their hearts out (e.g. Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls). And to think he didn't care for the music he sang back then! I don't recall one musical segment where he looks uncomfortable singing the material. Serious kudos for just keeping a straight face as lead singer of the make-believe band.
He had great comic timing. One of my favorite moments is in episode 15 of Season 3, "For Whom the Bell Tolls", when Keith and Laurie arrive home to discover that a "burglar" is inside their house leaving with their couch. Crouching in the bushes beneath the living room window, the pair debate what to do and Laurie tells Keith he must stop the thief. When Keith balks, she accuses him of being afraid. All his protests are for naught when the "burglar" (really their band manager Reuben Kincaid) pokes his head out the window and says "hi". Keith's surrender is total and instantaneous, with both hands in the air and a gulping "Take my money." Well played.
The show didn't offer him much chance to play the serious card but I loved him in "Partridge up a Pair Tree" (Season 1, episode 21), when Keith buys a clunker of a car and is forever borrowing money from his family. He has no money to take out his girlfriend, Carol, and ends up having a couple of serious talks with her to discuss his predicament. Totally believable teenager here. (He does look as if he's about to crack up when watching the veggie slicer demo but that's not supposed to be a serious scene ;-))
Where is the shame in this role? Keith Partridge was a straightforward character in a show with an implausible premise but David Cassidy couldn't have played him more perfectly. He was riveting as Keith Partridge. So many fans of the show still have fond memories of Keith Partridge today, almost forty years later. Just because it's not Shakespeare doesn't make it a legacy to disown.
Some David Cassidy fans seem to think that if we criticize him or his work, we are bashing him. I thought I'd address this in a separate blog entry rather than in a comment buried in a thread.
I truly believe that you can be an objective fan. We are not twelve years old anymore and have developed some critical thinking along the way. Some of his stuff is great; some of it is bad. Sometimes he's gracious with fans; other times, he's an ass. I would think that David Cassidy, of all people, would appreciate some objectivity from fans seeing as he complained of the fanaticism in his heyday. Try and find some critical coverage on his performances or work back then. Apart from that Rolling Stone article - and even that focused more on the phenomenon that he was, rather than his actual talent - there really isn't much. He wasn't a god then (just looked like one...) and isn't a god now. Objectively critiquing his work and public behavior is not David-bashing. It's appreciating him as a real person, with talents, faults and qualities.
Not properly rehearsing "Mae" before a performance? You can call that lazy. You can also call it self-sabotage. There are not many other rational explanations for that fact seeing as he knew this was a top song request from fans for months prior to that tour. Seriously, what's up with that? To use an analogy the twelve year old in us will understand, that's like skipping class, not doing any homework all semester and studying the material for the first time the night before the final exam.
Thank you American Girl for your comment in the previous thread alerting us of official word about "David Sunday's Disaster". Are these statements (bolding mine) really the best way for David Cassidy's manager to address the situation?
"He did get irritable – as fans got angry and nasty because he wouldn’t do exactly what they wanted. He’s not an object, he’s a person. Others tend to forget that. The reason he left was because A) he threw up in the bathroom and felt sick as a dog; and B) he didn’t want to anger any more fans by not cooperating fully with their excessive demands. David loves his fans and is very cognizant of their support over their years and appreciates it."
Angry and nasty fans with your excessive demands, shame on you! And the PR mess gets messier.
David Cassidy removing those Partridge Family pictures from the table at The Hollywood Show had nothing to do with his attitude about the past but rather everything to do with avoiding legal problems. Apparently, the show acquired the pictures without copyright. That's how someone in Mr. Cassidy's camp explained it to someone on a certain David forum.
Hmm. Doesn't wash with me. Sorry. If that were the case, why say "That was then, this is now" to explain the removal of the pics? If that were the case, why not just say so to the always-so-understanding-and-forgiving DC fans? If that were the case, why refuse to sign the PF-era paraphernalia brought in by fans?
I'm starting to wonder if the reason is as simple as vanity, as a reader here mentioned in a recent post. It must be difficult to go to a show like this and be constantly reminded of your heyday when your good looks blinded everyone to your talents. Does he see those pictures of himself and wonder "What if...?" and "Damn, I should have appreciated those years more?" Or simply, does he just hate those years so much that he hates the reminders just as much? I dunno.
I know that I've heard him disparage his THEN looks during his recent concerts and interviews with comments such as "Who's that? Oh, she's pretty!" when looking at old posters of himself with his gorgeous long locks and "my gayest cover ever", referring to the Cherish album cover. Does he hate his THEN looks thinking perhaps that if he had looked different, we wouldn't have fallen for him so and turned him into a teen idol? His looks were slightly different pre-PF yet his appearances on TV shows still managed to elicit enough fan mail to teen magazines to show he was garnering a following of young admirers.
If a time machine could take David Cassidy THEN and transport him forty years later to NOW, I'm convinced he'd be just as big a teen sensation now as he was back then (not that he wanted to be, I know!). Zac Efron and the Jonas Brothers have nothing on young DC. Is it just me or does his look back then have a timeliness to it? I feel that way about his music too so might I be duping myself because I've been in a DC/PF bubble these past few months?
He was drop dead gorgeous AND adorable as a puppy: his fate as a teen idol was sealed, Partridge Family or not.
Ok, so maybe Joe Jonas could give young DC a run for his money. :-)
It's decided. I'm blasting this song all evening as I open the door for the little neighborhood trick or treaters. They're getting David Cassidy and chocolate. Pretty good deal, if you ask me.
Now, I'll just need one person to ask me "who's singing that cool song?" so that I can reply "why, that's David Cassidy" and my evening will be made.
I don't think most David Cassidy fans were enamored with the dance remixes and now, "Ruby" wasn't renewed. If you were DC's manager, what projects would you suggest to him? Here are some of my ideas.
-Collaborate with Bill House and Gerry Buckley on some songwriting again and get back in the recording studio! More bluesy stuff please...This is fabulous and so is this. Did DC write these lyrics or did Gerry Buckley?
"Fell out of a dream Bendin' out in the streets Lost love just pulled the rug out under me My resistance was low With only bruises to show Just a fool that turned another cheek again" -"Take this Heart" on "Home is Where the Heart is"
Not bad. Not bad at all.
-Record a Christmas album and include the original PF "My Christmas Card to You" and his more recent "Do You Believe in Magic". Difficult to suggest other songs because you don't want songs that have so many classic interpretations that comparisons are endless but there must be some good, lesser-known holiday season songs that would benefit from his smooth voice!
-A lullaby album. Don't you wish this were longer (from 0:55 to 1:36)?
My project ideas focus mostly on his voice. What can I say, I think it's fab and has loads of personality. Who has ideas for guest starring roles? Other genres to sing? After "David's Sunday Disaster", perhaps some fans will say he should simply retire to his horses, but I can't help wanting to discover more of his talent. It's not totally tapped yet.
I mentioned in my previous post that I remembered this performance as not sounding so great. A reader kindly refreshed my memory by sending me the link to the video on Oprah's site. Thank you kind reader. He's not singing out of tune but the song has a slightly different arrangement/tempo here than the original. The audience is certainly boogie-ing. No unmentionables are strewn about and he doesn't serenade anyone in the audience.
I must have been thinking of another TV appearance. I'd better start those memory exercises...if I could just remember where I put them ;-)
"David talks about his old hits, which he says were crafted by the best in the business. "Some of the greatest musicians that ever, ever lived, I worked with and played with," he says. "I soaked it up like a sponge. In those five years, I couldn't have had [a better] education. I couldn't have bought it if I had $10 million.""
Oh, but you did, David. You did buy that education. Remember all those merchandising royalties you never got paid?
Now, what I want to know is where does he get five years? I'm assuming he's referring to the Partridge Family music. Isn't that four years? Does he round up the years, the way he rounds up his height?
And was I alone in being embarrassed by his performance on that show? I saw it once - probably on YT - and recall a lot of awkwardness from serenaded audience members. Didn't he sing ITILY out of tune? It didn't sound good at all. That's what I remember.
Here's David singing about money, making it sound sexier than it already is. Song written by Wes Farrell, Danny Janssen and Bobby Hart; appears on the PF's "Bulletin Board" album.
Two great posts over at the C'mom Get Happy site today (kiethlives' very insightful one at 3:58 and Scott's hilarious one at 5:07) about David's Sunday Disaster (that's what I'm calling it now, folks - almost sounds good enough to eat, no?) but one tidbit particularly caught my attention: "it's going to hit the tabloids next week".
Crap. Once it hits the tabloids, that's it, it's everywhere. People love to mock celebrities and their bad behavior. And it soon becomes a dog pile. (For the record, we are not dog piling here; we are discussing, assessing, bemoaning and speculating. We are doing a lot of things but we are not dog piling.) I can just hear radio announcers having a field day mocking David and the Partridge Family. It makes me wince. It makes me angry. It's undeserved. Well, maybe David's attitude deserves something akin to mocking, but how dare they disrespect the PF! So what do we do? Email them our dissertations on why The Partridge Family still deserves a following forty years after it debuted? Request they play David's version of "Ain't No Sunshine" instead of looping the ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-baba refrain of ITILY while they laugh in the background?
Then again, maybe it'll hit the tabloids and nothing will happen. It'll be like your first birthday party where you invite your whole class and two people show up.
Something else caught my attention in Scott's post: did David really call a woman in the audience at a concert the *c* word? That is beyond bad. Was he drinking? It doesn't excuse the behavior - it just explains it. Did this incident hit the press at the time?
Have you seen the latest update on Sunday's "mishap" on the "C'mon Get Happy" bulletin board? Scott actually contacted David's publicist and was told to "get a life". Seriously?! Hmmm. In one of my first blog posts, "Get a life!" is how I imagined people would respond to my admission that David Cassidy was on my mind a lot since I rediscovered him. In these past few months, I've spent many hours researching David's career and discovering his recordings. More than once have I asked myself if he was really worth all that time and effort. Sunday's incident and his publicist's sardonic response lead me to conclude that he isn't.
Apparently, The Partridge Family "is not how David cares to be seen or remembered." David Cassidy really doesn't get it, does he?
In a review of one of David Cassidy's concerts back in 2001, Mary Ladd had this to say about him:
"David Cassidy, the adult version, strikes me as someone who could throw a temper tantrum real good and clean, like a shock (sic) put. He's like that kid on the playground who can't take a joke and is therefore the butt of all of them. Not happy with the sound level at Incahoots, David Cassidy kept complaining about it, giving stern looks to the loitering stage hands. Ominous looks backstage and then turning back to smile at the fans, as if to say, "No, my children, it’s not you." It brought the room down."
According to Ladd, Cassidy takes himself too seriously. The review can be found here.
Discuss. If you still care. And haven't gotten a life yet.
I wasn't there but this account seems impartial enough to be believable. Guess Mr. Cassidy is still ambivalent about his past as a teen idol. "That was then; this is now." It's unfortunate for him, but for the most part, David Cassidy will always be, first and foremost, a teen idol to his fans. Even more so to fans who attend an event that mainly celebrates nostalgia and memorabilia. Any star who doesn't want to be associated with his past shouldn't participate in this type of show. Such events don't exist to promote careers: they exist to make fans happy and generate cash for celebrities and the organizers.
Seeing his name on that show's roster surprised me. Part of me had trouble believing he'd do this type of event, especially since "Ruby" was not renewed. I was doubly surprised to see the PF pics one could order by mail for an autograph.
Here are my theories about his requests though: I've read that he's had a few eye operations to repair optic nerves in one eye. Flashes might blind him which would explain why he often refuses photographs. Limiting the number of autographs might be linked to the painful skin condition he's written about having on his hands. Still, these "reasons" don't excuse the divo behavior. They just warrant a matter-of-fact explanation to very understanding, forgiving fans.
What happened, David? Did you forget that if it weren't for your loyal fans, you'd be pumping gas somewhere? Do you still resent how much fans cherish The Partridge Family? Why do you insist on proving you aren't worthy of all the adulation?
If you want your fans from THEN to be fans NOW, how about endearing yourself to them instead of treating them with contempt? Throw in a free "Then and Now" poster/bookmark/mouse pad or other promo trinket with the autographed picture for which they paid so dearly. You really want to make them love you NOW? Include a CD single of "Ain't No Sunshine" from that release.
David's website features this recent pic of himself performing in Bensalem. Lots of shots of his fans too. He should take another look at those; he seems to have forgotten them.
I've often read that David hates to sing "Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted" because of its spoken part. Yet, he sings "Echo Valley 2-6809" in concert and it has a spoken part. My theory is that the spoken words in the first song hit just too close to home for Mr. Cassidy during the Partridge Family period. He's often mentioned how lonely he felt at the peak of his fame because he was so isolated from the real world.
'You know, I'm no different than anybody else I start each day and end each night It gets really lonely when you're by yourself And where is love? And who is love? I gotta know'
-spoken part in "Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted", songwriters: Wes Farrell, Jim Cretecos and Mike Appel
Or maybe he just thinks they're crappy lyrics. ;-)
Ok, so I don't "need" it. I need food, water, air, love and a strong sense of self or whatever else is on that pyramid scheme Abraham Maslow had going. I want this. But on a certain spiritual level, I need it too.
The two male celebrities who left the biggest impression on me photographed together. (Right click on the title and open in a new window.) This picture is so cool on so many levels for me. Where to start? David Cassidy was my first celebrity crush, a man whose looks back then make me ache for a time machine and a genie to grant me three wishes today. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been the epitome of discipline to me ever since I discovered bodybuilding in 1980.
How did they meet? I wonder if they are at Arnold's place here? Probably. It looks like a picture of Joe Weider on the wall. They could be at his buddy's place. The picture was taken in 1977, so in that post-PF, pre-Man Undercover, "low period". David looks a bit "mellow" here, no? Might have something to do with what's in the bottle Arnie's holding. Funny to see these two physical opposites next to each other. Cassidy doesn't look as small as one would expect next to the "Austrian Oak". Well, the camera does add ten pounds. ;-)
Thank you, Mr. Diltz, for another amazing photograph. Order your own print here.
Urban Dictionary has five definitions for the expression "bedroom eyes". I say scrap them all and replace them with this picture. Anyone still unclear on the concept? Didn't think so ;-)
Tell me, what's your favorite David Cassidy song and why do you like it so?
Mine is "Some Old Woman" from the "Dreams..." album. The song is wonderfully bluesy and his clear, warm voice has just the right mix of velvet and rawness for it. Just love the way he says "whoa" and how he makes me want to believe he's "as pure as a newborn child". The first time I heard this song, it didn't register. I heard it properly the second time and then I was hooked. Does he ever do it in concerts? Would be a nice alternate to "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone".
"Dreams..." is by far my favorite album of his. It's mixed to perfection with nothing to detract from his fabulous voice and the songs are timeless.
My close second is "If I didn't care" which was released as a single in the mid-seventies. On CD, it can be found on "Then and Now", "A Touch of Blue" and "David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection". I think he's only recorded one version, but I'm not 100% certain. Did he re-record it for "Then and Now"?
This melodious song has to be one of the most romantic songs ever written. Not an ounce of sap or cheesiness to it, just sincere, evocative lyrics.
If I didn't care, more than words can say If I didn't care, would I feel this way? If this isn't love, then why do I thrill? And what makes my head go round an' round While my heart stands still?
I think David Cassidy's version is the most timeless. The original recorded by the Ink Spots in 1939 sounds almost comical today and Connie Francis' version bears the unmistakable background vocals of the fifties. The most recent version might be the one sung by Amy Adams and Lee Pace in the 2008 film "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day" - quite nice, serves the scene perfectly. One recorded performance by Frank Sinatra on YouTube supposedly dates from 1939 and is, as is pretty much every song the man has done, vocally perfect. It just doesn't thrill me ;)
Cassidy's version thrills me. First, there is that sexy intro with the piano/snare drum combo and his "ummmm". Take me now (oops, did I type that out loud?). Second, his breathy vocals. An absolute perfect match for the lyrics, they make the words almost tentative, as if he were discovering these truths while singing the song, which, to my mind, is a much more romantic interpretation than the overly confident declarations sung by the other artists. Finally, I love how he sings "you" at the very end.
Here's a portion of David Cassidy's "If I didn't care". Recent live versions from concerts abound on YT and it's interesting to hear how differently he sings it now. His voice has more power, he holds the notes longer and there's no tentativeness in his interpretation. The problem with the live versions is that the audience sings along, drowning him out. At least UK audiences always sing on key as Mr. Cassidy has noted.
And here's "Some Old Woman" because it's criminally under-appreciated.
Released in 1990, David Cassidy's self-titled album includes the hit "Lyin' To Myself". The album was seen as a comeback to the recording scene, at least here in North America where his previous release dated to 1976 with "Gettin' it in the Street".
Is it me or is his voice different on this album? Granted, his vocals take a backseat to the drum machine as they did on "Romance", but he sounds different here. His phrasing, if this is the right term for what I mean, is different, no? For example, in the song "Labor of Love", he emphasizes and stretches out the "uh" sound in "love" whereas he used to stress the last syllable in words. In "You Remember Me", the vocals are halting and abrupt. I think his voice sounds good on "Stranger in your Heart" but again, unexpected syllables are accentuated ("giv-En", "l-uh-ver" at 1:06) and the effect isn't as pleasing to the ear. Same thing on "Boulevard of Broken Dreams": his voice tumbles down on vowels (e.g. hero that w-s, walk a-l-ne) and the effect is anything but natural.
His vocals seem to lack the instinctive expression that made them so previously warm and alluring. Was this vocal style change prompted by the harder rock on this album or something else? Voice lessons perhaps?
Would love to read from those who have the vocabulary to express what I'm sure I'm not imagining.
David Cassidy, as his devoted fans will be the first to tell you, recorded this Bruce Johnston-penned song before Barry Manilow did. From what I've read, DC's version got limited promotion and airplay in North America and Manilow's version, released shortly after and backed by Clive Davis, head of the Arista record label, won the public's heart.
I've never been a Barry Manilow fan (I do like "Copacabana") so this song was just another one among his sappy repertoire, but I was quite pleasantly surprised to discover David's recording a few months ago. I like it now. To my ears, David Cassidy's rendition overflows with bluesy emotion while Barry Manilow's perfect vocals are duller than a butter knife. While I agree with one YouTuber's assessment that Manilow's version is "more organized and symphonic", I have to say that's what makes the song so trite for me.
What say you?
Here's Mr. Manilow's version which Mr. Johnston apparently considers "the definitive version". High praise from a Beach Boy.
And here's David Cassidy's recording. I prefer DC's live performance that was posted by Soxman2004 on YouTube but thought the visual a bit distracting and the sound too "scratchy" for comparison. Search for it though if you haven't come across it yet: it's worth a listen!
Thanks to one of Clodyne's cool links on her amazing fansite (have I mentioned it's amazing?), I found a picture of something I never thought I'd like: David with a mustache. But with those eyes and that mouth? Many, many sins can be forgiven, including facial hair.
You gotta love the descriptions these sites give to the pinup poses. For this one below, they put "trying to look sexy". Are you effing kidding me? The man defines sexy. And to paraphrase Tom Hanks in that baseball movie, there's no trying in sexy. Check out the question on the left. I certainly don't remember such brazen language in my Tiger Beats (late 70s)! Those fan mag editors sure knew how to torture young girls.
You'll find more of David on pages 32 to 36 here. By the way, Adam Rich was a pinup? Wasn't he like six or something? Who knew. Oh, and if anyone can tell me who ALAN ORDON JORDON is/was, I'd be much obliged. Google kept telling me I was looking for Alan Gordon Jordan. Nope, I don't think I was, thank you very much. Here's Mr. Jordon flaunting his right to go shirtless.
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