Garage Sale Vinyl: The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family Album / Bell Records / October 1970
by Christopher Long
Over the years, I’ve written about so many Partridge Family records that my “well” is running kinda dry, especially given the consistent formula of those (perfect) records. In fact, it could be said that the Partridge Family was the “P.F. Chang’s” of pop music in the early ’70s. You always knew exactly what you were gonna get, and you always got exactly what you paid for: 10-12 intoxicating tunes per record (approximately 2:48 each), the usual go-to studio cats, the standard songwriters, and the tried and true producer. But hey, even AC/DC and the Ramones follow(ed) a signature-style formula.
That said, I felt compelled to power through with this installment, since it’s relevant to last week’s installment. As I’d mentioned, I tend to get a bit cranky when I find myself scouring bins of old records at antique mall-type joints only to discover that they’re all brutally abused slabs, in tattered covers, and indecently high-priced. While visiting one such locale last week in Dyersburg, Tennessee, I came across a copy of The Partridge Family Album, the 1970 debut pop classic from the Partridge Family. Although the condition of the cover looked to be “B+,” the condition of the record itself appeared to be closer to “D.” Big deal, right? It happens. I mean, it’s a 55-year-old record. The problem (for me) was the record’s sticker price — $20. Obscene and offensive, to be sure.
Then, just a couple of days later, while traveling through Mississippi, I discovered Little Big Store, an amazing, authentic indie record shop in the tiny town of Raymond. Housed in a once-abandoned 1800s railroad station, Little Big Store is the real deal: creaky wooden floors, groovy mood lighting, vintage posters lining the walls, and thousands and thousands of glorious, pre-loved records. PLUS, the seductive fragrance of Nag Champa permeated the joint.
A true kindred spirit, longtime store manager Christine, proved to be a personable house party hostess. And in short order, I’d loaded up the front counter with a massive bounty: a (still wrapped) classic Motörhead poster, and “B+” to “A+” condition vinyl copies of John Denver Back Home Again, the Ohio Players Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee (factory-sealed), Tanya Tucker Greatest Hits, and Fleetwood Mac Tango in the Night. A solid score!
While en route from the shop in Raymond to my buddy’s place in Gulfport, it dawned on me, I shoulda checked to see if Christine had that Partridge Family record! Two days later, I made the three-hour trip back to Little Big Store, and sure enough, she had it — an original pressing, in pristine condition. It even came with the original, kissable, full-color mini poster insert. The sticker price — just $12. VICTORY IS MINE!
Overseen by veteran producer Wes Farrell, the record first arrived in stores a couple of weeks following the debut of The Partridge Family TV series, in the fall of 1970 — about a month or so behind the release of the (now) iconic, chart-topping, lead-off single, “I Think I Love You.”
As for the songs, The Partridge Family Album remains an incredible pop set. It wasn’t quite as perfect as the “Fam’s” next two studio releases, Up to Date and Sound Magazine, but it was pretty freaking incredible. And it serves as a faithful soundtrack for the show’s first season, most notably, “Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque” and “Somebody Wants to Love You.”
Fueled by powerhouse performances from “Wrecking Crew” ace guitarists Dennis Budimir, Louie Shelton, and Tommy Tedesco, along with the “Crew’s” celebrated bassists Joe Osborn and Max Bennett, keyboardists Larry Knechtel and Mike Melvoin, and G.O.A.T. drummer Hal Blaine, the record owned as much musical cred as any pop chart-buster of that era — a point proven by such higher octane selections as “Singing My Song” and “I Can Feel Your Heartbeat,” which is listed on the back cover of my copy as “I Can Hear Your Heartbeat.”
While they’ve been dismissed frequently as a fake, made-for-TV “band,” the “Fam’s” real-life vocalists David Cassidy and Shirley Jones were, for the most, fully present throughout the 11-track collection. However, session vocalists Ron Hicklin, John Bahler, Tom Bahler, and Jackie Ward did provide immeasurable heavy lifting from start to finish.
The production and songwriting were all world-class, the performances were impeccable, AND a couple of the “fake” members actually played on the record. Heck, Grammys have been awarded to “artists” who have contributed less.
In sum, 55 years later, The Partridge Family Album still sounds fresh and fun, snappy and happy — especially on warm, cozy garage sale vinyl. And I didn’t get duped by an LP predator!
4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Partridge Family Album Tracklist
SIDE ONE
1. Brand New Me (W. Farrell, E. Singleton) 2:33
2. Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque (T. Romeo) 3:47
3. Bandala (W. Farrell, E. Singleton) 2:24
4. I Really Want to Know You (B. Mann, C. Weil) 2:55
5. Only a Moment Ago (T. Cashman, T. West) 2:33
6. I Can Feel Your Heartbeat (W. Farrell, J. Cretecos, M. Appel) 2:06
SIDE TWO
1. I’m on the Road (B. Mann, C. Weil) 2:50
2. To Be Lovers (M. Charron) 2:44
3. Somebody Wants to Love You (W. Farrell, J. Cretecos, M. Appel) 2:33
4. I Think I Love You (T. Romeo) 2:52
5. Singing My Song (W. Farrell, D. Hildebrand) 2:10
