Notebook arrived as the 7th PF album, and the third album in only three months with David Cassidy on lead vocal. That's an unfathomable amount of music from one artist over the course of just three months, and one of the many reasons that sales began to dip (which one do I pick, mom?) Regardless, it's yet another tightly designed album with great songs, more hits and flawless performances.
The jacket design is the personal favorite of Mary English, who conceptualized and designed all of it herself. English had impeccable handwriting. She could do any style and execute it quickly. It is her handwriting on Christmas Card, most of Up To Date, and now Notebook, planned to reflect the old-school poster boards in classrooms used to teach cursive to children--The Palmer Method.
The record itself contains subtle nuances distinguishing it from previous albums. It opens with a fuzz guitar intro on the PF's last single to hit the Billboard Top 100, "Friend and A Lover," and it hinted at a little more "rock and roll," but not enough to call this collection an example of real change.
It also features the Vietnam anthem "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" as one of three covers by Mann & Weil, a songwriting team David Cassidy loved.
"Together We're Better" is a Tony Romeo stand out, co-written with his best friend, Ken Jacobson. "Walking In The Rain" took the U.K. by storm, peaking at No. 10 over there, and "Looking Through The Eyes of Love" hit No. 39 on the Billboard Top 40 becoming the last PF single to make that coveted Top 40 list.
Thank you, Mary, for another creative design, and thank you John Bahler for another brilliant set of vocal arrangements for our dear Partridge Family.