Day 24: The Partridge Family "Screen Gems Records"

There were an estimated 40 songs heard on the PF TV show that never appeared on the records. These songs remain highly desired by fans nationwide, always hoping that Sony will remaster and release them.

The cast was given special records to take home and learn the words in preparation for shooting the music videos. These versions were different than the versions that were heard on the albums. These albums also contained several different versions of each song.
The mixes were different, often with blunt endings. Sometimes they were shorter, and always they were highly compressed. These records, known by die hard fans as the "Screen Gems Records" are the PF holy grail. Here's a photo of one, just to give you an idea. Most of them are pictured in the book, so if you have a copy, look closely at the small type because you might find mention of your favorite PF unreleased song.

For some Christmas eve fun, please share your favorite unreleased PF song that you remember from the TV show!

Day 23: The Partridge Family TV Dinner

There's something about Shirley Jones head coming out of the mashed potatoes and David Cassidy coming out of the vegetable mix that, well, just cracks me up! Surreal? Absurdist Art? Something David Bowie might have done?

Our dear Mary English was asked to submit ideas for cover designs. This was a simple idea, not intended to be a finished product by any means, and it was submitted along with two or three other ideas.

Bell Records Art Director Beverly Weinstein took a look at this and shuttered, simply shaking her head and saying, "um...no.” But imagine what it could have been with a little development, right? After all, the theme fits on so many levels... Just sayin'..

In 2021 it's now a piece of nostalgia and we are grateful to Mary for, not only what was, but what could have been--and for sharing it with us. (Mary, I actually love it!)

This one's for the collector! Merry Christmas! Now please share some of your own ideas for a Partridge Family album title! :)

Day 22: David Cassidy's Greatest Hits

Bell Records finished up the Cassidy/PF contract with David Cassidy's Greatest Hits, released at Christmastime 1974, around the same time as World Of The Partridge Family.

The album is striking, with a stunning Henry Diltz photo of David Cassidy on the cover. The album combines both Cassidy and Partridge chart-toppers.

In the U.K. David released two singles, a cover of "Please, Please Me" and "If I Didn't Care," earlier that year, scoring hits with both of them. The first time most U.S. fans heard about them was here, on this album.

"How Can I Be Sure," "Cherish," "I Think I Love You," and many others round out the album and an era that would affect the lives of fans forever.

Day 21: Cassidy Live!

David Cassidy finished his world tour of '74 in the spring and quickly released Cassidy Live! There weren't that many live albums at the time so it was exciting for fans, especially if you were had never been to a Cassidy concert.

The album was put together using songs mostly from the White City Stadium concert that ended tragically with the death of a young, 13-year old girl who died because of the chaos and insanity taking place in the audience.

Catch David singing Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," the Beatles' "Please, Please Me (which was released as a U.K. single) and Leon Russell's "Delta Lady."

David was not pleased with it at the time, but it's a gem in the history of his musical journey.

Day 20: The World of The Partridge Family

Released in fall of 1974, this two album set marks the 10th and final PF album on Bell Records.

The Partridge Family was cancelled earlier in March of '74, and the original contract, which called for three more albums made up of both Cassidy solo albums and Partridge Family, begins here. World Of is a a great collection that ranges from U.S. hits to U.K. hits and a sampling of the early, non-David, harmonic lead vocals ("I Really Want To Know You.")

"Roller Coaster" is included, and a few surprises but the hits are all there, too: "I Think I Love You," "I Woke Up In Love This Morning," "I'll Meet You Halfway," "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted," and many more.

All in all The Partridge Family had a great ride on the bus. How many groups can you name that released 8 studio albums and 2 greatest hits albums in only four years?

No, really--how many can you name? :)

Day 19: Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes

David Cassidy finally had his day. His first day, that is.

Dreams was the first album he was able to do exactly what he wanted to do. The album rose to No. 1 in the U.K. and his new single, "Daydreamer" also went to No. 1 in the U.K. and stayed there for three weeks, making it David's biggest hit in the U.K. and rivaling his U.S. record, "I Think I Love You,--"which held No. 1 in the U.S. for three weeks. Together, they were David Cassidy's all-time biggest hits.

The album features an entirely different list of musicians, different background singers, and a different producer (Rick Jarrard.)

The great twist? Nothing about this album charted in the U.S. Despite three single releases and a boat load of advertising by Bell Records. The U.S. just wasn't buying.

It was David's favorite album up to this point and represents a new phase to his solo career. He covers John Sebastian ("Daydream,") and even Harry Nilsson ("The Puppy Song.")

Good friends Dave Ellingson and Kim Carnes are also back writing and singing on this one as well. Check out "Can't Go Home Again" to get a taste of their chemistry. Tony Romeo is back, as well, with "Sing Me."

The album signaled both an end and a beginning to a long list of albums by which David would experiment and express himself throughout his career.

Day 18: The Partridge Family Bulletin Board

It was the final studio album and it signifies the third phase of the Partridge Family sound, having finally evolved. Released in fall of 1973 during the first half of the 4th season, Bell Records hoped to stimulate Christmas sales once again.

This baby lands a few musical knock outs that would only be appreciated with time...much like a good wine, as they say. The studio musicians doubled in number and they recorded it at the new, hip Record Plant marking the only PF album to ever record anywhere but Western Recorders, Studio 2.

Mark James, a very successful songwriter contributes several cuts for this album, including "Roller Coaster" which many believe should have been the single for this album. Instead they released the Farrell/Hart/Janssen "Looking For A Good Time," a rollicking story song with a funky beat and a lot more edge from Cassidy.

The times were changing. The core, young fan base who began around age 8 or 9 was now 12 or 13, and regardless of this exquisite piece of work, the time had passed. Bulletin Board would vanish until "retro" became cool.

While the studio albums were coming to an end, there was still more to come.

Day 17: "Don't Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa"

Flashing back 50 years ago this very day, this very night, The Partridge Family aired their Christmas episode at 8:30PM. It became the favorite episode of nearly all cast members and thousands of fans, who still watch it religiously on DVD every Christmas season.

Shirley Jones lent a hand in securing Dean Jagger, who guest-starred as Charlie, a lonely man living alone with his memories in a forgotten, dusty old ghost town the world had long passed by.

Shirley and the PF producers ganged up on studio execs to get a little more money in the budget for this one. Dean Jagger cost a bit more than they were use to paying, but Shirley had worked with him previously in Elmer Gantry, the film that won her an Oscar, and that relationship helped close the deal.

Shot on the old Western lot at the Warner Ranch, much fun was had by all. Both Shirley and Susan Dey had friends that worked as extras on this episode. Danny remembers riding Trigger, one of the most famous horses in all of Hollywood, and Henry Diltz was on hand shooting endless photos of the episode.

This poignant story is one of the greatest TV Christmas episodes ever filmed. It ranges from smart comedy to heartfelt sentiment and ends with more intimate music from the family, who returns to the town at the end, bringing a Christmas of love and music to Charlie.

The story closes with the blended harmonies of the full family singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" aside their bus--and a fully decorated Christmas tree!

Shirley Jones and David Cassidy sing "Winter Wonderland" in the opening tag, marking the only duet they would ever sing together on the show. In the final tag, the family sings from home, directly to the camera and the viewing audience (with their real voices) marking another singularly unique moment for the series.

Day 16: Partridge Family Cover Story to Hit Stands!

REMIND Magazine is featuring The Partridge Family on the cover of their January 2022 issue! Along with it comes a three-page photo spread and detailed article (by yours truly). Copies will hit retail markets the last week of December, but early buyers can get it beginning Monday at www.remindmagazine.com! Here's a quick peek!

Day 15: The Partridge Family Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle was planned for spring of '73 as the second album release during season three, which was the pattern throughout the run of the PF. In was planned for April, but didn't release until June.

Bell Records was going through internal changes during the spring, and earlier changes, which put one person in charge of promotions, affected the way things were being done and caused a lot of delays with releases.

This album was the first that didn't get a single release from it for one single reason--previously released singles from Notebook were slipping pretty badly on the charts. When that begins to happen, DJ's become skeptical about playing the music.

Still, the album is yet another great collection of songs and arrangements. It is the album with the highest number of ballads on it, and it features David Cassidy's voice in the mix more prominent than ever before.

The album is a showcase for songwriters Cashman & West who were in full throttle producing Jim Croce around this time. "Come On Love," "One Day At A Time" are two of the strongest.

"Sunshine" was released as a single in Japan, and has a hopeful, spiritual quality to it. "As Long As There's You" is another Tony Romeo showcase, very touching, with a flawless performance by David.

And then there's yet another groovy album cover by dear Mary English who had a bet with her co-workers that she could design a crossword puzzle on her own!

www.whenweresingin.com

Day 14: The Partridge Family Notebook

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.

Day 13: Rock Me, Baby

In fall of 1972 David Cassidy released his second solo album on Bell Records titled Rock Me, Baby. It was the "next step" in his new solo career, and it had a little more blues, and a little more rock and roll than the first album. Several hits came off of it including the title song, "Rock Me, Baby," and a cover of the Rascals' "How Can I Be Sure."

We get another song penned by David himself: "Two Time Loser" is a passionate expression with a heap of energy. Kim Carnes and Dave Ellingson, two good friends of David's throughout his entire life, both contribute to this album as well. "Some Kind of A Summer" is one of the greatest.

The album was a success, but even more in the U.K. where David was continuing to rise in popularity.

Day 12: The Partridge Family At Home With Their Greatest Hits

In summer of '72 the latest Partridge Family single, a cover of Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," was climbing the charts. It became the latest PF single to hit the Top 40, peaking at No. 28.

The song was recorded during the sessions that would produce songs for the upcoming third season of the show, and the next two albums planned for release that same season.

At this point, The Partridge Family had achieved 7 hit singles. There were also several fan favorites featured on the previous 5 albums that were considered for single release, but held back. It was now time for a Greatest Hits album.

The Partridge Family At Home With Their Greatest arrived just in time to coordinate with the launch of the '72-'73 season. It became the 6th Partridge Family album in a row to sell Gold, and it was reissued two more times over the next decade.

When it comes to hits, this album definitely packs a punch.

Day 11: Brian Forster, Our Favorite Drummer!

During the run of the Partridge Family, young Brian took drum lessons with a personal coach, learning to play each of the songs chosen for use on the video portion of the show. During filming, the coach would be off camera, high on a crane, air-drumming for Brian so he could follow along visually. Brian did such a good job that the directors and editors used many close-ups of him, executing impressive runs on that infamous drum set.

Brian has recently made some signed 14" drum heads available to the fans, exclusive through our website! Special thanks to Brian, and to Gary Strobl for making this happen!

Day 10: Happy Birthday Susan Dey!

During her days on the Partridge Family, Susan was known to be the cast member who directors could cut to for the best reactions.

Her natural ability grew as time went on, and she became a well known actress particularly in the Made-For-TV scene. Just after cancellation of the series she starred in the disturbing and dramatic "Cage Without A Key" airing in the spring of '75. She continued building a respectable career for herself, eventually landing her other famous TV series role, Grace Van Owen on L.A. Law.

Susan currently lives in upstate N.Y. and, like her character on the PF, takes a keen role in local charities and various causes near and dear to her heart.

Happy 69th Susan!

Day 9: The Partridge Family Shopping Bag

In the spring of 1972 David Cassidy posed nude for Rolling Stone, the issue hitting store shelves shortly after his sellout concert at Madison Square Garden and Shopping Bag would become the 5th gold album for the family.

PF Music Producer Wes Farrell had launched his own label in January (Chelsea Records) and much earlier, had spoken to David about eventually working together. But David passed because he didn't feel that he and Wes were in sync, musically.

Bell Records president Larry Uttal, who didn't believe in spending a lot on album design, put more money into Shopping Bag than any other PF album based on the astronomical sales success of the PF.

The musical design of the album was an attempted twin to the earlier Sound Magazine, with a few distinguishing differences. Brilliant vocal arranger John Bähler recognized the importance of the "family" sound of the lp's and this album contains more "family" vocal intros on the songs than any previous LP. Songwriter Bobby Hart saw his favorite PF song recorded--"Girl, You Make My Day." David Cassidy saw his third and last PF songwriting effort, the revealing "There'll Come A Time" appear on the album, and Tony Romeo gave us another top 40 hit with "(Yes Love) It's One of Those Nights."

What a bag it was!

*all original vinyl LP’s are available at our merchandise page! Check it out!

Day 8: The Man Behind the Costume

David Cassidy, 1973, courtesy of Henry Diltz, Henry Diltz Photography

Each year The Partridge Family would go out and do at least one location shoot. In the final season of the show, they took a cruise on the Fairsea and filmed an episode titled "The Last Howard." Producers remember it as the first time a TV show ever filmed an episode while on an actual cruise. (One of them later moved on to The Love Boat!)

Shirley went to see a psychic beforehand in hopes of combatting sea sickness; Susan Dey was featured in the episode opposite the talented Bruce Kimmel; Danny Bonaduce managed to get in another batch of trouble with the ship's crew; Brian Forster had a little ship romance; Suzanne Crough brought her entire family along; Dave Madden ran around the ship dressed in his fairy princess costume making people laugh, and the brilliant Henry Diltz captured all of it with his trusty Nikon!

In between takes, David Cassidy sat down, took in the skyline across the ocean and jammed on his guitar. This photo captures the man behind the costume as only Henry Diltz can do, and he is making it available, SIGNED, as a special Christmas offering. It's exclusively available at www.whenweresingin.com! Thank you Henry, for your very generous nature, as always.

Day 7: TV CONFIDENTIAL Features WHEN WE'RE SINGIN'

L.A. based TV CONFIDENTIAL: A RADIO SHOW ABOUT TELEVISION, has aired a fantastic program about When We’re Singin’. The program gets into the details of the book and the Partridge Family like never before! I hope you will take a listen and let us know what you think. Here’s the link: https://www.televisionconfidential.com/celebrities/podcast-of-tv-confidential-show-no-558-2-the-partridge-family-and-their-music-is-available-for-listening-on-demand/

Day 6: A Partridge Family Christmas Card

It's the surprise grand-daddy of the PF albums.

A Partridge Family Christmas Card was a last minute decision to get something out in time for Christmas. But what happened was pure, holiday magic that lives up to this very day.

It's the only PF album that features three different lead vocals--David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, and the background singers (commonly referred to in the business as the Ron Hicklin Singers, or The Wrecking Crew singers.)

The arrangers worked together like never before, trading off songs to work on them at the same time, in a scrambling attempt to meet a ferocious deadline. And it worked.

Songwriter Tony Romeo ("I Think I Love You") had become a favorite of David Cassidy's, knowing instinctively what to write for him, and he wrote the lead song for which the album theme was designed. "My Christmas Card to You" became one of David's all-time favorite PF songs, even re-recording it later in life. To add magic to the music, Romeo was born on Christmas day.

The album was released during the holidays of 1971, and it sold gold, sitting at No. 1 on the Christmas charts before the record even shipped. During December that year, all four PF albums were on the Hot 100 Billboard charts, and Bell Records reported over 200,000 PF albums had sold in one day alone. The PF was at its peak.

Hear Shirley sing "The Christmas Song," while David sings the most innovative version of "Frosty the Snowman" ever released. Hear the rest of the family singers take lead on "Sleigh Ride." The only duet between Shirley and David ever released also appears here with "Winter Wonderland." It's an album that should be played on all radio stations every year and remembered as a Christmas standard.

"I'm looking out my window, at the softly falling snow..." Sing it, everyone! Sing it!

www.wwhenweresingin.com

Day 5: The Partridge Family Sound Magazine

Day 5: The Partridge Family Sound Magazine

Where were you in the summer of '71 when The Partridge Family Sound Magazine was bracing for launch?

Most critics choose this release as the greatest Partridge Family album of them all, and some even consider it the greatest pop record of the decade. During the '90s a well known tribute band led by the brilliant Howard Pattow was very popular in the music scene. Inspired by this particular album, they were called, of course, Sound Magazine.

Every song could have been a single from this album, and most of them were discussed as such. "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" (inspired by the Beatles' "She Loves You") was the favored choice and it became the 4th single from the family's 3rd album, reaching No. 13 on Billboard.

The songwriters are brilliant. Paul Anka wrote for this album. Rupert Holmes wrote for this album (long before "The Pina Colada Song,") and hitmakers L. Russell Brown and Irwin Levine ("Tie A Yellow Ribbon..") joined the songwriting team for the first of two PF albums.

The track mixes on the album are so fluid and energetic that the pace of the album marches fast, and songs lead into one another so smoothly that it's over long before you're ready.

Designed as a take-off on the Teen Magazines, the talented Mary English creates another masterful jacket design, truly cementing the image of The Partridge Family in the minds of the public. Brian Forster replaced Jeremy Gelbwaks heading into the second season, and he was debuted on the album cover before being seen on the show!

We are currently offering copies of all the PF studio albums, available at our website now, along with a few extras, so check it out at www.whenweresingin.com