Junk Box Jury

“(Oh No) No Way” taken from the album “Rock Me Baby” on (Bell Records BELLS 218) February 1973

Cassidy as he wants to be heard

David Cassidy | Rock Me Baby | (Bell Records) | ROCK Me Baby for David Cassidy has marked a period of uncertainty.

“It wasn’t that David felt at all unsure about the validity of either the single or album of that title, but both signified a definite move away from pure pop styled ballads, to, as the title would suggest, more up-tempo rock.

For some time David has been feeling unhappy with his situation, and as friend Elton John recalls he was very excited at the emergence of the “Rock Me Baby” single. David considered it a step in the right direction — a step to prove that he can stand alongside the rest, of the recording fraternity, outside of the context of the Partridge Family.

David has been fighting to prove that he can sing for along time. As the old story tells us, when he was first auditioned for the Partridge Family the casting directors were only Interested in his visual and acting talents his singing voice was to be dubbed in by another vocalist! That was until David pleaded for the chance to use his own voice, and proved in fact that he could.

His voice at that time was fair, but not as strong as it has since become.

“I think I’m singing pretty well now,” says David. “But early on my voice sounded too high, and I did sound a bit young. I think I’m singing deeper now, and I’ve learnt how to use my voice. I think it’s a question of practice and the fact that I’ve watched a lot of good vocalists work.”

In the Partridge Family David is generally cast in a fairly mundane role —charming and kind of sugar coated. It’s a role that doesn’t allow for too much stretching out vocally. So with Rock Me Baby comes the first opportunity for his public to hear David singing more of the kind of music that he enjoys singing.

Strangely enough, both the Rock Me Baby album and single didn’t reach the heights, in the American charts, that Partridge Family recordings usually achieve. But since the Partridge Family receive gold discs — and some platinum — for all their records, that’s hardly an indication that record buyers dislike David’s own work. In fact the album reached the Top 20.

The front cover pictures David relaxing in a rocking chair, his face looking petulant. He’s wearing denim jeans, coupled with silver boots, and there’s a red glow around him. On the reverse of the sleeve David is posing with a phallically shaped object held between his legs! I wonder why all the fuss about his Rolling Stone magazine interview, when he so obviously loves the more risque suggestions in life?

David Cassidy | Rock Me Baby | (Bell Records)

During his ‘Rock Me Baby’ track David croons rock me, and roll me, in a tone which doesn’t suggest he’s thinking solely about music.

On ‘Lonely Too Long’, the following track, it becomes obvious that David’s voice has matured, and the number has substance. There’s an-other smooth talkie passage included here —which seems to be a concession to the young fans, giving them some. thing to “swoon” over!

‘Two Time Loser’ is David’s own composition and it’s a big ballad production, which would indicate that David isn’t entirely divorcing himself from these numbers. It’s dressed up with strings and piano from Mike Melvoin, and the story tells of a romantic let down.

‘Warm My Soul’ is instantly more full of life, getting closer to a rock presentation, though it’s not penned by Cassidy. There’s electric guitar, percussion, keyboards, creating a more funky feel. Just at times David’s vocal here doesn’t seem to to integrate enough . . . which is perhaps symptomatic of David’s lack of experience in a group format, or as an instrumentalist.

David Cassidy | Rock Me Baby | (Bell Records)

‘Some Kind Of A Summer’ is one of the nicest tracks here. It’s not got a real rock feel, but just the same is the kind of number that really does suit Cassidy. The vocal tracking is good, and the liberal use of flute gives this the feel of summer . . . . particularly with the references to hitch-hiking. It could in fact make a good springtime single.

‘(Oh No) No Way’ has David sounding much more arrogant; and he’s backed up by girl vocalists. Somehow this set me off thinking how difficult it sometimes is to showcase solo artists —and particularly purely vocal artists. At times David is given the full dressing of strings, and more and occasionally set into a more basic structure. Which is fair enough — but he does have much further to go to realise that ambition of setting down an album with the roots in rock.

‘Song For A Rainy Day’ is co-written by David and is another story of lost love, talking of the castles in the sky that fell.

‘Soft As A Summer Shower’ has an acoustic opening and lavish strings and flute. At this point some credit should also be given to Jim Gordon and Hal Blaine who keep some good drumming going throughout this entire collection.

‘Go Now’, the classic Moody Blues recording, is given a slightly different arrangement, with more brass than I remember being on the original (which unfortunately I don’t have here to check with!). The classic piano framework is the same, and the number suits Cassidy’s voice — it’s good for people who don’t remember the original to have the chance to appreciate this.

‘How Can I Be Sure’, opens with the familiar accordion strain, with piano and strings. As a chart topper it needs no introduction. A Felix Cavaliere – Eddie Brigati composition, as is the earlier mentioned ‘Lonely Too Long‘.

‘Song Of Love’. “I can never seem to achieve all that the world tells me I need,” says this song, and adds the very apt sentiment. “Life is a song the theme is love, give me my share and I’ll get by.”

So that’s David as he wants to be heard — or at least closer to that point than he has been in the past. In general Rock Me Baby works well for him, and he does have a fair voice. Index number for this package, which is released, of course, on Bell. (Article published Record Mirror, 10/02/73)

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cost of record: £2
from: Charity Shop