C’mon... At the height of The Partridge Family’s popularity back in the early ‘70s, who’d have thought that “teen heartthrob� David Cassidy would still have a career today? In fact, who’d have thought he’d still look like a top spunk all of 30 years on? Either he’s entered into some sort of Dorian Gray like pact, visited Cliff Richard’s surgeon (shh!) – or maybe he just moisturises religiously morning and night?

To be honest I was way too young and pre-hormonal to go all gooey, screamy and nutso at the sight of Keith Partridge – in fact I just wished to grow up and be his keyboard-tinkling sister Lawrie – but I must admit I had a 7� EP with a picture cover that I cherished – another in a vast collection that I virtually wore the grooves off (thanks Mum for your never ending patience...). However others most definitely did go all gooey over young David – and it would seem that a vast majority of them were Glaswegians, and they still carry torches...

Recorded in Glasgow early in 2002, the rather blandly titled David Cassidy – Live in Concert presents a surprising array of tracks from his on again/off again career. Fans of The Partridge Family will squeal with delight at the likes of I’ll Meet You Halfway, I Woke Up in Love This Morning and the pop gem I Think I Love You, solo hits such as Cherish (ooh, Pretty in Pink memories...), stuff from his stage career and a vast and eclectic selection of covers ranging from Bazza Manilow’s I Write the Songs to Ain’t No Sunshine to Bob Seger’s Hollywood Nights. The band does a good solid job, rocking up some of the numbers pleasingly, and it’s all interspersed with much chat from Mr Cassidy. And isn’t it fantastic to see how obviously grateful he is to his mass of loyal fans for keeping his career plugged in?

The full, unexpurgated track listing is...

Arriving so speedily on DVD, you’d expect the vision to look superb – and you’d be right. None of the gremlins so often associated with live vision pop up their evil Mogwai heads, and in all the 1.78:1, anamorphically enhanced picture is a real treat. Colour bursts forth more burstily than the tightest of leather trews finally giving up the ghost, detail is such that if the guy actually had any wrinkles you’d be able to get intimate with them, the layer change is perfectly placed between the two sets and really it’s silly going any further – this really scrubs up a treat visually.

The sonic department doesn’t really disappoint either, with three options on hand – Linear PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. As is often the case, the two surround mixes exhibit nary a difference between them. Surround usage is plentiful – perhaps too much for some with instruments and backing vocals emanating from behind, making for a slightly weird concert experience at times, and a subwoofwoof that often seems to think it’s at a Metallica gig. The decider? Well, if you’ve got DTS then why the hell not flaunt it? Otherwise, the PCM mix gives a decent CD-quality mix that whilst not as bombastic, does let the music do its stuff a bit more sanely.

Decent enough animated menus hide a couple of bonuses. There’s the old faithful photo gallery, which runs through to the strains of How Can I Be Sure? for 2:49 and delivers 27 piccies of David’s various facial contortions. Of far more consequence is the behind the scenes footage, which actually lives up to its name. Presented in enhanced 1.78:1, we get quick peeks at everything from David's arrival at the venue to setting up the lolly shop, rehearsals, interviews, meeting fans etc, right up to the introduction where the main feature should kick in. The only bad thing about this is that it’s painfully brief at a mere 7:25. Bummer.

In all, anybody who used to lovingly adorn their school folders with hearts and Cassidys should get the best kind of kick out of all that’s on offer here. Go on – admit it – we all wanted to be in a family like the Partridges. C’mon get happy!