Search - Bread :: Essentials

Just the hits ma'am....just the hits

Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 01/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the waning days of Top 40 radio one of the most popular groups on the radio was Bread. Led by singer-songwriter David Gates, Bread would amass an impressive total of nine Top 20 records during the years 1970 thru 1973. This 2005 import release "Essentials" is really an abridged version of a 24 track offering that was first released in 2002. For my money this new abridged version is all the Bread you'll ever need.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1968, David Gates and Bread would quickly establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the Billboard Hot 100. "Make It With You" went all the way to the top of the charts in the summer of 1970. And the hits just kept on comin'!!!! Over the next couple of years "It Don't Matter To Me", "If", "Baby I'm-A Want You" and "Everything I Own" all became Top 10 smashes. Some of my favorite Bread tunes were among those that did not quite make it into the Top 10. Songs like "Diary", "The Guitar Man" and "Sweet Surrender", all released in 1972, were terrific pop tunes. And does anyone out there remember "Let Your Love Go"? All of the aforementioned tunes are included in this 12 track collection.

If there was a valid criticism of Bread it was that most of their songs really sounded alike. That is why I was pleased to come across "Essentials". Other collections like the 1990 release "Anthology" include far too much filler for my taste.

No, in this particular case less is better. "Essentials' offers 12 of Bread's 13 charted hits. One tune that might have been included here was David Gates solo smash "Goodbye Girl" from 1977. But in the final analysis "Essentials" offers the songs that most people would be looking for at a very affordable price. Recommended."

A Complete David Gates And Bread Collection

Kay | Hong Kong, CHINA | 05/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this collection, you can find all the smash hits made by this soft rock group of the 70's like: Make It With You, If, Baby I'm-A Want You, Everything I Own, Diary to name but a few. Every track here is a gem with its remastered sound. I also own the 1990 released "Anthology" but the sound quality of that really lets me down. So I bought this one for a better sound quality and just like I knew, "PERFECT". The most important thing is that "Goodbye Girl" is included. Although it was a David Gates solo hits but it should be included in every Bread greatest hits collection in the future. Just like the title "The Essentials of David Gates And Bread". Highly recommended to every soft rock fans."

The Best Bread Compilation

JCR | 12/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For me, this is the best compilation of BREAD. The song "Goodbye Girl" is included and that...is a real classic! I never get tired of listening to their songs...so pure and sincere. But the reason I only gave it four stars because their other classic, "Clouds" is not included in this cd. Who can ever forget that song especially the long version..."Clouds Suite" ... nevertheless, owning this cd is absolutely worth it!"