Anthology

Bread

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1985
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002H2N
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,036 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Those who had more than their fill of the likes of England Dan & John Ford Coley in the '70s had Bread to thank for the proliferation of such acts. Bread, led by David Gates, took all of the softer aspects of the post-'60s folk metamorphosis and none of the artistry. Songs like "Make It with You" and "Baby I'm A-Want You" were enormous hits, but nothing compared to the success of "If." Surveys would probably show that eight out of 10 weddings in the years after the song's debut had it squeezed somewhere in the ceremonial proceedings. Anthology doesn't really offer anything that some select surfing of adult easy listening stations doesn't already provide. It also shows that in the end, most of Bread's material, while a staple of the aural diet of many, ultimately has become stale as their namesake. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stale? I think not., December 10, 2000

By	Eric V. Moye (New York, by way of Dallas) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Editorial Reviewer sure was hard on this album, and I don't know why. Sure, Bread's sound as well as their lyrics were rather sweet. So what? They were love songs, for heaven's sake! Those somehow work a bit better when they generally are sweet.

I think that anyone who can recall the person who was the object of their affection some twenty or more years ago at the time when "Everything I Own" was first heard probably feels pretty good about that song, and hearing it again brings back good memories. Ditto for "Sweet Surrender".

Among my personal favorites are "It Don't Matter to Me" and "Guitar Man". Bread had a pleasing and gentle sound, and this anthology contains every one of their many wonderful hits. A must have for fans of music of the sevties and eighties.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bread was one of the best bands ever!!, October 9, 1999

By	David Harstin (Eagleville, TN) - See all my reviews

Just who is this Steve Gdula you have writing reviews for you? I own every Bread LP, so I don't need to own this particular CD to write a review. David Gates' ballads, such as "If," are among the great American Standards. "Everything I Own" is one of the greatest love songs ever written. David Gates wrote the song for his late father. The song brings my late Dad vividly into my mind each time I hear it. The music of Bread is simply some of the most meaningful pop music ever, because the music touched the hearts of so many people. Hey, Gdula, that's what music is supposed to do! I guess you didn't learn that in Music Appreciation 101.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Memorable Mellow Pop Classics, February 19, 2000

By	Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Between Bread and the Carpenters, they were responsible for creating some of the loveliest melodies and soft rock classics of the seventies.

Lead vocalist and guitar player David Gates wrote all the group's hits. The band rarely stepped outside its role as pop balladeers--and certainly not on their singles. [The lone exception was 1971's "Mother Freedom," which only went to No. 37 and is not included here.] Album tracks like "Fancy Dancer" show that Bread could rock when it wanted to, but they're best known for make-out classics like "Make It with You," "It Don't Matter to Me," "If," "Baby I'm-A Want You" and "Everything I Own." These are all pop gems. Nobody recorded as many memorable mellow pop standards as Bread. RECOMMENDED