Customer Reviews

Breakin Up Is Easy

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This is an incredible album from start to finish. One point before going into the songs in depth. Many people have made a point that David Gates wrote all the sugar sweet ballads for the group and Jimmy Griffin wrote more of the punchy material. I think this is so innaccurate. Gates could write rock and wrote some of the heaviest rock by Bread's standards - 'let your love go' and 'mother freedom' were heavier than anything I can hear Jimmy having done. And Jimmy wrote some incredible ballads during Bread's tenure.

This album shows the soft side of Jimmy's writing and each song is absolutely beautiful and poignant. I am so pleased to have purchased ot and would recommend anyone who likes the melodic beautiful ballads of bread to scoop this up, while it is still available.

All the songs are ballads, except for 'love you till the cows come home', which is a really fun rocker. 'She knows' is just about the best song Griffin ever wrote, with beautiful sentimental words and a subtle orchestral backing. On par with this is 'Only now', equally as soft and beautiful.
'Father and son' is a really catchy song, featuring John Miles of all people- (talented guy who wrote 'music'). It seagues into a protracted middle eight ballad section of the song, then reverts back to the up-tempo main section. again, excellent lyrics and really memorable.
'Love to light the way' is an amazing piano ballad with an excellent electric guitar solo. Great falsetto singing and really soothing. 'Breaking up is easy' is also a piano ballad in a similar vein.
All the songs are exceptional. A++++

Most people know one side of Bread's music - the David Gates side. Only one of their singles ("Could I") had a Griffin song on the A side. James was otherwise relegated to the B side. That's unfortunate, because James Griffin was equal to David Gates as a singer and songwriter. There are very few who can sing with the power and range of James, whether it be a sweet ballad or flat out rocker. "Breakin' Up is Easy" combines both - it's a heartbroken, but slightly jaded ballad, that builds in intensity, with a fiery guitar solo at the end. "Love You Till the Cows Come Home" is a "heavy, funky" rocker featuring the other members of Bread backing up James. "Father and Son" is a jazzy story song that changes to ballad tempo halfway through. One of the most heartbreaking songs I've ever heard. On the softer side, there is the country influenced "Someday" and "Lifeline", featuring Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on pedal steel, and "Goin' Back to Boston", with semi-classical influences. The best of all may be "She Knows", also recorded by The Band on one of their later albums, but this is the definitive version, very tender and gentle. The sound on this disc is excellent, and the cd includes all the original album notes. If only all cd reissues were of this high standard. A great way to remember James and his music.

This album contains some very lovely vocals by James Griffin. When you listen to a Bread song, you can't help but hear the perfect harmonies of James. The song "She Knows" is hauntingly pretty and "Going Back to Boston" is very nice as well. This is a terrific album. I wish it had been more popular when it was released because he was very talented and his voice had a quality like no other.

I can't get enough of this CD. I listen to it 2 or 3 times a day.What a voice, what talent. I'm so glad that I got the chance to find out what a great artist Jimmy was. His music just makes my day. I will never get tired of it. I can't wait to get my copy of Break and Run. I have listened to a couple of tracks, and they are just as good. But then again, would you expect any less of this great artist?

Soft spot in my heart for this album, it's like listening to McCartney's "Here Today" and wondering if James Griffin and David Gates could have looked ahead in time to see how working together was bigger than their egos what they could have created together. The sum of the parts, like Lennon-McCartney, was so much greater than their individual work, but we lost out on that when their groups broke up.
Griffin's Breakin' Up Is Easy title track is easy to play and sing along with, and really get into. When you watched Gates and Griffin perform from the 3rd row, James had the cool, and made the high notes come easily. In his first solo album, he's still working with the other 2/3rds of his old group, but playing second fiddle to no one at last. The music is dated now but shifted tempos, keys and genres nicely.
We lost this artist in 2003 and this is his best solo work, great harmonies, lyrics with thought behind them, great guitar and backups.
Your collection just is not complete if you were/are a Bread fan and haven't heard this.

I had this album on vinyl back in my college years, and it's sooo good to have it on compact disc. It cost a pretty penny, since the album is a Japanese import, but I am eager to have all the music on like on my iPod.