First

David Gates | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: February 8, 2008
• Release Date: December 22, 2009
• Label: Rhino/Elektra
• Copyright: 1973 Elektra Entertainment Group.
• Total Length: 37:29
• Genres:
• ASIN: B0030D7T3K
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,367 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "first" best describes the music and this artist, April 19, 2003

By 

CWC (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: First (Audio CD)

First (no pun intended), I want to say, "Clouds" is my favorite song and David Gates my favorite artist of all time. I remember hearing the '45 version of "Clouds" over the radio waves during the summer of 1973. It connected to me as a song I could have written myself because it so much reflected the person and essence of who I was- and still am- at that time in my life. That was a busy summer and autumn as I entered my senior year at The Ohio State University. It was the night we switched to standard time from daylight savings time and Discount Records on High Street was having a sale. The store was PACKED with people. Thumbing through the bins, I happened on David Gates' "first" album to my delight. I stood in line over 45 minutes to purchase this record that evening and was up until almost 4AM listening to this album over and over... it had that much of an initial impact on me. Much to my surprise and delight, I found that "Clouds" over the air waves was only part of an 8 minute and 52 second song entitled, "Suite: Clouds, Rain." The suite in its entirity punched me in the gut ten times harder than my initial hearing of "Clouds," the single edited song.

I had the much belated privilege (besides Bread's reunion tour in 1996) of FINALLY seeing David Gates in solo concert at the Orange County Fair in August 1998 and the Crazy Horse in Irvine, CA in January 2000. Much to my surprise before he played the "Clouds, Rain" suite at the Irvine concert, he apologized to his audience as to the length of this piece.... something I believe he never should have felt he had to do. He said his inspiration or motivation for this extended song came from the lengthy pieces that came from the Moody Blues, another of my favorite groups and a contemporary of Bread.

"first" has always struck me as showing David Gates' most inner, introspective side more than any of his Bread songs or his remaining five solo albums. Some of the songs like "Clouds," "Sail Around the World," and "Soap" have almost a "mourning" quality they are so personal in nature and tone. Somehow this does not come as total surprise as this album was in production at the time Bread disbanded and Gates was embarking on his solo career. This album of songs can make me think, motivate me, feel content, and feel sad, and give me an inner peace like no other.

I have three "first" albums as the many times I played them, the sound quality is less than good. I was elated to see this album finally released on CD format. My only disappointment is that this is an English import as the only other Gates solo album from his '70's/early 80's releases on CD is "Goodbye Girl" as a Japanese import. David Gates has so many other fine songs on all his other solo albums that have not been transfered to CD. Many of his solo songs can be found on the Bread 2-CD set, "Retrospective... four songs from "first"; two songs from "Never Let Her Go"; two from "Goodbye Girl"; and, sadly, only one song each from his "Falling In Love Again" and "Take Me Now" albums. "Falling In Love Again," and "The Rainbow Song" (yeah!) from the former and "It's You,"; "Still In Love: and "Vanity" from the latter pop out in my mind as wonderful songs that will pull you in and are not yet available on CD to my knowledge. Also, anyone who loves Karen Carpenter's, "Merry Christmas Darling," will at least tie it or move it to second place after hearing David Gates' "Come Home For Christmas."

It is very disappointing that Elektra and/or Artista hasn't been more motivated to release a "Best of David Gates" compilitation of these five solo albums. (I can name eighteen songs I'd like to see on such a project- hint, hint.) Of these five albums though, I would recommend "first." If you want to hear David Gates open himself up in song and verse like no other artist I have ever heard, buy this CD. I promise you will not be disappointed.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First is the Best, February 8, 2000

By 

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: First (Audio CD)

Let's face it. No one has written better pop love songs than David Gates. You can call them "mushy" or "sentimental" if you want, but hey isn't that what love songs are all about? Take this album. It is by far David's best solo effort, along with his "Never Let Her Go." (Why can't we get THAT one in CD? And Bread's "Lost Without Your Love?"--why hasn't ELEKTRA made them available, especially since almost every other Bread album has been released?). Oh, well, back to this one. Just listen to the "Clouds/Rain Suite", "Ann," "Lorilee," "Do You Believe He's Coming," and "Sail Around the World." Romantic, lush, truly beautiful listening music! Bread and Mr. Gates were always underappreciated. True lovers of the 70s and good romantic music can't do any better than this. His "Love at Seventeen" country album is also superlative, especially "I Can't Find the Words to Say Goodbye". He even makes GREAT COUNTRY music!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars David Gates "First" - A Gem of Pop, Rock and Classical, November 7, 2000

By 

Raymond Pilch (Piscataway, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: First (Audio CD)

This album is my all-time favorite. For those who know of David Gates only as a pop music star with Bread this album shows what wide range of talent David has in composing, producing and performing music. The embodiment of David's talent is brought out in the classic Suite: Clouds and Rain. Listen to it in a dark room and turn the volume up for an incredible experience. It starts with soft piano accompanied by background rolling thunder. The song explores how one's melancholy feelings can be in stark contrast to seeing God's natural beauty (clouds) while riding in an airplane. The words are deep and spiritual. Midway through the uncut version of this song the storm ends, the plane lands, and the music progresses from the slow piano to an upbeat, rocking melody performed on a Moog synthesizer once the rainbow appears. The mood of the words and music are now positive and inspiring.

Another song showing David's incredible range of styles is "Help Is On The Way". This is a rocking song about how so many of us are trying to stay one step ahead of the crowd in our rushed lives. A buddy of mine in college was a drummer in a rock band and he was floored when he heard the drums in this song. You'll also find great romantic songs in this album, especially "Sight and Sound". Finally, my life's philosophy was crystallized from the song "Sail Around The World". It's a song about how you can feel content with your life without needing to achieve fame and fortune. Whenever life gets crazy I love to listen to this song to get my bearings straight.

In summary, if you love music with great words about life and love this is the album for you.