Goodbye Girl [Original recording reissued]

David Gates | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B0013KCCOS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,897 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

David Gates is best known as the leader of the group Bread. After Bread dissolved, he issued a number of fine solo albums. Goodbye Girl was originally released in 1978 and reached # 165 on the Billboard chart. It contains the hit title track, the theme to the hit movie of the same name. Wounded Bird. 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lots of great music here, although a majority of the album recycles tracks from Gates' first two solo albums, June 26, 2005

By 

Dave "missing person" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Goodbye Girl (Audio CD)

The "Goodbye Girl" LP from David Gates came out in June of 1978 (after Bread's second breakup), and I want to point out right off the bat that the majority of this album is a retrospective release, recycling tracks from Gates' previous two solo albums (1973's "First"; and 1975's "Never Let Her Go" aka "Second"). I'd have to imagine that many hardcore Gates/ Bread fans were a bit dismayed with this move at the time. The title track was used as the title song for the Neil Simon-scripted 1977 movie "The Goodbye Girl"; it was also released as a single in November of '77, hitting the US top 20, and it seems likely that this album was released in attempt to cash in on that success despite Gates being a little short on new material. Plus, maybe Gates was trying to give some tracks from his first 2 albums a new 'lease on life' since the albums were commercial disappointments.

The first four tracks on "Goodbye Girl" are all among the ones which hadn't yet appeared on a David Gates LP, and they're pretty much all terrific. The title track, though a tiny bit rote, is still a lovely melodic ballad in Gates' patented dreamy soft rock style. The next track is even better--the top 30 hit "Took The Last Train", co-written by Larry Knechtel, was released as a single basically in conjunction with the album, and it's a superb track that's ultra-catchy with an infectious bass riff, jazzy piano, a great groove, and the lyrics are a lot of fun as are Gates' spirited vocals. The haunting, incisive story-song "Overnight Sensation" is a brilliant epic ballad, and "California Lady" is a super catchy revved-up rocker. Following this is the first 'repeat' track with "Ann", and then comes the last two of the new songs--the fiddle-laced "Drifter" is catchy and nicely bittersweet; and the Creedence Clearwater Revival-styled "He Don't Know How To Love You" is respectable.

The album's running time is over 48 minutes, so if you see this on CD for $10 or so and don't have any of the 'repeated' tracks in your collection already, it's a great deal simply taken on its own terms--you'll be supplied with other terrific songs such as "Clouds", "Lorilee", "Part-Time Love", & "Never Let Her Go".

Don't make the mistake of overlooking David Gates' solo career. His "Never Let Her Go" album, although never released on CD to my knowledge, is a must for any self-respecting Gates fan. Also, although 1979's "Falling In Love Again" and 1981's "Take Me Now" both failed to reach the US top 200, each of them are for the most part irresistible albums that blow away almost every Bread album in terms of consistent excellence.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars nice new/compilation album, January 10, 2009

By 

D. Moses (London, London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Goodbye Girl (Audio CD)

Just in case anyone is interested, this contains tracks from Gates' first two solo albums, and 6 brand new tracks. It is an excellent batch of material. The new stuff is good for the most part. 'Goodbye Girl' is a beautiful piano ballad with one of the best melodies of all time. 'Overnight sensation' has an achingly gorgeous verse melody and is also a piano ballad. There is the poppy and melodic 'took the last train', then the rocky 'california girl'. 'Drifter' shows more of Gates' country influence, while 'He don't know how to love you' is a rock throwaway. I think what is missing from the 6 new songs, is a stripped down gorgeous guitar ballad with an orchestra, in the style of 'Ann', 'Aubrey' or 'Diary'. They could have easily replaced the last new track.
All the 'old' tracks are excellent, with loads of nice ballads and the best track Gates ever wrote period, 'Clouds, Rain'. Only one proper clunker is on the album 'Sunday riders' a poor attempt to rock out, but it is still listenable.
I highly recommend this album, if you are a fan of the soft rock style Bread have done so well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CLassic of classics, August 7, 2008

By 

R. M. Duenas (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Goodbye Girl (Audio CD)

I loved David gates when I was a teenager, and I still do. I am really glad they reprinted this album in CD. The quality might not be the best, but the memories are great!