Guitar Man

Bread | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1992)
• Original Release Date: 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002H7Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,603 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where Have All the Great Bands Gone?, July 17, 2000

By 

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guitar Man (Audio CD)

Lead singer and co-founder David Gates was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This album is one prime example of why. David has consistently provided beautiful melodies with easy, sensitive lyrics. His last album was a country album called "Love Is Always Seventeen," which was a genre-crossing mix of pop and country, co-produced and performed with Billy Dean. But back to this gem. "Guitar Man," and "Aubrey" were the big hits off of this album, and they still stand the test of time. "Tecolote" is one of their most unusual departures, and still makes me laugh, while enjoying its musicality and orignality. "Didn't Even Know Her Name" is a poignant lost love song; "Welcome to the Music" is one of those opening songs bands sometimes did to orient their fans to what to expect. Even Larry Knechtel gets in on the vocals with the intriguing "Picture in My Mind." It's a great album---in fact, there's not a bad "Bread" album out there! Enjoy, and relive those magical moments of the glorious seventies!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent album, May 2, 2005

By 

D. Moses (London, London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Guitar Man (Audio CD)

Just to correct the review of the previous person. Larry Knetchel does NOT sing on 'picture in my mind', even though he wrote the song, it is James Griffin.
Which leads to another misconception the previous reviewer had of Bread that seems to be prevalent. David Gates was NOT the lead singer of Bread- it was jointly held between himself and James Griffin, equally singing half the songs on their albums. David is amazing, yes, but he is only recognised as lead singer, as he wrote most of the bands' biggest hits and sung them. James should not be allowed to dwindle into obscurity. I think he is also multi talented.
As for the album, it is an excellent mix of beautiful ballads 'Aubrey' is the most delicate and beautiful song they EVER did, period. And 'Didn't know her name' is also touching. 'Sweet surrender' was also a hit and 'the guitar man' has an irreistable hook and melody. Two of the three rockers are excellent. 'Fancy dancer' is an amazing rocker, that again, shows Bread should not be pigeon holed as a ballad group. 'Tecolote' is further evidence of this, and has some hysterical lyrics. Might take some time to get used to, but this song is also catchy.
The two tracks slightly below par for me are 'Welcome to the music', which, while not a bad song by any means, just seems an underdeveloped and throwaway number, not really suiting their style. One song is pretty bad though, 'Don't tell me no', just passes by and has no melody at all.
All in all though, it was an excellent album I enjoy listening to. Buy for the sake of listening to 'Aubrey', 'Didn't know her name' and 'Fancy dancer' alone.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When Bread became David Gates & Bread, April 27, 2003

By 

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

This was album #5, released in late 1972, and the last for the group before the members disbanded in the early '70's. This album continued to showcase and establish David Gates as the dominant member of the group. Of the 12 songs on the album, David Gates wrote 6 of them and co-wrote on 2 of them. This "finale album" (disregarding their reunion album "Lost Without Your Love" released in early 1977 for the moment) gave us one of David Gates' best romantic ballads ever- "Aubrey." "The Guitar Man," "Sweet Surrender," and "Fancy Dancer" can also be included as popular songs from this album. "Best of Bread-Volume 2" used 5 songs from this album for its playlist. David Gates selected 3 songs from this album as personal favorites for his latest release, "The David Gates Songbook," of the 10 Bread songs on this new CD.

There are so many other memorable songs on this album: the opener, "Welcome To The Music," which sets a nice tone for the remainder of the album. "Make It By Yourself," "Yours For Life," "Picture In Your Mind," "Don't Tell Me No," and "Didn't Even Know Her Name" are some others that come to mind. From ballads to rock songs, I have always felt this collection of songs seem to flow together very well as a concept album. I would rate this CD with 4.5 stars.

All in all, I have always considered this to be one of Bread's better and more enjoyable ensemble of songs. This collection of Gates' and Griffin's songs works better together and more cohesive as an album in their fifth release. (That trend would continue and improve with this group's last album, "Lost Without Your Love.") A very enjoyable, uplifting, and inspiring playlist! This CD will be one that you will want to play over and over.