Customer Reviews

Guitar Man

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I've been a Bread fan for many years, and I must say that the "Guitar Man" album is perhaps their most versatile album in their short recording history. This LP shows off the group's talent in songwriting. From the jazzy "Welcome To The Music", to the radical "Tecolote"; from the country/pop "Make It By Yourself", to the soft acoustic hit "Aubrey", there is absolutely something for everyone to enjoy from this fine album. A must for Bread fans, and music lovers alike.

"Music fan"'s original note made mention to the "fact" that "Diary" is not on the "Guitar Man" CD as it "was" on the album. This CD does contain the complete tracks and in cronological order that are on the "Guitar Man" album. "Diary" isn't on this CD as it was not originally on this album. "Diary" is on the original (prior release) "Baby I'm A Want You" album and CD.

This one has SWEET SURRENDER as does their Best of Bread, Volume 2. They sing a variety of styles. The hits were by David Gates with his melodious voice and sweet rendering of love songs. This is a good one.

Bread has always delivered the goods. Every album they produced was worth the money. The Guitar Man is "The Best Of Bread". The first song "Welcome To the Music" Introduces you to The Guitar Man album with band members Larry Knechtel, Mike Botts, David Gates and the late James Griffin. Next, "The Guitar Man" was the biggest hit of 3 released from the album. Some would think that David wrote this song as a tribute to Jim Morrison. By the way at the end of the song when the Guitar Man fades you can here an MC introducing The Doors from one of their concerts. "Tecolote" is another song that spotlights the musical talents of Larry playing lead guitar and Mike on the drums. "Yours For Life" another installment of David's love songs. "Don't Tell Me No" showcases James at his best, But, then again his writing talents has always been exceptional. After all he did win a Grammy with "For All We Know" a big hit for The Carpenters. Which you can hear his version on the Anthology Of Bread CD. And finally "Didn't Even Know Her Name" is about a love struck individual who meets the girl of his dreams. But, could never call her his own because of a commitment she has made with her high school sweatheart. What a bummer.
Anyway, A great CD loaded with talent and no musical games. Bread is just the ticket for the money.

This was my first Bread album and it continues to be my favorite. It is packed full of the Bread favorites. I just saw David Gates in concert and he played many of the songs from this album to the delight of the entire crowd. I recommend this and Lost Without Your Love as their two best albums.

This is not a Bread cd. There are no liner notes or any information about any of thes songs. However this is the late James Griffin and that alone makes it worth a spot in your cd library. It is true that David Gates sang all of the hits and I love David Gates vocals. However if you really enjoyed the music of Bread you must also love the vocals of James Griffin! I really would love some information on how this cd ever came about. The price has really gone up for this rare gem. I picked this up at Borders for about ten bucks a few years ago. My friend played it for me because it was great to hear Griffin sing all these hits. If you are a real Bread fan and want to hear the great James Griffin sing all the songs that Gates sang then buy this now. It is a very rare cd and you will not be sorry!

It's difficult to know how to pick out one of Bread's "proper" albums from the others. This isn't my favourite (that accolade goes to their eponymously titled debut offering), but it stands up well to the rest. "Guitar Man", the song, is an absolute classic, of course. But if all you wanted were the classics, you'd buy a BEST OF compilation. So what do you get here?

"Welcome to the Music" is a bit of a curiosity; more like something they'd do live, for a laugh. Funny lyrics. "Make it By Yourself" is an excellent song that should be more famous. Classic stuff. "Yours For Life" is a bouncy, sing-a-long number with a particularly awful line in it that always makes me wince, but it's certainly catchy. "Tecelote" is a bit of dreamy seventies nonsense.

The fact that there are really only three big hits on GUITAR MAN mean that it could be a good album to get if you already have a BEST OF and don't want to do too much duplicating.