Lost Without Your Love

Bread

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 5, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B000JVSWEG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,605 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bread's last--and best--album; a masterpiece finally available on CD, December 12, 2006

By	Dave "missing person" (United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Bread's final album, "Lost Without Your Love", was originally released in January of 1977. Quite oddly, it has taken until December of 2006 for the album to be released on CD in its entirety. Fortunately, Wounded Bird Records has finally provided us with an official CD release for this masterpiece.

"Lost Without Your Love" was something of a reunion album. Bread had broken up, with their last proper album prior to this being 1972's "Guitar Man". However, David Gates had continued to work with his Bread bandmates Mike Botts and Larry Knechtel on his solo albums, 1973's "First" and 1975's "Never Let Her Go" aka "Second". Obviously, the main reason for Bread's breakup was the tension between Gates and James Griffin. Gates was having a pretty mild amount of commercial success as a solo artist, so it's not surprising that Elektra Records urged Gates to give Bread another try. Gates was on good terms with Elektra, so he obliged, even though he wasn't really interested in reuniting the band with Griffin, hence the short-lived nature of the reunion.

In any case, Gates still had lots of gorgeous melodies up his sleeve. Unlike his previous two solo albums which find him branching out considerably, Gates really isn't pushing himself stylistically at all here. Still, there's no denying songs such as the irresistible warm-'n'-fuzzy pop-rocker "Hooked On You" and the super-tender orchestrated acoustic ballad "Belonging". As for "The Chosen One", it's simply one of the best soft rock songs ever recorded; it doesn't feature any orchestration, a decision which proves wise--it features a sumptuous blend of guitar harmonics, lush electric piano, a swaying groove, and silky-smooth vocals. The title track has an excellent and somewhat unexpected instrumental break, in addition to that masterful Gates touch of sighing melodicism that totally tugs at your heart. "Hold Tight" is a super fun, catchy, upbeat tune--it's been referred to as Gates' stab at disco-rock, and although it did get 'disco-fied' when covered by Vicki Sue Robinson, on here it's really just a '50s-style feel-good rocker, complete with carnival-esque organ, and given some rather low-key orchestration. "Lay Your Money Down" is a Griffin-sung rocker that does feel a bit forced somehow, but it's still fun, with super cool guitar licks, providing the album with a nice change of pace.

The thing that really allows "Lost Without Your Love" to become so thoroughly transcedant, in addition to Gates being on top of his game, is the maturity of James Griffin, both as a songwriter and vocalist. Griffin gets one co-write with Gates, the excellently melodic "Change of Heart". The rest of his tracks are co-written with his usual writing partner and former Bread member Robb Royer, and they demonstrate a quantum leap in songwriting maturity compared to, say, 1970's "On The Waters". The heart-wrenching album-closer "Our Lady of Sorrow" is a thoughtful and sympathetic meditation on the problems of drug addiction, with a beautiful Griffin vocal. Plus, the breezy "She's The Only One", the uplifting "Fly Away", and the sad-yet-hopeful ballad "Today's The First Day"--each of these are truly terrific songs.

I think David Gates' opinion that this was a "tentative" album for the band is mainly a reflection of the tension between himself and Griffin while recording it. "Lost Without Your Love" is a treasure trove for fans of '70s soft rock--this is a masterful album, a must-have for any serious music listener.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic for Bread Fans - and their Final Album, March 18, 2007

By	Bill Anthony "billjbfan" (North Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can't be objective about this album - during the winter holidays of my senior year I found the LP in the racks at the local record store and lovingly carried it home (after dropping off my girlfriend) and dropped the needle into the groove with great anticipation. I had already worn out my 45 single of "Lost Without Your Love / Change Of Heart" purchased 6 weeks earlier, and as a long time fanatic of the songs and vocals of David Gates (and partner James Griffin) from their start in 1969, I was completely captivated by hearing new songs from these guys. Since their breakup in 1973, there had been great solo albums by Gates (First & Never Let Her Go) and Griffin (Breakin Up Is Easy), so I wasn't totally starved, but it was a BREAD album! Like most, I was captivated by David Gates work, and LOST WITHOUT YOUR LOVE includes some of his very best. The hit title song and the 2nd single "Hooked On You" are killer, and he dropped in a classic with "Chosen One" as well. James Griffin's fantastic "She's The Only One" has been on most of the Bread CD compilations, and "Change Of Heart", a rare songwriting collaboration between Griffin & Gates is one of his classics. Griffin's vocal "Lay Your Money Down" was actually recorded by Bread in 1973 for their "next" album (unfinished/unreleased). LOST WITHOUT YOUR LOVE is a great late 70's classic with wonderful songs by a talented and creative band.
NOTE: James Griffin and Mike Botts have both recently passed away. Griffin released a 2nd solo album in Europe on Polydor ("James Griffin" - 1977), and recorded many great songs with Terry Sylvester, Black Tie, and The Remingtons post-Bread. David Gates has released 4 more solo albums since Bread disbanded (again) in late 1977. BREAD toured in support of the Lost Without Your Love album in 1977 (great show!) and also in 1995-1996 with the original lineup (still great!).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bread Collectors and Fans, December 14, 2006

By	Rock Fan, - See all my reviews

Finally the release of Bread's last and final album " Lost without your Love" cd. This is a Great reunion album of the Best soft rock group of the 70's Hats off to Wounded Bird Records out of New York to finally release this on CD. Now all of the Bread albums have at one time or another been released on CD. Hopefully more David Gates solo albums will be released in the near future.UPDATE: "Never Let Her Go" and Falling in Love Again will come out on CD for the 1st time on May 13th 2008 on Wounded Bird Records. !!!!!!!!