Customer Reviews

Lost Without Your Love

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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, Mike Botts and Larry Knechtel have all 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!).

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. !!!!!!!!

This is my favorite Bread album. Earlier in the 70's they produced a string of hits as well as solid album cuts. As Sir George Martin once noted, .. we look to an album to encapsulate a period of time, usually fond, by which we can associate... . This album works on that level, and some other levels. Fortunately, these songs stand up to many of Bread's finest. Opening with the catchy melody of "Hooked On You" the listener is intrigued enough to pay attention to all the cuts. Even years after their last release, the definitive Bread sound is there- and still sounding fresh! "She's The Only One" is also a good moving tune followed by the name sake title song, "Lost Without Your Love". If the melody here, simple and sweet, is not enough, then do catch the final lyric- "if we had love before ... we can have it back once more." Tough to beat that. "Change Of Heart" is a nice change of pace- very listenable-a la Bread. Without being too long winded, I will focus on one last tune- "Belonging". This starts as it might be a David Gates solo as Lennon's "Working Class Hero" or Marley's "Redemption Song". Gates could have made it work too. However the Bread signature instrumentation is beautifully woven into the fabric of the song, raising it to an even higher level. Gates has come a long way since he penned The Murmaids' "Popsicles and Icicles" a dozen or so years earlier. This album is classic Bread.
No doubt Wounded Bird Records knew the CD buying public would eat this release up as they chose to skimp on the "extras" (the reason I withheld a star). At slightly more than 36 minutes for 11 songs, an out take or two or an alternate version would have been welcomed. Perhaps some liner notes, recording dates, etc. could help justify the price of the CD. Oh well, at least we get a gatefold which is more than Clapton gets on many of his releases.
In summation, this is a very GOOD Bread release from 1976. Buy it- you won't be disappointed.

This album is definitely the best release by bread, and it is about time it was released on CD. With 'guitar man' (1972),there was quite a bit of experimentation and genre swapping, but this album really keeps to what the band does best, in terms of quality ballads and melodic soft rock. Gates is the main composer with the ballad 'hooked on you' to start things off, which is a typical melodic bread love ballad, with soft guitars and orchestra. His classic piano ballad 'lost without your love' has an incredible verse and beautiful uplifting chorus, with a great electric guitar solo. The synths at the end are quite simply ethereal. 'Belonging' is a stripped down ballad, with acoustic picking and orchestra, similar in style to other Gates numbers like 'diary' and 'aubrey', a fantastic track. 'The chosen one' is also amazing, with a solid band effort and excellent keyboards and bass and a lovely lead vocal. Another soft rock song. 'Hold tight' is a happy discoish rock song, which is ever so slightly twee, but enjoyable nonetheless. Gates also composes the Griffin sung 'lay your money down', which is the only rock song on the album, and is fantastic, with multi layered vocals and great instrumentation, although the drums seemed to be panned extreme left, which somewhat lessens the potential heaviness of the track.
Griffin co-writes with Gates on 'change of heart' which is another delicious ballad, with great high vocals from Griffin, and some nice acoustic guitar and flute work. He composes with Royer, who was previously in bread on the remaining tracks. 'She's the only one' is a great country-esque ballad, and 'fly away' has some climactic vocals that really reach into the high notes and this melody sticks in the head, accompanied by lots of acoustic strummed guitars. The album has yet two more Griffin/Royer ballads at the end, 'today's the first day' which has a beautiful verse and nice backing vocals and, another lovely falsetto performance in places for 'lady of sorror', which closes out the album.
A fantastic album, chock full of ballads. Definitely their greatest release ever. Highly recommended.

Discography Complete, thanks Wounded Bird Records. David Gates only CD`s availables First and Goodbye girl, i have CD`s Never let her go, Falling in love again, Take me now, but they were not recorded by Elektra, but by different labels.

I was elated when I found out (3 months later, but better late than never) that "Lost Without Your Love" had finally seen the light of CD. Every music fan surely has their "last holdout(s)" when they can say everything from vinyl they care to own has finally been released on compact disc, and this album is mine.

I'm making a space for it between "Guitar Man" and Jackson Browne's "Late For the Sky"!

Being a longtime Bread fan, it's hard for me to pick my favorite of their six albums. So I'd have to claim two: GUITAR MAN and this 1977 reunion album. Bread was exceptionally proficient in creating the ultimate pop ballads. David Gates and James Griffin especially excelled with occasional contributions from Robb Royer and Larry Knechtel. Their playing skills were often under-appreciated, especially Knechtel's fiery keyboard skills. LOST WITHOUT YOUR LOVE capitalized on the band's formulaic success but also allowed them to mature and branch out into other territories, even a pseudo-disco track. It's a great album, and sadly didn't maintain their reunion. Only two singles cracked the charts: the hugely successful title cut and Gates' pensive HOOKED ON YOU. But every track is single-worthy and represents some of their best work. If you've never had the pleasure of experiencing Bread, this would be the perfect slice.

The Bread history in a nutshell: Five albums for Elektra from 1969-1972. Every one essential to fans of the group, and all deep with both hits and excellent album cuts. Excellent singing, playing, arranging and writing are reflected on every one of those first five. Then Bread broke up for a few years, eventually re-emerging for what would prove their swansong, "Lost Without Your Love." This is a decent album, with some good-to-very-good songs. But it doesn't have the magic of the first five. The high points aren't as high as on those, and it has a certain feel of a group going through the motions, but not entirely committed.

Most Bread fans will want to add this to their collection, but it's certainly the weak step-brother to the core first five.

This CD reissue, on Wounded Bird, has little to recommend it: No new liner notes, no bonus tracks, and most significantly, undistinguished sound. It's not great, but it's the only way this album is available in its entirety. So...better this than nothing...

As an aside, you may want to check out the European import "Bread: Original Album Series"Original Album Series:Baby I'm A Want You/Bread/Guitar Man/Manna/On The Water, which contains their first five albums in mini-LP sleeves. The packaging is cheap, but the music is timeless and you can typically get it from a reputable third party seller for around twenty or so bucks shipped--cheaper than picking up the individual albums.

The songs on this CD are good, however, the sound is very tinny and ear piercing. It's a shame because paying $17.00 for a CD with 10 songs is quite a bit of money. I love bread, but I don't like the sound in this CD. Find the songs on a different CD, Anthology has most of them.