Original Album Series

Bread was a rock band from Los Angeles, California. They placed 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1970 and 1977 and were a prime example of soft rock. The band consisted of David Gates, Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer, Mike Botts who joined in the summer of 1969 and Larry Knechtel who replaced Royer in 1971. Before forming Bread, Gates had worked with Royer's previous band, The Pleasure Fair. Royer introduced Gates to his songwriting partner, Griffin, and the trio joined together in 1968 choosing the name "Bread" in 1969. Their debut album, Bread, was released in September 1969 and peaked at No. 127 on the Billboard 200. Songwriting on the album was split evenly between Gates and the team of Griffin-Royer. Jim Gordon, a session musician, accompanied the band on drums for the album. In the summer of 1969, Bread did some concerts with Gordon on drums But when Gordon's schedule conflicted and he proved unavailable for future outings, they quickly brought in Mike Botts as their permanent drummer. Botts appeared on their second album, On the Waters (peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard 200). This time their efforts quickly established Bread as a major act with the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit "Make It with You" in 1970, which was Bread's only No. 1 on the Hot 100. Their third album was the 1971 release titled Manna (#21), which included the Top 5 hit single, "If". As with the first album, songwriting credits were split evenly between Gates and Griffin-Royer. Royer left the group after three albums, although he would continue to write with Griffin, and was replaced by Larry Knechtel, a leading Los Angeles session musician in 1970. In January 1972 Bread released Baby I'm-a Want You, their fourth and most successful album, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The title song was established as a hit in late 1971 before the album was released, also hitting No. 3. Follow-up singles "Everything I Own" and "Diary" also went Top 20. The Fifth album, Guitar Man, was released ten months later and went to No. 18. The album produced three Top 20 singles, "The Guitar Man" (#11), "Sweet Surrender" (#15), and "Aubrey" (#15), with the first two going to No. 1 on Billboard's adult contemporary chart. Unfortunately, this collection contains the vast majority of the Bread repertory. These songs are very soft rock and some even work as country or folk. The sound of these albums is sharp and clear. Highly recommended for those who enjoy soft rock. You can get this set through the Amazon marketplace for a bit under four dollars per CD delivered. That's a bargain that's hard to pass up.

Really enjoyable collection, wanted to hear and experience the original LP releases without having to go look for record copies, also to hear the music without the later post processing added in digital remastered greatest hits collections, definitely recommend for lovers of Bread wanting to get back to original flavor.

I give this a five star rating because it has a lot of great music.! I read in one of the ratings that the buyer mostly liked the set, but that Bread doesn't sing any songs that rock. Not true. There are several tunes that rock like ,Freedom, Truckin', This Isn't What The Government. All very good songs. I consider this a very good purchase. I now have all the great songs that they left off the Ultimate Bread CD

Early stuff is the best. Before Bread became pop conscious, they wrote some remarkable songs. I liked David's songs, but I LOVED James Griffin was the real writer and singer in Bread. All the milk-toast fans, I'm sure, love his songs, but opinions vary. We lost a real talent in rock when Griffin died. He played a couple of discs with a country band, out of which came one of my favorite songs: "Eternally Blue." that's a piece of pure Heaven. Griffin always sang harmony with himself in the studio. I always wonder who could match that on the stage. Ah, James, we hardly knew ye.

good cd

I would indefinitely say it is worth it

For a time in the 1970s, Bread could do no wrong and frequently was at the top of the Top 40 Charts. A few tracks even got some play on Album Rock FMs. You get it all here in 5 CDs in cardboard sleeves with original artwork from the albums snugly fitted in a box open on one side to easily extract the 5 CDs. I'll not comment on the sound quality as I'm no audiophile but to my ears these sound just like the songs I remember, not remixed to sound different nor performed by one or two members of the band but the original material just as it was released back in the day on vinyl. The best part is the price: I paid about that of a single CD. There are many such packages such as this. For some artists the album choices are poor but for set like this one from Bread, you get it all. Buy with confidence.

Just bought this five album set, to just have new copies of my bread albums, on vinyl and c.d. I have bread records since the beginning, 1969, truly one of the best bands ever, singing, songwriting, totally not just a soft, syrupy ballad band that they are labeled, tho, nobody writes a heartfelt ballad like David Gates, that can bring you to your knees emotionally.

Envío muy rápido. Buena aquisición.

Many great tunes from a great soft 60/70 band although there are a handful good rocking tunes within. Cds are great quality audio. Package is decent (try to let cds drop to your hand from sleeves so you don't get finger prints on them). for price definitely recommend.

Zeitreise mit The Bread- Die schönsten Lieder sind auf diesem Paket enthalten und nur zu empfehlen für diesen smarten Preis!

Ótimos cds. Esse Bread tem sido difícil de encontrar. Tem os melhores álbuns do grupo. Recomendo.

Me encanta esta banda, escuchar sus canciones es una excelente experiencia auditiva