BRILLIANT
If you could only use one word to describe this collection hits that's it... BRILLIANT.

Put on this CD (slab of vinyl would be even better) and immediately be morphed to a kinder, more gentle time when the soft rock of David Gates and Bread ruled the AM airwaves.

There is some serious baby-making music here, folks!

Soft Rock Starts Here
When Bread formed in the late sixties, the band had modest aspirations. They wanted to keep the musical spirit of the sixties alive, and when you listen to some of the folkie tunes like "Daughter" or the minor 'social' rock of "Mother Freedom," you can understand the the pristine mellow hits that the band is best known for was not the only thing Bread was about. Indeed, before David Gates began wrestling with James Griffin over control of the band, Bread had as much in common with The Byrds or even The Eagles than The Carpenters. You'll hear hints of folk, country and protest songs scattered throughout their full length CD's.

But when Gates' Immaculate "Make It With You" topped the charts and "If" became a standard soon after, Bread's place in pop history was cemented in cheese. Without Bread, there would have likely been no England Dan & John Ford Coley or Orleans. Christopher Cross would just be another Texas session man. I mean this in all honestly. Bread were peer only to Karen and Richard Carpenter for their dynamic, immaculate middle of the road chart-toppers during the 70's.

Which makes this expanded and remastered single disc Best Of a true guilty pleasure. You can try as hard as you want, but the catchiness of songs like "Baby I'm-a Want You" and "Sweet Surrender" is inescapable. The band had a solid hand at folk-rock, as the songs here "Trucking" and "Let Your Love Go" attest (and the albums often would contain as non-singles tracks). Gates' voice is also one of the most clear and expressive in the soft-rock world, making such sensitive/hurt lyrics like "Diary" and "Guitar Man" ring honest. The hits will pry their way from your brain if you were listening to radio in that decade.

This could have been a five star set if maybe Gates' solo singles ("Goodbye Girl" or "Clouds") were included. Get the Retrospective 2CD Set if you're a total Bread Head, and you'll find them. But for immaculate production, melodic songwriting that has kept its staying power, and yes, the true beginnings of soft-rock, "The Best of Bread" is totally worth it.

remember this?
I was lucky enough to be exposed to many different types of music growing up. My dad was into the harder rock while my mom was into softer rock. This is the ultimate soft rock/ballad album. After many years of not being able to even find this album, it didn't fail to make me smile as I remembered every one of the songs. It was amazing and I still remembered all the words! The song, Diary, still brings back the mellow memories.

Best of Bread
I was very pleased with the product that I ordered. It came very quickly and in perfect condition. The CD itself is good with several songs that I remember from years past.

The Best of Bread
I like most of the songs on this album
I would recommend it for people who love romantic songs.