Guitar Man - BREAD***

Welcome To The Music/The Guitar Man/Make It By Yourself/Aubrey/Fancy Dancer/Sweet Surrender/Tecolote/ Let Me Go/Yours For Life/Picture In Your Mind/Don't Tell Me No/Didn't Even Know Her Name

Guitar Man was the final album from the soft rock harmony group Bread before they disbanded, although they reunited briefly five years later. Includes the Top 20 hits Sweet Surrender, Aubrey and the melodic title track. (US:18)

“Not up to the level of their previous releases. Except for the hits, this time around the quality of the songwriting is lacking, especially the Griffin contributions. Pick up one their earlier LPs to get started.”

“What would have been Bread's swansong LP, Guitar Man seemed to be a jigsaw of assorted tracks pieced together from other sessions. I can't listen to a majority of these songs. They seem to lack what made Bread so great in the early days. When they started to rock out the magic crumbled. The folk acoustic numbers shine more.”

“David has consistently provided beautiful melodies with easy, sensitive lyrics. Guitar Man and Aubrey were the big hits 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 originality. 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. It's a great album, enjoy and relive those magical moments of the glorious seventies.”

“It is an excellent mix of beautiful ballads Aubrey is the most delicate and beautiful song they ever did, and Didn't Even Know Her Name is also touching. Sweet Surrender was also a hit and Guitar Man has an irresistible hook and melody. Fancy Dancer is an amazing rocker that 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.”

“Guitar Man was perhaps their most versatile album in their short recording history, showing 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 something for everyone to enjoy.”

“Extremely competent playing as expected, but the level of filler is alarmingly high. Nothing besides the title track and Aubrey is memorable.”