Ignored            Obscured             Restored

The ‘70s hit band Bread was known for their soft rock, love ballads, sung by David Gates.  Besides Gates, the core of the band included Jimmy Griffin (vocals, guitar, keyboard) and Robb Royer (bass, guitar, keys and other instruments).  For many, including me, Bread is a guilty pleasure.

But that’s not the whole story of this band.  They had chops and could really rock out.  Take, for instance, the lead track from their fourth (and best) album, Baby I’m-a Want You (1972) – “Mother Freedom.”

By this point, the great LA session musician, Larry Knechtel, was the full-time bass player, replacing Royer.  (Knechtel played the piano part on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water” and was on the sessions for many classic albums, including Pet Sounds, The Doors, Mr. Tambourine Man, and Alone Together.)

“Mother Freedom” clocks in at under 3 minutes but rocks with a funky riff, some nifty solo guitar work, and exciting vocal harmonies.  Freedom from guilt!

Enjoy… until next week.