Early Slice of Bread Audio CD – CD, May 29, 2012

This is a great collection of 60's music from a very talented apprentice on his way to superstardom in the U.S. group "Bread".It contains some super songs and there are only 2 tracks that I consider flops.26 out of 28 isn't too bad, eh?It's one of those albums that you can place in the player and just let it roll through for thorough enjoyment.Track 11 in "Just a Little Lovin" is one that it very catchy.They are well produced efforts for the time too.Thanks Jimmy Griffin for the wonderful memories.A worthy addition to one's music collection indeed.

Like another review, this is NOT the Jimmy Griffin voice of Bread. Sounds like Bobby Vee until the last 8-10 songs. The last few DO sound like Jimmy Griffin, smooth, mellow and with that slight nasal quality. Very few songs are worth playing twice, but at least the end of the disc gives some taste of the voice we expected from Jimmy Griffin. Had I to do it again, I would not purchase this CD.

In the early 60s, Reprise records obviously had plans to turn pretty-boy Griffin into their label's answer to Bobby Vee, but his records failed to capture the hearts of America's bobby-soxers and DJs, for the simple reason that he was not a particularly good singer (wisely, he honed his songwriting skills and fared pretty well in that arena). Half the tracks here are from the "Summer Holiday" LP and the Jack Nitzsche arrangements are up to his usual high standards; those tracks are the best things on this disc, the rest of which is comprised of Griffin's flop singles. For Jack Nitzsche collectors only.

As big a Bread fan as I am, I can't get into the 50's.If you can and you enjoy Jimmy's voice, this is a good listen. Just don't expect Bread, or even Toast...

Like the before Bread David Gates, Griffin tried a few different sounds trying to get recognized. This CD is a nice mix of early material. Nice lyrics and great sound.

Out of all the people I have met, hardly anyone knows who James Griffin is. I am proud to say that I am a HUGE fan of his works with Bread, his solo work and his pairings with other various stellar artists like ex-Cymmaron members in Remington, ex-Eagle in Black Tie, ex-Hollie in Griffin & Sylvester.....ALL AMAZING! So, for me to find a record of his roots recordings, it was like I had a window into his past! I could not be more thrilled. That was....until I listened to this CD. Outside of a couple songs, the material is dated....so much so that the expiration date can not even be read anymore. I know all artists must start somewhere and I give James his due for paying his dues. As a music buyer, I feel that I was ripped off. James was misrepresented here. It was not an early slice of Bread in ANY sense. It was not even an early inkling into James as a singer OR a songwriter. This should be priced at $2.99 at the most. I would so much rather that there be a new mastered release of his first solo CD after Bread with some bonus cuts. AND will the powers that be PLEASE release Break And Run finally?

In later life you can see how Jimmy Griffin's voice matured. This is a good cd of a young Griffin and one that continues to complete my library of his music.