James Griffin - Breakin' Up Is Easy (1974) Japanese Reissue 2002

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James Griffin - Breakin' Up Is Easy (1974) Japanese Reissue 2002

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Best known for co-founding soft rock hitmakers Bread, singer/songwriter James Griffin also won an Academy Award for co-authoring 1970's smash "For All We Know." Born in Cincinnati on August 10, 1943, Griffin was raised in Memphis, growing up in the neighborhood that housed rock & roller siblings Dorsey and Johnny Burnette; after the Burnettes relocated to Los Angeles, Griffin traveled west for a visit, and with their help he signed with Frank Sinatra's Reprise label in 1962. The covers collection Summer Holiday (recorded under the name Jimmy Griffin) followed a year later, and in 1965 Griffin co-starred in the big-screen feature None But the Brave; he also wrote songs for Lesley Gore, Bobby Vee, and Ed Ames.

In 1967 Griffin began collaborating with singer/keyboardist Robb Royer, a member of the harmony pop quartet Pleasure Fair. The group's 1968 self-titled LP was produced by in-demand L.A. session musician David Gates, and when the Pleasure Fair dissolved soon after, Gates recruited Griffin and Royer to form Bread. Bolstered by Griffin/Royer songs like "Friends and Lovers," "Could I," and "Any Way You Want Me," Bread's eponymous 1969 debut was first and foremost a showcase for Gates, whose "It Don't Matter to Me" proved a massive radio hit. Favoring lush harmonies and gentle arrangements that contrasted sharply with the harder-edged sounds then dominating FM radio, the album was instrumental in midwifing the soft-focus melodicism that would enjoy commercial supremacy throughout the decade to follow, and made Bread superstars. In 1970 Griffin and Royer were asked to set lyrics to Fred Karlin's music for the film Lovers and Other Strangers; "For All We Know," performed on the soundtrack by Larry Meredith, went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song, later becoming a massive radio hit when covered by the Carpenters.

While Bread notched a total of ten Top 20 hits, among them "Make It with You," "If," and "Baby, I'm a-Want You," fewer of Griffin's songs made it on each of the group's successive albums, and in frustration he broke ranks following 1972's Guitar Man; two years later he resurfaced with a solo LP, Breakin' Up Is Easy. After rejoining Bread for 1976's ill-conceived reunion effort Lost Without Your Love, Griffin issued his third solo record, 1977's James Griffin, before teaming with ex-Hollies vocalist Terry Sylvester for 1981's one-off collaboration Griffin and Sylvester. Five years later he resurfaced alongside Billy Swan and Randy Meisner in the harmony supergroup Black Tie, and during the 1990s worked with Cymarron's Richard Mainegra and Rick Yancey in the Remingtons. Griffin was performing with Sylvester and John Ford Coley when cancer claimed his life on January 11, 2005.

Jason Ankeny, Allmusic.com

This is an incredible album from start to finish. One point before going into the songs in depth. Many people have made a point that David Gates wrote all the sugar sweet ballads for the group and Jimmy Griffin wrote more of the punchy material. I think this is so innaccurate. Gates could write rock and wrote some of the heaviest rock by Bread's standards - 'let your love go' and 'mother freedom' were heavier than anything I can hear Jimmy having done. And Jimmy wrote some incredible ballads during Bread's tenure.

This album shows the soft side of Jimmy's writing and each song is absolutely beautiful and poignant. I am so pleased to have purchased ot and would recommend anyone who likes the melodic beautiful ballads of bread to scoop this up, while it is still available.

All the songs are ballads, except for 'love you till the cows come home', which is a really fun rocker. 'She knows' is just about the best song Griffin ever wrote, with beautiful sentimental words and a subtle orchestral backing. On par with this is 'Only now', equally as soft and beautiful.

'Father and son' is a really catchy song, featuring John Miles of all people- (talented guy who wrote 'music'). It seagues into a protracted middle eight ballad section of the song, then reverts back to the up-tempo main section. again, excellent lyrics and really memorable.

'Love to light the way' is an amazing piano ballad with an excellent electric guitar solo. Great falsetto singing and really soothing. 'Breaking up is easy' is also a piano ballad in a similar vein.

All the songs are exceptional. A++++

Review by D. Moses, Amazon.com

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James Griffin - Breakin' Up Is Easy (1974) Japanese Reissue 2002

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James Griffin - Breakin' Up Is Easy (1974) Japanese Reissue 2002

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James Griffin - Breakin' Up Is Easy (1974) Japanese Reissue 2002

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