In 2017
In his time capsule capture as the leader of Bread, David Gates is forever seen as an extremely mellow fellow, the man behind the feel-good West Coast ballads Everything I Own, If and Make It With You – gauzy, grown-up love songs full of sun-kissed confidence; just add soft-focus.
However, all is not always as it seems . There was a little grit in his softcore oyster. “People always associate me with the ballads and pretty things, but I did quite a lot of rhythm ‘n’ blues and rock stuff early in my career,” he told writer Graham Reid in 2003.
The Tulsa-born Gates had been a key session man and producer in the 60s, playing with the likes of Phil Spector and Brian Wilson. He’d forever be a footnote in rock’s underground for his production of two singles for Captain Beefheart at A&M in 1966. He wrote the A-side Moonchild for the good Captain, sweetening his sound for the label’s hierarchy. Bread would also have their heavier moments, calling the style ‘Bread Zeppelin.’
By 1973 Gates was a household name as Bread had become world superstars – but his tension with co-leader James Griffin put the band on hiatus, allowing him to release his debut solo album.
First was made, unsurprisingly, with the cream of LA session players, and showcased all his sweetness and craft. However, at the end of its first side there’s a slice of proper prog – Suite: Clouds, Rain is a rumination on life and love inspired by a plane journey home. It’s two songs joined together, with epic synths and a piano motif redolent of Jimmy Webb’s MacArthur Park.
Gates played keyboards and guitar over a rhythm section of Larry Knechtel (bass) and Russ Kunkel (drums). Sleeve essayist Alan Robinson noted: “It’s a splendidly atmospheric concoction… making for a mini-masterpiece of subtly shaded mood and tone, and the way that the sharp tang of electric guitar pierces the carefully-created atmosphere is illustrative of how many years of studio technique he could bring into play.”
Clouds, the first part of the song, ends with a portentous thunderclap. A section was taken for a single, reaching the US Top 50, and striking a chord with a lot of British fans when it was used as a closing theme for Samantha Dubois’ show on Radio Caroline.
Gates returned to Bread, and when he had later solo success with the track Goodbye Girl, he put together a compilation of his first two albums, and Suite: Clouds, Rain (re-titled the less proggy Clouds Suite) featured prominently. He was duly proud of his work.
Gates big copyrights remain staples of oldies programming; but for those who prefer something a little deeper, a visit to this quite wonderful track is thoroughly recommended.
