Bread Winners is a studio album by American singer Jack Jones released in early 1972 by RCA Victor Records. The album was released as a tribute to the American soft rock group Bread. It brought Jones to the UK pop top-10 right after his previous album.

Background Jack Jones was a popular easy listening and pop singer in the 1960s, recording with Kapp Records and gaining several hits. In late 1967 he moved over to RCA Victor and started recording more contemporary material, starting with the album Without Her. Jones would continue with material like this up to 1972 as well, with several charting albums. Even before Bread Winners, Jones performed Bread material like "Baby I'm-A Want You" and "If", eventually culminating into an album.

Release and content Bread Winners was the second of three albums Jones recorded in 1972, recorded in the spring. It followed the highly successful A Song for You. The album was dedicated to the group Bread, with the single and album being primarily cover songs of Bread's hit singles. A lead single titled "Games of Magic" was released in June 1972, paired with "Coming Apart". Both songs were from the LP. While it did not chart, Cashbox said that it's a "Lesser known Bread slice given the fine Jones touch," noting that "MOR's could hardly ask for more." The album was reissued in 1982 under RCA International.

Chart performance The album debuted on the United Kingdom Official Albums Chart in the issue dated June 3, 1972, breaking into the top-10 and reaching No. 7 during a thirty-six-week run on the chart. Reaching its peak position in mid June, it became his best-charting album in his career. Bread Winners dropped out of the charts completely in early 1973. The album was certified to as having over 100,000 sales, and was certified Gold in the UK.

Reception The album received a positive critical reception upon its release. Billboard stated that "The first concept package of beautiful material penned by David Gates and made into giant hits by Bread, is one of the finest and most commercial Jones albums." The publication noted that "Jones is at his best with sensitive readings of 'If,' 'Everything I Own,' 'Make It With You,' 'Baby I'm-a Want You,' and the current smash hit of Bread, 'Diary.' This one should prove a giant programmer that will induce heavy sales for Jones."

One of the mentioned Bread's members, David Gates, said that he was "impressed and flattered" by the album and that the album is special, because it was the first album dedicated to their songs, adding "Most of all it's special because Jack rendered such beautifully sincere interpretations of the songs – and it's special because its gifted producer (Joe Reisman) and I have known each other for a long time, and he wanted to do his finest work to please an old friend. I can assure you, he succeeded."

Track listing Bread Winners track listing

Personnel All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Bread Winners.

Jack Jones – vocals Harry Betts – arranger, conductor Larry Muhoberac – arranger, conductor Mickey Crofford – arranger, mixing engineer Joe Kloess – arranger, conductor, piano Rick Ruggieri – recording engineer Ken Whitmore – cover photo Frank Bez – liner photo Chuck Hughes – drums Chino Valdes – congas Bob Thomas – guitar Steve Swallow – bass

Charts

+ Chart peaks for Bread Winners Chart (1972) Peakposition UK Official Albums Chart7

Certification

References