''First'' is the debut solo album by David Gates, released in 1973. Musicians who appear on the album include Larry Knechtel,

Mike Botts Michael Gene Botts (December 8, 1944 – December 9, 2005) was an American drummer, best known for his work with 1970s soft rock band Bread, and as a session musician. During his career, he recorded with Linda Ronstadt, Karla Bonoff, Andrew Gold ...

Jimmy Getzoff Jimmy may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Jimmy'' (2008 film), a 2008 Hindi thriller directed by Raj N. Sippy * ''Jimmy'' (1979 film), a 1979 Indian Malayalam film directed by Melattoor Ravi Varma * ''Jimmy'' (2013 f ...

, Jim Gordon,

Jim Horn James Ronald Horn (born November 20, 1940) is an American saxophonist, woodwind player, and session musician. Biography Horn was born in Los Angeles, and after replacing saxophonist Steve Douglas in 1959, he toured with member Duane Eddy for ...

John Guerin John Payne Guerin (October 31, 1939 – January 5, 2004) was an American percussionist. He was a proponent of the jazz-rock style. Biography Guerin was born in Hawaii and raised in San Diego. As a young drummer he began performing with Buddy De ...

, Larry Carlton,

Louie Shelton William Louis Shelton (born April 6, 1941) is an American guitarist and music producer. Biography During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s Shelton was a session musician working in recording studios around Hollywood. Among his more notable session wo ...

, and

Russ Kunkel Russell Kunkel (born September 27, 1948) is an American drummer who has worked as a session musician with many popular artists, including Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Buffett, Harry Chapin, Rita Coolidge, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Dan Fo ...

Critical reception

The New Rolling Stone Record Guide ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'', previously known as ''The Rolling Stone Record Guide'', is a book that contains professional music reviews written and edited by staff members from ''Rolling Stone'' magazine. Its first edition was published in 1 ...

'' wrote: "Above all, Gates displays a concern for lyrics and melody (indeed, for song structure) that is nothing if not admirable and praiseworthy. But he can also be totally insipid: side two of ''First'' is an emotional wasteland."

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by David Gates. #"Sail Around the World" #"Sunday Rider" #"Soap (I Use The)" #" Suite: Clouds, Rain" #"Help Is on the Way" #"Ann" #"Do You Believe He's Comin'" #"Sight and Sound" #"Lorilee"

Personnel

*David Gates - guitar, vocals, composer, producer, arranger *James Getzoff - strings * Jim Gordon - drums *

- saxophone *

- drums * Larry Carlton - guitar * Larry Knechtel - keyboards, associate producer *

- guitar *

- drums *

- drums ;Technical *Armin Steiner, Bruce Morgan - engineer *Robert L. Heimall - cover design *Frank Bez - front cover photography

References

1973 debut albums David Gates albums Elektra Records albums {{1970s-rock-album-stub