Description
Dove II is the sophomore album by the American rock band Dove, released on Shalom Records in 1974, distributed by Acts 29, PA. The album was recorded and mixed by Reese Gray and Bob Farrell at CAM Sound Factory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; with the band producing. Strings arranged by David Powell with horns arranged by Harlan Rogers. Featuring Sonny Lallerstedt of the Pat Terry Group on lead guitar.
Dove leaves the nest and soars miles above their debut. Leaving the simple folk-rock feel of that LP, they’ve developed a rich textured sound layered with synths, mellotron, and even touches of progressive art rock. Starved proggies will swallow the opening cut whole with it’s ’70s prog guitars and keyboards (I think I heard Camel in there for about 3 seconds). Larry Norman’s «The Outlaw» and Pat Terry’s «Seen It Now» both get lush arrangements. «Bad News Blues» growls out the world’s woes before ending on a more upbeat groove about the “good news”. New to the group is Bob Farrell on bass and Sonny Lallerstedt is enlisted for lead guitar – both played on the Millennium album which has a similar sound. A good deal of ballads here, but well worth it for the progressive stuff. Colorful deluxe gate-fold cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
So many Jesus Music albums have failed to successfully weave spiritual and musical thoughtfulness with outstanding production. “Dove Two” is an exception.
Led by Bill Landers, Dove have taken nine songs and have come out with a whole product. There’s nothing extraordinary about “Dove Two”; everything is just done well. The songs seem to fit, yet they don’t all sound the same.
Some may not like the use of all those special effects; the tape whoosh, the echo, et al. But they add just enough spice to the songs to make them all the more interesting.
The best song is «Bad News Blues». For four of the five minutes the song tells us about the world’s decrepit situation. Then, in perfect timing, the tempo speeds up as Dove tells about the Good News, that Jesus is the answer to the world’s situation.
«Ugly Louise» reminds us that God loves us all, even the so-called “losers” in life.
“Dove Two” came as a surprise. They had released one good album on Myrrh three years ago and then dropped out of sight. Happily, they have resurfaced with this fine effort. [Harmony, Vol 1. No. 4 (1975)]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Opening – Do You Need Somebody” – 3:30
A2. “The Outlaw” – 3:18
A3. “Changed” – 4:19
A4. “Bad News Blues” – 5:25
Side Two
B1. “Ugly Louise” – 3:06
B2. “Freedom” – 2:42
B3. “Seen It Now” – 3:20
B4. “Information, Please” – 3:55
B5. “Adoption” – 3:04
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Shalom Records, with the vinyl edition housed in a gatefold sleeve with the lyrics printed on the inside.
Gatefold Cover Artwork
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