Description
The self-titled, first full-length album by the British rock group The Advocates was released on Dovetail in 1973. The Advocates is considered the first (and at the time only) full time gospel band in the UK.
Dovetail was a Christian label based in the UK during the 1970’s and The Advocates’ debut album was the first album to be released on the label. From 1973 until 1976 the label was called Dovetail. In 1976 the label was re-branded as Dove Records. In 1979 Dove merged into Kingsway Music.
This British pop-rocking male foursome delivers a fine debut full of hooks and melodies. Lively presentation, catchy tunes, bold harmonies, invigorated with a crisp electric guitar presence. Lots of organ, too, which gives the album more of a ‘60s sound with flashbacks to the whole British Invasion thing. I’m usually not a fan of horns, but here they’re used to good effect, as on their energetic arrangement of «Rise, Shine». They get down into some loud boogie-style rock-and-roll on «No Man’s Land» and «Jumpin’ Jeremiah», both of which have blazing guitar solos. «Alive» rocks pretty heavily as well, while «Revolution» marches sturdily along in ‘60s garage-band fashion. More piano boogie can be found on «Just Jesus And Me». Some fine ballads in «Take A Good Look At Yourself», «Miracle» and «Blind Eyes». «Rebels Song» is done a cappella in the style of a madrigal. Says on the back that they traveled full time as associate evangelists with British Youth for Christ. Premier album on the Dovetail label. Includes a large folded lyric sheet. Goofy cover with cartoon caricatures of the band. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Take A Good Look At Yourself” – 3:55
A2. “Rise Shine” – 2:24
A3. “His Name Is Jesus” – 2:48
A4. “No-Man’s Land” – 3:06
A5. “Just Jesus And Me” – 2:51
A6. “Jumping Jeremiah” – 2:43
Side Two
B1. “Emmanuel” – 3:33
B2. “Revolution” – 4:17
B3. “Miracle” – 3:16
B4. “Alive” – 3:56
B5. “Blind Eyes” – 1:31
B6. “Rebels Song” – 1:12
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