Forever is the fifth album by American rock band Orleans, released in 1979 on Infinity Records. It is the first album without John Hall and only album with multi-instrumentalist/vocalist R.A. Martin.[2][3]
The lineup change saw the group going in a different direction sonically, with newcomer Bob Leinbach handling most of the lead vocals. This is one of two albums by the group where original member Wells Kelly is featured as a member but does not contribute any lead vocals, the other being 1975's Let There Be Music.
Critical reception
Music Week gave the album only two out of four stars, but wrote that it "sounds like the Doobie Brothers on a good day."[4] The Hartford Courant deemed it "lively without being lightweight."[5]
Record World called the title track a "pretty love song" that "opens with a soft acoustic guitar and touching vocal that build in drama and intensity via a soaring
electric lead bridge."[6]
Cash Box said of the single "Don't Throw Our Love Away" that it is a smart, rock-tinged pop song, with some neat lead and slide guitar work."[7]
Track listing
Credits adapted from LP liner notes.[1]
Side A| Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals |
|---|
| 1. | "Love Takes Time" | Larry Hoppen, Marilyn Mason | Larry Hoppen | 3:51[nb 1] |
|---|
| 2. | "Don't Throw Our Love Away" | Larry Hoppen, Bob Leinbach, Mason | Larry Hoppen | 4:50 |
|---|
| 3. | "Keep On Rollin'" | Leinbach | Leinbach, R.A. Martin | 5:28 |
|---|
| 4. | "I Never Wanted To Love You" | Larry Hoppen, Leinbach, Mason | Leinbach | 4:38 |
|---|
Side B| Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals |
|---|
| 5. | "Everybody Needs Some Music" | Kal David, Larry Hoppen, Leinbach, Mason | Leinbach | 4:45 |
|---|
| 6. | "Slippin' Away" | David, Larry Hoppen, Leinbach, Mason | Leinbach | 5:00 |
|---|
| 7. | "The Flame And The Moth" | Martin | Martin | 3:55 |
|---|
| 8. | "Isn't It Easy" | Sherman Kelly, Wells Kelly | Leinbach | 4:17 |
|---|
| 9. | "Forever" | Larry Hoppen, Leinbach, Mason | Larry Hoppen | 2:48 |
|---|
- Cassette listing[8]
Side A| Title |
|---|
| 1. | "Love Takes Time" | 3:51 |
|---|
| 2. | "Everybody Needs Some Music" | 4:45 |
|---|
| 3. | "Forever" | 2:48 |
|---|
| 4. | "I Never Wanted To Love You" | 4:38 |
|---|
| 5. | "The Flame And The Moth" | 3:55 |
|---|
Side B| Title |
|---|
| 6. | "Keep On Rollin'" | 5:28 |
|---|
| 7. | "Isn't It Easy" | 4:17 |
|---|
| 8. | "Don't Throw Our Love Away" | 4:50 |
|---|
| 9. | "Slippin' Away" | 5:00 |
|---|
Personnel
- Orleans
- Larry Hoppen – guitar, lead vocals (1, 2, 9), backing vocals, trumpet, piano (1), synthesizer (1), organ (2)
- Lance Hoppen – bass, backing vocals, Syndrums (1)
- Wells Kelly – drums, backing vocals, percussion, electric piano (8)
- Bob Leinbach – piano, lead vocals, (3–6, 8), backing vocals, trombone (4)
- R. A. Martin – organ, lead vocals (3 and 7), backing vocals, tenor and baritone saxophone, string conductor, chimes (1), piano (2), french horn (4), vibraslap (6, vibraphone (6), cabasa (6), concert grand piano (7)
- Additional musicians
- Production
Charts
- Album
| Chart (1979)
|
Position
|
| US Billboard 200[9]
|
76
|
- Singles
| Year
|
Single
|
Chart
|
Position
|
| 1979
|
"Love Takes Time"
|
US Billboard Hot 100[10]
|
11
|
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary[11]
|
13
|
| Canada RPM Top Singles
|
23
|
| Australia Kent Music Report
|
90
|
| "Don't Throw Our Love Away"
|
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[12]
|
92
|
| "Forever"
|
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[13]
|
24
|
Notes
- ^ This is the length printed on the LP sticker, whereas the liner notes label the song as lasting 4:03.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Forever (album). Orleans. New York, New York: Infinity Records, Inc. 1979. INF-9006
- ^ a b c "Orleans - Forever". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ^ "High Fidelity: Vol. 29, Issues 7-12". ABC Leisure Magazines. 1979. p. 83. Retrieved February 8, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Album Reviews: Orleans — "Forever"" (PDF). Music Week. Gwent: Pensord Press Ltd. May 12, 1979. p. 34. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2025 – via WorldRadioHistory.com.
- ^ McNulty, Henry (April 8, 1979). "Without Leading Lights". Hartford Courant. p. 7G.
- ^ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. September 22, 1979. p. 28. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 7, 1979. p. 18. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Forever (album). Orleans. New York, New York: Infinity Records, Inc. 1979. INFC-9006
- ^ "Forever". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ^ "Love Takes Time (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ^ "Love Takes Time (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ^ https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-08-18.pdf
- ^ "Forever (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.