Replying straight after reading - if I wait to listen to Morning Dove White and its variuos associated 12"s and try to find my personal files of the unreleased second album all over again [you read that correct], I'll forget to post.
Yours is a great article. I'm not sure I need to read the Pitchfork one. As an expat Brit living, writing and DJing prominently on the "alternative" NYC scene during the early 1990s, AND as a friend of London/FFRR's US A&R man, I was inundated with One Dove promos and needed little convincing to enjoy them. The slow tempos meant they were hard to pull off on the dance floor but that rarely stopped me trying. Those early 12"s with Weatherall's distinctive touches were, I hate to use the word but I am going to, seminal. And like many, by the time the album came it was a little too confused and too late. Your explanation of what went on seems correct - major label meddling and insistence on Weatherall mixes up front meant that this was not an "album" in the sense that bands like too make albums. We should also note that lack of live performances meant that the group found it hard to establish their own identity.
Does all this make a Lost Classic? Debatable. There are classic elements to One Dove's catalogue but I don't recall once thinking that the album itself rose to that level of quality. Lost? Possibly. The ultimate commercial disappointment of Morning Dove White compared to what you rightly cite as unfair expectations is a statement of fact, and it is an album, and especially a band, well worth revisiting. The fact that it was not available for streaming for so long lends credence to your post and Pitchfork's revisitation too. I see it more as one of those "If only" scenarios, in the "so close yet so far" bracket of what could have been.
Dot Alison has gone on to a marginally successful solo career, and I think that bears noting. Not everyone is cut out for pop stardom!
Thanks so much Ben. Have transferred your playlist over to Qobuz and hope to be enlightened. Have also subscribed to your pod. Cheers,
I loved One Dove - also had that album on cassette, was a teenager at the time and I remember buying it in Leeds Our Price! Can I suggest Bang Bang Machine for that list as well? More on the guitar side I suppose but the song geek love is a classic of ethereal dance pop?
Great writing as usual. I think we were digging in some of the same bargain bins (except mine were in Leeds) at that time. I do still have the Transient Truth 12" sitting around and revisiting the album, I'm surprised it's not well represented on the streaming services. Considering that FFRR must have bought the rights from Boys Own, it seems an odd omission. Also FFRR may or may not have been an inspiration of the naming of FRBH Recordings in 1988, I cannot confirm nor deny.
Hey Ben,
Replying straight after reading - if I wait to listen to Morning Dove White and its variuos associated 12"s and try to find my personal files of the unreleased second album all over again [you read that correct], I'll forget to post.
Yours is a great article. I'm not sure I need to read the Pitchfork one. As an expat Brit living, writing and DJing prominently on the "alternative" NYC scene during the early 1990s, AND as a friend of London/FFRR's US A&R man, I was inundated with One Dove promos and needed little convincing to enjoy them. The slow tempos meant they were hard to pull off on the dance floor but that rarely stopped me trying. Those early 12"s with Weatherall's distinctive touches were, I hate to use the word but I am going to, seminal. And like many, by the time the album came it was a little too confused and too late. Your explanation of what went on seems correct - major label meddling and insistence on Weatherall mixes up front meant that this was not an "album" in the sense that bands like too make albums. We should also note that lack of live performances meant that the group found it hard to establish their own identity.
Does all this make a Lost Classic? Debatable. There are classic elements to One Dove's catalogue but I don't recall once thinking that the album itself rose to that level of quality. Lost? Possibly. The ultimate commercial disappointment of Morning Dove White compared to what you rightly cite as unfair expectations is a statement of fact, and it is an album, and especially a band, well worth revisiting. The fact that it was not available for streaming for so long lends credence to your post and Pitchfork's revisitation too. I see it more as one of those "If only" scenarios, in the "so close yet so far" bracket of what could have been.
Dot Alison has gone on to a marginally successful solo career, and I think that bears noting. Not everyone is cut out for pop stardom!
Thanks so much Ben. Have transferred your playlist over to Qobuz and hope to be enlightened. Have also subscribed to your pod. Cheers,
Tony
thanks Tony! Great post. What do those second album demos sound like?
I will need to get back to you on that. Have not listened for a long time. Bug me!
Just seen that the demos are on SOundcloud! https://soundcloud.com/one-dove
I loved One Dove - also had that album on cassette, was a teenager at the time and I remember buying it in Leeds Our Price! Can I suggest Bang Bang Machine for that list as well? More on the guitar side I suppose but the song geek love is a classic of ethereal dance pop?
good lord there's a name I haven't heard recently! Good call.
It’s possible that they were a one hit wonder
I was reminded of BBM the other day and amazed how I was transported back to a particular time and hearing the single on Peel, I think?
Great writing as usual. I think we were digging in some of the same bargain bins (except mine were in Leeds) at that time. I do still have the Transient Truth 12" sitting around and revisiting the album, I'm surprised it's not well represented on the streaming services. Considering that FFRR must have bought the rights from Boys Own, it seems an odd omission. Also FFRR may or may not have been an inspiration of the naming of FRBH Recordings in 1988, I cannot confirm nor deny.