Orleans - Love Takes Time

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1st track from "Forever" (1979). What an unusually wise message for a pop rock song! This almost-Top-Ten hit (it got to number 11) is a treat, a move away from the folk sounds that the band originally found fame with and a jump into the music that Atlanta Rhythm Section, Ambrosia, and other '70s AOR artists were enjoying success with.

~gleaned from a review by Joe Viglione at AllMusic.com

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The title track is sublime, "Forever's" tale of solid friendship has a strong Larry Hoppen lead vocal to take the ballad to a dreamy place that really should have followed "Love Takes Time" up the charts. Hoppen only sings three of the nine songs; four of the songs are handled by piano player Bob Leinbach; one by organist R.A. Martin, with Martin and Leinbach sharing the leads on Leinbach's song "Keep On Rollin'." This formula works, Leinbach's and Hoppen's voices having a similar tonal quality. Leinbach's vocal on side two's leadoff track "Everybody Needs Some Music" is very cheery with its modulations and horns. There's not a bad track on this stylish reorganization of a band that survived the departure of its guiding light. When Jon Hall rejoined the group, they released a pair of live albums which gather the best elements of both versions of the band, something the Doobie Brothers but few others had the smarts to give their followers. Forever is a tasty album of pop melodies and harmonies, enhanced by the songwriting talents of Marilyn Mason, who contributes to five of the titles, including the brilliant "Slippin' Away," title track "Forever," and the big hit single "Love Takes Time."

~ http://www.allmusic.com/album/forever-mw0000840048