Dottie Peoples - The Water I Give

Atlanta Int'l

Dottie Peoples, known as the Songbird of the South, has won legions of fans with her traditional songs, her infectious music and her sense of fashion. She’s been a favorite in gospel for years. Getting her initial start in gospel touring with Dorothy Norwood and Shirley Caesar, she’s been known in gospel for decades singing songs of testimony and encouragement. A multiple Stellar Award winner (among other accolades), her career really took off with her hit song On Time God. Now delivering a new project from AIR Gospel, she gives us another collection of songs with her familiar signature style called The Water I Give.

Ms. Peoples is not only a great singer, but a producer as well. She sits in the producer’s chair on The Water I Give producing the entire project. She also shines as the principal songwriter on this project writing seven of the album’s 12 tracks.

The studio project starts off with He’ll Give You Everything. The beat-driven tune is a testimonial about God providing all our needs. Done with her improvisational vocal style she’s famous for, she talks about how the Lord has opened doors for her. Her background vocalists come in right on cue with their churchy response to Dottie’s call.

The title tune, The Water I Give, is a relaxing and pensive song about the water that leaves none thirsty. Penned by Ms. Peoples, the melodic song reminds us of the power in the “water”. Opening with a strong horn section, He Got Up is a timely tune about the power Jesus had when He was raised from the dead. The sopranos belt it out as Dottie recounts Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection layered over a funky rhythm section and an inspiring hook.

Ms. Peoples moves into a solemn moment with the reflective track Hallelujah Jesus. The beautiful melody finds her taking a break from the more uptempo songs to give honor and reverence to the Lord. Hallelujah Jesus is a pretty worship song. She brings us back to more rhythmic music with the Doug Williams-penned track, Still Running.

A favorite on this project will certainly be Grace & Mercy. Dottie gives God thanks for waking her up in the morning and “opening these old eyes of mine”. Sprinkled with some nice piano keystrokes, she and the background vocalists minister on this song. Where would any of us be without the mercy and grace of God? She takes us next right to the scripture with her song based on Matthew6:33. Seek Ye First helps us to remember that God will bless us – as long as we keep Him first. The mid-tempo groove is a powerful witness and Dottie pulls no punches with her lyrics. I Can Win slows things down a bit with an inspirational message about perseverance. She sings,

Written by Dottie herself, the song can’t help but lift up the downcast soul. Where He Leads Me is followed by Let Jesus Lead You. Both songs stress the importance of the Lord’s guidance. On the latter song, Dottie has some old-time church. If you like church the way it used to be, you’ll like Let Jesus Lead You.

She makes sure to include a praise song on The Water I Give giving us the uplifting track Praise Him. What better way to end a project than with a song entitled Thank You. Tinged with an electric guitar and a neck-bobbing groove, the song leaves us with an attitude of gratitude with a little funk (meaning Parliament Funkadelic).

Go ahead, Dottie!