Description

Doer of the Word is the sophomore solo album by the American singer and songwriter Dan Peek of America fame, released on Home Sweet Home Records in 1984, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was engineered by Jack Joseph Puig with Chris Christian producing for Home Sweet Home Productions.

If you like your pop with lots of fizz, you’ll love Dan Peek’s ‘Doer of the Word’, his first release on Home Sweet Home. The former composer and lead guitarist for America still delivers the same pleasing, well-paced light rock that made the group famous. In fact, Peek says that the title song was deliberately designed to sound like the band. To ensure the similarity, he and producer Chris Christian arranged for Gerry Beckley, another original America member, to sing backup vocals and play acoustic lead guitar for the piece. Christian filled in the rest of the musical accompaniement by programming the Linn drum machine and playing electric guitar and bass.

The message of the album is much clearer than that of Peek’s 1980 gospel debut, ‘All Things Are Possible‘. «Your Father Loves You», written by Christian, is softly reassuring; «Brotherly Love», a collaboration between Peek, Christian, and Phil Naish, reminds us of our responsibility to care for one another. No heavy exhortation here, just friendly, arm-around-the-shoulder encouragement. Solid worship lyrics appear in cuts like «Everything», «I Believe in Miracles», and «Redeemer».

The sound is consistent for all songs, full of good hooks, and ear-pleasing chord progressions. Peek’s light, smooth voice carries the lyrics well; his delivery is further sweetened by full backup harmonies.

The only cut with a slightly different flavor is Tom Peek’s «Power and Glory», which features a spunky piano solo – shades of ragtime – by Jim Calire, another former America member, while James Harrah plays a controlled rock guitar and Peek plays acoustic guitar.

To Christians who prefer a deeply personal soul-to-soul approach, the shiny sound will be a drawback. But if pop is the style you like, ‘Doer of the Word’ is an album you’ll want to hear. [Dawn Dicker, CCM, August 1984]

2021 PROMO

In the ’70s, Peek had been one third of one of the most successful bands in the USA, America. They became one of the biggest bands in the USA. Unfortunately the success still left Dan Peek empty inside and his spiritual journey led him to salvation in the late ’70s. He left the band and embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album in 1978. Doer of the Word is his second album released in 1984. One thing is for sure, Peek knows how to pen songs with hooky choruses and gorgeous harmony vocal arrangements. He even persuaded his former band mates in America to add their golden throats to the title cut here which is an absolute classic of melodic pop with an encouraging Christian message. Those catchy pop tunes continue throughout with other highlights including the killer chorus of “Holy Spirit” and the pleasant vibe of “Your Father Loves You”. Peek’s skill is combining a strong message with a great melody. I’m left reflecting that 20 years later, there are few modern artists who are truly interested in making strongly spiritual music outside the worship genre, which is a shame. If you like west coast harmonies and pop arrangements, there’s plenty here to enjoy. For fans of classic America, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, The Band, and Van Morrison.

> Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/1yxEMhqkMJMYr7iFXMTQo5)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Doer Of The Word” – 2:49
A2. “Holy Spirit” – 3:33
A3. “Reach Out” – 3:29
A4. “Everything” – 3:26
A5. “Your Father Loves You” – 3:47

Side Two
B1. “Brotherly Love” – 2:56
B2. “Redeemer” – 3:51
B3. “I Believe In Miracles” – 2:42
B4. “Thank You Lord” – 3:23
B5. “Power And Glory” – 3:41

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Home Sweet Home Records. Re-issued on CD by Home Sweet Home Records in 2000. Digital remastered in 2021 (that includes fully restored audio, previous CD reissues had audio substantial issues) and re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records featuring two bonus tracks; “The Star” and “One Way (Extended Version)”.