Derrick Doc Pearson - I Still Do: Songs For A Biblical Marriage
STYLE: Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 165853-25623 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
Seasoned US multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter Derrick "Doc" Pearson states that his new album is a collection of "romantic and inspirational love songs intended to strengthen, inspire and encourage those that are entering or are members of God's biblical marriage covenant." The classic '80s soul feel of this record provides the perfect backdrop for all involved to up the schmaltz factor to 11 and proceedings do occasionally get a tad sickly sweet - most notably in the self-explanatory "Intimacy (In-To-Me-See)" which may induce an out-loud "get a room" on first listen. Thankfully, Pearson doesn't always paint marriage in a rose-tinted light and some thornier aspects of wedlock are covered - most notably "In God's Hands" which details a marriage at the point of breakdown whilst the more light-hearted "Adjustments (We Must Adjust)" sees Pearson and his wife of 34 years Lamar in conversation about the little things about each other that niggle before concluding that these differences make their marriage stronger. As the subtitle suggests, the release is underpinned by the truth that involving and interacting with God is what makes the difference in a marriage and tracks like "Through Jesus Christ" and a cover of Bob Gilman's "Bind Us Together" put the point across well. This won't be everyone's cup of tea but will certainly appeal to Christian couples who are deeply in love and have a taste for the kind of saccharine material you'd find on Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs. The good Doctor has chosen to involve a number of skilled guest artists including Al Johnson, Kathy Horry and Stephan Terry and this helps to provide some variety.
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