::ALBUM REVIEW::

Known to many as being the Songbird of the South, Dottie Peoples took flight with this awesome set of traditional-styled tunes on "On Time God" (1994). This powerful live set contains her unforgettable signature song, "He's An On Time God"; which is now considered a modern gospel classic. But there's so much available that it's hard to escape the charismatic deliveries from Peoples and her outstanding band. Of course, another important highlight about this album is the clear production used here for a live recording. It has an authentic live experience feel, but is greatly polished with rich treble and a colorful density of song selections. Cuts like the smooth R&B-traced "Just When I Need Him" and the worshipful "Have Your Way Lord" show another side of Dottie's charm as she renders memorable vocals that best suits that of popular artists like Helen Baylor or LaShun Pace, with the Peoples' Choice Chorale providing a rich background. And there's the churchy opener, "Happy In Jesus", that always works a good impression for its listeners. When the vamp finally jumps in after a blazing horn arrangement, the song bursts with abundance and drive as Peoples and crew deliver anything synonymous to a closing night of a Sanctified church revival. Another important contribution here also include the intimate vibes of Eddie Robinson's "For My Good". Peoples sings the song with such grace and sensitivity that it makes sense why this track was a standout; probably one of her greatest ballads ever.

While Eddie Robinson and John Croslan are best remembered for laying down a typical musical landscape for Peoples, her contributions here, along with neat inclusions from labelmates James Bignon and Rev. Gerald Thompson, add an extra coating to the brilliance offered here. Thompson's "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus" is a simple, sing-a-long number that contains the perfect 90s contemporary gospel sound while Bignon's contribution, "I Know A Man" would have easily made a good number of spins on his own AIR projects. "Get Your House In Order", another number written by Peoples, is a traditional acapella selection that shows off the Peoples' Choice Chorale's choral abilities.

It is so amazing that there are not too many albums from the 1990s that sound as impressive as the albums of today, since production for live recordings have reached a serious high with unbelievable overdubb creations and heavy mixing equipment made available now. But the intense work and charisma offered on "On Time God" can be felt in almost every beat and note; making this collection just as enjoyable on ears now than it was when it was first released. It was evident that Atlanta International Records believed in their newest superstar and had confidence that this album would take off to an unprecedented level of success due to its unparalleled sound.

Reaching #1 on the Billboard Gospel charts, Peoples' On Time God and the title song swept the Stellar Awards (Album, Song, Female Vocalist, and Choir of the Year) and the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) Awards (Album, Female Vocalist and Song of the Year). She was also nominated for Soul Train's Lady of Soul Award that year.