The Persuaders, Peace in the Valley of Love | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 155th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Peace in the Valley of Love” by The Persuaders.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 155^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Peace in the Valley of Love” performed by The Persuaders.

“(There is peace in the valley of love) / Everything’s alright now / (There is peace) Peace (in the valley of love) / Between me and my baby.” The Persuaders are best known for one of soul’s greatest songs: “Thin Line Between Love and Hate”. However, the New York City-based collective had other gems beyond their top 20, gold-certified single. “Peace in the Valley of Love” (not to be confused with the beloved Thomas A. Dorsey hymn) was another soulful single released by the vocal group that failed to break through on the pop charts.  It did, however, impact the R&B (soul) songs chart, just missing the top 20. The single commenced their 1973 album, simply titled, The Persuaders. A song preceding my time, how did I happen upon “Peace in the Valley of Love?” The Spotify Smart Shuffle feature while driving. Anyways, “Peace in the Valley of Love” thrives off gospel vibes, gritty lead vocals, harmonized background vocals, and engaging songwriting (Jackie Members and Robert “Bobby” Poindexter).

Lead vocalist Douglas Scott (nicknamed “Smokey”), knows he must get home! Why? “When my baby’s all alone / I ain’t got time to hang out here talking about,” he sings, continuing, “Who’s running around with who’s old lady / And what foxy chick wanna get next to me.” Scott knows he’s got a good woman, and their love is growing. Hence, he needs to ensure the trajectory continues to be upward and stay out of drama, mess, and trouble.  Love has made him, and the rest of The Persuaders changed! Even if folks talk about him, Scott asserts, “When it comes, when it comes to my woman / I don’t do nothing I’m ashamed of / Or afraid to let get out on the street /… Baby, all I know is what’s good for me and you.” Their relationship is S-T-R-O-N-G and nothing is going to come between them.  Supported by a mean-sounding backdrop (rhythm section, horns, and strings), The Persuaders impress on the underrated “Peace in the Valley of Love”.

The Persuaders // The Persuaders // Atco // 1973

The Persuaders, Peace in the Valley of Love: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 155 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atco; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]