CD REVIEW: PRAY NOW- KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS
CD REVIEW:
PRAY NOW BY KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER
RELEASE DATE: April 28, 2015
LABEL: DAYWIND MUSIC
GROUP MEMBERS: KAREN PECK GOOCH (SOPRANO), SUSAN PECK JACKSON (ALTO), JEFF HAWES (TENOR/LEAD), KARI GOOCH (GUEST VOCAL)
SONG LIST: (Title/Writer)
Calling- Jason Cox, Gerald Crabb, and Karen Peck Gooch
Pray Now- Dave Clark, Michael Farren, and Karen Peck Gooch
Hallelujah For The Cross- Ross King, Brandon Wright
Love With All My Heart- Becky Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs Yeary, and Steven Jones
Blessed- Karen Peck Gooch, Michael Farren, and Kenna Turner West
I’m Not Letting Go- Benji Cowart, Karen Peck Gooch, and Kenna Turner West
I Choose Christ- Jason Cox, Gerald Crabb, and Sue C. Smith
Peace That Covers All The Pain- Caleb Collins, Wayne Haun
Redemption’s Holy Lamb- Benji Cowart, Karen Peck Gooch, and Kenna Turner West
Lord, Send Your Angels- William J. "Bill" Gaither, Suzanne Jennings
A Life That’s Good- Ashley Monroe, Sarah Siskind
THOUGHTS
Karen Peck & New River continue to delight listeners around the world with their sweet Southern Gospel harmonies. The group, which was founded in 1991, currently consists of Karen Peck Gooch, who has endeared herself to fans over the years with her powerful soprano voice, her sister Susan Peck Jackson whose tender alto blends seemlessly with the group, and the smooth tenor voice of Jeff Hawes rounding out the trio. New River brings a great mix of traditional, progressive and country styles to their recordings and overall sound and the project is no different. Pray Now has a little something for everyone!! The record opens with a bang! Karen takes the lead on the energetic, country flavored, uptempo number "Calling," which asks "Can you hear the Lord calling you out of troubled life?" The Lord can set you free if just heed the call!! He is calling come and be saved!! Next, the title cut tugs at the heart strings for sure. Karen once again takes the lead on this tender yet powerful ballad about the power of prayer. When it feels like all hope is lost, pray now. There is strength and power in His name!! He is always listening and always with you!! Amen!!! Jeff Hawes is featured on the midtempo song of praise entitled "Halelujah For The Cross." Love has won and death has lost!! Jesus Christ died so that we may live!! On Calvary's hill, He won the war!! Next, Susan takes the solos on another midtempo track called "Love With All My Heart." This simple song talks about the power of Love to change the world. This world is full of darkness and strife, so we must share to love of God with everyone we meet. We must love with all of our hearts and spread His love everywhere!! Karen is featured once again on the tender ballad "Blessed," which says we are blessed beyond measure!! The following lyric embodies the message of not only this song, but the entire album as well. "Through the trouble, pain, and disappointments, when it seems that I have nothing left, you will never leave me or forsake me, I will testify until my dying breathe, I AM BLESSED!!" Amen!! What a great message and well written lyric!! The trio absolutely blew me away with their heartfelt and powerful vocals on this song!! Hawes steps up once again on a country/bluegrass flavored midtempo tune "I'm Not Letting Go," which says I'm gonna hold to the hand of Jesus! I will not be moved, or shaken. God is always in control, so I'm not letting go. Hawes has really developed into a fantastic vocalist during his tenure with the group!! The powerful ballad "I Choose Christ" is a pure heartfelt testimony in the form of a song. It simply says "I choose Christ when everything around me says give up." This song of hope encourages listeners to believe in the Christ who gave His own life to save everyone from their sins. This song is without a doubt one of my favorites on this project!! The trio has never sounded better, in my opinion, and the message hits home. My family has been faced with some difficult stuggles over the last few years centered around money and the waning health of my grandmother. It is hard not to let these things get me down and there have been many days where I feel defeated. I'm here to tell you however, that while the problems are ongoing, I choose Christ!! He is bigger than all of my problems!! He is in control! Even though we may not have a lot of money, we are still blessed beyond measure! This song reminds me of something that Ian Owens (of Soul'd Out Quartet) said concerning his wife's health scare two years ago, "In the midst of the struggle, I praised the solution." Whatever problems you may face, whether it be financial troubles or illness, God is with you and is in control. He is the solution to the problem so trust in the One who knows the outcome.
Susan once again takes the lead on the next song; the bluegrass ballad "Peace That Covers All The Pain," which continues with this theme of hope in the midst of the storms of life. Following this tender ballad is the Celtic styled "Redemption's Holy Lamb," which praises the Lord for His love and faithfulness. I love this line from the song: "When Jesus died and rose to life, Hell had nothing left!" Amen!! Karen is featured again on the bluegrass flavored ballad "Lord, Send Your Angels," which is a beautiful request for angels to watch over us and comfort us in the midst of darkness. The last song the midtempo "A Life That's Good" features Karen's daughter Kari, who also serves as product manager and multi-media coordinator. It is a simple prayer in song that thanks the Lord for His blessings. Let this be a prayer and blessing over you: Whatever problems you face, trust in God who is bigger. Trust in Him in the midst of the storm and share His love with everyone you meet. Appreciate what you have and be thankful. At the end of the day, I pray we all live a life that's good.
This is a MUST BUY!! 5 stars!! A truly amazing collection of songs and incredible vocals and music.
To purchase this recording, visit http://www.karenpeckandnewriver.com/