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Apr

2005

Karen Peck & New River – Good to Be Free

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Producers: Michael Sykes & Phil Johnson
Executive Producer: Phil Johnson
Label: Spring Hill Music Group
Website: http://www.karenpeckandnewriver.com

I'm happy in knowing that Karen Peck & New River waits a year and half to two years before releasing new studio projects. I take this kind of attitude mainly due to the fact that my anticipation for new music is always peaking when the new album releases and that she always meets those expectations – or in the case of Good to Be Free (her latest Spring Hill Music Group recording) – totally exceeds those expectations.

Producers Michael Sykes and Phil Johnson take the listener on a musical ride through many variations of Southern Gospel and country. Good to Be Free kicks off with “Feels Good to Be Free”, an inspirational upbeat based number that showcases the harmonies that this group is known for. The group remakes the popular Cristy Lane song “One Day at a Time” with a new musical background (arranged by popular studio musician Gordon Mote ). One could be skeptical of remaking such a popular song, but the group interprets it masterfully.

“My Lord and I” is a musical stretch for Karen Peck & New River – leaning on celtic/world music influences and praise & worship-like melody lines. “Just One Touch” is your typical Karen Peck ballad which is performed wonderfully with Karen's unique and heartfelt vocal delivery. That song is a #1 hit waiting to happen.

“ River of Peace ” is a nice country-based tune, featuring an acoustic musical track. “Saved” features a unique 6/8 meter, something not typically used in Southern Gospel songs. The song features Susan Peck Jackson in one of her best moments. “Pocket Full of Seeds” is a real lyrical gem (penned by praise and worship artist Carl Cartee ). While it isn't the highlight of the album musically, it's sure to touch hearts with its message of a Christian's responsibility for planting seeds while “there's a famine in the land.”

“I'm Gonna Get Up” features new vocalist Devin McGlamery in a different musical form. It's got a bluesy-country sound that he pulls off flawlessly. It's a different kind of style than when he was with the Dixie Melody Boys , but it works very well. (This is the only time that Devin is featured on this album.)

“Who Touched Me” and “I Know Where There's Water” are two ballads back to back. The Gerald Crabb penned “Hold Me While I Cry” is another lyrical highlight, showcasing the Christian's need for a God who listens while they hurt.

The highlight of the album comes in the form of the Rebecca J. Peck & Dava Anderson number – “Give It To Jesus”. It's an upbeat, piano based number – placing the group in a very progressive style. Karen's vocals in particular shine on this number, and one can only imagine the crowd response that this song receives each night.

Other songwriters featured on the album include incredible people like Twila McBride-LaBar , Gina Bean , Chaz Bosarge , Dianne Wilkinson , Aaron Wilburn , and John Darin Rowsey , as well as the sisters Karen Peck-Gooch & Susan Peck-Jackson .

Only a few small complaints accompany the album. One is that we only get one song from the talented Devin McGlamery. “I'm Gonna Get Up” proves that he is more than capable of holding a song on his own. Perhaps the next album we can hear from him more. (While I was a big fan of former member Jason Jackson , Devin blends much better with the sisters and just seems to “fit” more.)

My last complaint is that I'm not a fan of the green tint that the album cover has. However, I'm not reviewing album packaging here – so aside from that, Good to Be Free will surely fall as one of Karen Peck & New River's finest albums to date.

Reader Comments

If the content of this CD had any relation to the font size on the cover, "Karen Peck" would be at least five times larger than "New River."

The photo is more telling. Devin and Susan are in the background and out of focus. They sing one song each out of twelve. There's no doubt Karen Peck is the star of this group and I'm not saying she shouldn't be featured most. I just think two or three of the songs come across as "filler." Specifically, the remake of "I Know Where There's Water" should have been dumped. She brings nothing new to it that we didn't hear in the original.

Several others are outstanding. Karen particularly shines on "Pocketful Of Seeds." I disagree with Chris on that one. I think it connects musically as well as lyrically and IMO, is just different enough from the normal SG song to be noticed by listeners. It has "hit" written all over it. The new version of "One Day At A Time" is also very nice, as is "Just One Touch."

Dixie Melody Boys fans in particular should avoid this CD if you're buying it primarily to hear Devin again. Aside from the one song, he's sings BGVs. I don't remember him even having a line by himself, other than that one song.

This CD is almost great, but the filler songs hurt. I would have given it 4 Stars. The 5 star potential was there, IMO, but the lack of variety pulled it down. It makes you wonder why Peck continues to tour as a trio if she isn't going to feature her backup singers anymore than this.

By the way, I think the packaging quality (graphic design, etc.) does come under the scope of a review. It's the first impression fans get when the see it in a store, so it certainly has some bearing on attracting new fans to the group.

Commented by David Bruce Murray On 05/01/2005

i think this is a wonderful cd. and anything karen goes can not be bad, after all it is her group!

Commented by On 05/01/2005

DBM,

I think you are making much too big a deal about the lack of Devin & Susan songs on this album. How is the ration different on this album than previous ones?

My point? Karen's the star, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's her group, and people come to hear her featured. People know this and that is what they are expecting when they buy a KPNR CD. The group members know full and well that this is Karen's group, and she is the main draw.

I think the point is that KPNR would not be KPNR without New River. Karen wouldn't be the same as a solo artist (I think she'd be the first to tell you this), because she interacts so well with New River. It adds to the performance, plus having a constant group behind Karen enhances the sound.

Also, I've listened to this CD about 20 times or so since I've gotten it, and "Pocket Full of Seeds" has never stuck out to me. I guess that's what makes us all so great - our unique likes and dislikes. However, my tastes can change. In my CrossWay review I complained about the need to include "Long Arm of Love" - but now it is currently my favorite song on the radio.

Perhaps my opinion of "Pocket Full of Seeds" will change as well. Again - I think it's a great song lyrically.

Chris Unthank

Commented by On 05/02/2005

I really feel this just may be the best recording Karen Peck & New River has ever done. I am still VERY partial to “Triumph” from a couple of years ago, but this new one is awesome.

The title song is pretty cool, as is the new rendition of “One Day at a Time.” I’ve never liked the song, until now! “My Lord and I” is really different, and I like it. “Saved” is one of my personal favorites, though musically it reminds me a lot of the Hoppers hit, “But for the Blood”. I love the message in “Pocket Full of Seeds” and while I don’t think it will ever hit radio, it’s a song that does not need to be missed. It almost makes me think of the old Lanny Wolfe song, “My House is Full.”

Devin does a cool job on “I’m Gonna Get Up”. I just wish he had been featured a bit more on the recording. Surprisingly, he fits very well with the groups sound.

I wasn’t impressed with “I Know Where There’s Water.” This song has never been one of my favorites. I agree with David, they could have found a better song to go here. It’s not a bad song, just kind of boring to me.

“Give it to Jesus” is a rockin’ tune. I love this song and I can’t get enough of it.

“Hold me While I Cry” has the sounds of a good country ballad, but with gospel lyrics. I like this one as well.

All in all, I agree with Chris’ rating of 4 ½ stars…Excellent recording and several rungs better than their last. After “Triumph”, I felt the group’s last mainline recording, “For His Glory” (for the most part) was a nosedive for the group and this new one brings them right back on top of their game.

Commented by On 05/02/2005

With regard to the ratio, they had a chance with this recording to attract some DMB fans who might pick it up only because Devin is now with the group. However, they didn't go out of their way to capitalize on that opportunity. I was basically just expanding on (and completely agreeing with) your first "small complaint" in your review.

Just to be clear, I'm not rating it 4 stars instead of 4 1/2 because of the ratio of songs featuring Devin and Susan. I'm saying it's 4 instead of 4 1/2 due to what I consider to be the inclusion of some filler songs ... particularly "Saved" and "I Know Where There's Water." Both are remakes. I have nothing against remakes per se, but I like to see a group put their own mark on a song when they remake it. They did this with "One Day At A Time," but they didn't with these.

With regard to previous ratios on Karen Peck recordings, the last male singer in New River was relatively unknown when he joined. The one before him (John Darin Rowsey) was a bit more well known. In contrast, when Devin joined, they added an established name who had a fairly significant fan base. Again, you would think they would capitalize on that. Bill Gaither did when Russ Taff joined the GVB by featuring him several times on _Everything Good_, for example.

Commented by David Bruce Murray On 05/02/2005

I havent heard the recording but I'm sure any recording by KPNR would be awesome. I would like to comment on the CD cover. I really like it!! I dont mind the green tint and I really like the loose tie that Devin is wearing. It's really "hip". Thats just my two cents!

Commented by On 05/03/2005

I listened to clips of this CD on KPNR's website, but it's been a good while, so I don't really remember much about it, except "One Day At A Time" was AWESOME. I've NEVER liked that song at all until the KPNR version... REALLY COOL...IT ROCKS...I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Commented by On 05/08/2005

At first, I was disappointed with this album. However, after subsequent spins, I've really grown to like it. My personal favorites are "Good To Be Free", "My Lord and I" and "Give It To Jesus". Perhaps my favorite of all is "Saved". Susan does a great job on lead. I would like to hear more from both her and Devin, but Karen leading this great group is alright with me.

Commented by On 05/15/2005

I loved Triumph, then For His Glory was released, Loved it!!!! Now Good To Be Free and I have to say I absolutely love it aswell. I agree that there are one or two songs that seem like filler songs but its not like KPNR are the only artists who have a filler or two. ALL cd's have a couple songs that aren't as appealing. I think Devin is a much better fit than Jason Jackson. Jason was talented but Devin has a much better blend with them. I can't say enough good about this album. Who Touched Me, One Day At A Time, Just One Touch, River of Peace and Give It To Jesus are my faves so far.

Commented by JackieL On 08/09/2005

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