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Group Name: Karen Peck & New River
Website: www.karenpeckandnewriver.com
Album Title: “Ephesians One”
Song Titles:
1. Ephesians One
2. I Want To Thank You
3. It’s Gonna Have To Be God
4. The Cradle And The Grave
5. All You Need When You Need It
6. Waitin’ On The Lord
7. Everything You Need
8. When Mama Prays
9. That’s When I Knew I Was Home
10. The Spirit Of Jesus
*Bonus Track: We Shall Wear A Robe And Crown

Karen Peck and New River has been singing Southern Gospel music since 1991.  They are easily a household name amongst fans of Southern Gospel.  Currently, the group consists of Karen Peck Gooch, her sister Susan Peck Jackson, and Devin McGlamery.

“Ephesians One” is the group’s second release with Daywind Records, coming on the heels of the very successful “Journey Of Joy” album.  It’s a collection of 10 new, progressive Southern Gospel songs and one old favorite from Karen’s days singing with the Nelons.  I have to admit that I like the album title- it caught my attention when I first saw it and made me curious to hear the songs.

Now, let’s take a look at each of the songs on the album.

The album kicks off with the title track, the up-tempo “Ephesians One”.  Karen takes the lead here, and the vocal blend is very tight and strong.  Karen keeps the lead vocals on Song #2.  This is a medium-tempo ballad called “I Want To Thank You”.  This song has a powerful message that will challenge every Christian who hears it.  The third song is a lighter, medium-to-up-tempo song called “It’s Gonna Have To Be God”.  Susan is featured here, sounding a bit like her sister in a slightly lower range.  Again, the blend of vocals is seamless.  This leads into Devin McGlamery’s first feature, a hard-driving, medium-to-up-tempo song called “The Cradle And The Grave”.  Devin has a rich voice with a nice range, and this type of song fits him nicely.  I also like the falsetto note he hits in the middle of the song- it fits the arrangement perfectly.

Karen is once again featured on Song #5, a slower song called “All You Need When You Need It”.  This song has a smooth arrangement with some jazzy-sounding brass in the background.  Karen also takes the lead on the next song, the medium-tempo “Waitin’ On The Lord”.  I can’t help but enjoy the bass guitar licks all throughout the arrangement.  The seventh song is an up-tempo song called “Everything You Need”.  The song has a title similar to that of the fifth song on the album, but you’d never confuse the two.  Next up is a lighter, medium-tempo ballad called “When Mama Prays”.  Even though I personally think that songs about “Mama” are a bit overdone in Southern Gospel, that doesn’t mean that the group doesn’t turn in another fine effort on this song. 

Devin is featured on the ninth song, a slower power ballad called “That’s When I Knew I Was Home”.  This young man has a tremendous voice and a bright future in Southern Gospel.  Song #10 is a smooth, medium-tempo song called “The Spirit Of Jesus”.  Finally, the album ends with the bonus track, the familiar standard “We Shall Wear A Robe And Crown”.  This is definitely a high-energy, up-tempo song that will get listeners’ toes tapping.  It’s also a song that pushes the vocalists- there are 3 key changes throughout the course of the song.  It’s definitely a testament as to the range each vocalist possesses.

I had the opportunity to review the group’s previous album, “Journey Of Joy”.  Privately, I wondered at the time how the group would follow up on what was a VERY good album.  Well, “Ephesians One” is, without a doubt, a strong follow-up.  The vocal blend is impeccable throughout the entire album, and the progressive styles and arrangements were challenging and fun to listen to.  I do wish we could have heard Susan featured a bit more, but that doesn’t diminish the quality of this album at all.  This album only serves to solidify Karen Peck & New River’s place in the top tier of Southern Gospel artists.  Overall, I would give this album a perfect rating of 10 out of 10 microphones!

Favorites: “Ephesians One”, “It’s Gonna Have To Be God”, “The Cradle And The Grave”, and “We Shall Wear A Robe And Crown”