Reach Out isn’t just the title to Karen Peck and New Rivers 2011 release – the concept of “reaching out” consumes the whole recording, both inside and out.  The cover itself is a collection of photos: a cross, a world map, small children, scripture and of course, KPNR.  When you open the CD insert, it’s the same thing.  The words “Love never fails,” are scrolled above a photo of the trio.  Not only that, but each song on the recording supports the theme.  It’s clear that Karen Peck and New River had one mission with this CD – to reach out.

The songs on this recording each add their own angle of what it means to reach out.  Love With All Your Heart speaks of reaching others with love.  Reach Out And Touch talks about how we can make a difference in the world around us when we give of ourselves. Sustaining Grace sings of how the Heavenly Father reaches out to us and upholds us through our trials, and This Is What Mercy Does follows a similar theme – the comparisons can go on and on until we’ve covered all 11 tracks.

The style of music you’ll find on this recording is consistent with what you would hear on a KPNR project.  The banjo on the intro to On The Banks Of The Promised Land reminded me of the intro to Ready For The Ride off of their “No Worries” CD (2009), and Hey from “Journey Of Joy” (2007).  Sustaining Grace and Faithful Love Of Jesus are perfect solo’s for Susan’s voice and fit the slow to medium tempo songs fans are so fond of hearing from her.  The ballads are splendid.  I love ballads, and the ones on this one are really special.  This is such a strong project – and every song on this recording adds to why it came out that way.

The success of this project has been tremendous.  After two consecutive #1 songs on the Singing News Charts (and another rising rapidly), 2 GMA Dove Awards and many other accomplishments, it’s obvious from this response that Reach Out is touching lives…which is the true measure of success for any recording!

On this recording you will hear vocals from…
Soprano – Karen Peck Gooch
Alto – Susan Peck Jackson
Lead – Jeff Hawes

1.  Mighty Big God
Feature:  Karen Peck Gooch
Tempo:  Fast
Message:  Examples of Old Testament victories saturate the first verse of this song.  From David and Goliath to Moses and the Red Sea, from Daniel in the lions den to our tests and trials today – the lyric reminds us that God has remained the same.  The chorus goes on to affirm that our God is so big, that, “there’s never been nothing that He can’t do,” and beyond that, He takes an interest in our struggles.  The last few lines encourage us not to worry about the difficulties that appear into our lives…because He’s a mighty big God.  Covering a wide range of trials, the second verse predicts that we may be in any one of these situations right now: daunted by a mountain, drowning in a sea of tears or praying for miracle.  But no matter what our trials may be, we can claim the victory now…because we serve a big God.  The bridge reminds us of all the things that our Lord is.
Other Comments:  This song kicks off the project with a good up-tempo rhythm.  I love the acoustic guitar in the intro – it gives the track that great Country feel!  This song went #1 for KPNR back in July (2012) on the Singing News Charts, and no wonder, it’s a great song!

2.  On The Banks Of The Promised Land
Feature:  Karen Peck/Jeff Hawes
Tempo:  Medium
Message:  The end of this life and the beginning of the next meet each other “on the banks of the promised land.”  Until then, the writer of this song speaks of erecting their life on the Rock, distancing themselves from the “sinking sand,” and keeping their gaze on the heavenly home.  The second verse immediately follows, contemplating the musical praise the choir in heaven must be offering up to the Savior, and longs to be there…on the banks.  “Hallelujah!  What a morning!” the refrain cries out, imagining what it will be like to reach for the “nail scarred hand.”  On the banks, the grace that saved will usher in the glory of eternity.  Though sorrow and hurt have had a tight hold on our lives on earth – and Jesus cares about them all – the second verse confirms that when we cross over to the banks of the promised land – they will all be washed away.  Then, the third verse says, we’ll see the face of the Lord, leave our burdens and rest on the banks.
Other Comments:  This was also a charting song that did well for Karen Peck, reaching #1 in December of 2011.  Once again, a good Country feel is established throughout the tune – be sure to listen for the banjo, it’s perfect!  Karen and Jeff sing the verses as a duet, and I really like how the song draws out phrases from the hymns at points.  One being, at the beginning where “oh, come angel band,” is echoed in the background, and the other where “won’t you come and go with me?” is sung at the very, very end!

3.  Love With All Your Heart
Feature:  Karen Peck Gooch
Tempo:  Slow/Medium
Message:  What love does and doesn’t do is the theme of this song.  The first verse begins with a list of “don’ts” – it doesn’t make war, hold grudges or look on others by the color of their skin.  Instead, love forgives even when it’s painful, and though it can be hard sometimes…it’s always worth it.  The chorus is simply the title of the song, sung twice.  At times, we may think love is too difficult to give – especially when it includes your enemies or neighbors.  Yet, the second verse continues to tell us that, “you give it power when you give it away…”  The bridge sums up the song and gives a few examples of what it means to “love with all your heart.”  My favorite line is the one that says, “Think less about yourself, pray more for someone else…nothing’s impossible cause love never fails.”
Other Comments:  This song has the simplest message, the simplest track and maybe the shortest review on this CD/review – but, it’s one of my favorites from this project.  Maybe that’s why I believe that it’s one of the strongest songs on this CD.  Towards the end of the song, Karen sings out, “Let the children sing it!” – and sure enough, a children’s choir provides back up vocals on the refrain.  Beautiful!

4.  Sustaining Grace
Feature:  Susan Peck Jackson
Tempo:  Slow/Medium
Message:  Sometimes the Lord performs a miracle with the trials in our lives, and sometimes, He sustains us with His grace to get us through them – the latter, is the topic of this ballad.  In the first verse, we hear the voice of one pondering their situation.  They’re in the middle of the storm, God can still deliver, but instead of a miracle, He simply offers “sustaining grace.”  The lyrics in the chorus look back over that same trial and highlight the positive side – even in the midst of the storm, God kept them growing, going and knowing that they had the courage to press on.  Yet, the most important lesson of all, was not moving the mountain, but touching the heart and persuading them that nothing is too hard to face with the Lord supplying the grace to get through it.  The second verse avows that the Lord still works in supernatural ways.  Who knows?  Maybe next time He’ll work in record breaking time!  Until then, the one singing is still amazed at God’s grace.
Other Comments:  What a message!  What a song!  In concert, Karen says that this in one of her favorites off the CD, and once you hear it, you’ll know why.  It’s practical – and it fits Susan’s voice to a T!

5.  Good Things Are Happening
Feature:  Karen Peck Gooch
Tempo:  Medium
Message:  This song dares us to make a choice – focus on the good things that are going on rather than the bad ones!  The challenging verse that opens this song tells us that we must quit listening to all the negative comments around us start trusting in the Lord – not the economy, to lead us from day to day.  Lets take our eyes off what drags us down and look up to where the answers are – cause’ there are a lot of good things still happening out there!  The chorus reminds us that we don’t have to burden ourselves with everything that goes on, for each and every day, we enjoy blessings from above.  So, we can throw our shoulders back and look ahead, because God promised that He will provide for our needs!  The second verse lets us know that when the storm blows in, we don’t have to worry if He still has control (we know He does!).  Even when things don’t look like they’re going to end well, we have the certainty and faith that “good things are happening today!”  The bridge quotes the familiar saying, “All good things come to an end,” but as Believers we rely on the promise that God’s mercy is for now and all time.
Other Comments:  This song entered the Singing News Charts in October (2012) at #34 for KPNR.  Now that is impressive!  Few groups can do that these days!  I’m thinking Karen Peck and New River may have a new #1 before long, eh?

6.  This Is What Mercy Does
Feature:  Jeff Hawes
Tempo:  Ballad
Message:  The story of the prodigal son – I bet you never heard it like this…the canvas is painted in the first verse; a son, far away from home, still sees the tears and hears the voice crying, “Son, please don’t go!”  But, he wanted to make it on his own, be in the spotlight, make his mark on the world.  What he didn’t plan for, was plan B.  Suddenly, when everything went wrong, “He never planned that his heart, would want to go back home…” but when he thought about how his father would  react, he found tears in his own eyes when he found his arms opened wide.  The chorus narrates what just happened with a passionate, “This is what mercy does – this is how a father loves!”  We can all agree that what was offered was definitely not deserved – but that’s mercy.  At that moment, the son felt what forgiveness felt like, and was shown the healing power of redemption.  The third verse applies the story to us, I have carried the burden of my own actions – I have been just like the prodigal – yet, I’ve also felt the Father’s arms conceal my sin, guilt and shame as He wrapped me in His embrace.  Yes, His grace still amazes me!
Other Comments:  The best way to hear a song for the first time is live – and the first time I heard this one, KPNR was doing a concert with Brian Free and Assurance in Oklahoma.  I remember the verses captivating me, and the chorus just resolved with the message so well.  I thought, “That is a strong song!”  And it is.  I have reviewed many songs where the prodigal son is the main character so to speak, but this one tops them all.

7.  More Than Ever
Feature:  Karen Peck Gooch
Tempo:  Medium
Message:  The lyrics of this song chronicle the Believers journey from their salvation to present day.  All the wonders you experience when you first get saved are shown in the first verse: reading His Word, seeing His care, wanting to please Him and believing that His way is best.  Yet, when it comes to the chorus, you can’t help but exclaim that it is NOW you treasure what He did on Calvary more than ever before!  He has proved Himself ore’ and ore’ on your walk of faith, making Him more dear to you than all else.  “Sometimes I’ve stumbled, and fallen so hard, that the stones cut my soul like a knife…” is a line from the second verse, and I think it adequately describes that season of life when the path gets hard to climb.  But the lyric doesn’t stop there – it goes on to say that the Shepherd will come and pull you out of those places, lifting you up to places of green pastures and cool waters.  When we come to the third and final verse, questions are asked – “Do you find this hard to believer?”  Has the negativity of this earth calloused your heart so that you can’t step out in faith?  I too, have felt the same way, but when it’s all said and done – He wants you…that’s why He died on the old rugged cross!
Other Comments:  I love the Celtic feel that is found in this track!  From the very beginning, the woodwind and acoustic guitar beat out the perfect rhythm that takes your imagination to green gales and waves crashing on the shore of the steep ledges!

8.  Don’t Worry About The Waves
Feature:  Karen Peck Gooch
Tempo:  Fast
Message:  This little story song plays on the thoughts of Peter walking on the water and applying it to our faith.  The first verse describes the scene that we find ourselves in – storm clouds are rolling, the water is rising and the Lord’s voice is calling us to get out of the boat.  Even when the lighting illuminates the sky and you see the boat is drifting out of your reach – there is no turning back, so don’t worry about the waves and just keep walking!  The chorus continues with the assurance that the Lord is still in control when the waves rise and fall.  My favorite lines is, “When you’re walking on the waters of faith – keep your eyes on the One who saves!”  The second verse reminds us of the faithfulness of God and that He will give us the strength to listen to His voice and carry out His commands.
Other Comments:  This is such a fun song!  When you listen to it, be sure to pick out all the different references to the water, sea and the Bible story that it’s inspired by – you’ll see how expertly it was written!

9.  The Faithful Love Of Jesus
Feature:  Susan Peck Jackson
Tempo:  Slow/Medium
Message:  This song describes what the “faithful love of Jesus” is…  The first verse begins by reminding us that God’s arms are always open and ready to accept us and that He is the well we can draw truth from.  The chorus speaks from one person to another, “I pray you know the love of God…” and it goes on to say that His love will never forsake us.  Thinking of how high it is and the depths that it plums – how its width reaches out endlessly…yes, that is the Lord’s love.  It is that faithful love, the second verse tells us, that can seep down into the deepest wounds, into the core of the broken hearted, and heal it from the inside out.  The bridge continues to list the wonderful qualities that God’s loves is: an active light, a healing hand, a speaking voice and last but not least, “a hope that’s real.”
Other Comments:  The first thing that caught my attention in this song was the intro.  As you listen to it, especially with headphones, it sounds like the organ is creating a “wave.”  Very cool!  Then, there is the message.  The second verse is my favorite – there are some things that only God can heal.

10.  Broken Into Beautiful
Feature:  Karen Peck Gooch
Tempo:  Ballad
Message:  There is a belief in this world that if you want to be considered “beautiful,” you must be perfect.  But God delights in making the shattered and ruined just as lovely.  This song is written like a prayer, and the first verse speaks of a woman who’s crushed on the inside, even though she puts up a good front on the outside.  We learn that living itself becomes difficult for her because of the pain she has endured and the lies she has believed.  All of this makes her feel of little worth.  Yet, the chorus speaks of hope…and the contrasts begin.  “Worthless into precious – guilty to forgive – hungry into satisfied – empty into full.”  When the lies are destroyed and we arise knowing that we matter, the broken is mended, and true beauty appears.  The second verse talks about a different kind of broken – the kind that whispers in our ears that we’ll never be good enough.  Still, God reaches out to us again and again with His grace and shows us that we are accepted.  Then, we see how great His love is for us!  The bridge continues to meditate upon how we can’t quite fathom in what manner we can even stand in His presence, yet alone feel value.  Yet…we can.
Other Comments:  This is one of those songs that is just beautiful!  (No pun intended!)  I’m a big fan of strings, and they were added so tastefully on this track.

11.  Reach Out and Touch
Feature:  Karen Peck Gooch and Jeff Hawes
Tempo:  Medium
Message:  This song is a challenge to look beyond ourselves to those who are in need – both in body and in spirit.  The first few words are as strong as ever, asking us to take a minute or two in our days to encourage someone who’s down and out.  Or, are we not able to think past our own problems to even speak about the hardships that others face?  But there is always hope of change, and the first step is giving.  The chorus repeats a simple phrase – the idea is to “reach out” and take a hold of someone’s hand, and make this world a little better if it’s in our power to do so.  The second verse reminds us that if we cross paths with someone we know and see they’re hurting, realize, that could be us too.  Instead, be compassionate, cause we could change the world in little deeds like that!
Other Comments:  What a lyric to close a project with!  It is like every song builds for this very track, this moment when we’d hear the chorus “reach out and touch, somebody’s hand.”  Karen sings the first verse by herself and Jeff gets the solo on the second.  Great song!