Artist: Karen Peck and New River
Project Title: Georgia Mountain Christmas
Label: KPNR Music Courtesy of Daywind Records
Producers: John Darin Rowsey

This project was recorded in 2011 but we just got it from Daywind for review in the past couple of days.  The project is the very first Christmas project ever recorded by Karen Peck and New River.  I usually wait a few days and listen to a CD several times before writing a review but I have listened to it four or five times already and I cannot wait to review it so, here we go!  The project is titled “Georgia Mountain Christmas” and you will enjoy this project tremendously.

The project begins with an upbeat song titled “Joy Has Come To The World.”  What a great song written by John Darin Rowsey and Niles Borop.  It reminds us of the incredible joy that came to earth on that first Christmas morning!  The well-known “Christmas Time Is Here” is next and it features Karen and Ricky’s daughter, Kari Gooch.  She does a fantastic job singing this great Christmas Classic.  The title cut is next and “Georgia Mountain Christmas” is a new song written by John Darin Rowsey, Karen Peck Gooch and Susan Peck Jackson.  The song talks about Christmas on the Georgia Mountain which sounds a lot like the Christmas Memories I have from Christmas in Upstate New York!  “Season For Believin’” is the next song and this song reminds us of all the things we believe in at Christmas time!  It is a great, upbeat song that you will enjoy.

“Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day” is a fairly well-known Christmas song and I love the version that Karen Peck and New River have of this song!  The message is a great one as well.  The classic “White Christmas” is next and I have heard countless versions of this classic song.  Karen Peck and New River’s arrangement and performance is as good as any I have ever heard.  It is always great to hear this song at Christmas!  A song that I have not heard in a long time is “I’ll Be Home With Bells On.”  This is a very good version of this song that Dolly Parton wrote and originally sang.  “Light In The Window” was written by John Darin Rowsey and this song portrays the true meaning of Christmas as well as any other song I have ever heard!  What a great message.  I believe this is the same song the Perry Sisters recorded several years ago but it needs to be heard again and this arrangement and performance is awesome!  A “Christmas Carol Medley” is next and this is simply a collection of some favorite Christmas Carols.  Song like “Silent Night,” “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” and “Away In A Manger” are included in this great collection.

A beautiful song titled “Peace On Earth Tonight” is next and the message is a simple, yet profound, one of finding peace on earth that special Christmas night.  It is a beautiful song enhanced by the harmony and vocals from Karen Peck and New River.  Things pick up next with a song titled “Mary Had A Baby.”  Along with a catchy tune you will find a great lyric with a wonderful message.  “Born A King” is another wonderful Christmas song celebrating the birth of Christ.  The final song on the project is titled “We Need A Little Love.”  What a great song about Jesus’ Love and how much this old world needs that love!

I have been a fan of Karen Peck and New River since the group first got started.  I can hardly believe that this is the group’s very first Christmas Project.  After listening to it, I can only say that it is about time!!!  What a great recording filled with some new song and some old Christmas Classics.  Of course, Karen Peck and New River have exceptional vocal abilities so there was never a doubt about the quality of the project.  My favorite songs from the project are “We Need A Little Love,” “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day” and “Georgia Mountain Christmas.”  The entire project is wonderful and it is sure to give you that Christmas Spirit for the entire season!  For more information, visit their website at www.karenpeckandnewriver.com.