MusicScribe BLOG

RATING: 4 Stars

Series Producers: Paul Corley, Tre’ Corley, Norman Holland, Michael Turner, and Shannon Lancaster
Label: Daywind Records
Websites: www.sistersmusic.org, www.karenpeckandnewriver.com, www.daywindrecords.com

Sisters Song Titles: “You Made My Day,” “Mercy Leads,” “Unexpected Blessings,” “Under His Wings,” “Brothers And Sisters,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “He Looked Beyond My Fault,” “I’m Sure,” and “We All Came To The Cross”

Karen Peck And New River Song Titles: “Ephesians Chapter One,” “Whispered Prayers,” “It’s Gonna Have To Be God,” “Special Love,” “Four Days Late,” “My God Will Always Be Enough,” “We Shall Wear A Crown,” “Hold Me While I Cry,” and “I Want To Thank You”

The Live At Oak Tree DVD/CD series is a unique line of products featuring Daywind artists in a studio setting. Taping inside a functional studio makes this series an interesting contrast to a live concert video or a concept video. None of the footage really demonstrates what goes on in a studio in terms of mixing or overdubbing, but it’s still an interesting backdrop for a video shoot. The video editing is energetic to the point of being distracting at times with an abundance of quick zooms, quirky filtering, and eye catching effects, but at least there’s never a dull visual moment. I wasn’t crazy about this series at first as my initial review revealed, but it’s grown on me.

Two of Daywind’s popular trios are featured in the most recent batch of releases in the Live At Oak Tree series. Sisters sing several songs from their past as well as their latest radio single. Karen Peck & New River also offer a mix of recent songs and familiar standards. Both DVDs run for approximately fifty minutes and include nine songs in the main program.

Sisters are joined by the Booth Brothers for a song appropriately titled “Brothers And Sisters.” Other standout titles include “Under His Wings,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” and “I’m Sure.” Karen Peck & New River sing memorable tearjerkers like “Four Days Late” and “Hold Me While I Cry” as well as more enthusiastic fare like “Ephesians Chapter One” and “We Shall Wear A Crown.”

The most compelling element of past Oak Tree series releases has been the interview segments and these are no exception. Heather Day recounts a concert where she performed sign language to a song even though she was unsure if the signs were correct. She was embarrassed when a deaf audience member confronted her afterwards. Karen and Susan are joined by their children for some of the interviews. The kids have several stories to tell about growing up on the road.

Each DVD also includes two bonus songs. “Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along?” is on both DVDs. The second bonus song on the Sisters DVD features the Booth Brothers singing “What Salvation’s Done For Me” and the other cut on the Karen Peck & New River DVD features Jeff & Sheri Easter singing “Praise His Name.”