Sandi Patty

Hymns of Faith…Songs of Inspiration
INO Records

Sandi Patty has little, if anything, left to prove. After 26 albums, 39 Dove awards, five Grammy awards and 11 million records sold, she has pretty much done it all. So it is refreshing to see her returning to her roots in such fine form after a decade of musical experimentation.

Largely overlooked for the past few years by an industry that didn’t quite know where she fit, Patty returns to the scene under new management and is recording for a new record label.

The resulting 22-track double CD is composed largely of hymns, with the occasional patriotic tune — “America the Beautiful” — or contemporary classic —“Shout to the Lord” — mixed in. Produced by David Hamilton and featuring orchestrations by Hamilton and David Clydesdale, the project is beautifully enhanced by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Patty uses her classic voice to glorious effect. She is an expressive yet controlled singer, and she proves here that she remains one of the great voices of our time.

From the stirring rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” to an updated interpretation of her classic “We Shall Behold Him” that is downright rapturous, Patty shines. Other highlights include “Amazing Grace,” featuring some beautiful bagpipes, a truly amazing version of “How Great Thou Art,” a soaring duet with her husband Don Peslis on “The Prayer” and a quietly effective “The Old Rugged Cross.”