Published Tuesday 21st December 2010

Sandi Patty - The Edge Of The Divine
	STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 96257-17506 LABEL: Stylos 0850007002114 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RELEASE DATE: 2010-10-18 RRP: £13.00
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer In the '80s Sandi Patty was one of the biggest CCM stars out there with a style of inspirational pop that appealed to American audiences. There was no doubting her powerful voice but for me her sweet inspo songs and over the top orchestrations never really did it for me or other Brits and we looked on at the huge US sales with a certain bemusement. These days Sandi is a speaker at women's conferences and this album on her own record label is accompanied by a book of the same name which seems to be an autobiographical account of her trying to lose weight. This is her first album of original material in seven years and her producer, the wonderfully named Chance Scoggins, has done a great job of updating her sound and showcasing her still excellent voice. There are plenty of highlights here including a moving duet with former Point Of Grace singer Heather Payne on "When Life Gets Broken" and the ballad title track. Excursions into contemporary pop work surprisingly well on the opening cut "Faith Dancing" and there's a brave cover of Christina Aguilera's "Makes Me Wanna Pray" on which Sandi sounds like an R&B diva rather than an inspirational balladeer. Unfortunately elsewhere she retreats into insp singing with florid orchestral arrangements, witness Sandi's sub operatic warble on the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and a new version of her old hit "We Shall Behold Him". Still, "Makes Me Wanna Pray" remains one of the big Christian music surprises of the year. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date. Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.
Product Description
After 39 Dove and 5 Grammy Awards, everybody knows Sandi’s voice is an extraordinary instrument, so when a new album appears, the only thing to say is “hooray!” Here she shares her faith journey in Times Like These, Makes Me Wanna Pray, Faith Dancing, We Shall Behold Him, My Prayer for You, When Life Gets Broken (with Heather Payne), and more.

Reader Comments

Posted by David Martin in ROTHERHAM South Yorkshire @ 09:01 on Feb 16 2012

I take issue with you Mike Rimmer, you have no right to speak for other Brits but only for yourself!
I as a Brit have much more respect for Sandi than you have as she is a "whole" musician through and through and her orchestrations are NOT over the top.
Are you a qualified musician to be able to understand the orchestrations of the likes of Clydesdale and Maddux etc? I doubt it or you would not be saying such shallow thoughts here for others to peruse.
Sandi has done more to raise the standard of Christian music than any other artist to date and she and her mum are superduper pianists also.
Whilst you have the right to state your opinions, be very careful what you say as there are thousands of professionals who will take issue with your shallow words here! There is NOTHING wrong with a florid orchestral arrangement so I suggest you go back to your day job which I SUSPECT is not of a musician, most probably you are an average musician. The professional will always be able to understand orchestration and therefore would NOT say such naiive words like you have so flippantly used here.
Sandi is the BEST!
I have heard her live in concert, have you?
David Martin LGSM LTCL LLCM ALCM
Member of the European Piano Teachers Association UK
Ex Member of the Board of Examiners at LCMM
Member of the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service

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Sandi Patty - The Edge Of The Divine

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