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Print Ino Records, 2007 July 2, 2007 Reviewed by Jamin Tuttle
If I were to ask you who’s performed before four presidents, played concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and is the most awarded female artist in Christian music, would you know? I have a feeling more than a few would get this one right--Sandi Patty, and she’s back with her 25th recording. Falling Forward follows a common theme of the journey after we fall. Patty knows well the journey after a fall. An affair, a well-publicized divorce, and a ten-year hiatus from Christian music were all part of the fall and the journey for her. We all fall--the question is whether we fall backward or forward into the arms of our Savior.
Falling Forward is a Sandi Patty record. There’s the usual lush orchestration of pop melodies, but there is also something more here. While the notes I got don’t indicate this, I have a feeling that Patty has been listening to a heap of modern worship music the last few years, and it shows. Covers of songs recorded by the Passion Worship Band, Tree 63, Israel and New Breed, and Lakewood Church give Falling Forward a fresh feel. From the opening inspiration of “Make Me Glad,” to the closing gentle duet with her daughter, Jennifer, “Grace Flows Down,” the theme of redemption and reflection is spread throughout. The title track reminds us that
“When I’m frozen in my failure, there’s a whisper, don’t forget your redeemer somehow uses even what you most regret”
Patty says she loves that lyric “because it affirms that God can take us wherever we are and move us forward to where He wants us to be.” The guitar-driven “Sing to the King” will get you moving, as will the “Sweeter Medley.” “Sweeter…” features three well-known songs in a cool medley. “Everyday with You Lord,” “Blessed Be Your Name,” and “You Are Good” are all held together by a fantastic rhythm section and some killer horns.
Other highlights include “Sandi’s Medley”, which includes some of her early hits and the full-on black gospel feel of “Step into the Joy.” The latter features Melinda Doolittle of American Idol fame on background vocals. “In My Heart” is a moving tribute to the mother of Patty’s stepchildren who lost a battle with cancer during the recording of Falling Forward.
Patty continues to tour as part of the Women of Faith Conferences where she not only performs, but many times also speaks sharing some of her story of being at the greatest highs only to plunge to the lowest of lows, and then the struggle of getting back up.
Overall, Falling Forward is a solid effort from a Christian music veteran. Patty manages to complete a tough task--keep old fans happy while making her music sound fresh and connected to the modern world. This time around she’s done so with an uplifting and encouraging collection.
ninetyandnine.com © 2007, Jamin Tuttle
--------- Jamin Tuttle is the Youth Pastor at Point of Grace Family Praise Fellowship. If any of his youth find out he enjoyed a Sandi Patty record, he’ll never hear the end of it. So let’s just keep it here among friends.
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