SANDI PATTY SOARS ON "SONGS FOR THE JOURNEY " On Songs For The Journey, the five-time GRAMMY Award winner captures the soul, passion and praise of irreplaceable hymns of faith, which have inspired generations past. Through 11 new vibrant performances purposefully chosen to reflect her walk in faith from her childhood to today, listeners are sure to recognize their own stories among the selections, connecting with the struggles, joy, and peace along the way.
Sharing her thoughts on the foundation of the album, Patty explains, “The idea for this project came from watching my kids get older. I recently began to wonder and hope about what things they will someday look back upon as being foundational in their lives,” continues Patty, mother of eight. “Then I asked the same question of myself in relation to my passion for music—what are the songs that have inspired me and come to represent my journey, and how can I give those back to others as an encouragement?”
It was through songs like “Were It Not for Grace” and “Through It All” that gave Patty the encouragement and inspiration she needed during struggles in her life. “In a manner of speaking, the unconditional love and grace of God doesn’t mean as much to people until they really need it,” Sandi says in relation to that past. “But like the Andrae Crouch song suggests, I wouldn’t trade anything if it meant I wouldn’t have the current understanding of who God is and who I am because of Him.”
Produced by David Hamilton, Songs For The Journey was created in various parts of the world ranging from Nashville, Bill Gaither’s studio in Indiana and even Prague where powerful orchestral segments were recorded for stirring operatic numbers such as “Panis Angelicus,” a duet between Patty and her husband, Don Peslis.
Songs for the Journey, a lovingly crafted achievement that’s as diverse and entertaining as Sandi Patty herself. While previous releases displayed her gift for singing hymns, pop, gospel, Broadway, and even opera, none have ever combined these styles into one grand expression as pleasing and effective as this one.
SONG BY SONG - IN SANDI'S OWN WORDS
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” The journey begins at childhood. I sang this as a kid at church, and it’s simply a praise song from my heart to God that invites other people to join in that praise. I asked my producer David Hamilton to update the arrangement, and he did a fabulous job with it.
“Through it All” This is my life story right now. Not only are the lyrics what my heart says today, but it’s one of the first Andrae Crouch songs I ever heard. I love the second verse: I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys. I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know God could solve them. I’d never know what faith in God could do. As my dad says, “That’ll preach.”
“Be Thou My Vision” My producer had the idea to do this song. I wasn’t as familiar with it, but I did some research, and the lyrics are a huge part of why I ended up choosing the song as well. It has that old language—words like “thou” and “naught”—but the lyrics are really a very intimate, personal prayer. And stylistically there are interesting things done with the Uilleann pipes. It may be the classiest song on the record.
“My Tribute” Another song by Andrae Crouch that I have wanted to record since I started (Dare I say it?) thirty years ago. People have always talked me out of it, encouraging me to do something new, to create my own style. And now I’m glad I haven’t done it until now, because looking back, it really has been one of those defining songs on my journey.
“Operator” This one was at the top of my list. I have always been more familiar with the Manhattan Transfer version of this song. Then I toured with Bill and Gloria Gaither, and they sang it every night. It’s just one of those numbers I’ve loved for years. And we had fun updating the lyrics: Don’t want no text. Don’t want no cell phone. Just give me Jesus on the line.
"For Good” This song was written by Stephen Schwartz for his Broadway musical Wicked that tells of the relationship between the wicked and good witches from The Wizard of Oz. These rival characters sing about how they’ve changed each other for good.
Here’s how I translate that: People come into our lives for a reason, for a season, or for a lifetime. But whatever the case, we are changed by the relationships that we have in our lives. That’s Sheila Walsh singing with me. She called me one day with the idea of doing this song together, and I said, “I was going to call and ask you the same thing!” So this performance appears on her new album as well.
“Were it Not for Grace” I heard Larnelle Harris sing this about ten years ago, and I like to say my first thought was: “How’d he get this song, and not me?” I just love the concept. The theme this year for the Women of Faith conferences is Infinite Grace, so this one is great for those events.
“Joyful, Joyful” We used to do this song when I was in college corral. I’ve always loved it and asked the producer if there was a way to really change up the arrangement and still keep the song’s integrity. What a great job he did. And I got to hit a high C note at the end!
“Panis Angelicus” Several years ago some friends asked my husband (Don Peslis) and I to sing “The Prayer” by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli at their wedding. We had such fun that we ended up recording it for one of my albums. So with this selection I was looking for another excuse to sing with my husband! “Panis Angelicus” is often sung at Christmas and in Latin. We looked at the translation and pulled in some English lyrics as well. I don’t know that anyone has ever done that before with this song.
“You Call Me Yours” Of all the songs, this is the one that speaks most to where I am in life right now. And it ties in with my book, Layers, about how people layer themselves with food and other addictions to stay away from the pain of life. People who struggle with these things don’t see themselves as lovely. But this song affirms that God calls us “beautiful, righteous.”
“Savior Medley” Three hymns from my childhood: “Savior like a Shepherd Lead Us,” “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus,” and “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” This is just me and the pianist. We did this live—everything you hear is exactly what happened in the studio, and it’s one of the sweetest moments in my professional life.
On Songs For The Journey, the five-time GRAMMY Award winner captures the soul, passion and praise of irreplaceable hymns of faith, which have inspired generations past. Through 11 new vibrant performances purposefully chosen to reflect her walk in faith from her childhood to today, listeners are sure to recognize their own stories among the selections, connecting with the struggles, joy, and peace along the way.
