Sandra Faye 'Sandi' Patty was born on July 12/56 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. According to Wikipedia.org: "She first performed at the age of two when she sang 'Jesus Loves Me' for her church, Phoenix First Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). Her first album, FOR MY FRIENDS, came out in 1978 and was independent. The next year she released SANDI'S SONG. Fast forward to 1997 and she put out ARTIST OF MY SOUL (Word). It was produced by Robbie Buchanan and executive produced by Matt Baugher. In the liner notes Sandi shares: "I am thankful that my God is still the God of second chances and new beginnings".
Rick Vale wrote the inspirational title track, 'Artist of My Soul'. It's a prayer: "God of the Living Word, Poet of Time/Teach me Your words in Your cadence and rhyme/O Lord of beauty, Lord of art/Who gives a song for every heart/Carve out my life, reshape and mold/And be the artist of my soul". John Stoddart and Wintley Phipps wrote 'Always', an inspirational song of encouragement: "When You're feeling down/And it just seems your world is falling all around/No need to fear/I'll still be there to love you/When your friends are gone/And it just seems like you've been fighting all alone/I'll dry your tear/I'll still be there to love you". 'Breathe on Me' features great backing vocals by Warren Stanyer and Sandi, and desires intimacy with God: "Breathe on me breath of God/Cover my sin with your mercy/Speak to me word of God/Give me a light for my journey/Show me Your way/And draw me close to you/And breathe on me/Breathe on me/Breathe on me breath of God".
'You Love Me' is a beautifully orchestrated, easy listening track of gratitude: "Father God I stand amazed/For You know me so well/Yet I'm lavished with Your grace/You forgive all my sin/Even call me Your child/I'm forever Yours for I can't deny/You love me! You see me! You hear me! You know me!/You love me (3X)!" 'You Set Me Free' is the longest song here, clocking in at around six minutes. This inspirational anthem is one of testimony: "You set me free to run through fields of laughter/And to sing as though I have no yesterdays/You set me free from my befores and afters/From a debt I know I'll never pay/When You set me free/Father, You father me/Ever so patiently/You give me wings to fly/When You set me free".
Greg Nelson and Bob Farrell wrote 'Birds Still Dance', a lovely praise song beginning with these words: "Morning, praise the morning/Sunlight from heaven fills me/Mine is the new day that breaks/God's in His heaven/And everything's right in His world/Nature rejoices/Yes and the birds still dance". 'You Alone' is an upbeat gospel song nature lovers will appreciate: "In the California sunset/And the Carolina dawn/In the tall wheat fields of Kansas/The Mississippi rolling on and on/In the midnights of Montana/And the snows of Yellowstone/I have seen the glory, Lord, of You alone". Sandra Crouch plays tambourine and a choir from Faith Central Missionary Baptist Church is used to good effect.
Tony Wood, Marie Reynolds, and Kevin Stokes wrote 'Speechless', an easy listening song of amazement: "I'm speechless, overcome by joy/That reaches into my heart so deep/It's almost too good to be true/In this quiet I'm in wonder of Your kindness/I'm speechless, silenced by how good You are to me". The classic hymn 'I Will Sing the Wondrous Story' is presented in a tender manner. It speaks of God's goodness: "I was lost but Jesus found me/Found the sheep that went astray/Wrapped His loving arms around me/Drew me back into His way/I was bruised but Jesus healed me/Faint was I from many a fall/Sight was gone and fears possessed me/But He freed me from them all".
'Come to Me' finds Jesus calling out to all: "Come to me/You who are weary/I will give You rest (2X)/Come to me/I'll take your burden/Come to me/I will give you rest". Last up is 'Doxology', penned by Rick Vale and Sandi. It's easy listening and includes these majestic lyrics: "Now to the King/Eternal/Immortal and invisible/To the only God be honor and glory/Forever/Amen".
Ten of the eleven tracks on ARTIST OF MY SOUL are quiet, contemplative, meditative, and devotional. This isn't one of those albums where you will hear Sandi Patty belting it out vocally for the most part. The songs here are generally easy listening and/or inspirational in nature. God's love, care, and grace towards us is celebrated. He forgives us, brings us salvation via Calvary, and adopts us as His kids. He frees us to be what we were truly meant to be. Sandi desires to be molded and shaped by God and to do His will. Fans of Steve Green and Twila Paris will appreciate this album. I'm only giving it an 85% because with so many slow songs, it does get boring at times. For more info visit: www.sandipatty.com and/or connect with her on social media.