Sandi Patti admits her latest release was a "risk-taking project." Not only are there noticeable changes in musical and vocal styles, but also in content. While previously most of her songs have been praise and worship or scriptural message songs, her new album seems much more open and honest, reflecting perhaps a deeper, more realistic view of life.
Le Voyage is just what the title implies-an overview of the journey of life. The desire is that listeners will hear Le Voyage not as simply a collection of songs, but as a complete work: a story put to music. The journey or voyage is a spiritual one in which the believer has both unique, individual experiences, and common ones. Our hope is always in our ever-faithful Companion, Jesus Christ.
The album features 13 songs, including two wonderful instrumentals. "Prologue," a string arrangement, opens the work beautifully, and subtly leads into the keyboard intro for "Little Narrow Gate"-a gentle song for the journey's beginning. Coming later in the "voyage," the second instrumental, "Theme from the City of Rest," is much more lively and very joyous with a lovely Irish-sounding melody.
"Hand on My Shoulder" is one that has already received air play on some Christian radio stations. It's a very moving song about the constant companionship that can be ours throughout our journey. "Unexpected Friends" speaks of help received from astonishing sources at times when we really need it most. "In the Tenderlands" explores the places in our travels where we find rest for our weariness, comfort for our hurts, mercy for our faults, and nurturing for our vulnerable spots. Two other gentle, slower songs are "No Place To Lay My Head" (about keeping our faith through struggles and defeat) and "All The Stars" (a prayer for the traveler).
On the more upbeat side, some pleasant surprises await. "Home Will Find You" encourages the heart seeking love and acceptance and "Love Can Open The Door" is about the power of love to help us break through the artificial boundaries between ourselves and others. An urgency is felt in "The Dilemma," which undoubtedly comes from Romans 7:15-25 and speaks of the frustration of having two warring natures within us.
The remaining two songs both have a jazzy sound, but are about two very different stages in our journey. "Forest of Fears" probes the feelings of the scary, low times when we find our own efforts useless, leading us to learn to rely more completely upon God. "Long Look," on the other hand, is about being on a spiritual mountain-top, able to see our life with cleared vision and renewed hope.
This is a perfect album to welcome Sandi back after some very difficult, personal struggles in her life. Her vocal abilities are as wonderfully appealing as ever, and even enhanced with a fresh new style. There is more depth to this project than others I've heard by her; it's an album containing something for everyone, whatever stage of their spiritual journey they may be in.
Similar sounding releases
1993Dick & Mel TunneyLeft to Write
4HimSeason of Love
1994Janet PaschalJourney of Grace
1994Steve GreenWhere Mercy Begins
1993Michael EnglishHope
1994Pam ThumFaithful
