Sandi Patty Duets (Word/Warner) Released November 2005 reviewed by Christa Banister

Sounds like … a retrospective look at the soaring soprano with performances highlighting some of her best duets over the years.

At a glance … diehard fans probably have most of these tunes, but it's still a hearty sampling of one amazing voice singing with other amazing voices.

In a project that highlights what Sandi Patty is best known for—that voice—and her performance versatility on everything from the supercharged ballad "Another Time, Another Place" with Wayne Watson to mainstream pop on "They Say" with '80s mainstay Deniece Williams,Duets features 13 of Patty's best collaborative efforts over the years.

In a trip down memory lane for longtime Christian music fans, the set list is comprised of many of the songs that defined the genre's earlier years with "I've Just Seen Jesus" (if you don't feel a few goosebumps during this one, you may need to check your pulse) and "More Than Wonderful" with Larnelle Harris, "The Home of the Lord" with Russ Taff and "Seekers of Your Heart" with Steve Green and Harris. Patty also teams up with Christian music royalty Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith for two Christmas bonus cuts that were previously featured on Grant and Smith's holiday albums. I was a little surprised her duet with Grant on "Unexpected Friends" wasn't featured instead, but this track works fine, too. The addition of holiday songs on this album works well with a November release, but will listeners be as responsive to them in the middle of summer?

As a whole, the project largely succeeds at highlighting some great performances (be sure to check out "Only Love [Solo El Amor]" with Miguel Angel Guerra for an example of why her pipes are so amazing), but Duets would've been greatly enhanced by including some newer tracks with artists that are little more on the radar now. Minor quibbles aside, there's no doubt that Patty could challenge just about anyone to a sing-off and win.

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Sandi Patty Duets (Word/Warner) Released November 2005 reviewed by Christa Banister