The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #87: Sandi Patty, Morning Like This (1986)

Intro

At #87, Morning Like This (1986) captures Sandi Patty at her zenith—an arresting blend of classical technique and pop accessibility. These performances are expansive yet intimate, inviting congregations and concert halls alike to lift their eyes.

The Album in Context

Produced by Greg Nelson, the album’s architecture is cinematic: orchestras that swell without suffocating, rhythm sections that support without shouting, and arrangements that give Patty room to soar and whisper. The repertoire ranges from declarative praise to devotional reflection, each tailored to her commanding soprano.

Beyond technique lies testimony. The songs gather the church’s vocabulary—praise, unity, intercession—and aim it toward everyday discipleship. In the mid‑’80s, when CCM was diversifying stylistically, Patty offered a grand, reverent counterpoint that still felt contemporary and accessible.

Standout Songs

• “Let There Be Praise” — A bracing opener that summons the congregation; brass flourishes, rhythmic lift, and a refrain built for choirs.
• “Love In Any Language” — A unifying anthem that imagines worship crossing borders—Patty’s dynamic control anchors its global vision.
• “In The Name Of The Lord” — Dramatic and devotional, its melodic arc mirrors the lyric’s ascent from petition to proclamation.

Why It Matters

Musically, the project fused symphonic scope with radio clarity—lush strings, grand piano, and choir textures captured with audiophile care. The production trusts the song and the singer, letting natural dynamics carry the message.

Spiritually, it framed worship as both art and act—reverent, excellent, and evangelistic. The album became a touchstone for church solos, Easter productions, and Christian concert production values for years to come.

What’s Next

Next in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music countdown is #86: Jaci Velasquez’s Heaven Place (1996), where a fresh, youthful voice would carry CCM into a new era. Join the podcast as we trace the handoff from orchestral grandeur to ’90s pop‑worship.

Soli Deo Gloria!

This post is part of the series The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, celebrating the artists and recordings that defined a generation of faith-filled creativity.

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