House of Hope in Bloomington, MN

Toni Childs
followed up her critically acclaimed
Union
in 1991 with
House of Hope
. Once again,
Childs
wrote the bulk of the album with
David Rickets
(
David and David
) with whim she co-produced the album. Despite those facts, and despite the return of guitarist
David Rhodes
and drummer
Rick Marotta
,
fails to match the impressive standards of
' debut.
treads much of the same ground as on
, both lyrically and musically, but too much of
feels incomplete. What the record lacks, however, is almost made up for on the tracks that do work beginning with the lead-off
"I've Got to Go Now,"
a tale of a woman leaving an abusive relationship.
dramatic vocals imbue the protagonist with willful, albeit fragile, resolve and a spirit that is moving.
"Heaven's Gate"
is a lovely ballad resembling a lullaby (which chronicles a widow's longing to be reunited with her husband) over a graceful soundtrack of piano and acoustic guitar. And on
"The Dead Are Dancing,"
Los Lobos
'
David Hidalgo
adds guitar and accordion to the ode to the disappeared dissidents of Chile. ~ Tom Demalon