House of Love (CD) by Amy Grant

Additional guest artists: Keith Thomas, Lisa Keith, Michael Omartian, Eric Darken, Donna McElroy.

All songs co-written by Amy Grant except "House Of Love" (Wally Wilson/Kenny Greenberg/Greg Barnhill), "The Power" (Judson Spence/Tommy Sims), "Oh How The Years Go By" (Simon Climie/Will Jennings) and "Big Yellow Taxi" (Joni Mitchell).

For Amy Grant, the transition from gospel diva to pop songstress has been a smooth one, every bit as smooth and mellifluous as her own distinctive vocals. Because in truth, Amy Grant transcends the distance between I love you Lord and I love you baby so fluently, and with such sincerity and simple grace, that in the end one is left with a sense of unity--a veritable HOUSE OF LOVE.

Grant's instrument has a soft reedy quality, perfect for the girlish blush of love on the opening "Lucky One," "Say You'll Be Mine," a paean to monogamous devotion, the gospelish "Whatever It Takes" (which speaks of the endurance needed to sustain a relationship), and the power ballad "Love Has A Hold On Me" (which reflects on the doubt).

HOUSE OF LOVE projects a sensual propriety that is no less sexy for being so clean scrubbed and virtuous. And, as the riveting title tune suggests, there's a critical element of patience and forgiveness implicit in all these themes--which enlivens her harmonies with Vince Gill (echoes of "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing Baby" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell). Falling and being saved are, after all, central themes both to country music and traditional gospel. Which is why Amy Grant's seamless pop stylings share the Top 20 with the likes of Warren G., the Rolling Stones and the Three Tenors.