“Field of Gray” expresses love and commitment to a friend struggling to survive in the cold, cruel world (“In my own small way, I will try to help you through”). A similar sentiment motivates “China Doll” (“I’ve got something for you, a few good words . . . to ease your worried mind”).
“What a Time” approves of the chaos resulting from a power outage (“Everybody was fazing, hazing, oh what a time, it was time to be amazing, time to lose all reason or rhyme”).
Lyrically, Hornsby’s themes zero in on life and the diverse characters who make it interesting. But it’s the instrumentation that takes center stage, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing disk. With only minor exceptions, an acceptable pick.
