Vince Gill Album: “Next Big Thing”

Description :

Personnel: Vince Gill (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin); Al Anderson (acoustic & electric guitars); Mac McAnally (acoustic guitar); Dean Parks (electric guitar); Tom Britt (slide guitar); John Hughley (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Jim Hoke (autoharp, harmonica, accordion); The Nashville String Machine (strings); Kirk Whalam (alto saxophone); Jim Horn (baritone saxophone); Charles Rose (trumpet); Steve Herrman (trombone); Pete Wasner, John Hobbs (keyboards); Willie Weeks (bass); Chad Cromwell (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Amy Grany, Lee Ann Womack, Dawn Sears, Leslie Satcher, Billy Thomas, Harry Stinson, Bekka Bramlett, Kim Keyes, Jenny Gill, Emmylou Harris, Michael McDonald, Andrea Zonn, Jeff White (background vocals). <p>Recorded at Ocean Way, Seventeen Grand and Sound Kitchen Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. <p>"Next Big Thing" won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. <p>This album's title is an ironic one, since Vince Gill has spent plenty of time as the Big Thing in country music. He started out as a hot-pickin' bluegrass guitarist before going solo in the mid-'80s. Some 20 years down the line, Gill has nothing to prove but still plenty to say. As always, his sound is a mix of Rodney Crowell-style '80s New Traditionalism, white soul, and pop, with a touch of that bluegrass influence coming through in his keening tenor. He's still the Mr. Nice Guy of contemporary country, soft-pedaling both the songs and the singing in a manner not unlike the Timothy B. Schmit portion of the Eagles' catalogue. <p>"Young Man's Town" ups the soul influence and adds a touch of Springsteen sentimentalism, while the aptly named "Old Time Fiddle" shows Gill's traditional roots, and "Without You" ventures into Ray Price-meets-Bob Wills territory. The marimba-laden "We Had it All" is something of a Marty Robbins update, and things close out tastefully with the gentle, soulfully sung "In These Last Few Days." If you're looking for gaudy power ballads or rock with a cowboy hat, try elsewhere. Honest emotions delivered with class are still a BIG THING with Gill.

Vince has done it this time. The title cut off this album tells the whole story. Vince is back big time and this CD is "THE NEXT BIG THING". The album is long with 17 cuts but it is well worth the time it takes to listen. Like he says, this album is all over the map. From true country (Real Mean Bottle), to Cajun sounding (Old Time Fiddle), to a Spanish flair (We Had it All). "This Old Guitar and Me" is nostalgic and reminiscent of The Key To Life. "A Young Man's Town" tells it like it is in the music business. No bitterness about changing times and careers slowing down. "Whippoorwill River" is a special song. Simple and just plain good with Jenny Gill singing background vocals. "In These Last Few Days" Amy Grant sings with her husband and this is a song of the times. Time is precious in these last few days. Put this album in you shopping cart and you will not be disappointed.

Vince Gill has once again captured the spirit of country music with his new album. If there is at least one Vince Gill song you have liked in the past, you will love this album. With 17 songs to chose from (and there is not a dull one in the bunch) it is too hard to list 1, 2 or even 3 favorites. From smooth country ballads, Someday and From Where I Stand, that are his signature to the old swing songs reminds you of When I call Your Name in the new In These Last Few Days to on old fashioned hoe down with Old Time Fiddle (like you never get to hear any more, Vince's smooth tenor, hot guitar pickin' and a plethora of sound support with background vocals from daughter Jenny Gill, Amy Grant, Lee Ann Womack, Dawn Sears, Emmylou Harris make this a very well produced and solid album. Don't forget the range of instruments hears from Vince's own hand on mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, The Nashville String Machine and the brass section of trombones, trumpets. Don't let the above scare you, there is plenty of haunting steel guitar solos and the grace and harmony of the mandolin to sooth anyone country craving.

An absolute MUST BY for any fan of real music from a real artist.

This is by far the best album I have heard from 2003. It is one you can put in and listen to the entire cd and not have to skip any to enjoy.

I have been a long time fan of Vince Gill and I am so grateful for the quality of music he keeps putting out.

Thank you Vince for being the best !

A fellow okie : )

This new release by Vince Gill after a 2.5 year wait is absolutely astounding and stellar!! I could go in depth on each track but would take so much room up.....he has a variety of all styles on this cd from old country to his signature ballads....the lyrics on this album are some of the most meaningful of his career. 17 tracks long too! Awesome!! You can tell by listening that he put everything he had into making a great album....in fact this may be his new career record!!!! Way to go Vince!!! Buy this everyone! Oh, also some great harmony vocals by Amy Grant, Jenny Gill, Emmylou Harris and others!! A+!

Truely, one of the finest country singers around today, Vince Gill once again demonstrates his gifted vocal and guitar playing abilities on a diverse collection of songs. From the humorous, but true title cut "Next Big Thing" to tender love songs like "Someday", the album is terrific from start to finish. Effortlessly gliding from traditional country to a more modern sound, Vince delivers another winner!