Disco de Vince Gill: “Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodby”

It's so funny that the so-called "critics" of the music world have blasted this album for being too mushy and too sentimental. Good Lord, people. What is romantic music supposed to be? This CD is a refreshing change from the banality and immaturity of most of the pop ballads circulating today. And why don't people stop criticizing artists who step outside of their normal realm to record something different? Look at Linda Ronstadt, Barbra Streisand, Gary Morris, and countless others whose voices have leant themselves to explore their talents in other genres of music! So, with that said, fans, just enjoy this Vince Gill album. Whether you approve or care about his marriage to Amy Grant, it doesn't matter. The music on this album is really very, very good. I think it's one of his best albums. "Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye," is one of the nicest sounding country songs I've heard in ages. He doesn't scream, he doesn't moan and groan; he just expresses his love in his usual graceful tenor. So, critics, you go on and blast albums like these and us melody-hungry fans will continue to eat them up!

One never knows exactly what the next Vince Gill album might bring, but historically, his projects have possessed more class than could be summoned by all the Wrangler butts in Nashville combined. His latest effort is different, a slightly lighter fare perhaps, yet certainly no compromise of his usual standard.

Few artists reveal themselves in the way that Vince does.... over and over again. A refreshing change from the introspective five-star masterpiece - The Key, Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye is a glimpse into the heart of a man who is comfortably perched at the top of his game, and drinking deeply from the fountain of renewed perspective. Less "complicated" does not necessarily translate to less "interesting". If the lyrics are not what we have come to expect from Vince, perhaps it is because his wry sense of humor about love and such matters has been softened by the woman who inspired much of this material... Amy Grant. The next time we see the lovely Mrs. Gill, we'll be sure to thank her for that naughty, but still nice, "grin" in Vince's voice.

Vince is joined in this latest outing by such session icons as Brent Mason, Randy Scruggs, and Michael Omartian. Their collective stealth is matched only by Vince's own considerable instrumental contributions. There is more than enough of his "in the zone" guitar work here to keep even the oldest and most jaded Vince Gill fan deliriously happy. His trademark plaintive tenor has never been sweeter or purer than in such tunes as Look What Love's Revealing and When I Look Into Your Heart (the much-anticipated duet with his new bride).

Background vocals were provided by by long-time fan favorites; Jeff White, Billy Thomas, and Andrea Zonn, among others. Perhaps the sweetest moment on the disc comes when daddy's girl, Jenny Gill, provides harmony vocals for her father's tribute to his new bride on That Friend Of Mine. Like all true, blood harmony, one is barely able to discern where the exquisite nuances of his voice end, and his babys begin, yet she holds her own in a most grown-up way. Upon hearing this cut, one is left to comtemplate the wonders that impressive gene pool has most likely wrought in daughter Jenny.

Thankfully, Vince hasn't abandoned his country roots. There are a few cuts that will play well on the Opry stage, and something for the "no longer country" radio market. There is a raucous uptempo Elvis-like, only better just- gotta- dance tune, Baby Please Don't Go, that promises great fun for fans in live performances. Another highlight would be the more- than- a- little sultry, Little Things; in which Vince proves that forty-something can still be very sexy and will most assuredly spark sales of hair brushes all over the country.

There are times in all our lives, Vince Gill's included, when the heart soars and love has to be celebrated. This is the music for that time.

I can't believe some of the reviews I have read. I think this cd is awesome, and I listen to it all the time. Why should Vince be singled out because he's in love? Making love till the sun comes up sounds good to me. It's not any different than Tim and Faith singing it to each other. True, it's not a traditional Vince cd, but hey, I think he's entitled to sing about being in love. There is no one more dedicated to country music, and it's roots, then Vince. I'm sure he will prove that in the days and years to come. Give the man a break. Hey, at least he didn't change his name, find an alter ego, and sing about that. I'd much rather hear about him being in love. I wish him and Amy all the happiness in the world, and want him to know that the first time I heard the cd, I knew he and Amy had made the right choice. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being in love, and wanting to sing about it. I would recommend, and have done so, the cd to anyone that cares anything about Vince and his music.

I, a very devoted Vince Gill fan, find this CD to be like Vince himself, unique. So what if every song has to do with love and the way he is feeling about his new wife and marriage. There's a song for each different mood. From the bouncy, and swingy "Baby Please Don't Go" to the mellow "One", each song with it's own personality. It is unlike his previous releases, but still just as good if not better. His songs don't always have to be about heartache and down times to be a number one single or album. Now he sings about happy times. His voice is as strong as ever. These songs have true feeling in them. If he were to put out the same music all of the time, I wouldn't feel the need to go out and buy his new releases. I feel that alot of the negative feedback on this CD is due to Vince's personal life and has nothing to do at all with the contents of the CD itself. I think everyone should listen to this CD a second or maybe third time again and really pay attention to the lyrics and the passion Vince sings with. It may just surprise most of you.

This is an absolutely awesome album. The musical styles are a wonderful blend of progressive-rock, gospel-pop, and country. If your looking for an album to make your girlfriend fall in love, or renew that twinkle in your wife's eyes, this is it!