Disco de Vince Gill: “Souvenirs”

Souvenirs is incomplete on the surface. Vince Gill did not put any of his post-'93 hits in this collection--the six hits from Vince's '94 album When Love Finds You aren't on here. However, I think a greatest-hits album should include the artist's best songs, and Vince definitely included his best ones on Souvenirs. "When I Call Your Name", "Pocket Full Of Gold", "I Still Believe In You", "Liza Jane", "Never Knew Lonely", "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away", and "Tryin' To Get Over You" are the highlights, and these songs are among my favorite Vince songs. Vince also included "The Heart Won't Lie", his duet with Reba McEntire; "I Can't Tell You Why", the classic Eagles song which he did for the "Common Thread" Eagles tribute album; and "I Will Always Love You", his duet with Dolly Parton. Although the latter three songs weren't originally on one of Vince's own records, Vince at least included all previously released material here and did not(as Clint Black did) put newer songs on his greatest-hits collection while overlooking some great songs from the past. Also, I think Vince's first four years with MCA, 1989-93, when most of these songs were recorded, were his best years musically(at least until The Key came out in '98). Vince may not have gone the full length of his career when he put together Souvenirs, but he did pick his greatest songs. That's why I give this record five stars.

Vince Gill is the perfect musical artist. He has a voice from heaven and songs to go with it. He is a brilliant guitarist of the highest order as well. This greatest hits collection is as perfect as it gets. His rendition of The Eagles classic "I Can't Tell You Why" is downright perfect. It seems as if the song was made especially for him. His version is the best. He also teams up with Dolly Parton on her old hit "I Will Always Love You". I'll take this version over Whitney's any day!!. The rest is pure musical gold. "I Still Believe In You" remains to be one of the prettiest ballads in country music, or, well, in any musical genre for that matter. His up-tempo songs are just as memorable. "Liza Jane" is the best of that set. One of the things that has always helped Gill be a star is his incredible graciousness. He comes and helps or appears on anyone's record who asks him. He's incredibly kind. A real gentleman. That'll get you anything. Do yourself a favor and get this greatest hits CD of one of the best voices around. He definitley needs a second volume since he's had a number of hits since this. This is essential!.

Vince Gill has an amazing voice, and this album showcases it very well. Several of his best songs including "Tryin' to Get Over You," "I Still Believe in You," "Never Knew Lonely," and "Don't Let our Love Start Slippin' Away" and included on this great album. If you are a fan of Mr. Gill, you will love this album. It is a must-own too. I recommend it thoroughly.

As a newcomer to country music, I tend to stay with compilation albums. I'm not sure why I chose to try a Vince Gill collection but I was not disappointed. You will not be either.

Vince Gill managed to carve out a long-lasting career in country by bucking the system that established so many country stars in the 90's. He never wore a hat. He rarely jumped to cliches when songwriting, and he always allowed his voice to convey the message of the song. Nowhere is that more emphasized than on "When I Call Your Name." It invokes the sound of timeless country, yet at the same time it utilized the slick production values that was turning Country Music into the dominant force of that decade (think George Strait and Garth Brooks).

The same goes for "I Still Believe in You" and "Look At Us," two of so many heartbreak ballad classics that Gill released on his first three MCA Nashville albums. Like "When I Call Your Name," they were CMA Song of The Year winners, and epitomize the silky smooth delivery that Gill has perfected. It's also why his duets here, with Dolly Parton on "I Will Always Love You" and Reba McEntire on "The Heart Won't Lie" (originally on a McEntire album), find his voice nestling perfectly with his singing partners. He makes feeling sad feel so good.

Gill is also adept at the country shuffle, like on "Liza Jane." Gill himself called this song his attempt at writing an Eric Clapton song ala "Lay Down Sally," and it showcases Gill's superb guitar chops. (Often overlooked next to his singing and songwriting.) Same goes for "Take Your Memory With You."

But the Oklahoma born Gill is still a California Country boy at heart (after all, he started his career with Pure Prairie League), and the moment that highlights that is his cover of "I Can't Tell You Why." His contribution to the tribute album "

" brings the Eagles' country sensibilities to the center and surrounds it with Gill's ever-so-sensitive singing, connecting the 90's country boom to its core audience of yuppies for whom the urbanized country called to them like "Hotel California."

Vince Gill's "Souvenirs" remains his best anthology, covering his most fertile period up to 1995. While there are a few more since then, this remains my favorite.