CD review: Vince Gill “Guitar Slinger”
A version of this review appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To read my interview with Vince Gill about his new album, click here.
Country
Vince Gill “Guitar Slinger” (MCA Nashville)
Oklahoma-born and bred country music superstar Vince Gill faces an unenviable task with his first record in five years: following up on his four-CD box set “These Days,” which won the 2006 Grammy for best country album and earned an overall album of the year nomination.
But the Country Music Hall of Famer proves he’s more than equal to the task with “Guitar Slinger,” due out Monday. Wisely, Gill doesn’t try to match the scope of his sprawling, 43-song “These Days.” “Guitar Slinger” may be only one CD, but the Norman native uses that one disc to showcase his effortlessly impressive musicianship, authentic and adroit songwriting and enthusiastic appreciation for sonic diversity.
Gill possesses a great sense of humor and relatable everyman quality, and he cleverly leads with those strengths with the boogie-woogie title track and album opener, which cheerfully references the stereotypes people harbor about country musicians, his marriage to contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant and the 2010 Nashville, Tenn., floods that destroyed much of his expansive guitar collection.
He channels Motown as he rebukes a cheater with “Tell Me Fool,” memorializes jazz chanteuse Billie Holliday with “When the Lady Sings the Blues” and swaps verses with Grant on the fervent ballad “True Love,” with their daughter Sarah Chapman, 18, backing her mother. Home-state fans will enjoy his affectionate, fictionalized tale of “The Old Lucky Diamond Motel” with its shout-outs to El Reno, Ted’s Escondido and Route 66.
But the Oklahoma City-grown singer/songwriter/musician spends much of “Guitar Slinger” skillfully delving into dark themes. He explores love and mortality with the passionate first single “Threaten Me with Heaven,” pays old-timey tribute to the late, great steel guitarist John Hughey on “Buttermilk John” and relates the affecting tale of a despairing homeless man with “Bread and Water,” loosely based on Gill’s late brother.
He takes a risk that pays off with the album’s highlight, the true-life murder-suicide ballad “Billy Paul.” Gill recruits his daughters Jenny Gill, 29, and Corrina Grant Gill, 10, to harmonize with him on the choruses, and their high, clear voices contrast chillingly with the heartbreaking story.
— BAM
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Comments
I cannot wait to get this very meaningful c.d. I have been a fan of his for years and find he and Amy so inspiring.
This new album is really good, Vince covers all moods. The first track is so upbeat and really moves along but some of the ballads are inspiring and truly lovely.
He never lets you down, his voice is perfect and this cd has been worth waiting for. Well done Vince – you are great.
Cannot wait to pick this up tomorrow…..I have loved Vince since I saw him open for George Jones and Conway Twitty in Augusta GA years ago.
Have been a fan from the first and expect no less than what you have expressed here. Vince and his music have never let me down.