GILL HAS A SWEET VOICE AND A HOT GUITAR

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 5, 1993                   TAG: 9304050015
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
GILL HAS A SWEET VOICE AND A HOT GUITAR
Those high sweet harmonies.
No one compares to Vince Gill. When he sinks into a soaring harmony, Gill can melt butter, and Sunday night at the Roanoke Civic Center was no exception.
His vocal work all night was a treat, shining especially on the songs that showcased those sweet harmonies: "Pocket Full of Gold," "No Future in the Past," "Look at Us" and "Never Knew Lonely."
The evening's show-stoppers were Gill's harmonies with backup singer Dawn Sears on "The Heart Won't Lie" and "When I Call Your Name."
The audience of 8,477 was treated to more than fine singing, however. Gill is equally adept at playing guitar. In fact, he is one of the few country headliners who handles his own lead work.
Here, Gill didn't disappoint either.
During his 90-minute show, he kept the guitar solos to a minimum, but when he did bend the strings, it was almost as sweet as his harmonies. Particularly electrifying were his break-outs on "Oklahoma Swing" "Little Liza Jane," "Nothing Like a Woman" and "Oklahoma Borderline."
The guitar breaks made a nice counterweight to a show otherwise heavy on ballads. Gill did well not to let his set get too weepy or to let his jamming take over.
Gill's performance was refreshing, too, for he concentrated on his strengths - singing and playing. There were no lasers or stage ramps or ropes to swing on or set changes.
Just a man with a sweet voice and a hot guitar.
Opening Sunday was Mary-Chapin Carpenter, who should stick to up-tempo songs. Through a 50-minute set, Carpenter mixed the mellow with the up-tempo, but was much better when she and her tight four-piece band picked things up.
On the slower numbers, Carpenter bordered on boring.
On her faster material, Carpenter showed more life - even soul. The way she belted out "How Do," "I Feel Lucky," "Passionate Kisses," and the bluesy "Read My Lips" had real spark.
The jumpy "Down at the Twist and Shout" was another highlight.
On these songs, Carpenter was a lot of fun.
She ought to keep to the fun stuff.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB