Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 3, 1994 TAG: 9412220063
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: C-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Thursday night at the Roanoke Civic Center, Gill showed why he is country music's only headlining triple-threat, and its reigning Entertainer of the Year. But the question remains: Which is the real Vince Gill?
Which is the best Vince Gill?
Is it Gill the superlative harmony singer whose soaring ballads have become his trademark? Is it Gill the ace guitarist who is one of the very few country headliners that handles all of his own guitar solos? Or is it Gill the songwriter whose catalog of country pop hits over the past five years is one of the most impressive in Nashville?
As always, he was in terrific voice Thursday, particularly on his signature ballads. The big four that stood out the most were: "Pocketful of Gold," "Never Knew Lonely," "Look at Us" and "When I Call Your Name." All were showstoppers.
Gill, with his high distinctive vocals, performed these slower numbers during a two-hour show in workmanlike order, making them look easy. The accompanying harmonies were handled solidly by backup singer Dawn Sears and rhythm guitarist Jeff White.
Some of the ballads like "Pocketful of Gold" and "When I Call Your Name" also showed off the best of his songwriting, in which Gill obviously takes pride. He unashamedly thanked the audience of 7,262 for voting "When I Call Your Name" one of country music's two all-time favorite songs.
Yet, it seemed like Gill was happiest when he took guitar in hand and let it rip with his big, nine-member backing band that included two drummers. Gill is not acclaimed as much as he should be for his superb guitar playing probably because it is only in his live show where he really shows it off.
He added his fast finger work mostly to the uptempo songs like "Oklahoma Swing," "What the Cowgirls Do" and "One More Last Chance," and it was during his extended guitar runs on these that he seemed to be have the most fun.
Maybe that was because that's the real Vince Gill - not the heartbroken balladeer, but the fun-loving guitar hero.
Second on Thursday night's bill was Trisha Yearwood.
Like Gill, Yearwood proved that the truly talented country singers stand out in the crowd. With so many generic, cookie-cutter singers coming out of Nashville now, when a pair like Gill and Yearwood come along, it is easy to see most of the generics for what they are.
Second rate.
On stage, live and without the generous tricks of the studio, the distance between the best and rest can't be hidden. Yearwood was rock-solid through a 45-minute set that showed her equally at ease with the fast ("That's What I Like About You," "You Say You Will," "She's In Love With The Boy") and the slow ("The Song Remembers When," "Walkaway Joe," "Down On My Knee.")
Former Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart, who opened Thursday's concert, only helped to illustrate this talent gap.
Although more twangy by himself than with Restless Heart, Stewart still showed why his former group never broke away from the pack. He was adequate. His best moment actually came when he joined Yearwood during her set on "Walkaway Joe," singing the Don Henley part.
But next to Yearwood or Gill, it was obvious he isn't anything special.
by CNB