Vince Gill
Vince Gill, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and recipient of 18 CMA Awards, came on the national scene with the country rock band Pure Prairie League in 1979. Gill sang lead on the hit Let Me Love You Tonight. Gill went solo in 1983 with some success. In 1989, he joined MCA Records and recorded his breakthrough song When I Call Your Name. Since then, Gill has been a force in country music.
Vince’s velvety voice isn’t his only talent. He is a marvelous guitarist, and also plays banjo, bass, mandolin, and the fiddle. Gill has transcended genres by singing duets with leading ladies from country, pop, rock, and R&B, including Dolly Parton (I Will Always Love You), Reba McEntire (Oklahoma Swing, The Heart Won’t Lie, It Just Has to Be That Way, These Broken Hearts), Faith Hill (Let Me Let Go), Barbra Streisand (If You Ever Leave Me), Gladys Knight (Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing), and Amy Grant (House of Love).
In 2006, Gill released the Grammy Award winning-album These Days, a groundbreaking, four-CD set featuring more than 40 new recordings. Each album in the set explores a different musical mood – traditional country; ballads; contemporary, up-tempo; and acoustic/bluegrass music. The set features guest performers including Sheryl Crow, Phil Everly, daughter Jenny Gill, wife Amy Grant, Emmylou Harris, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Bonnie Raitt, Leann Rimes, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood and more.
Check out some of Vince’s performances below:
House of Love
December Jazz
Chris Botti’s 2002 holiday set, December, is comforting; a much needed and welcomed feeling during this last month, and often the most stressful time, of the year. It’s clear the holidays aren’t always the most joyful time for all, so comfort and joy are the gifts Botti offers with this collection. Yes, there’s a feeling of melancholy at times, but that’s fine, because that’s what true jazz does sometimes.
Botti’s trumpet always sets an intimate and soothing ambiance, and that is exactly what we get here. Most of the songs are instrumental, and not drenched with jingly bells. Botti takes on vocal duties on two songs: Perfect Day and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Winter Wonderland gets a swinging rendition and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town gets a Brazilian beat. O Little Town of Bethlehem has romantic piano accompaniment. And it’s quite a surprise to hear a Leonard Cohen tune on a Christmas album, but Hallelujah appears here. I’ll Be Home For Christmas closes December, and it’s smooth, uplifting, and a perfect ending to a great CD.
This lovely collection will appeal to fans of jazz, easy-listening and fusion. Chris Botti delivers comfort and joy with ease and style.
I will be seeing Chris Botti perform at the legendary Blue Note in New York City tomorrow evening and I can hardly contain my excitement.
For more on Chris Botti, mainly his latest release, Italia, see my October 28th post: Viva Italia!* This CD was reissued in 2006 with Ave Maria replacing Perfect Day.
Check out these live performances:
Lover Man with Gladys Knight
A Song For You with Michael Bublé
The Look of Love with Paula Cole and Burt Bacharach
Adeli's Music Blog 
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