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Unplugged Gill unbelievably good

By Alicia Blaisdell-bannon
ablaisdell-bannon@capecodonline.com
August 30, 2008 6:00 AM

HYANNIS – News Flash: You know Vince Gill, the country music singer who does all those really nice songs? He’s a really nice guy.

The multi-Grammy, multi-Country Music Awards singer-songwriter brought his charm, angelic tenor, half a dozen guitars, a bass player, a keyboardist and a percussionist to the Cape Cod Melody Tent last night and wowed an adoring crowd.

Last year, Gill, 51, traveled with a 17-piece band that left him "mostly broke and about half deaf,” he said, so this recent tour is all-acoustic. It’s a great way for him to showcase those superior vocal chords, which show no signs of wear and tear, thank God, reaching perfect high notes in the lovely ballads “Whenever You Come Around,” “Nobody Answers When I Call Your Name” and “Pocket Full of Gold.”

The relaxed setting is also perfect for the folksy Gill – one of country music’s most accessible artists – to share stories with his audience and play a lot of requests. In fact, he said, it was listening to James Taylor do exactly that in concert that made him want to try a scaled-down tour.

If the appreciative Melody Tent audience was any indication, it’s working. Gill has a gentle, self-deprecating humor that makes you actually interested in hearing the stories behind the songs. (“Look at Us,” Gill’s song about a long-lasting relationship, started out as a sad tune, but he took a fellow songwriter’s excellent advice and turned it into something positive. Who knew?)

His best stories – and songs – are about family. He had the crowd laughing when he talked about his father, a judge in Oklahoma who clearly was determined to keep his celebrity son in check. After Gill hosted his first CMA show (he’d go on to emcee 11 more), he said, his father called to tell him he was “no Jay Leno.” But Gill’s emotion when he sang “Key to Life,” his fond reflection on his father, was palpable.

So was his gratitude to the crowd for the silence during “Go Rest High Upon That Mountain,” his achingly gorgeous gospel tribute to his brother. "I could play music and hear the crickets,” he said. “I appreciate your respecting the music that way.”

The feeling was definitely mutual.

Val, Thanks for shareing this.

YW, Cathy.

Wow, sounds like another great show...I am kickin' myself for not getting tickets to any of these...may have to break down and fly somewhere soon to see one of these acoustic shows. Those are my favorite type--just scaled down Vince, his voice, and a little bit of music. Ahhhh....

I sure *wish* he was coming somewhere near me, but there are no shows anywhere in TX.

sounds like vince is continuing his grand concert now with only three of the band. I had the pleasure of seeing him in Torrington ct. The concert was just as you said. The music was great as usual and his humor makes you feel that he is only talking to you. He sang request and the best was for some of the fans standing by the bus he gave us the thrill of coming over and giving autographs. All I had was a cassette that I made to maybe call out a song or two during the concert He sang all I wanted to hear. So, when he surprised us by coming to the bus door to enter but giving us his attention I was not quite prepared. I handed my cassette and he signed it and returned it looking straight into my eyes. I was frozen and just said"thanks vince". I sure would like another chance to meet him and not act like a nervous fan.
gbv

I was at the Morristown, NJ concert. When my husband and I went to our car after the show, much to our surprise I had a dead battery. Well waiting for Pontiac roadside assistance. My husband said why don't you walk around the corner and see if Vince came to sign autographs by the bus and I'll wait here for our battery jump. So I happily walked across the street, around the corner, I saw a few people standing around, Vince was sitting and signing autographs - So when it was my turn, I handed him my fanclub disk holder and I told him this is from the fanclub. He signed it, smiled, and handed it back. I said good show Vince and said goodnite and walked away. I must have been the last one - the security guards then walked him to the bus. I walked across the street - my husband saw the smile on my face and said well at least this turned out to be a good nite anyway - As I got across the street - The bus pulled out and I was able to get a picture of it.

Kathi

[quote name='countrycrazy' date='Aug 30 2008, 06:15 PM' post='21902']
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll...ERTAIN/80830001
Unplugged Gill unbelievably good

I was at this show and it was FANTASTIC !!!!!