CONCERT REVIEW: Vince Gill at Emens Auditorium

The Star Press

By MICHELLE KINSEY • mkinsey@muncie.gannett.com • September 28, 2008

MUNCIE - Vince Gill was happy to take the stage last night at Ball State's Emens Auditorium.
Ball State, after all, had just won its homecoming game. It could have been a "crappy" night if things would have gone the other way, he joked.

But it wasn't. In fact, Gill turned in a winning set that offered up old songs, new songs and plenty of stories.

The paired-down show had Gill sitting centerstage, surrounded by electric and acoustic guitars, a keyboard player, an upright bass player and a guy beating on an amplified box.

Gill opened the set with "Don't Let Our Love Start Slipping Away." It was a great start. The sound was tight. Gill's voice was in fine form. And the audience was already singing along.

He joked that he almost didn't make it to the show that night, due to the country's current economic situation.

"I thought I was going to have to suspend my tour," he said.

Many more funny moments would follow and we would also get insight into several of his songs. Gill is quite the storyteller; so good that you didn't want to miss a word and you didn't mind the breaks between his smooth guitar licks.

But the music was the main reason we were there and Gill did not disappoint.

During the nearly three-hour set, he played several requests from the audience, tried out a few new tunes and offered up his bread-and-butter hits.

One of the new tunes told the story of the "Lucky Diamond Motel" that was a few miles from his childhood home. Another was a bluesy tribute to his long-time steel guitar player, "Buttermilk John."

Gill admitted with a grin that many of his songs contain autobiographical elements. The rest, he said, "are big fat lies."

The crowd clapped along during "One More Last Chance," the laughter erupted during "It's Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night (That Chew Your report me Out All Day Long)" and the tears fell during "Go Rest High on that Mountain."

Although he said he preferred sad, moody, cheatin' songs, he did deliver a wonderful love song, "Look at Us," which he confessed started out as a sad, moody cheatin' song.

Vince and the band took a brief break, then Gill returned for a few solo tunes, including "Jenny Dreamed of Trains" (which included a great story about his daughter and her "Eddie Haskell" boyfriend) and "Little Brother."

When the band rejoined Gill on stage, they offered up "When I Call Your Name" and a beautiful "Go Rest High" before picking up the tempo with "Oklahoma Borderline."

A few more tunes and stories later and Gill waved good-bye and walked off stage, still limping a bit from his recent knee surgery. But he was back soon enough for an encore that would include a rowdy "Liza Jane," a cover of Pure Prairie League's "Amy" and another new tune, which he wrote with his wife Amy Grant, called "Heaven."

If you didn't know much about Gill going into this concert, he felt like friend by the time you left. A really talented, really funny friend that you hope comes back around for a another visit - and a dozen or so stories - soon.

Muncie Photos

This show was awesome. I think it is probably the best Vince concert I have seen, and I have seen quite a few. I loved the informal format. It was obvious that Vince was very uncomfortable the entire evening because of his knee, but he was a trooper and played 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

This format with the band allowed you to truly appreciate Vince's talent. He is such a quick witted person and loves to "chat" with the audience. As we all know, Vince is an extremely talented musician. As I sat and listended and watched him all evening, I have an even greater appreciation for his talent. Not only was his voice beautiful as usual, he made his guitar sing too! I cannot express enough how entertaining the evening was.

I took my 16-year old daughter, her friend and a friend of mine all of whom never had seen Vince in concert before. When we left they were in awe of his talent. My daughter has always listened to his music with me, but can now truly appreciate him. She made the comment "I think he sounds better in person than on his albums." In this day and age there are not many people you can make that statement about regarding their performances!! Needless to say, I have won over three more Vince fans!!

If you don't have tickets to one of Vince's shows on this tour and have the opportunity to get some, please don't hesitate to get them. You will not be disappointed!

I don't know how I can show you some of my pictures from the evening, but they were awesome. If someone has a suggestion, please let me know.

Melinda

Glad you won over 3 more Vince fans, Melinda! I sure *wish* I had a chance to go to one of these shows, but no such luck...there are no TX dates scheduled at all.

As for sharing your photos, there's a site called Photobucket where you can create an account for free and then upload your photos there and share them as either a photo album or slideshow. It also allows you to do some editing on your photos right on their site. It's very simple to use.

You will never get any nody better than Vincewhen you hear Vince you have the best **** thanks for the great review sounds like the one he put on in August when i got to go and hear him , just awesome. for sure.
love ya, Shirl 81 now 82,

Another great review and pics!! Thanks Valerie. Can't wait 'til the 26th... can't wait...

Great Review....I love reading how much everyone enjoys the shows!!! I can't believe the shows I am going to are almost here!!! 3 shows in one week....it will be awesome, plus a meet and greet to top it off!! Thanks so much for the great reviews and for getting me even more excited !!!
Krissie