Customer Reviews

The Key

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've always liked Vince Gill's music. However, in my opinion, The Key is his best album yet. Vince set out to do an authentic country record, and he was successful.

The first single, "If You Ever Have Forever In Mind", according to Vince, was inspired as much by Ray Charles' 1960s hits as by Vince's love of "real" country music. However, even though that song is a great song, I don't think it's the best one on the album. The best song on the record, in my opinion, is the concluding song, "The Key To Life". That song was written by Vince in memory of his father, Stan, who died in 1997. On "The Key To Life" Vince uses an arrangement that's mostly acoustic. It works, in my opinion. "The Key To Life" is the best-written song on the entire record.

Vince has two upbeat songs here: "Don't Come Cryin' To Me" with its awesome steel guitar and fiddle, and the Buck Owens-inspired "I Never Really Knew You", a genuine toe-tapper. For the most part, though, Vince does the slow songs on this record, and I don't think he could sound much better than he does here. On the songs "Kindly Keep It Country", "All Those Years", and "There's Not Much Love Here Anymore", the listener can almost hear the heartache in his voice. Those songs sound more convincing when you remember that, besides the death of his father, Vince went through a messy divorce in '97. Although Vince has said that these songs weren't inspired specifically by his divorce, I believe that his struggle to come to grips with the breakup lends them more credibility.

On a more positive note, Vince's celebration of marital fidelity, "My Kind Of Woman, My Kind Of Man", is a gem. The song, on which he is joined by Patty Loveless, will, in the opinion of this author (as well as many others) become a great wedding song.

As a singer, Vince, either on his own or in collaboration with others, has always put out high quality material. The Key is another impressive Vince Gill album.

Vince Gill is on my short list of truly talented country music stars; others include Patty Loveless (she's on this CD), Alison Krauss (so is she), and Alan Jackson. Vince established himself in my mind long ago as one of "The Best." "The Key" makes all of his previous CD's, as wonderful as they are, second rate by comparison. The first time I listened to this CD, I listened to it from start to finish in one sitting, and I swear, I had tears in my eyes when it finished. Not just from the touching final cut, "The Key To Life", but I was simply so astounded at what an absolutely refreshing, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience I just had. And that's the third reason for the tears; there weren't any more tracks! But don't misunderstand, there are 13 tracks on this CD, so it's not short by any stretch. Honestly, if you're a Vince Gill fan, and even if you're not (although I could not imagine anyone NOT being a fan), this is THE CD to get. You will be mesmerized from start to finish. I certainly was the first time I heard it, and I enjoy it even more every time I hear it. Even my wife, who complains if I play a CD too frequently, listens intently every time I play this one, because she loves it also. This is the best country CD of 1998 AND 1999.

I think The Key is Vince Gill's best album yet--and I've always liked Vince's music. When he recorded The Key, Vince set out to make an authentic country record, and he succeeded.

The initial hit single off the album, "If You Ever Have Forever In Mind", according to Vince, was inspired by Ray Charles' 1960s hits as well as by Vince's love of "real" country music. However, even though I like "If You Ever Have Forever In Mind" and consider it a well-done song, I don't think it's the best song on the record. The best song on this album, in my opinion, is the concluding number, "The Key To Life". That song was written by Vince in memory of his father, Stan, who died in 1997. Vince went mostly acoustic on the arrangement of "The Key To Life", and I think it's the highlight of the record.

Vince put two upbeat songs on this album: the opening song "Don't Come Cryin' To Me" with its awesome steel guitar and fiddle, and the toe-tapping, Buck Owens-inspired song "I Never Really Knew You". For the most part, though, Vince does the slow songs on The Key, and I don't think he could sound much better than he does here. On the songs "Kindly Keep It Country", "All Those Years" and "There's Not Much Love Here Anymore", the listener can almost hear the heartache in Vince's voice. These songs sound more convincing when you consider what Vince endured prior to the release of this album. Besides the death of his father, Vince went through a messy divorce in '97. Although Vince has said that the previous three songs weren't inspired specifically by his divorce, I believe that his struggle to come to grips with the breakup lends them more credibility.

On a more positive note, I think Vince's duet with Patty Loveless, "My Kind Of Woman, My Kind Of Man", is a gem. In the opinion of this author, this celebration of marital fidelity will become a standard wedding song.

As a singer and artist, Vince, either on his own or in collaboration with others, has put out solid music for a long time. The Key is another impressive album by Vince.

Vince Gill has definitely outdone himself this time. "The Key" has defined the true roots of country and will be an all time classic. Vince's remarkable tenor voice brings chills to your spine throughout several selections. "If You Ever Have Forever In Mind" is one of the most amazing songs on the album with it's chilling harmonies and sounds. If you want a great song to get the foot tappin', just listen to "I'll Take Texas". It is one of the most fun and exciting selections on the album. "The Key to Life" is, in my opinion, the most heartfelt and inspiring songs I have ever heard. The album is also full of great vocalists such as Patty Loveless, Fatih Hill and Sonya Isaacs. I have to say that Vince has definitely let us know what the very best of country music is. This ablum is a real work of genius from Vince. This is a real "must have" for anyone and everyone!!!

While not EVERY SINGLE SONG on this album is traditional, most are, and that is very pleasing in this day and age, where REAL country music seems to be all but forgotten.....by the industry, that is! This album is a must for every traditional country fan!

This is Vince Gill's best release yet, & that's saying a lot. This cd is just one winner after another, from ballads such as "My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man" & "There's Not Much Love Here Anymore" to the up-tempo, Buck Owens-style "I Never Really Knew You." Other highlights include "The Hills of Caroline" and Gill's tribute to his father, "The Key to Life" (and just about every other track on the album, really.) Literally every one could be a hit.

American country radio stations were not keen on this album, being too country for them, but fans of traditional country will love this album. Having recorded a pop duet with Barbra Streisand a few months earlier, perhaps Vince was keen to reassure everybody that he hadn't deserted his fans but, whatever his motivation, this is surely the most traditional album that Vince has recorded. Most of the songs here are ballads though Vince picks up the tempo occasionally.

The standout track is, of course, the duet with Patty Loveless (My kind of woman my kind of man), which has since appeared on Patty's hits collection, Classics. Elsewhere, there are plenty of top singers providing background vocals on Vince's solo tracks. These include Dawn Sears (Don't come crying to me), Sara Evans (I never really knew you), Lee Ann Womack (Kindly keep it country), Shelby Lynne (I'll take Texas, There's not much love here anymore), Sonya Isaacs (Let her in, Live to tell it all), Alison Krauss (The hills of Caroline) and Faith Hill (What they all call love). Of these guests, Dawn Sears is the least well known but one of the most talented.

While this was less successful than some of Vince's albums, that is mainly due to lack of airplay. The quality of the music is just what fans expect of Vince, even if the music is more traditional than usual.

Vince has returned to a more traditional country sound throughout this splendid CD. From the Buck Owens influenced "You Never Really Knew Me", the Ray Charles inspired "If You Ever Have Forever In Mind", to the moving tribute to his dad on the title cut, Vince has created a masterpiece. As always his vocals are in top form but its the overall songwriting and musicianship that stand out. I would encourage anyone who loves country music to purchase this CD!

It has been a year since this CD has been released and it's unbelievable that it isn't gold. I bought it at midnight immediately after a Vince Gill concert and fell in love with every song. Last night at a concert at the Ohio State Fair, Vince said that the radio stations aren't playing it because it is too country. HELL-O! That's why it is so wonderful. Even more remarkable is the fact that he wrote each and every song on this CD. I anxiously await more of the same.

Please Vince,don't ever change or lose heart because you have truly found THE KEY.

My all time favourite album by Vince has always been Pocketful of Gold. That is until The Key came out. It is absolutely the best one to date. I love the cut "Don't Come Cryin' to me". The harmony vocals are wonderful. For those who love Vince Gill, this album is a must! For those who don't, give this one a try. It might just change your mind.