The Essential Vince Gill

Apart from his duet with Rosanne Cash (If it weren't for him), all his essential recordings from this period of his career are included, notably Victim of life's circumstances, Turn me loose, Oh Carolina, Oklahoma borderline and Cinderella. One song that wasn't released during this time (Never knew lonely) should have been - Vince re-recorded it for MCA and had a huge country hit with it.

This collection contains plenty of variety, which some songs that really rock, some heartfelt ballads and the occasional nod to his roots in bluegrass. His then-wife was one-half of Sweethearts of the Rodeo, who had much greater success. Their success was the inspiration for a couple of the songs here (Everybody's sweetheart, The radio) and may have indicated that their marriage was in trouble - they eventually divorced but not as soon as these songs might suggest.

Several collections of Vince's RCA music have been released since his success with MCA but this is by far the best - however, if you particularly want that duet with Rosanne Cash, you can find it on Platinum and gold collection, which has fewer tracks overall. If you enjoy his more famous MCA music, this is definitely worth a listen.


The Best Of Vince's Early Solo Work   April 18, 2003
James E. Bagley (Sanatoga, PA USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Since the early '90s, Vince Gill has been one of the most popular artists in country music because of his work on the MCA label. His recording career, however, began back in 1979; first as lead singer of the Pure Prairie League ("Let Me Love You Tonight") and then as a solo artist for RCA.

The Essential Vince Gill offers 10 of the 11 singles he recorded while at RCA between 1983 and 1988 (curiously missing is "If It Weren't For Him," his top 10 duet with Roseanne Cash). Among the gems found here are the rousing "Turn Me Loose," the heartbreaking "Oh Carolina," and the mandolin featured "Cinderella." "Everybody's Sweetheart" was a tongue-in-cheek comment on his then-more-famous wife Janis, of Sweethearts of the Rodeo, while "The Radio" presented a touching ode to his oft-touring Sweetheart.

The remaining 10 tracks included here are often as strong as the singles and includes the original version of his 1990 hit "Never Knew Lonely." Most of these recordings hold their own with Gill's more celebrated MCA stuff. Maybe he wasn't promoted properly at RCA or the timing wasn't right for Gill back then. Whatever the reason, it is nice to have such an attractive set available of Gill's early solo work.


None Better   February 1, 2000
geojeffers@aol.com (Hatfield PA.)
3 out of 7 found this review helpful

A perfect mix for this wonderful singer /songwriter/master guitar player. I really don't think there is a better tallent than Vince. Just give it a listen and enjoy. He does everything with music in his soul and you can hear it in his voice and in his playing


Hardly "Essential"   January 8, 2000
jekyllnhyde (NJ)
8 out of 12 found this review helpful

The title of this CD is very misleading. Except for "I Never Knew Lonely" & maybe "Oklahoma Borderline", none of his real hits are here. Not that these songs are bad at all, it's just that there are much better places to start your Vince collection.