There exists a concept in Nashville known as the “triple threat”, which simply refers to someone who is well-versed in three specific areas in the musical field. In Nashville that typically applies to guitar playing, singing, and songwriting. It’s a concept that certainly applies to Vince Gill, whose crystal clear vocals, incredible guitar playing, and impeccable songwriting have made him a country legend throughout his 67-year old life. Over his career he’s racked up an astounding amount of awards that bear testament to his skill set– 21 Grammy Awards, 18 Country Music Association Awards, inductions into both the Nashville Songwriters and Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as a membership in the esteemed Grand Ole Opry.
High Lonesome Sound is a great encapsulation of Gill’s range, featuring good ol’ honky tonk bangers and soaring ballads. By far the song that is the highlight of the album “Pretty Little Adrianna”, a song penned from the perspective of a parent who has lost their child. It was written after a horrific gang-related shooting in Nashville during 1995 that claimed the life of a 12-year old girl who was an innocent bystander, simply heading to a gumball machine with a quarter in her hand when she was caught in the crossfire and lost her life. As a parent this song has always absolutely gutted me– it encapsulates the fear every parent has for their children’s safety, and in between the trademark high tenor of Gill, haunting vocal melodies, and moving guitar licks that tell the tale of innocence lost, “Pretty Little Adrianna” has something deep within its soul that has moved me to tears more time than I can count. It’s one of the most powerful songs I’ve heard in my lifetime in all its gut-wrenching glory.
Standout Songs: “Pretty Little Adrianna”, “High Lonesome Sound”, “A Little More Love”, “Jenny Dreamed of Trains”
